1999 Volkswagen Jetta: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 349 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is visibility (20% of complaints); the 1997 and 1998 model years look more trouble-free.
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 349 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Would like to know if there is any recalls on my jetta. I check engine light comes on. I took it to 4 repair shop and no one could find whats wrong with it. I've paid over 1200 on other repairs. What can I do . *tr thanks christina”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · May 2013
“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. The smoke disappeared after some time. The contact then attempted to restart the vehicle and the air bag deployed independently. The manufacturer was notified and advised the contact to take the vehicle to a dealer. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for inspection and the contact was awaiting the results. The failure and current mileage was 115,144.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2013
“1999 volkswagen jetta, rear middle passenger seat belt has become tightened to the point that it won't release. It seems that each time the seat back was lowered to increase the cargo area of the trunk, the belt tightens more. *tr”Owner report · Seat Belts · Oct 2010
Show 7 more owner reports
“In my 99.5 vw jetta gls the middle rear seat belt has tightened and will not release. I have taken it to a repair shop and have had them work on it and normally they can get it to release. However once it is released, it can't be used b/c the next time I go to use the seat belt and pull it out it locks again. The seat can't be used. It has also made it impossible to lay down the back seats, or once I lay it flat the seat can't be returned to the up right position. *tr”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jul 2010
“While driving on rt. 495 near exit 19, I took my foot off the accelerator and I felt my speed continue to increase. I stepped on the brake and my speed continued to increase. I downshifted and when I let the clutch out we really took off. Depressing the brake had no effect. With the clutch depressed, managed to pull on to the shoulder and stopped. As I reached for the key, the engine shuddered and died. I was unable to restart the car and had to be towed. The result of this incident was that the engine self-destructed and had to be replaced. There were no trouble codes in the ecm and the tps showed no defects when tested. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Apr 2010
“Brake lamps were operating correctly on 11/22/2009 and on 11/23/2009 they ceased working. Checked with NHTSA to see if open recall was open none but wanted to make known the issue since there have been two recalls in the pass for the same issue. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Nov 2009
“The middle rear seatbelt locks up and will not release. The seatbelt locking mechanism is located in the seat in an inaccessible location and is also not available to release the seatbelt. *tr”Owner report · Seat Belts · Oct 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 volkswagen jetta. The contact stated that whenever it rained, excessive amounts of water leaked into the vehicle. The contact did not specify where the leak was located inside of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer but it was not repaired. The contact called the manufacturer and was told that they could not discuss the failure with him due to a pending lawsuit. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000 and the current mileage was unavailable.”Owner report · Structure · May 2009
“In our 1999 jetta, our passenger seat warmer caught on fire, and burned through my husband's jacket. I reported to volkswagen of america and they said as it was an old car and there was never a recall, they can't help me. I read on many internet sites that this is a problem. I have owned vws since 1986, consider myself brand-loyal but now very upset. We could have had a major fire and no one is caring about this as the car is 10 years old. *tr”Owner report · Seats · Jan 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 volkswagen jetta. The contact has heated seats in his vehicle. The heating elements in the seats became so hot that they burned through the seat to his jacket. The dealer stated that there was no recall for the failure and the vehicle had too many miles on it for them to assist. The failure mileage was 140,000.”Owner report · Seats · Jan 2009
When filing, owners marked a crash in 33 of these complaints and injuries in 29 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
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 RETAINER CLIP NEAR THE BP1 IMPACT LOCATION IS DESIGNED TO BREAK WHEN IMPACTED BY THE HEAD FORM. IN SOME CASES, THE MATERIAL OF THE TRIM PART MAY BE MORE IMPACT RESISTANT AS A RESULT OF VARIATIONS IN THE MOLDING PROCESS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE TRIM COVER FROM EACH OF THE B PILLARS AND INSTALL A NEW COVER.
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.
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.
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 PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF TIRE DISINTEGRATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 13, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
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 1-800-822-8987.
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 BEEN DAMAGED DURING THE ASSEMBLY PROCESS. IT COULD IGNITE WHEN EXPOSED TO THE EXHAUST GAS OF THE SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER IGNITER IN THE EVENT OF A SEVERE FRONT OR SIDE COLLISION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE MATTING MATERIALS FROM INSIDE THE B-PILLAR ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE.
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 INFLATION PRESSURE PUBLISHED ON THE LABEL FOR TIRES OF THE SIZE 205/50 R15 86H IS 0.1 BAR (1.45 PSI) TOO LOW. IT SHOULD BE 2.5 BAR (36.3 PSI). THE LABEL RECOMMENDS 2.4 BAR (34.8 PSI = 35 PSI).
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 DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VW AT 1-800-893-5298.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact Jetta 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 Jetta reliable?
NHTSA has 349 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta. The most complained-about area is visibility (20% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Volkswagen Jetta problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 73,137 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning structure:frame and members. 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.