1999 Volkswagen Jetta Problems, Recalls & Reliability
488 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta, alongside 7 recall campaigns and 5 defect investigations. It scores 47/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Engine leads the reports, typically around 86,000 miles.
Below average
Where 1999 sits among all Jetta years
What owners report
“Map failure. But also "coolant migration problem." wherein, due to faulty coolant reservoir sensor seal, coolant migrated out of coolant reservoir and into wiring harness causing speedo and cruise control failures. Was repaired at no cost, as was maf. However numerous tdi and gasser owners are…”— owner report to NHTSA, 1999 Jetta
“Had window regulator replaced 3 times on drivers side and one time on passenger side with in a 22 month period.”— owner report to NHTSA, 1999 Jetta
“Vehicle has experienced several electrical system problems (brake lights not working, driver and front passenger side power windows fell down and stuck in the open position, remote door lock not working properly and fluctuates with outdoor temp, alternator and battery failed, tail light flickers,…”— owner report to NHTSA, 1999 Jetta
“Consumer states that the vehicle was involved in a frontal and a rear collsion by hitting a ditch at 40-50 mph. Vehicle spins on two occasion and hit the right rear tail light and neither air bag deployed. Feel free to provide any further information. Ts”— owner report to NHTSA, 1999 Jetta
“While driving the vehicle would accelerate making it hard to gain control. Dealer has been notified. Ph”— owner report to NHTSA, 1999 Jetta
“Reporting unknown problem with the abs brakes systems. Vehicle would not stop properly when are applied in sudden stop. Dealer has been notified. Please provide further information. Ts”— owner report to NHTSA, 1999 Jetta
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 107 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 70,500 miles. Half of those reports fall between 53,000 and 101,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (7)
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…
Fix: 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 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.
Fix: 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…
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION.
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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…
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.
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE TRIM COVER FROM EACH OF THE B PILLARS AND INSTALL A NEW COVER.
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…
Fix: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE MATTING MATERIALS FROM INSIDE THE B-PILLAR ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE.
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 06V183000.
Led to recall campaign 04V096000.
Led to recall campaign 02V026000.
Led to recall campaign 99V022000.
Technical service bulletins
159 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?
The 1999 Volkswagen Jetta drew 488 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 47/100, scored against the model's worst year (2002).
What are the most common 1999 Volkswagen Jetta problems?
The top reported problems for the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta are engine (87 complaints), visibility & wipers (85), and electrical (67).
At what mileage do 1999 Volkswagen Jetta problems show up?
Owners most often report 1999 Volkswagen Jetta problems around 70,500 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 53,000 and 101,000 miles.
Does the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta have recalls?
7 recall campaigns apply to the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.