Model year record

1999 Volkswagen Beetle

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 280 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 06V183000

Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch

Component
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC
Vehicles affected
646,246
Reported to NHTSA
2006-05-24
Owners notified
2006-11-27

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Visibility: power window devices and controls1635,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission1575,608 mi
Air bags1487,000 mi
Electrical system14107,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1032,400 mi
Vehicle speed control1058,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline9
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery832,400 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch860,000 mi
Seats750,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control659,000 mi
Structure635,000 mi
Unknown or other638,744 mi
Electrical system: wiring546,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner5
Exterior lighting: headlights546,000 mi
Power train5
Electrical system: ignition: module4
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers474,105 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip487,522 mi
Air bags: frontal3
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module3104,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch346,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash3115,000 mi
Engine3125,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine3
Power train: clutch assembly332,400 mi
Seats: front assembly: head restraint3
Structure: body: door3
Visibility: windshield3
Air bags: side/window2
Electrical system: ignition258,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system2
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.2
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch2
Fuel system, gasoline2
Fuel system, other247,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission21,800 mi
Power train: manual transmission: column shift assembly259,142 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic242,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light29,800 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components2
Steering2140 mi
Structure: body: bumpers2
Structure: body: trunk lid2
Structure: frame and members2
Suspension2140 mi
Tires2108,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt2
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element2
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables1
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator167,695 mi
Electrical system: horn146,000 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly1
Electrical system: starter assembly: relay1
Electrical system: wiring: rear compartment/trunk146,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan146,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: diesel1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor158,000 mi
Equipment1100 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility189,140 mi
Equipment: electrical123,000 mi
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift1
Exterior lighting1125,000 mi
Exterior lighting: back up lights: switch1104,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights1
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights1
Fuel system, diesel1138,097 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump146,803 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1
Latches/locks/linkages1
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock1
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock1
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift112,385 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter112,385 mi
Power train: clutch assembly: bell housing136,000 mi
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1
Power train: manual transmission: floor shift assembly119,294 mi
Seats: front assembly: recliner145,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages158,000 mi
Steering: linkages: rod: relay: connecting1
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1
Steering: rack and pinion187,522 mi
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments158,000 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate1
Suspension: front1
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar1
Tires: sidewall1
Visibility110,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core198,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear1
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior130 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1

The 1998 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2000 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.