Model year record

1999 Volkswagen Jetta

6 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 488 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V096000

Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch

Component
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC
Vehicles affected
377,130
Reported to NHTSA
2004-02-20
Owners notified
2004-04-30

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer remedy

THIS RECALL HAS BEEN SUPERCEDED BY 06V-183.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 1-800-822-8987.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V156000

Equipment: other: labels

Component
Equipment: other: labels
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
9,811
Reported to NHTSA
2003-04-23
Owners notified
2003-09-29

Defect description

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 SIZE 205/50 R15 86H IS 0.1 BAR (1.45 PSI) TOO LOW. IT SHOULD BE 2.5 BAR (36.3 PSI). THE LABEL RECOMMENDS 2.4 BAR (34.8 PSI = 35 PSI).

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer remedy

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 DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VW AT 1-800-893-5298.

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V026000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
487,284
Reported to NHTSA
2002-01-25
Owners notified
2003-06-13

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

FUEL LEAKAGE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

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 PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF TIRE DISINTEGRATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 13, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V251000

Structure: frame and members

Component
Structure: frame and members
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
67,076
Reported to NHTSA
1999-09-17
Owners notified
2000-03-15

Defect description

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 WHEN IMPACTED BY THE HEAD FORM. IN SOME CASES, THE MATERIAL OF THE TRIM PART MAY BE MORE IMPACT RESISTANT AS A RESULT OF VARIATIONS IN THE MOLDING PROCESS.

Safety 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, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE TRIM COVER FROM EACH OF THE B PILLARS AND INSTALL A NEW COVER.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V022000

Structure: frame and members

Component
Structure: frame and members
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
36,258
Reported to NHTSA
1999-02-05
Owners notified
1999-02-15

Defect description

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 WHEN EXPOSED TO THE EXHAUST GAS OF THE SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER IGNITER IN THE EVENT OF A SEVERE FRONT OR SIDE COLLISION.

Safety risk

THIS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE MATTING MATERIALS FROM INSIDE THE B-PILLAR ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE.

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 controls5963,024 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline25
Power train: automatic transmission2077,681 mi
Electrical system1948,968 mi
Air bags: frontal1866,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1730,000 mi
Unknown or other1734,383 mi
Vehicle speed control1665,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1490,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1238,000 mi
Air bags1154,117 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip11
Structure: body: bumpers11
Visibility: glass, side/rear1096,445 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch974,274 mi
Electrical system: ignition758,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system7111,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly768,000 mi
Structure790,036 mi
Visibility: windshield7
Seat belts: front: anchorage6
Seat belts: rear/other650,090 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal680,000 mi
Seats5108,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery426,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe4
Power train: manual transmission468,299 mi
Seat belts495,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic453,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components4
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor4
Structure: body: door4
Suspension4
Suspension: front4
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer4
Equipment354,700 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.3
Exterior lighting: turn signal3
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly3
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap398,433 mi
Interior lighting3
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch369,200 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc3
Steering: hydraulic power assist system361,258 mi
Tires3
Vehicle speed control: linkages3
Electrical system: starter assembly226,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring2123,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood2
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers2
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash2
Engine287,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: diesel2101,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor2
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner230,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights2
Fuel system, gasoline2160,000 mi
Fuel system, other2
Latches/locks/linkages270,000 mi
Power train265,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler290,000 mi
Steering2
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments2
Suspension: front: macpherson strut220,000 mi
Suspension: front: shock absorber241,000 mi
Visibility2109,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module1
Air bags: side/window1
Back over prevention: warnings: external/pedestrian alert170,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables1600,450 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module1
Electrical system: ignition: switch1
Electrical system: starter assembly: relay1
Electrical system: starter assembly: solenoid1
Electronic stability control (ESC)1160,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system153,000 mi
Equipment: electrical1
Exterior lighting1
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: switch183,000 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights: switch1
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1202,000 mi
Fuel system, diesel140,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock170,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly1
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint1
Seat belts: front1
Seat belts: front: retractor1
Service brakes, air: antilock: wheel speed sensor1
Service brakes, air: disc: caliper1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1
Steering: gear box: shaft sector1
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm134,383 mi
Structure: body1
Structure: body: roof and pillars1117,392 mi
Suspension: rear: axle: spindle1
Tires: tread/belt1105,146 mi
Vehicle speed control: cables1
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor140,000 mi
Wheels153,000 mi

The 1998 model has 2 times as many 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.