1999 Volkswagen Beetle: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 174 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (16% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 174 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 volkswagen beetle. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 mph, white smoke was coming from the center console. The contact noticed the console was melting. The contact extinguished the smoke. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the failure was undetermined. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 73,500.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2017
“My car- 1999 vw beetle was not fully inspected before I got the car from dealer. I just found out that my car has long list of parts need replacement to repair and I felt that it wasn't real safe because of strut shock and power steering also cv joints are getting bad in the under of hood. I found out that my car has no panel skid for prevent from wetting on motor parts and got bad acid on it. I has to order the parts for my car and hasn't driven for almost 6 months by so far. By right I don't have much money to pay for repairs.”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 volkswagen beetle. While driving approximately 50 mph, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning light and coolant temperature warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the timing belt was defective. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14e007000 (engine and engine cooling). The failure mileage was 235,403.”Owner report · Engine · May 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owned a 1999 volkswagen beetle. While driving 65 mph, the air bags deployed when the contact crashed into the bars on the freeway. The contact sustained a fractured nose and a cut to the face that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 123,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2014
“Tl* the contact owned a 1999 volkswagen beetle. While driving approximately 60 mph and switching lanes on the highway, the contact's vehicle crashed into the retention wall. The contact sustained a broken nose and a large cut from the lower lip all the way down to her chin. The contact was transported to the local hospital by ambulance for medical attention. A police report was filed. The doctor stated that a piece of metal from the air bag cracked some of her frontal teeth. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 123,000. ...updated 06-12-15 *bf”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2014
“Had to have fuse panel on battery replaced for 2nd time in 2-3 yrs and also a fuse box under dash. Cost was very expensive. Car would not start all of a sudden after shopping at a store. Had to push start the car to a independent mechanic. Still don't know why it went bad/appeared melted. In first episode the alternator had to be replaced also as there were battery drain problems. This an indirect safety issue as my daughter drives car and she could have be stranded at any place when this happened. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2014
“The speedometer stopped working. Shortly after this the drive by wire throttle also stopped working returning the vehicle to an idle (approx. 1100 rpm). This can occur at any time. You have to restart the vehicle to get the throttle to work again. This is very dangerous when it happens in heavy traffic. The manufacturer (vw) can offer no solution to the problem. I have discovered this issue, at some point in time, could affect all of the 1999 -2009 new beetles along with the audi tt. Again vw and the speedometer cluster manufacturer magneti morelli can offer no fix for the problem. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Diesel · Oct 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 volkswagen beetle. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis where it was stated to the contact that the clutch, pressure plate, and bearings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the problem persisted. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 volkswagen beetle. The contact stated that while at a traffic light she smelled something burning then noticed smoke emitting from the dashboard. The vehicle was able to be driven to the contact home where the vehicle completely engolf into flames. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 166,500.”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 volkswagen beetle. The contact stated while driving 65 mph, he turned off the air conditioner and noticed smoke coming from the instrument panel. The contact was able to park and exit the vehicle, when the vehicle burst into flames. The fire was able to be extinguished and the vehicle was towed from the scene. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileage was 107,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2012
When filing, owners marked a crash in 17 of these complaints and injuries in 18 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
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 RECALLS 03V-265 OR 04V-096.
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 IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
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 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.
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.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Remedy: AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
How other years compare
Check your exact Beetle by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Volkswagen Beetle reliable?
NHTSA has 174 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Volkswagen Beetle. The most complained-about area is electrical system (16% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Volkswagen Beetle problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 70,000 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Volkswagen Beetle have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:brake lights:switch. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.