1999 Volkswagen Jetta
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 0 |
| 1981 | 0 |
| 1982 | 0 |
| 1983 | 0 |
| 1984 | 1 |
| 1985 | 13 |
| 1986 | 14 |
| 1987 | 18 |
| 1988 | 19 |
| 1989 | 28 |
| 1990 | 22 |
| 1991 | 31 |
| 1992 | 30 |
| 1993 | 17 |
| 1994 | 117 |
| 1995 | 220 |
| 1996 | 31 |
| 1997 | 54 |
| 1998 | 192 |
| 1999 | 349 |
| 2000 | 439 |
| 2001 | 668 |
| 2002 | 702 |
| 2003 | 455 |
| 2004 | 231 |
| 2005 | 248 |
| 2006 | 580 |
| 2007 | 201 |
| 2008 | 188 |
| 2009 | 888 |
| 2010 | 852 |
| 2011 | 606 |
| 2012 | 499 |
| 2013 | 515 |
| 2014 | 386 |
| 2015 | 193 |
| 2016 | 160 |
| 2017 | 158 |
| 2018 | 30 |
| 2019 | 537 |
| 2020 | 51 |
| 2021 | 65 |
| 2022 | 41 |
| 2023 | 41 |
| 2024 | 36 |
| 2025 | 21 |
| 2026 | 3 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
16% of complaints: visibility — 57 distinct reports on file.
CRASH7% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 25 distinct reports on file.
CRASH6% of complaints: power train — 20 distinct reports on file.
CRASH5% of complaints: electrical system — 19 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIREShow 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, 20130402
5% of complaints: air bags — 18 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION AT 40MPH, AND THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.** *JB. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 20021021
CROSSING AN INTERSECTION ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A RED LIGHT & BROADSIDED VOLKSWAGEN.DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. INVESTIGATOR & VOLKSWAGEN PERSONNEL INSPECTED VEHICLE. VEHICLE BELOW THRESHOLD FOR AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.
NHTSA ODI report, 19990511
WHILE VEHICLE WAS MOVING FROM A GREEN LIGHT ANOTHER VEHICLE CROSSED THE RED LIGHT, STRICKING CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ON THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGERS SIDE WHERE NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, NOT PROTECTING PASSENGER AND *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19990224
SAFETY TIMELINE
PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FIRE
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
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE MATTING MATERIALS FROM INSIDE THE B-PILLAR ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE.
Campaign 99V022000 — check if this car was fixed
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 RETAI
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE TRIM COVER FROM EACH OF THE B PILLARS AND INSTALL A NEW COVER.
Campaign 99V251000 — check if this car was fixed
FUEL TANK PUNCTURE
FUEL TANK PUNCTURE
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 ABRASION
Campaign 02V026000 — check if this car was fixed
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 I
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 DE
Campaign 03V156000 — check if this car was fixed
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH
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 1-
Campaign 04V096000 — check if this car was fixed
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE
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
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 I
Campaign 06V183000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 14E007000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1999 Volkswagen Jetta — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for visibility issues (57 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (25 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (20 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 99V022000 (structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 99V251000 (structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 02V026000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 03V156000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 04V096000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06V183000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14E007000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST 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 visibility:power window devices and controls, accounting for 16% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.