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1999 Volkswagen JettaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 349 owner complaints about the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta, most often about the visibility. It is covered by 6 safety recalls.

35
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.9× the Jetta median · #12 of 40 years by complaints
Safety recalls6Free fix at dealersOwner complaints34963 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage76kVisibility, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 18, 2013. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta has problems

349 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
Visibility812
Engine and engine cooling782
Electrical system446
Air bags3019
Power train301
Service brakes, hydraulic297
Vehicle speed control263
Structure251
Seat belts245
16 other systems817

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

6 recalls

1999 Volkswagen Jetta 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 04V-096 · Feb 20, 2004 · 377,130 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR COME ON AND STAY ON, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Other: labels

Recall 03V-156 · Apr 23, 2003 · 9,811 vehicles

Risk. UNDER INFLATED TIRES CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING, AND DRIVING WITH SUBSTANTIALY UNDER INFLATED TIRES PUTS THE CONSUMER AT A RISK FOR A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 2 more recalls
–no report yet

Structure: frame and members

Recall 99V-251 · Sep 17, 1999 · 67,076 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT THE CLIP FROM BREAKING ON IMPACT AND RESULT IN LESS DEFORMATION IN THE IMPACTED AREA AND A HIGHER DECLERATION OF THE HEAD FORM,…

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 Jetta 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 Jetta median. How we score

'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1999 Volkswagen Jetta safety ratings

1999 Volkswagen Jetta III 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
5 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

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

  1. FUEL TANK PUNCTUREEA00028 · closed Jan 29, 2002
    Led to recall 02V-026
  2. FUEL TANK PUNCTUREPE00033 · closed Dec 28, 2000
    No recall
  3. PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FIREPE99007 · closed Feb 8, 1999
    Led to recall 99V-022
  4. BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHRQ03010 · closed Mar 1, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-096
  5. BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURERQ06004 · closed Aug 7, 2006
    Led to recall 06V-183
In owners' words

What Jetta owners report

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

WINDOW REGULATOR GOING BAD. RESEARCHED YOUR SITE AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. JUST PURCHASED CAR USED AND WAS UNAWARE OF PROBLEM AND OF COURSE IT IS TOO LATE FOR ANY EXTENDED WARRANTIES. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE RECONCILED REGARDLESS OF TIMEFRAME. *TR
Complaint 10245649 · Oct 16, 2008 · 109,000 miles
I OWN A 1999.5 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA IV GLS. THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE WINDOW REGULATORS AND VOLKSWAGEN REFUSES TO RECALL THEM. THEY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM AS THEY HAVE ISSUED A 7-YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE PART. I HAVE HAD TO GET THE REGULATOR REPLACED ON MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW…
Complaint 10184355 · Mar 6, 2007 · 91,650 miles
IN MY 1999 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, ALL FOUR POWER WINDOWS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED IN THE LAST 5 YEARS AND NOW ANOTHER HAS BROKEN AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. A VERY SHODDY PRODUCT FROM WHAT USED TO BE A GREAT CAR COMPANY. I'VE BOUGHT THREE VW'S BUT NEVER AGAIN. SHAME ON VOLKSWAGEN! *JB
Complaint 10144986 · Dec 12, 2005

Own a 1999 Jetta?

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