CarModelProblems.com

1999 Volkswagen Jetta Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls — runs 3.2× the fleet median for that category across the 409 model-years tracked on this site.
349Complaints
7Recalls
33Crashes
9Fires
29Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls (16.9% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.

Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls complaints here are 3.2× the median for that category across the 409 model-years tracked on this site.

2 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 4 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls59 · 16.9%No official action
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline25 · 7.2%RecalledRecall 14E007000
Power Train:automatic Transmission20 · 5.7%No official action
Electrical System19 · 5.4%No official action
Air Bags:frontal18 · 5.2%No official action
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine17 · 4.9%RecalledRecall 14E007000

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM19 · 5.4%
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL18 · 5.2%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE17 · 4.9%
Unspecified / other17 · 4.9%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL16 · 4.6%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL14 · 4%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING12 · 3.4%

Percentages are the share of the 349 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 7 campaigns

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

NHTSA campaign 14E007000 · 2014 · reported 03/07/2014

A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

NHTSA campaign 06V183000 · 2006 · reported 05/24/2006

THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Equipment:other:labels

NHTSA campaign 03V156000 · 2003 · reported 04/23/2003

UNDER INFLATED TIRES CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING, AND DRIVING WITH SUBSTANTIALY UNDER INFLATED TIRES PUTS THE CONSUMER AT A RISK FOR A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Structure:frame And Members

NHTSA campaign 99V251000 · 1999 · reported 09/17/1999

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

NHTSA campaign 02V026000 · 2002 · reported 01/25/2002

FUEL LEAKAGE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

NHTSA campaign 04V096000 · 2004 · reported 02/20/2004

IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR COME ON AND STAY ON, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS PARKED. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Structure:frame And Members

NHTSA campaign 99V022000 · 1999 · reported 02/05/1999

THIS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“I RECENTLY HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR. MY WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR. I CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT BURLINGTON…”NHTSA complaint 749515 — filed 07/31/2001 · VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
“WINDOW REGULATORS FAIL DUE TO DEFECTIVE DESIGN SENDING GLASS CRASHING DOWN INSIDE THE DOOR WITH NO WARNING. THE PART IS BEING REPLACED WITH ONE THAT…”NHTSA complaint 749132 — filed 07/25/2001 · VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
“ELECTRONIC WINDOWS DO NOT WORK AND WILL NOT ROLL DOWN. THEY WERE STUCK. ALSO, LEFT REAR SIDE WINDOW FELL IN, AND WILL COME BACK OUT.CONSUMER…”NHTSA complaint 892631 — filed 07/12/2001 · VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

331999931032001686520035517200511142007372009422011752013

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta?

Visibility:power window devices and controls issues are the most-reported category, cited in 59 of 349 NHTSA complaints (16.9%), followed by engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (25), power train:automatic transmission (20), electrical system (19). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta have?

349 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 33 involved a crash, 9 involved a fire, and 29 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta have any recalls?

Yes — 7 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 14E007000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta's reported problems?

2 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.