1999 Volkswagen Jetta: recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta. The newest campaign is 06V183000. NHTSA received the report on 24 May 2006. The NHTSA record gives the component Exterior Lighting / Brake Lights / Switch. NHTSA has 349 complaints on file for this model year. 5 NHTSA investigations name this model year.

The NHTSA recall file shows no do-not-drive advisory and no park-outside advisory on these campaigns.

This page cannot show if a recall applies to one vehicle. The NHTSA VIN lookup shows the unrepaired recalls of one vehicle.

Remedy of the newest campaign, 06V183000, in the NHTSA record

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.

NHTSA VIN lookup

Complaint information entered into NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation vehicle owner's complaint database is used with other data sources to identify safety issues that warrant investigation and to determine if a safety-related defect trend exists.
NHTSA publishes these words. Source: NHTSA Datasets and APIs, section Complaints, read on 1 Oct 2026. Complaint file through 30 Sep 2026. Recall file through 30 Sep 2026.

Since the last update

No tracked figure of this page changed in a data update. What the log tracks

All updates to the register

Recall campaigns

6 campaigns, newest first. 1,623,805 units in total.

06V18300024 May 2006Exterior Lighting / Brake Lights / Switch
04V09600020 Feb 2004Exterior Lighting / Brake Lights / Switch
03V15600023 Apr 2003Equipment / Other / Labels
02V02600025 Jan 2002Fuel System, Gasoline / Storage / Tank Assembly / Filler Pipe and Cap
99V25100017 Sep 1999Structure / Frame and Members
99V0220005 Feb 1999Structure / Frame and Members

06V183000Received 24 May 2006. 646,246 units.
Exterior Lighting / Brake Lights / Switch
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
The brake lights could become inoperative, or remain on. Failure to provide the proper signal when braking could lead to a crash without warning.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
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.
Report filed by VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC. Manufacturer campaign number N4. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 27 Nov 2006.
04V096000Received 20 Feb 2004. 377,130 units.
Exterior Lighting / Brake Lights / Switch
Defect, in the NHTSA record
On certain passenger vehicles, a brake light switch on these vehicles may malfunction.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
If this happens, the brake lights could become inoperative, or come on and stay on, even though the vehicle is parked.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
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.
Report filed by VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC. Manufacturer campaign number WX. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 30 Apr 2004.
03V156000Received 23 Apr 2003. 9,811 units.
Equipment / Other / Labels
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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).
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
Under inflated tires can affect vehicle handling, and driving with substantialy under inflated tires puts the consumer at a risk for a crash.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
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.
Report filed by VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC. Manufacturer campaign number WP. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 29 Sep 2003.
02V026000Received 25 Jan 2002. 487,284 units.
Fuel System, Gasoline / Storage / Tank Assembly / Filler Pipe and Cap
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
Fuel leakage can occur increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
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.
Report filed by VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC. Manufacturer campaign number WK. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 13 Jun 2003.
99V251000Received 17 Sep 1999. 67,076 units.
Structure / Frame and Members
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
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.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Dealers will remove the trim cover from each of the b pillars and install a new cover.
Report filed by VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC. Manufacturer campaign number UM. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 15 Mar 2000.
99V022000Received 5 Feb 1999. 36,258 units.
Structure / Frame and Members
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
This could result in a fire.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Dealers will remove the matting materials from inside the b-pillar on both sides of the vehicle.
Report filed by VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC. Manufacturer campaign number UF. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 15 Feb 1999.

The campaign number opens the NHTSA record. Each quotation is the text of the NHTSA recall file.

Recall campaign: One recall in the NHTSA recall file, with one campaign number. A campaign can name many makes, models and model years.

Units: The number of vehicles or products that a recall can include. The manufacturer or the firm reports the number to the agency.

Complaints by component

349 complaints, 488 component mentions.

A complaint can name more than one component. Each component that a complaint names is one component mention. The figure per 1,000 component mentions shows how many of each 1,000 mentions name the component.

1999 Volkswagen Jetta
All 1999 vehicles

1999 Volkswagen Jetta: complaints by component, per 1,000 component mentions
Component	1999 Jetta	All 1999 vehicles	Jetta, all years	Mentions
Engine and Engine Cooling	174.2	120.2	68.6	85
Visibility	174.2	42.9	41.9	85
Electrical System	92.2	84.5	157.8	45
Air Bags	63.5	52.3	63.3	31
Power Train	63.5	91.9	118.7	31
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	59.4	130.8	32.6	29
Vehicle Speed Control	55.3	41.7	26	27
Structure	53.3	52.6	26.8	26
Seat Belts	51.2	19.6	13.5	25
Exterior Lighting	38.9	21.6	35.6	19

The table shows the 10 components with the most mentions, of 26.

Complaints that report a crash: 33
Complaints that report a fire: 9
Injuries in the complaints: 29
Deaths in the complaints: 0
Date of the newest complaint: 18 May 2013

These figures are the entries of the persons who sent the complaints.

Complaint: A report about a possible safety problem that a person sends to NHTSA. This site shows the number of complaints and not their text.

Complaints about the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta, by the year NHTSA received them. The largest year is 2001, with 69 complaints.

Investigations

NHTSA investigations that name the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
Number	Type	Subject	Component	Opened	Closed	Campaign
RQ06004	Recall query	BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE	Exterior Lighting / Brake Lights / Switch	28 Feb 2006	7 Aug 2006	06V183000
RQ03010	Recall query	BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH	Exterior Lighting / Brake Lights / Switch	17 Dec 2003	1 Mar 2004	04V096000
EA00028	Engineering analysis	FUEL TANK PUNCTURE	Vehicle Speed Control / Linkages	28 Dec 2000	29 Jan 2002	02V026000
PE00033	Preliminary evaluation	FUEL TANK PUNCTURE	Vehicle Speed Control / Linkages	10 Aug 2000	28 Dec 2000
PE99007	Preliminary evaluation	PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FIRE	Unknown or Other	29 Jan 1999	8 Feb 1999	99V022000

Investigation: A study of a possible safety defect by the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. An investigation with no closing date in the NHTSA file is open.

Other model years

The number under each year is the number of recall campaigns.

A year without a link has fewer than 2 campaigns and fewer than 25 complaints. It has no page.

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Official channels

NHTSA VIN lookupNHTSA shows the unrepaired recalls of one vehicle from its VIN or its license plate.
NHTSA: report a safety problemThe NHTSA form for a complaint about a vehicle, a tire, a child seat or equipment.
NHTSA page of the 1999 Volkswagen JettaThe recalls, the complaints and the investigations that NHTSA shows for this model year.

Cite this page

Recall Register. 1999 Volkswagen Jetta: recalls and complaints. https://recallregister.com/vehicle/volkswagen/jetta/1999/. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, recall, complaint and investigation files. Data through 30 Sep 2026.

Sources

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Licence: US government work, public domain
Recall file through: 30 Sep 2026
Complaint file through: 30 Sep 2026
First complaint in the file: 1 Jan 1995
Manufacturer in the recall file: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

The NHTSA record is the authority. A complaint count is the number of different complaint numbers for the make, the model and the model year. How the register is made. Report an error.

Questions

How many units are in the recall campaigns for the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta?: 1,623,805 units in 6 campaigns. A campaign can name other models and model years, and its units include them.
How many recall campaigns does the Volkswagen Jetta have for all model years?: NHTSA lists 79 recall campaigns for the Volkswagen Jetta, model years 1980 to 2026. 6 of them name the 1999 model year.
Which component do the complaints about the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta name most often?: Engine and Engine Cooling: 85 of 488 component mentions, or 174.2 per 1,000. For all 1999 vehicles the figure is 120.2 per 1,000.
Is an NHTSA investigation of the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta open?: No. Each of the 5 investigations that name this model year has a closing date in the NHTSA file.