VehicleVerdict

1999 Volkswagen Jetta problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 488 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.3 times the median Jetta year — the 1999 model ranks #13 of 47 Jetta years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 38 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (87), visibility & wipers (85), and electrical system (50), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

488

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

5

Investigations

44

Crash-involved

11

Fires reported

38

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Jetta years?

See all Jetta years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Volkswagen Jetta problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine8718%
Visibility & Wipers8517%
Electrical System5010%
Airbags316%
Brakes316%
Transmission316%
Speed Control276%
Body & Structure265%
Seat Belts255%
Lighting225%
Other204%
Fuel System143%
Suspension133%
Steering82%
Seats71%
Tires & Wheels51%
Latches & Locks31%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)20%
Driver Assistance10%

Does the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta 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.

06V183000LightingMay 24, 2006 · 646,246 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND CRUISE CONTROLS, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING SAFETY RECALLS 03V-265 OR 04V-096.

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 NOVEMBER 27, 2006. 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.

04V096000LightingFebruary 20, 2004 · 377,130 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION.

Consequence

IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR COME ON AND STAY ON, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.

Remedy

THIS RECALL HAS BEEN SUPERCEDED BY 06V-183. OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD A REMEDY PERFORMED UNDER THIS RECALL SHOULD RETURN TO THEIR DEALER FOR THE REDESIGNED REMEDY. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

03V156000OtherApril 23, 2003 · 9,811 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 SUBSTANTIALY UNDER INFLATED TIRES PUTS THE CONSUMER AT A 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.

02V026000Fuel SystemJanuary 25, 2002 · 487,284 units

Defect

ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK FILLER NECK CAN SUFFER ABRASION DAMAGE IF THE REAR TIRE GOES FLAT AND THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN UNTIL THE TIRE DISINTEGRATES.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL FIT PASSAT VEHICLES WITH A NEW WHEEL HOUSE LINER THAT WILL BETTER PROTECT THE CAR'S FILLER NECK. JETTA VEHICLES WILL BE FITTED WITH A DIFFERENT METAL SHIELD DESIGNED TO ENHANCE ABRASION PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF TIRE DISINTEGRATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 13, 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 VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

99V251000Body & StructureSeptember 17, 1999 · 67,076 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE HEAD INJURY CRITERION REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." THE UPPER RETAINER CLIP NEAR THE BP1 IMPACT LOCATION IS DESIGNED TO BREAK WHEN IMPACTED BY THE HEAD FORM. IN SOME CASES, THE MATERIAL OF THE TRIM PART MAY BE MORE IMPACT RESISTANT AS A RESULT OF VARIATIONS IN THE MOLDING PROCESS.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT THE CLIP FROM BREAKING ON IMPACT AND RESULT IN LESS DEFORMATION IN THE IMPACTED AREA AND A HIGHER DECLERATION OF THE HEAD FORM, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE TRIM COVER FROM EACH OF THE B PILLARS AND INSTALL A NEW COVER.

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 TRAVELING NORTH ON THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE THE VEHICLE, WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, SUDDENLY STALLED IN THE CENTER OF THREE LANES AND WOULD NOT RESTART. I WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE THE CAR FROM THE CENTER LANE. SHORTLY AFTER I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE A TRACTOR TRAILER STRUCK THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 27, 2000 · crash

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION IN WHICH SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK UP UPON IMPACT, AND DRIVER'S/PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CAUSE UNKNOWN, ALSO STEERING RACK AND PINION WAS DAMAGED . *AK PASSENGER WINDOW FELL OFF TWICE. *YH

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · June 24, 2000 · crash

VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SMOKE STARTED TO COME FROM B- PILLER. AFT VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AND INSPECTED BYDEALER IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT RELAY DID NOT TRIP, CAUSING WIRING HARNESS TO CATCH ON FIRE. AFTER INVESTIGATION THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · fire

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISI0N, IMPACT AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. ABS BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE,CAUSING VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN BUT NOT STOP. SEAT BELT ON DRIVER'S SIDE FAILED TO LOCK IN PLACE, CAUSING CONSUMER TO SUSTAIN A HEAD INJURY FROM HITTING WINDSHIELD. ALSO, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 20, 1999 · crash

VEHICLE ROLLS FORWARD WHEN ON THE SLIGHTEST GRADE WHEN PUT IN REVERSE, IT TAKES 3-5 SECONDS TO ENGAGE AND EVEN AFTER IT ENGAGES IT WILL ROLL FORWARD. I ALMOST HIT A MOTHER AND CHILD WALKING INFRONT OF THE CAR WHEN IN A PARKING SPACE, THE SECOND TIME THE VEHICLE PLUNGED INTO A POLE CAUSING DAMAGE TO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 1, 2000 · crash

1999 Volkswagen Jetta — common questions

Is the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 488 complaints put the 1999 model at #13 of 47 Jetta years. It is one of the Jetta years to avoid.

What are the most common 1999 Jetta problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (87 complaints), visibility & wipers (85 complaints), electrical system (50 complaints).

Does the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta have recalls?

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

Is the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 5 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Volkswagen Jetta years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Jetta years to avoid are 2009, 2010, 2002, 2011, 2001, 2006, 2019, 2013, 2012, 2000, 2003, 2014, 1999, 2005, 1995. The cleanest record among Jetta years belongs to 1983.

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.