MYRModel Year Report

1999 Volkswagen Golf

● Typical for this model
1999 Volkswagen Golf
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:51:54.661Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of 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
64
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 1999

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

25% of complaints

Complaints per year

1985: 10 complaints 1985 1986: 13 complaints 1987: 4 complaints 1988: 9 complaints 1989: 17 complaints 1990: 10 complaints 1990 1991: 8 complaints 1992: 6 complaints 1993: 7 complaints 1994: 43 complaints 1995: 43 complaints 1996: 3 complaints 1997: 7 complaints 1998: 18 complaints 1999: 64 complaints 1999 64 2000: 88 complaints 2001: 116 complaints 2002: 74 complaints 2003: 26 complaints 2004: 28 complaints 2005: 19 complaints 2005 2006: 12 complaints 2007: 2 complaints 2008: 1 complaint 2009: 3 complaints 2010: 70 complaints 2010 2011: 110 complaints 2012: 48 complaints 2013: 43 complaints 2014: 12 complaints 2015: 131 complaints 2015 2016: 85 complaints 2017: 117 complaints 2018: 29 complaints 2019: 62 complaints 2020: 6 complaints 2020 2021: 7 complaints 2022: 81 complaints 2023: 11 complaints
1985: 10 complaints 1985 1986: 13 complaints 1987: 4 complaints 1988: 9 complaints 1988 1989: 17 complaints 1990: 10 complaints 1991: 8 complaints 1991 1992: 6 complaints 1993: 7 complaints 1994: 43 complaints 1994 1995: 43 complaints 1996: 3 complaints 1997: 7 complaints 1998: 18 complaints 1999: 64 complaints 1999 64 2000: 88 complaints 2001: 116 complaints 2002: 74 complaints 2003: 26 complaints 2003 2004: 28 complaints 2005: 19 complaints 2006: 12 complaints 2006 2007: 2 complaints 2008: 1 complaint 2009: 3 complaints 2009 2010: 70 complaints 2011: 110 complaints 2012: 48 complaints 2012 2013: 43 complaints 2014: 12 complaints 2015: 131 complaints 2015 2016: 85 complaints 2017: 117 complaints 2018: 29 complaints 2018 2019: 62 complaints 2020: 6 complaints 2021: 7 complaints 2021 2022: 81 complaints 2023: 11 complaints
1985: 10 complaints 1985 1986: 13 complaints 1987: 4 complaints 1987 1988: 9 complaints 1989: 17 complaints 1989 1990: 10 complaints 1991: 8 complaints 1991 1992: 6 complaints 1993: 7 complaints 1993 1994: 43 complaints 1995: 43 complaints 1995 1996: 3 complaints 1997: 7 complaints 1997 1998: 18 complaints 1999: 64 complaints 1999 64 2000: 88 complaints 2001: 116 complaints 2001 2002: 74 complaints 2003: 26 complaints 2003 2004: 28 complaints 2005: 19 complaints 2005 2006: 12 complaints 2007: 2 complaints 2007 2008: 1 complaint 2009: 3 complaints 2009 2010: 70 complaints 2011: 110 complaints 2011 2012: 48 complaints 2013: 43 complaints 2013 2014: 12 complaints 2015: 131 complaints 2015 2016: 85 complaints 2017: 117 complaints 2017 2018: 29 complaints 2019: 62 complaints 2019 2020: 6 complaints 2021: 7 complaints 2021 2022: 81 complaints 2023: 11 complaints 2023

1999: 64 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
198510
198613
19874
19889
198917
199010
19918
19926
19937
199443
199543
19963
19977
199818
199964
200088
2001116
200274
200326
200428
200519
200612
20072
20081
20093
201070
2011110
201248
201343
201412
2015131
201685
2017117
201829
201962
20206
20217
202281
202311

Known problem areas

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

Engine and engine cooling

25% · 16 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

Show complaint excerpts

The two areas we have had problems with since the very beginning are the check engine light keeps coming on for no reason. They have asked us if we closed the gas cap tightly? We always do!

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-24

Fuel system, gasoline

16% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing fuel pump and fuel injection system.

Electrical system

16% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing fuses and circuit breakers and interior/under dash.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Instrument cluster fire in 1999 vw Golf tdi: 2003-01-14, mileage 88290, lights and gauges on instrument cluster were acting flaky and not working properly. Some lights were dim and some were burnt out.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-09-08

See www.tdiclub.com and search for 'relay 109' for reports. Definitely recall material, hazard to drivers when engine dies in traffic.

NHTSA ODI report, 2000-05-31

Visibility

9% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing power window devices and controls and motor.

Show complaint excerpts

Consumer states that the plastic connectors which keep the side door windows in place are breaking and causes the windows to drop down inside the doors. Problem has been repaired four times . Feel free to provide any further information.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-27

Exterior lighting

8% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing switch and headlights.

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

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

  1. R
    1999-02-15Structure99V022000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will remove the matting materials from inside the b-pillar on both sides of the vehicle.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2003-09-29Equipment03V155000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    2004-11-29Preliminary evaluationClosed 2005-04-19 Fuel pump leaks
  4. R
    2005-07-25Fuel system, gasoline05V154000 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.

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2007-04-27Exterior lighting07V063000 On certain passenger, wagon, and convertible vehicles equipped with or without cruise control, a brake light switch may malfunction if it was installed incorrectly.

    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.…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. 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 →

  7. R
    2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. 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 Golf — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 16 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel system, gasoline: 10 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 10 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 99V022000 · Structure
  • Recall 03V155000 · Equipment
  • Recall 05V154000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 07V063000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E025000 · 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 Golf reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1999 Volkswagen Golf is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Volkswagen Golf?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 25% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1999 Volkswagen Golf 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.