1999 Volkswagen GOLF: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
58 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
71,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 23 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 58 complaints (8.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 6 | 10.3% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 8.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 8.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 5.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 3.4% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 1.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 5 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 5 |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 2 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 5; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 5; Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 4; Electrical System: 3; Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers: 3; Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 1
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 35 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 7 |
| 2001 | 8 |
| 2002 | 16 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
2000: 7; 2001: 8; 2002: 16; 2003: 6; 2004: 8; 2005: 4; 2006: 1; 2007: 3; 2009: 1; 2015: 3; 2016: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10001656 · 2002-12-30 (December 30, 2002)
THE BODY OF THE DOOR STRUCK THE MAIN BODY OF THE VEHICLE WHEN CLOSED, WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE MAIN BODY OF THE VEHICLE, AND ALSO CAUSED LOUD HINGE NOISES.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001656 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005228 · 2003-02-03 (February 3, 2003)
FOUR YEAR OLD CAR WITH 42,822 MILES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED A FEW TIME ON ACCELERATING THURSDAY NIGHT. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT SOLID FRIDAY MORNING, AND ON MY WAY TO THE DEALER THE ENGINE SIEZED. VW TELLS ME THE ENGINE IS COMPLETELY DEAD.
Owner-reported narrative. 42,822 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005228 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006512 · 2002-04-02 (April 2, 2002)
I AM CONCERNED THAT SINCE THIS ENGINE MOUNT FAILED, WHAT ABOUT THE MOUNT ON THE OTHER SIDE? IS THERE A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE? ARE THERE OTHER GOLF OWNERS OUT THERE WHO WILL POTENTIALLY BE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM? IT SEEMS UNBELIEVABLE TO ME THAT AN ENGINE MOUNT COULD FAIL ON THIS NEW OF A CAR WITH THIS FEW NUMBER OF MILES. AM I WRONG IN MY ASSUMPTION? *JB ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****760138
Owner-reported narrative. 42,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006512 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010911 · 2003-03-23 (March 23, 2003)
WHEN I LET DOWN THE BACK SEAT ON MY 99 VW GOLF THE SEAT BELT PULLS UP THE SLACK, BUT WHEN I TRY TO PUT THE SEAT BACK UP, IT DOES NOT RELEASE.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010911 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10023172 · 2003-06-16 (June 16, 2003)
FUEL PUMP BEGAN LEAKING AGAIN JUNE 11, 2003 AT @ 30,000 MILES. FUEL PUMP HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED AFTER SEVERE LEAKAGE DUE TO CRACKED PLASTIC HOUSING SEPTEMBER, 2000 AT @ 19,000 MILES. FUEL PUMPS SHOULD NOT ROUTINELY FAIL IN SUCH HAZARDOUS FASHION EACH 15,000 MILES -- UNDER WARRANTY OR NO. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 31,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023172 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025911 · 2003-07-11 (July 11, 2003)
THIS CAR HAS HAD A FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH 3 TIMES IN 2 YEARS. THIS LEAVES THE VEHICLE WITH NO BRAKE LIGHTS WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED. OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS A SERIOUS DANGER TO ANYONE IN THE VEHICLE AND OTHER VEHICLES AROUND IT AS THERE IS NO WARNING WHEN SLOWING DOWN.HE SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED ALL 3 TIMES BY ROSEVILLE VW ($136.62 EACH TIME). THERE IS A SERVICE NOTE DATED 10/18/2001 WHICH EXPLAINS THAT IF THE BRAKE SWITCH IS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY IT CAN/WILL LEAD TO A FAILURE OF THE SWITCH. ROSEVILLE VW COVERED THE 2ND INSTALL…
Owner-reported narrative. 28,245 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025911 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10041470 · 2003-10-08 (October 8, 2003)
DRIVER'S SIDE ENGINE MOUNT BROKEN. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 83,710 miles reported. Look up ODI 10041470 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10046266 · 2003-10-29 (October 29, 2003)
RECALL REPAIR WORK WAS PERFORMED ON VEHICLE, CONSUMER WAS CHARGED $313.63 AND REPAIRS WERE HALF COMPLETED.*MR SINCE IT WAS A RECALL, THE WORK PERFORMED WAS SUPPOSE TO BE FREE OF CHARGE. THE DEALER ONLY PERFORMED HALF THE WORK AND LEFT A BROKEN PART IN THE DOOR WHICH HAD TO BE REMOVED BY TAKING THE DOOR APART AGAIN. THEY REFUSED TO REFUND THE $313.63 AND REPAIR THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WHICH WAS PART OF THE RECALL. THEY ONLY FIXED THE DRIVER DOOR. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE THE MONIES REIMBURSED PLUS AN ADDITION $313.63 FOR HAVE THE RE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10046266 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
03V155000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 2003-04-22 (April 22, 2003)
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: UNDER INFLATED TIRES CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING, AND DRIVING WITH SUBSTANTIALLY UNDER INFLATED TIRES PUTS THE CONSUMER AT RISK FOR A CRASH.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗05V154000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2005-04-19 (April 19, 2005)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GASOLINE ENGINES AND DOUBLE-LAYER FUEL TANKS, TENSION ON THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP SUPPLY NIPPLE TO CRACK WHICH COULD RESULT IN A LEAK.
Consequence: LEAKING FUEL, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, MAY CAUSE A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE FOR TENSION, AND INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP SUPPLY NIPPLE FOR CRACKING. IF NECESSARY THE FUEL LINE AND THE FUEL PUMP WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 25, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
NHTSA campaign record ↗07V063000 · Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch
Reported: 2007-02-20 (February 20, 2007)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
Consequence: 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: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2007, AND WILL BE CONDUCTED IN SEVERAL STAGGERED MAILINGS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21, 2007. 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 campaign record ↗99V022000 · Structure:Frame And Members
Reported: 1999-02-05 (February 5, 1999)
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: THIS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE MATTING MATERIALS FROM INSIDE THE B-PILLAR ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗