52/100
1991Compact CarsDiesel

1991 Volkswagen Jetta

EPA ID: 7896
31
City MPG
34
Combined MPG
34MPG· Excellent
39
Highway MPG

Fuel Economy Overview

The 1991 Volkswagen Jetta achieves an EPA-estimated 34 MPG in combined city and highway driving, with 31 MPG in the city and 39 MPG on the highway. Powered by a 1.6L 4-cylinder engine paired with a manual 5-spd, this compact cars features Front-Wheel Drive drive.

In terms of environmental impact, the 1991 Jetta produces approximately 299 grams of CO2 per mile. This figure is measured under standardized EPA test conditions and represents tailpipe emissions only. For context, the average new vehicle sold in the United States produces approximately 400 grams of CO2 per mile, meaning this Jetta performs better than the national average in this regard.

The estimated annual fuel cost for this vehicle is $2,400, based on 15,000 miles of driving per year and current national average fuel prices. Compared to the average new vehicle, you would save $1,250 over a 5-year period. This calculation accounts for differences in fuel consumption efficiency and provides a practical measure of long-term ownership costs attributable to fuel economy.

Energy DNA

Vehicle ClassCompact Cars
Fuel TypeDiesel
Engine1.6L 4-cyl
AspirationNaturally Aspirated
TransmissionManual 5-spd
Drive TypeFront-Wheel Drive

Green Scorecard

CO2 Emissions299 g/mi
Start-Stop SystemNot Equipped
GHG Score-1/10
Smog RatingN/A
Est. Annual Cost$2,400
5-Year Cost DeltaSave $1,250

Personalized Commute CalculatorEPA defaults to 55% City / 45% Hwy

55% City45% Highway

Adjust the slider to match your daily driving habits. City driving involves stop-and-go traffic under 45mph, while highway driving represents sustained speeds over 55mph.

Your Real MPG
34.2
Impact vs EPA
$-7
/ year
💨

Aerodynamic Speed Penalty

EPA highway tests average roughly 48 mph. Driving at 75 mph increases aerodynamic drag exponentially. Expect your real-world highway fuel economy to drop by roughly 15-20% at interstate speeds.

5-Year Total Cost of Ownership

Estimated Monthly Cost
$500/mo
Includes estimated depreciation, fuel, insurance, and state fees over 5 years. Does not include loan interest.
15,000 mi
Value Depreciation
Est. value lost over 60 months
$14,000
46.6%
Fuel & Electricity
Based on National Average rates ($3.50/gal)
$7,721
25.7%
Estimated Insurance
Based on vehicle class risk profile
$7,900
26.3%
State Registration Fees
Based on National Average DMV base rates
$400
1.3%
Total 5-Year Cost$30,021

Recall Intelligence

Campaign #09E012000·2009-05-11
critical
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence & Remedy

Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Campaign #06E018000·2006-03-30
critical
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

CERTAIN HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSES, P/N 171.611.107B, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR 1975-1985 VOLKSWAGEN (VW) RABBIT; 1985-1992 VW GOLF; AND 1980-1992 VW JETTA PASSENGER VEHICLES. POSSIBLE BRAKE HOSE RUPTURE COULD OCCUR WHICH FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 106, "BRAKE HOSES."

Consequence & Remedy

Consequence: BRAKE HOSE RUPTURE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: FOREIGN PARTS DISTRIBUTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE BRAKE HOSES WITH COMPLIANT BRAKE HOSES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FOREIGN PARTS DISTRIBUTORS AT 305-885-8646 EXT. 11.

Campaign #93V129000·1993-09-24
moderate
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

AN ENGINE PREHEATING TUBE MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SUPPORTED DUE TO A MISSING SUPPORT BRACKET, CAUSING THE PREHEATING TUBE TO CHAFE AGAINST THE RIGHT FRONT METAL BRAKE LINE. THIS CAN DAMAGE THE HYDRAULIC LINE, CAUSING BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE AND DIMINISHED BRAKING IN ONE BRAKE CIRCUIT.

Consequence & Remedy

Consequence: DIMINISHED BRAKING CAN RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPINGDISTANCES AND A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PREHEATING TUBE SUPPORT BRACKET TO ENSURE PROPER POSITIONING RELATIVE TO THE RIGHT FRONT METAL BRAKE LINE.

Campaign #92V131000·1993-06-11
advisory
Component: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE VENTURI TUBE LOCATED IN THE THROTTLE VALVE HOUSING CAN BECOME LOOSE AND FALL AGAINST THE THROTTLE PLATE.

Consequence & Remedy

Consequence: THE VENTURI TUBE CAN PARTIALLY BLOCK THE THROTTLE PLATEAND PREVENT IT FROM RETURNING TO ITS FULL IDLE POSITION, RESULTING IN UNWANTEDENGINE SPEED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED IN A FORWARD OR REVERSE GEAR.

Remedy: REPLACE THE PRESS-FIT VENTURI TUBE WITH A THREAD TYPE TUBE.

Campaign #92V058000·1992-05-22
critical
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

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.

Consequence & Remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAN CAUSE AN UNDERHOOD FIRE IF THE FUEL COMES IN CONTACT WITH A SOURCE OF IGNITION.

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

Campaign #91V064000·1991-04-22
advisory
Component: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

THE LOCK NUT OF THE CRUISE CONTROL ROD FOR THE OPERATING SERVO MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TORQUED DURING MANUFACTURE.

Consequence & Remedy

Consequence: INADEQUATE TORQUE OF THE LOCK NUT COULD ALLOW THE RODADJUSTMENT TO CHANGE. THIS COULD INCREASE THE ENGINE IDLE SPEED, AND POSSIBLYINCREASE STOPPING DISTANCE WITH A POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: CHECK AND ASSURE PROPER LOCK NUT TORQUE ON THE CRUISE CONTROL ROD.

Campaign #90V173000·1990-10-12
moderate
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

FRONT BRAKE HOSES OF INSUFFICIENT LENGTH WERE INSTALLED IN SOME VEHICLES. THESE SHORT HOSES COULD STRETCH AND DEVELOP CRACKS.

Consequence & Remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE, WITH LOSS OFFLUID PRESSURE AND BRAKING ABILITY.

Remedy: REPLACE BOTH BRAKE HOSES.

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Looking for comprehensive historical data?

NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crash History) and broader generational safety trends are aggregated at the model level rather than by specific engine configurations. View the complete historical data profile for all Volkswagen Jetta configurations.

View Model History

Similar 1991 Compact Cars Alternatives

Fuel Cost Analysis

Annual Fuel Cost$2,400
vs. Avg Vehicle (5 yrs)Save $1,250

Based on 15,000 miles/year and current fuel prices.

Efficiency Breakdown

City31 MPG
Highway39 MPG
Combined34 MPG

Estimated Lifetime Carbon Footprint

(Based on 200,000 miles driven)

59.9 metric tons CO₂
Equivalent To:
🌳 74 tree seedlings grown for 10 yrs
✈️ 5.0 cross-country flights/yr

Data Provenance

Data directly from the EPA National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory. The combined rating is a weighted average (55% city, 45% highway). For official figures, visit fueleconomy.gov.