Model year guide

1991 Volkswagen Corrado

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1991 Volkswagen Corrado is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 6 on record.

1991 Volkswagen Corrado — representative photo
Representative photo

1991 Volkswagen Corrado at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints7
Combined20–21 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1991 Volkswagen Corrado recalls 2

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings NHTSA Campaign #92V058000 · 14/04/1992

THE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL DISTRIBUTION RAIL ON THE ENGINE MAY SHRINK BEYOND THE CLAMP FORCE OF THE FUEL HOSE CLAMPS, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK.

Fix: REPLACE THE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL RAIL AND INSTALL A NEW SPRING TYPE SELF-TIGHTENING CLAMP.

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump NHTSA Campaign #91V068000 · 22/04/1991

THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING, WHICH SERVES AS THE BASE FOR THE FUEL PUMP (LOCATED IN THE FUEL TANK) COULD DEFORM, RESULTING IN THE FUEL PUMP BECOMING LOOSE.

Fix: REPLACE FUEL FILTER.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1991 Volkswagen Corrado common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 7 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.

1991 Volkswagen Corrado MPG & running costs

Combined20–21 mpg
City18 mpg
Highway25 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,275
EPA size classSubcompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd
Passenger volume80 cu ft
Cargo volume19 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$4,375 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1991 Volkswagen Corrado costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$16,375
Fuel only$16,375
Per mile$0.22

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
159.4 in
Width
65.7 in
Height
52.0 in
Wheelbase
97.2 in
Curb weight
2,458 lb

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1991 Volkswagen Corrado. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 12

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 12.

The part number listed in the document is to be returned if it meets the criteria provided.

Bulletin SM 33-2019 · Equipment · Mar 2019

This special notice is to inform dealers to return all part numbers listed in the document and order the superseded part numbers going forward.

Bulletin SM 44-2017 EN · Equipment · Jun 2017

VAS 6154 Replacement Part Setup Guide

Bulletin VHW-17-11 · Equipment · Jun 2017

This communication is to update our ProFi dealers of the current status of the latest inbound and outbound ProFi requests.

Bulletin 1-2017 Update · Equipment · Feb 2017

Update model year applicability to include 2017.

Bulletin V691601 2010479 · Equipment · Oct 2016

Airbag Issues.

Bulletin Airbag · Air Bags · Jan 2016

This document contains the VW Elsa Newsletter that contains a general overview of wiring diagrams updates, technical bulletins, pending service solutions, tech tips, campaigns, updates, and suggestions.

Bulletin Elsa 6-29-15 · Equipment · Jun 2015

This document contains the VW Elsa Newsletter that contains a general overview of wiring diagrams updates, ElsaPro infomedia icons grayed out, workshop equipment tool storage application, technical bulletins, pending service solutions, tech tips, campaigns, up…

Bulletin Elsa 6-22-15 · Equipment · Jun 2015

VOLKSWAGEN: EXHAUST HEAT SHIELD, REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES. HEAT SHIELDS ARE TO BE INSPECTED AFTER COMPLETION O ANY TYPE OF REPAIR TO THE UNDERBODY (EXHAUST SYSTEM TRANSMISSION, ETC.), AND IF DAMAGED, REPLACED. *PE

Bulletin 2015831 · Engine And Engine Cooling, Structure · Aug 2008

SUBJECT REGARDING LATCH SYSTEM LOWER ANCHORS AND TETHERS FOR CHILDREN, INSTALLING / RETROFITTING. *TT

Bulletin 0101 · Seats · Jun 2001

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the CORRADO. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 2

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1991 Volkswagen Corrado. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Fuel System

THE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL DISTRIBUTION RAIL, LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY CLAMPED. THIS COULD LEAD TO FUEL SEEPAGE AT THE HOSE CONNECTION. ESCAPING FUEL COULD COME INTO CONTACT WITH HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS AND POSSIBLY CAUSE AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. CORRECTION: FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL RAIL WILL BE REPLACED AND EXISTING HOSE CLAMPS WI…

Transport Canada #1993143 · Oct 1993

Fuel System

UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS, THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING, WHICH ALSO SERVES AS THE BASE FOR THE FUEL PUMP, COULD DEFORM RESULTING IN THE FUEL PUMP BECOMING LOOSE. A LOOSE AND THUS IMPROPERLY SEATED FUEL PUMP COULD CAUSE REDUCED FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE RESULTING IN POSSIBLE DRIVEABILITY PROBLEMS AND VEHICLE STALLING. CORRECTION: FUEL PUMP WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED IF NEC…

Transport Canada #1991104 · Jul 1991

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Volkswagen Corrado

The Volkswagen Corrado is a sport compact car which was marketed by Volkswagen from 1988 until 1995. It was manufactured by Karmann in Osnabrück, Germany. The Corrado is a three-door coupé with two side passenger doors and a rear liftback that seats four passengers in a 2+2 seating arrangement. It has a front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout and was based on the Volkswagen Group A2 platform used in the Volkswagen Golf Mk2.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1991 Volkswagen Corrado vehicles on record

Other Volkswagen Corrado model years

1991 Volkswagen Corrado — frequently asked questions

Does the 1991 Volkswagen Corrado have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1991 Volkswagen Corrado. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1991 Volkswagen Corrado?

Across all 7 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, engine, structure.

What gas mileage does the 1991 Volkswagen Corrado get?

The 1991 Volkswagen Corrado has U.S. EPA estimates of 20–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.