VehicleVerdict

1999 Volkswagen Golf problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 76 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.3 times the median Golf year — the 1999 model ranks #12 of 39 Golf years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (16), electrical system (12), and fuel system (12), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

76

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

1

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Golf years?

See all Golf years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Volkswagen Golf problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine1621%
Fuel System1216%
Electrical System1216%
Visibility & Wipers811%
Other57%
Lighting57%
Transmission57%
Seat Belts45%
Suspension23%
Steering11%
Body & Structure11%
Tires & Wheels11%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%
Brakes11%
Latches & Locks11%
Airbags11%

Does the 1999 Volkswagen Golf have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

14E007000EngineMarch 7, 2014 · 50 units

Defect

The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.

Consequence

A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy

Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 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

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

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

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.

07V063000LightingFebruary 20, 2007 · 1,002,000 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.

Consequence

THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2007, AND WILL BE CONDUCTED IN SEVERAL STAGGERED MAILINGS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21, 2007. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.

05V154000Fuel SystemApril 19, 2005 · 30,708 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GASOLINE ENGINES AND DOUBLE-LAYER FUEL TANKS, TENSION ON THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP SUPPLY NIPPLE TO CRACK WHICH COULD RESULT IN A LEAK.

Consequence

LEAKING FUEL, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, MAY CAUSE A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE FOR TENSION, AND INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP SUPPLY NIPPLE FOR CRACKING. IF NECESSARY THE FUEL LINE AND THE FUEL PUMP WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 25, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

03V155000OtherApril 22, 2003 · 4,243 units

Defect

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.8L VR6 ENGINES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE RECOMMENDED COLD TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE PUBLISHED ON THE LABEL FOR TIRES OF THE SIZE 205/50 R15 86H IS 0.1 BAR (1.45 PSI) TOO LOW. IT SHOULD BE 2.5 BAR (36.3 PSI). THE LABEL RECOMMENDS 2.4 BAR (34.8 PSI = 35 PSI).

Consequence

UNDER INFLATED TIRES CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING, AND DRIVING WITH SUBSTANTIALLY UNDER INFLATED TIRES PUTS THE CONSUMER AT RISK FOR A CRASH.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECTED LABELS, OR A DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL IF THE OWNER WISHES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 29, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VW AT 1-800-893-5298.

99V022000Body & StructureFebruary 5, 1999 · 36,258 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SOUND ABSORBING MAT ATTACHED TO THE INSIDE OF THE B-PILLAR SIDE TRIM PANEL COULD HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. SURFACE AND EDGES OF THE MAT COULD HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING THE ASSEMBLY PROCESS. IT COULD IGNITE WHEN EXPOSED TO THE EXHAUST GAS OF THE SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER IGNITER IN THE EVENT OF A SEVERE FRONT OR SIDE COLLISION.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE MATTING MATERIALS FROM INSIDE THE B-PILLAR ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

WHILE DRIVING, A BANGING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS INSIDE OF THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE FILL…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 14, 2004

1999 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF SAFETY RECALL RECEIVED REGARDING THE DEFECT WITH THE FUEL SUPPLY MODULE.[REDACTED]NO ANSWER REQUIRED[REDACTED]. *MR THE CONSUMER STATED HE DID SMELL GAS COMING FROM THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER NO LONGER LIVES IN THE UNITED STATES AND WHERE SHE LIVES NOW NO ONE WAS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · January 1, 1901

SEE WWW.TDICLUB.COM AND SEARCH FOR 'RELAY 109' FOR REPORTS. DEFINITELY RECALL MATERIAL, HAZARD TO DRIVERS WHEN ENGINE DIES IN TRAFFIC. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 1, 2000 · crash

WHITE METAL USED IN FRONT AND READ WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND ALSO REAR HATCH DOOR LATCH FLAKE APART AND CRUMBLE MAKING WIPERS AND LATCH UNUSABLE. REPLACED FRONT WIPER ASSEMBLY JUNE 2012, REAR WIPER DOES NOT WORK, SAME WITH REAR DOOR LATCH. FRONT WIPERS STOPPED WORKING SUDDENLY WHILE IN A SUMMER…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · June 6, 2012

THESE 2 ITEMS CONCERNED ME GREATLY AS TO THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. THE PLASTIC FUEL LINE FAILED DUE TO COLD WEATHER, BELOW ZERO, AND BEING HIT BY SLUSH BALL FROM A TRUCK. HAD THE FUEL LINE BEEN METAL, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO FAILURE. THE SECOND ITEM, THE HEADLIGHTS IS MORE CRITICAL. THEY FAILED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · February 1, 2000

1999 Volkswagen Golf — common questions

Is the 1999 Volkswagen Golf reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 76 complaints put the 1999 model at #12 of 39 Golf years. It is one of the Golf years to avoid.

What are the most common 1999 Golf problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (16 complaints), electrical system (12 complaints), fuel system (12 complaints).

Does the 1999 Volkswagen Golf have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 Volkswagen Golf. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1999 Volkswagen Golf under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Volkswagen Golf years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Golf years to avoid are 2015, 2001, 2011, 2017, 2022, 2000, 2016, 2002, 2010, 2019, 1995, 1999, 1996, 2012, 2013, 1994, 2014. The cleanest record among Golf years belongs to 2008.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.