1999 Volkswagen GTIProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 8 owner complaints about the 1999 Volkswagen GTI, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)

Safety recalls2Free fix at dealers Owner complaints80 with a crash, fire or injury Typical failure mileage67kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 15, 2007. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1999 Volkswagen GTI has problems

8 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

2Electrical system

2Visibility

1Fuel system, gasoline

1Air bags

1Vehicle speed control

1Seat belts

1Engine and engine cooling

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.

Complaints by system
System	Complaints	Crash, fire or injury
Electrical system	2	0
Visibility	2	0
Fuel system, gasoline	1	0
Air bags	1	0
Vehicle speed control	1	0
Seat belts	1	0
Engine and engine cooling	1	0

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

2 recalls

1999 Volkswagen GTI 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.

no report yet

Brake lights: switch

Recall 07V-063 · Feb 20, 2007 · 1,002,000 vehicles

Risk. THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

no report yet

Delivery: fuel pump

Recall 05V-154 · Apr 19, 2005 · 30,708 vehicles

Risk. LEAKING FUEL, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, MAY CAUSE A FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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 GTI 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 GTI median. How we score

2 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 18 9 10 10 8 45 74 12453 7 8 43 77 67 16753 55 40 34 10 97 67 52 17 1798 4 29 6 29 0

'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25

Avoid
Caution
Solid
Best
Not rated

1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

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

Nov 29, 2004
FUEL PUMP LEAKSPE04079 · closed Apr 19, 2005
Led to recall 05V-154

In owners' words

What GTI owners report

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

I NOTICED THAT MY SPEEDOMETER WAS NOT PROPERLY FUNCTIONING SO I WENT TO THE VW DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I HAD A COOLANT LEAK AND COOLANT MIGRATION. THE COOLANT APPARENTLY MIGRATED THROUGH THE WIRING HARNESS TO SHORT MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE ENTIRE WIRE HARNESS AND PART OF MY INSTRUMENT…
Complaint 10202438 · Sep 10, 2007 · 67,380 miles

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT ANY MPH RPM WILL GO OVER 1500 AND ENGINE WILL DIE WITHOUT A PRIOR WARNING. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO SHOP, AND THEY SAID IT WAS COIL PACK THAT WAS MALFUNCTIONING. *AK
Complaint 878573 · Jan 19, 2001

Own a 1999 GTI?

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