1999 Volkswagen New Beetle: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle: 1 recall, 34 owner complaints and up to 38 mpg combined.
Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #03V265000 · 2003 · 295,136 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain passenger vehicles, the brake lamp switch May malfunction.
Why it matters: If this happens, the brake lamps could become inoperative; or the lamps could come on and stay on, even though the vehicle is parked.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake lamp switches. Owner notification began September 26, 2003. Owners should contact vwoa at 1-800-822-8987.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 2 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (7): the most common themes are leaks (2).
- Electrical (7): the most common themes are electrical failure (5), fire / smoke (2).
- Fuel system (5): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Seats (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle has 34 owner complaints, ranking #3 of 8 New Beetle model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 24). Complaints peaked in 2002 (7 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 50,421 miles. Neighboring years: 1998 (30 complaints, 1 recalls), 2000 (40 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 35 | 44 | 38 | Diesel |
| 1.9 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 | 40 | 33 | Diesel |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 28 | 24 | Regular |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 28 | 24 | Premium |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 26 | 22 | Regular |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 25 | 22 | Premium |
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 New Beetle.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle. 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 New Beetle problems?
Owners have filed 34 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (7), electrical (7), fuel system (5).
What gas mileage does the 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle get?
EPA ratings run up to 38 mpg combined (1.9 L, Manual 5-spd), across 6 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle 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.