1999 Volkswagen Jetta

◆ Worse than typical
1999 Volkswagen Jetta
BUILT 2026-09-02

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Volkswagen Jetta Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1999 highlighted. 1984: 1 complaints 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 1996 1997: 141 complaints 1998: 192 complaints 1999: 349 complaints 1999 2000: 439 complaints 2001: 668 complaints 2002: 702 complaints 2002 2003: 455 complaints 2004: 231 complaints 2005: 248 complaints 2006: 580 complaints 2007: 201 complaints 2008: 188 complaints 2008 2009: 888 complaints 2010: 852 complaints 2011: 606 complaints 2012: 499 complaints 2013: 516 complaints 2014: 386 complaints 2014 2015: 194 complaints 2016: 161 complaints 2017: 159 complaints 2018: 31 complaints 2019: 545 complaints 2020: 51 complaints 2020 2021: 66 complaints 2022: 42 complaints 2023: 42 complaints 2024: 40 complaints 2025: 24 complaints 2026: 5 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
2003455
2004231
2005248
2006580
2007201
2008188
2009888
2010852
2011606
2012499
2013516
2014386
2015194
2016161
2017159
201831
2019545
202051
202166
202242
202342
202440
202524
20265

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 24%

24% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 85 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

CRASH
VISIBILITY 24%

24% of complaints: visibility — 83 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing power window devices and controls and glass, side/rear.

CRASH INJURY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13%

13% of complaints: electrical system — 45 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing ignition and 12v/24v/48v battery.

CRASH FIRE
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, 20130402

Also filed under AIR BAGS

POWER TRAIN 9%

9% of complaints: power train — 31 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASH
SERVICE BRAKES 9%

9% of complaints: service brakes — 31 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

1999 — complaint volume: 349
I 19990129 — PE (closed 19990208)

PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FIRE

R 19990215 — structure

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

R 20000315 — structure

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

I 20000810 — PE (closed 20001228)

FUEL TANK PUNCTURE

I 20001228 — EA (closed 20020129)

FUEL TANK PUNCTURE

R 20030613 — fuel system, gasoline

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

R 20030929 — equipment

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

I 20031217 — RQ (closed 20040301)

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH

R 20040430 — exterior lighting

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

I 20060228 — RQ (closed 20060807)

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE

R 20061127 — exterior lighting

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

R 20140501 — engine and engine cooling

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 engine and engine cooling issues (85 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for visibility issues (83 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (45 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

▲ 2018 ▲ 1992 ▲ 1991

WORST YEARS

■ 2009 ■ 2010 ■ 2002

See all years ranked →

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 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.