Menu

1999 Volkswagen BeetleProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 174 owner complaints about the 1999 Volkswagen Beetle, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

32
CarFlaw IndexUse caution2.1× the Beetle median · #5 of 21 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints17451 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage71kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 19, 2017. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1999 Volkswagen Beetle has problems

174 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system3913
Engine and engine cooling315
Power train291
Visibility265
Air bags2210
Exterior lighting171
Structure161
Seats112
Service brakes, hydraulic113
11 other systems495

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1999 Volkswagen Beetle recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Volkswagen.

Best & worst years

1999 vs. every other Beetle year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Beetle median. How we score

'68'69'70'71'73'74'77'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1999 Volkswagen Beetle, and the recalls they led to.

  1. BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHEA03002 · closed Aug 20, 2003
    Led to recall 03V-265
  2. BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH OPERATIONPE02084 · closed Apr 8, 2003
    No recall
  3. BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURERQ06004 · closed Aug 7, 2006
    Led to recall 06V-183
In owners' words

What Beetle owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 11006370 · Jul 19, 2017 · 73,500 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHILE DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE EMITTED NEAR THE LEFT PART OF THE DASHBOARD CLOSE TO THE STEERING WHEEL. IN ADDITION, DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE NATURE OF THE…
Complaint 10888928 · Jul 27, 2016 · 125,000 miles
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…
Complaint 10561100 · Jan 22, 2014 · 60,000 miles

Own a 1999 Beetle?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.