1999 Volkswagen Jetta: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta: 6 recalls, 349 owner complaints and up to 37 mpg combined.
Recalls
6 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Body & structure Vehicle recall #99V022000 · 1999 · 36,258 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: This could result in a fire.
The fix: Dealers will remove the matting materials from inside the b-pillar on both sides of the vehicle.
Body & structure Vehicle recall #99V251000 · 1999 · 67,076 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will remove the trim cover from each of the b pillars and install a new cover.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #02V026000 · 2002 · 487,284 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Fuel leakage can occur increasing the risk of a fire.
The 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 protection in the event of tire disintegration. Owner notification began June 13, 2003.
Equipment Vehicle recall #03V156000 · 2003 · 9,811 vehicles
What's wrong: 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).
Why it matters: Under inflated tires can affect vehicle handling, and driving with substantialy under inflated tires puts the consumer at a risk for a crash.
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.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #04V096000 · 2004 · 377,130 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain passenger vehicles, a brake light switch on these vehicles May malfunction.
Why it matters: If this happens, the brake lights could become inoperative, or come on and stay on, even though the vehicle is parked.
The 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 1-800-822-8987.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #06V183000 · 2006 · 646,246 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: The brake lights could become inoperative, or remain on. Failure to provide the proper signal when braking could lead to a crash without warning.
The 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 in either this recall or 06v-183, but not both. The remedy is the same for each recall. Volkswagen…
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Engine & cooling Equipment recall #14E007000 · 2014 · 50 vehicles
What's wrong: These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi a4, 2000-2006 Audi tt, 1998-2005 Volkswagen beetle, 1999-2006 golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt May develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.
Why it matters: A failure of the timing belt May cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix: Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 9 mention a fire, 29 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Visibility (wipers, glass) (81): the most common themes are noise or vibration (8), warning light on (5).
- Engine & cooling (78): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (16), warning light on (13), noise or vibration (9).
- Electrical (44): the most common themes are electrical failure (23), warning light on (10), door / lock issues (6).
- Airbags (30): the most common themes are fails to deploy (15).
The 1999 Volkswagen Jetta has 349 owner complaints, ranking #13 of 37 Jetta model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 274). Complaints peaked in 2001 (68 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 72,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1998 (192 complaints, 2 recalls), 2000 (439 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 33 | 44 | 37 | Diesel |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 28 | 24 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 22 | Regular |
| 2.8 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 19 | Regular |
| 2.8 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 19 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta.
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FAQ
Does the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 vehicle recalls for the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1999 Volkswagen Jetta problems?
Owners have filed 349 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are visibility (wipers, glass) (81), engine & cooling (78), electrical (44).
What gas mileage does the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta get?
EPA ratings run up to 37 mpg combined (1.9 L, Manual 5-spd), across 5 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1999 Volkswagen Jetta repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.