VehicleVerdict

1999 Volkswagen Passat problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 854 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.8 times the median Passat year — the 1999 model ranks #2 of 35 Passat years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 3 deaths and 13 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 250 reports (29% of the total).

854

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

8

Investigations

15

Crash-involved

18

Fires reported

13

Injuries

3

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Passat years?

Passat NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted1,026 complaints1988: 0 complaints1989: 0 complaints1990: 50 complaints1991: 30 complaints1992: 60 complaints1993: 90 complaints1994: 36 complaints1995: 142 complaints1996: 185 complaints1997: 105 complaints1998: 476 complaints1999: 854 complaints2000: 625 complaints2001: 558 complaints2002: 772 complaints2003: 823 complaints2004: 348 complaints2005: 172 complaints2006: 779 complaints2007: 341 complaints2008: 240 complaints2009: 211 complaints2010: 226 complaints2011: 27 complaints2012: 660 complaints2013: 1,026 complaints2014: 785 complaints2015: 388 complaints2016: 179 complaints2017: 173 complaints2018: 65 complaints2019: 18 complaints2020: 24 complaints2021: 28 complaints2022: 19 complaints
Passat NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Passat years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Volkswagen Passat problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes25029%
Suspension14016%
Engine9211%
Steering799%
Electrical System688%
Visibility & Wipers364%
Speed Control324%
Fuel System314%
Transmission314%
Airbags223%
Lighting182%
Tires & Wheels132%
Other132%
Body & Structure111%
Seats101%
Seat Belts40%
Latches & Locks30%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 1999 Volkswagen Passat have recalls?

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

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.

08V156000Fuel SystemApril 7, 2008 · 412,000 units

Defect

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 412,000 MY 1999-2005 PASSAT (5TH GENERATION) VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND PRODUCED AFTER JUNE 14, 1999. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE AN UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELD THAT CAN BECOME DAMAGED. IN ADDITION, AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS MAY HAVE A FUEL LINE (1.8T ENGINES ONLY) OR FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE (4MOTION/ALL WHEEL DRIVE ONLY) THAT CAN LEAK DUE TO FRACTURE.

Consequence

A HEAT SHIELD THAT MAY CONTACT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE. IN ADDITION, A FUEL LEAK FROM A FUEL LINE OR FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CAN LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL ADDITIONAL UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELDS ON VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS TO COVER THE POSSIBLY DAMAGED AREAS AND FLASH ALL 1.8T ENGINES WITH A PRECAUTIONARY SOFTWARE UPDATE. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT AND ADJUST THE FUEL LINE ROUTING ON 1.8T VEHICLES AND THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE ON 4MOTION/ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES, AND REPLACE COMPONENTS IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 13, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

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.

00V414000SteeringDecember 6, 2000 · 83,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TIE RODS OF THE STEERING ASSEMBLY ARE PROTECTED ON EACH SIDE BY A SEAL TO PREVENT MOISTURE AND DUST PARTICLES FROM ENTERING THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT SOME TIE ROD SEALS MAY NOT SEAL PROPERLY.

Consequence

IF MOISTURE AND/OR DUST PARTICLES ENTER THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM, THE SWIVEL BEARING COULD WEAR OVER TIME DIMINISHING THE STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE RODS.

99V248000SteeringSeptember 13, 1999 · 51,900 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TIE RODS OF THE STEERING ASSEMBLY ARE PROTECTED ON EACH SIDE BY A SEAL TO PREVENT MOISTURE AND DUST PARTICLES FROM ENTERING THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT SOME TIE ROD SEALS MAY NOT SEAL PROPERLY.

Consequence

IF MOISTURE AND/OR DUST PARTICLES ENTER THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM, THE SWIVEL BEARING COULD WEAR OVER TIME DIMINISHING THE STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE RODS.

99V131001BrakesMay 21, 1999 · 88,121 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. A CONTROL VALVE IN THE VACUUM HOSE CONNECTING THE BRAKE BOOSTER TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD MAY NOT OPEN OR CLOSE FULLY AT TEMPERATURES BELOW -4 F UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE INSUFFICIENT VACUUM TO BE PROVIDED TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A VACUUM BY-PASS SYSTEM INTO VEHICLES OPERATED IN THESE STATES WHICH IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT VACUUM FOR FULL BRAKE ASSIST UNDER ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“MY ABS LIGHT HAS BEEN FLASHING FOR MONTHS .....I AM TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THAT IT IS AN ABS SENSOR....BRAKES NOT REALLY AFFECTED....HOWEVER I HIT THE BRAKES AT 10MPH WHILE TAKING A SLIGHT TURN...BRAKES FAILED, THEN LOCKED; HIT CURBAND BRUSHED TREE.VW NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS.....BRAKES CHECKED AND LOOKED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 3, 2006 · crash

“CAR HAD BEEN RECALLED FOR REPAIRING DEFECTIVE TIE ROD - ONCE FIXED THE ENTIRE FRONT END AND TIRES HAVE GONE BAD AND THE DEALER ESTIIMATES $ 1500 FOR REPAIRING TIRES. MANUFACTURER IS ADAMANT AND OBNOXIOUS AND THINKS THAT THIS IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR BASED ON TELEPHONE CONVERSATION. AT 38,000 MILES…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension

“WAS DRIVING VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY , THE VEHICLE'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN , I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY I SEEN SMOKE I OPENED THE HOOD AND IT WAS ON FIRE. I CALLED POLICE AND FIRE. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT THE FANS ARE MELTED AND I'M…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 8, 2012 · fire

“PREMATURE WEAR OF TIE ROD: INNER. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON VEHICLE'S MAKE AND MODEL; HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. DEALER WILL REPAIR VEHICLE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK MANUFACTURER AGREED TO PAY FOR REPAIRS, ALSO THE RECALL HAS BEEN UPDATED AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering

“CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE SHORTLY AFTER BEING DRIVEN. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE WHEN THE FIRE STARTED. THE FIRE SPREAD TO THE REST OF THE HOUSE. THE FIRE WAS WITNESSED TO ORIGINATE ON THE RIGHT SIDE (PASSENGER) OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT UNDER THE HOOD. DT”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 10, 2002 · fire

1999 Volkswagen Passat — common questions

Is the 1999 Volkswagen Passat reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 854 complaints put the 1999 model at #2 of 35 Passat years. It is one of the Passat years to avoid.

What are the most common 1999 Passat problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (250 complaints), suspension (140 complaints), engine (92 complaints).

Does the 1999 Volkswagen Passat have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 Volkswagen Passat. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1999 Volkswagen Passat under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 8 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Volkswagen Passat years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Passat years to avoid are 2013, 1999, 2003, 2014, 2006, 2002, 2012, 2000, 2001, 1998, 2015, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2011. The cleanest record among Passat years belongs to 1989.

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.