MYRModel Year Report

1999 Volkswagen Jetta

◆ Worse than typical
1999 Volkswagen Jetta
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
349
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 1999

Investigations
5

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

24% of complaints

Complaints per year

1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 14 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1988: 19 complaints 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 22 complaints 1990 1991: 32 complaints 1992: 30 complaints 1993: 17 complaints 1994: 120 complaints 1995: 220 complaints 1996: 173 complaints 1997: 141 complaints 1998: 192 complaints 1999: 349 complaints 1999 349 2000: 439 complaints 2001: 668 complaints 2002: 702 complaints 2003: 456 complaints 2004: 231 complaints 2005: 248 complaints 2006: 580 complaints 2007: 201 complaints 2008: 188 complaints 2008 2009: 888 complaints 2010: 852 complaints 2011: 607 complaints 2012: 500 complaints 2013: 517 complaints 2014: 386 complaints 2014 2015: 194 complaints 2016: 161 complaints 2017: 159 complaints 2018: 31 complaints 2019: 549 complaints 2020: 53 complaints 2020 2021: 69 complaints 2022: 43 complaints 2023: 43 complaints 2024: 44 complaints 2025: 29 complaints 2026: 6 complaints 2026
1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 14 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1987 1988: 19 complaints 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 22 complaints 1990 1991: 32 complaints 1992: 30 complaints 1993: 17 complaints 1993 1994: 120 complaints 1995: 220 complaints 1996: 173 complaints 1996 1997: 141 complaints 1998: 192 complaints 1999: 349 complaints 1999 349 2000: 439 complaints 2001: 668 complaints 2002: 702 complaints 2002 2003: 456 complaints 2004: 231 complaints 2005: 248 complaints 2005 2006: 580 complaints 2007: 201 complaints 2008: 188 complaints 2008 2009: 888 complaints 2010: 852 complaints 2011: 607 complaints 2011 2012: 500 complaints 2013: 517 complaints 2014: 386 complaints 2014 2015: 194 complaints 2016: 161 complaints 2017: 159 complaints 2017 2018: 31 complaints 2019: 549 complaints 2020: 53 complaints 2020 2021: 69 complaints 2022: 43 complaints 2023: 43 complaints 2023 2024: 44 complaints 2025: 29 complaints 2026: 6 complaints 2026
1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 14 complaints 1986 1987: 18 complaints 1988: 19 complaints 1988 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 22 complaints 1990 1991: 32 complaints 1992: 30 complaints 1992 1993: 17 complaints 1994: 120 complaints 1994 1995: 220 complaints 1996: 173 complaints 1996 1997: 141 complaints 1998: 192 complaints 1999: 349 complaints 1999 349 2000: 439 complaints 2001: 668 complaints 2002: 702 complaints 2002 2003: 456 complaints 2004: 231 complaints 2004 2005: 248 complaints 2006: 580 complaints 2006 2007: 201 complaints 2008: 188 complaints 2008 2009: 888 complaints 2010: 852 complaints 2010 2011: 607 complaints 2012: 500 complaints 2012 2013: 517 complaints 2014: 386 complaints 2014 2015: 194 complaints 2016: 161 complaints 2016 2017: 159 complaints 2018: 31 complaints 2018 2019: 549 complaints 2020: 53 complaints 2020 2021: 69 complaints 2022: 43 complaints 2022 2023: 43 complaints 2024: 44 complaints 2024 2025: 29 complaints 2026: 6 complaints 2026

1999: 349 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19810
19820
19830
19841
198513
198614
198718
198819
198928
199022
199132
199230
199317
1994120
1995220
1996173
1997141
1998192
1999349
2000439
2001668
2002702
2003456
2004231
2005248
2006580
2007201
2008188
2009888
2010852
2011607
2012500
2013517
2014386
2015194
2016161
2017159
201831
2019549
202053
202169
202243
202343
202444
202529
20266

Known problem areas

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

Engine and engine cooling

24% · 85 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

CRASH

Visibility

24% · 83 reports

Most commonly citing power window devices and controls and glass, side/rear.

CRASHINJURY

Electrical system

13% · 45 reports

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

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, smoke began to fill the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stopped the vehicle and saw that smoke was bellowing from beneath the steering column.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-04-02

Also filed under Air bags

Power train

9% · 31 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASH

Service brakes

9% · 31 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    1999Complaint volume 349 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    1999-01-29Preliminary evaluationClosed 1999-02-08 Passenger compartment fire
  3. 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 →

  4. R
    2000-03-15Structure99V251000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will remove the trim cover from each of the b pillars and install a new cover.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2000-08-10Preliminary evaluationClosed 2000-12-28 Fuel tank puncture
  6. I
    2000-12-28Engineering analysisClosed 2002-01-29 Fuel tank puncture
  7. R
    2003-06-13Fuel system, gasoline02V026000 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.

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2003-09-29Equipment03V156000 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 →

  9. I
    2003-12-17Recall queryClosed 2004-03-01 Brake light switch
  10. R
    2004-04-30Exterior lighting04V096000 On certain passenger vehicles, a brake light switch on these vehicles may malfunction.

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. I
    2006-02-28Recall queryClosed 2006-08-07 Brake light switch failure
  12. 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 →

  13. 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 Jetta — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 85 reports on file for this year.
  • Visibility: 83 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 45 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 99V022000 · Structure
  • Recall 99V251000 · Structure
  • Recall 02V026000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 03V156000 · Equipment
  • Recall 04V096000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06V183000 · 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 Jetta reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.