MYRModel Year Report

1999 Volkswagen Passat

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1999 Volkswagen Passat
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
664
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 1999

Investigations
8

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

37% of complaints

Complaints per year

1990: 34 complaints 1990 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 40 complaints 1993: 68 complaints 1994: 25 complaints 1994 1995: 94 complaints 1996: 142 complaints 1997: 70 complaints 1998: 331 complaints 1999: 664 complaints 1999 664 2000: 507 complaints 2001: 430 complaints 2002: 636 complaints 2003: 629 complaints 2004: 279 complaints 2005: 148 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2006 2007: 262 complaints 2008: 168 complaints 2009: 146 complaints 2010: 163 complaints 2010 2011: 16 complaints 2012: 484 complaints 2013: 748 complaints 2014: 594 complaints 2014 2015: 243 complaints 2016: 106 complaints 2017: 110 complaints 2018: 46 complaints 2018 2019: 12 complaints 2020: 18 complaints 2021: 18 complaints 2022: 13 complaints 2022
1990: 34 complaints 1990 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 40 complaints 1992 1993: 68 complaints 1994: 25 complaints 1994 1995: 94 complaints 1996: 142 complaints 1996 1997: 70 complaints 1998: 331 complaints 1999: 664 complaints 1999 664 2000: 507 complaints 2001: 430 complaints 2002: 636 complaints 2002 2003: 629 complaints 2004: 279 complaints 2004 2005: 148 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2006 2007: 262 complaints 2008: 168 complaints 2008 2009: 146 complaints 2010: 163 complaints 2010 2011: 16 complaints 2012: 484 complaints 2012 2013: 748 complaints 2014: 594 complaints 2014 2015: 243 complaints 2016: 106 complaints 2016 2017: 110 complaints 2018: 46 complaints 2018 2019: 12 complaints 2020: 18 complaints 2020 2021: 18 complaints 2022: 13 complaints 2022
1990: 34 complaints 1990 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 40 complaints 1992 1993: 68 complaints 1994: 25 complaints 1994 1995: 94 complaints 1996: 142 complaints 1996 1997: 70 complaints 1998: 331 complaints 1999: 664 complaints 1999 664 2000: 507 complaints 2001: 430 complaints 2002: 636 complaints 2002 2003: 629 complaints 2004: 279 complaints 2004 2005: 148 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2006 2007: 262 complaints 2008: 168 complaints 2008 2009: 146 complaints 2010: 163 complaints 2010 2011: 16 complaints 2012: 484 complaints 2012 2013: 748 complaints 2014: 594 complaints 2014 2015: 243 complaints 2016: 106 complaints 2016 2017: 110 complaints 2018: 46 complaints 2018 2019: 12 complaints 2020: 18 complaints 2020 2021: 18 complaints 2022: 13 complaints 2022

1999: 664 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19880
19890
199034
199124
199240
199368
199425
199594
1996142
199770
1998331
1999664
2000507
2001430
2002636
2003629
2004279
2005148
2006576
2007262
2008168
2009146
2010163
201116
2012484
2013748
2014594
2015243
2016106
2017110
201846
201912
202018
202118
202213

Known problem areas

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

Service brakes

37% · 248 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH

Suspension

21% · 140 reports

Most commonly citing control arm and lower arm.

CRASH

Engine and engine cooling

14% · 90 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Was driving vehicle on the highway , the vehicle's check engine light and brake light came on and the vehicle completely shut down , I pulled over to the side of the highway I seen smoke I opened the hood and it was on fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-09-09

Steering

12% · 78 reports

Most commonly citing tie rod assembly and connecting.

INJURY

Electrical system

9% · 62 reports

Most commonly citing module and ignition.

FIREINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Car caught on fire shortly after being driven. The car was parked in the garage when the fire started. The fire spread to the rest of the house. The fire was witnessed to originate on the right side (Passenger) of engine compartment under the hood.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-11-05

Consumer states that while driving and no warning the rear compartment caught on fire causing the consumer to pull over. Dealer notified. Nlm

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-10-03

Either a drop or two or fumes from a container of containerized cholorine caused an electrical fire in the trunk due to making contact with an electrical outlet. The fire was put out by the fire department. Vehicle is being repaired by dealership.

NHTSA ODI report, 1999-06-15

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 8 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    1999Complaint volume 664 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    1999-06-01Recall queryClosed 2000-11-14 Power brake booster vacuum by-pass
  3. R
    1999-10-05Steering99V248000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    1999-10-09Service brakes, hydraulic99V131001 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…

    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.

    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
    2001-02-05Steering00V414000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. I
    2003-05-23Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-10-07 Passenger sir door mounting stud failure
  9. 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 →

  10. I
    2003-10-07Engineering analysisClosed 2004-04-23 Passenger air bag lid failure
  11. I
    2004-06-30Engineering analysisClosed 2005-02-10 Stuck-open throttle
  12. I
    2005-08-08Defect petitionClosed 2005-12-09 Alleged premature tie rod failure
  13. I
    2007-09-28Engineering analysisClosed 2008-07-07 Passenger engine compartment fires
  14. R
    2008-06-13Fuel system, gasoline08V156000 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…

    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.…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  15. 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 →

Buy-smart checklist

1999 Volkswagen Passat — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 248 reports on file for this year.
  • Suspension: 140 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 90 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 99V248000 · Steering
  • Recall 99V131001 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 00V414000 · Steering
  • Recall 02V026000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 08V156000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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, accounting for 37% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1999 Volkswagen Passat have?
6 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.