1999 Volkswagen Passat

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

1999 Volkswagen Passat
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints 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 PER YEAR

1999: 664 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1988	0
1989	0
1990	34
1991	24
1992	39
1993	68
1994	25
1995	93
1996	40
1997	37
1998	331
1999	664
2000	507
2001	430
2002	636
2003	628
2004	279
2005	148
2006	576
2007	262
2008	168
2009	146
2010	163
2011	16
2012	481
2013	747
2014	592
2015	242
2016	106
2017	107
2018	45
2019	12
2020	15
2021	18
2022	11

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 10%

10% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 66 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 8%

8% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 51 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING AT 25MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TOTAL BRAKE LOSS. CAUSING A FIRE TO THE FRONT AND REAR WHEEL. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND WILL COST $2,8000 TO REPLACE THE ABS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*JB

NHTSA ODI report, 20030113

SUSPENSION 6%

6% of complaints: suspension — 37 distinct reports on file.

STEERING 6%

6% of complaints: steering — 37 distinct reports on file.

INJURY

SUSPENSION 5%

5% of complaints: suspension — 32 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1999 — complaint volume: 664

I 19990601 — RQ (closed 20001114)

POWER BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM BY-PASS

R 19991005 — steering

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TIE RODS OF THE STEERING ASSEMBLY ARE PROTECTED ON EACH SIDE BY A SEAL TO PREVENT MOISTURE AND DUST PARTICLES FROM ENTERING THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE RODS.

Campaign 99V248000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19991009 — service brakes, hydraulic

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. A CONTROL VALVE IN THE VACUUM HOSE CONNECTING THE BRAKE BOOSTER TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD MAY NOT OPEN OR CLOSE FULLY AT

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A VACUUM BY-PASS SYSTEM INTO VEHICLES OPERATED IN THESE STATES WHICH IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT VACUUM FOR FULL BRAKE ASSIST UNDER ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS.

Campaign 99V131001 — check if this car was fixed

I 20000810 — PE (closed 20001228)

FUEL TANK PUNCTURE

I 20001228 — EA (closed 20020129)

FUEL TANK PUNCTURE

R 20010205 — steering

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TIE RODS OF THE STEERING ASSEMBLY ARE PROTECTED ON EACH SIDE BY A SEAL TO PREVENT MOISTURE AND DUST PARTICLES FROM ENTERING THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE RODS.

Campaign 00V414000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20030523 — PE (closed 20031007)

PASSENGER SIR DOOR MOUNTING STUD FAILURE

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

I 20031007 — EA (closed 20040423)

PASSENGER AIR BAG LID FAILURE

I 20040630 — EA (closed 20050210)

STUCK-OPEN THROTTLE

I 20050808 — DP (closed 20051209)

ALLEGED PREMATURE TIE ROD FAILURE

I 20070928 — EA (closed 20080707)

PASSENGER ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

R 20080613 — fuel system, gasoline

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 412,000 MY 1999-2005 PASSAT (5TH GENERATION) VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND PRODUCED AFTER JUNE 14, 1999. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE AN UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELD

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL ADDITIONAL UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELDS ON VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS TO COVER THE POSSIBLY DAMAGED AREAS AND FLASH ALL 1.8T ENGINES WITH A PRECAUTIONARY SOFTWARE UPDATE. DEA

Campaign 08V156000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1999 Volkswagen Passat — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (66 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (51 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for suspension issues (37 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 99V248000 (steering) has been completed.
Verify recall 99V131001 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
Verify recall 00V414000 (steering) has been completed.
Verify recall 02V026000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
Verify recall 08V156000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1990 ▲ 1997 ▲ 1992

WORST YEARS

■ 2013 ■ 2003 ■ 2002

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1999 Volkswagen Passat reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1999 Volkswagen Passat is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 1999 Volkswagen Passat?

The most-reported component is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module, accounting for 10% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1999 Volkswagen Passat have?

6 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.