MYRModel Year Report

1999 Volkswagen Beetle

◆ Worse than typical
1999 Volkswagen Beetle
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:45:57.219Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
174
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 1999

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Electrical system

29% of complaints

Complaints per year

1998: 171 complaints 1999: 174 complaints 1999 174 2000: 263 complaints 2001: 203 complaints 2002: 165 complaints 2003: 314 complaints 2004: 349 complaints 2004 2005: 261 complaints 2006: 124 complaints 2007: 56 complaints 2007 2008: 60 complaints 2009: 33 complaints 2010: 30 complaints 2010 2012: 65 complaints 2013: 93 complaints 2014: 50 complaints 2014 2015: 83 complaints 2016: 47 complaints 2017: 15 complaints 2017 2018: 17 complaints 2019: 14 complaints
1998: 171 complaints 1999: 174 complaints 1999 174 2000: 263 complaints 2001: 203 complaints 2002: 165 complaints 2002 2003: 314 complaints 2004: 349 complaints 2004 2005: 261 complaints 2006: 124 complaints 2006 2007: 56 complaints 2008: 60 complaints 2008 2009: 33 complaints 2010: 30 complaints 2010 2012: 65 complaints 2013: 93 complaints 2013 2014: 50 complaints 2015: 83 complaints 2015 2016: 47 complaints 2017: 15 complaints 2017 2018: 17 complaints 2019: 14 complaints 2019
1998: 171 complaints 1998 1999: 174 complaints 1999 174 2000: 263 complaints 2000 2001: 203 complaints 2001 2002: 165 complaints 2002 2003: 314 complaints 2003 2004: 349 complaints 2004 2005: 261 complaints 2005 2006: 124 complaints 2006 2007: 56 complaints 2007 2008: 60 complaints 2008 2009: 33 complaints 2009 2010: 30 complaints 2010 2012: 65 complaints 2012 2013: 93 complaints 2013 2014: 50 complaints 2014 2015: 83 complaints 2015 2016: 47 complaints 2016 2017: 15 complaints 2017 2018: 17 complaints 2018 2019: 14 complaints 2019

1999: 174 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
1998171
1999174
2000263
2001203
2002165
2003314
2004349
2005261
2006124
200756
200860
200933
201030
201265
201393
201450
201583
201647
201715
201817
201914

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical system

29% · 50 reports

Most commonly citing 12v/24v/48v battery and wiring.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that while at a traffic light she smelled something burning then noticed smoke emitting from the dashboard.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-10-03

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, he turned off the air conditioner and noticed smoke coming from the instrument panel.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-05-15

Please see photo's at http://www.crivelli.com/Beetle.htm. This car just exploded into flames without any warning. Volkswagen admits car is defective and is taking vehicle to mexico.

NHTSA ODI report, 1999-06-03

Engine and engine cooling

20% · 35 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and emission control.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I was driving along a straight, dry stretch of road at approximately 45 miles per hour, when my car suddenly accelerated and the steering locked up. I was unable to control my vehicle and crashed into an embankment.

NHTSA ODI report, 1999-09-14

Power train

18% · 32 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and clutch assembly.

FIRE

Visibility

16% · 27 reports

Most commonly citing power window devices and controls and windshield.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

June 2, 2003 the following letter was sent to voa dear Volkswagen of america I have a 1999 Beetle that caught fire on May 4TH 2003; as of today May 12, 2003 this is what I was told by [xxx] from your department.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-04-22

Air bags

13% · 22 reports

Most commonly citing sensor/control module and frontal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

My grandmother had purchased a eddie bauer brooke stroller and car seat set online for my baby shower end of September through beginning of August 2011. Purchase was around $300+ which I don't find cheap by any means.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-07-19

While driving 45 MPH the vehicle was involved in a left frontal collision yet the air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was totaled.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-06-27

Airbag controller knocked off vehicle in single vehicle accident; airbags failed to deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 1999-07-17

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    1999Complaint volume 174 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    2002-11-18Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-04-08 Brake light switch operation
  3. I
    2003-04-08Engineering analysisClosed 2003-08-20 Brake light switch
  4. I
    2006-02-28Recall queryClosed 2006-08-07 Brake light switch failure
  5. R
    2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber…

    Remedy: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2006-07-01Exterior lighting06E049000 Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are…

    Remedy: Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2006. Owners may contact ck motorsport at 1-909-610-7211.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2006-08-01Exterior lighting06E060000 Certain aai motorsports combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above list passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the…

    Remedy: Aai motorsports will notify owners and replace the lamps free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2006. Owners may contact aai motorsports at 909-923-9188.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2006-11-27Exterior lighting06V183000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2008-12-17Exterior lighting08E050000 K2 motor is recalling 1,921 aftermarket headlamps of various models sold for use on the above listed vehicles. These headlamps are missing the amber side reflex reflector which fails to conform…

    Remedy: K2 motor will notify owners and offer a full refund. The recall began on decemeber 17, 2008. Owners may contact K2 motor at 1-909-839-2992.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2014-05-01Engine and engine cooling14E007000 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...

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1999 Volkswagen Beetle — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 50 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 35 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 32 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E049000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E060000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06V183000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 08E050000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 14E007000 · Engine and engine cooling
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1999 Volkswagen Beetle reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1999 Volkswagen Beetle is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Volkswagen Beetle?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 29% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1999 Volkswagen Beetle have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.