1999 Volkswagen GOLF problems and owner complaints
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.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10256580 · 2009-01-28 (January 28, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VALVE IN THE FUEL CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VALVE BECOMES CLOGGED WITH THE FUEL. HE HAS RESEARCHED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS FAILURE AND STATED THAT VOLKSWAGEN IS AWARE, BUT DOES NOTHING TO RECTIFY THE ISSUE. ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT HAS BEEN STRANDED IN COLD WEATHER AND FACED NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCES DUE TO THE STALLING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 126,900.
Owner-reported narrative. 126,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10256580 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 564611 · 2002-03-07 (March 7, 2002)
WHILE AT HIGH SPEEDS, THE ENGINE WOULD SHUT OFF (NOT STALL), THE CAUSE WAS THE POWER SUPPLY RELAY FOR THE DIESEL ENGINE. *YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 564611 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 10072353 · 2004-05-10 (May 10, 2004)
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY GOING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN THE HOOD ON MY 1999 VW GOLF UNEXPECTEDLY OPENED AND HIT THE WINDSHIELD WITH A DEGREE OF IMPACT THAT DENTED THE HOOD IN SEVERAL PLACES AND THE HOOD WILL NO LONGER CLOSE. I WAS FORCED TO BRAKE IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE I COULD NOT SEE. THE CARS BEHIND ME SWERVED TO PREVENT HITTING ME. THE HOOD APPEARED TO BE SECURELY SHUT PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. I RESEARCHED THE NHTSA RECALL HISTORY AND FOUND THAT IT INDICATES THAT VW ISSUED A RECALL OF 93-96 GOLF, GOLF GTI AND JETTA (98V-160) DUE TO THE BOL…
Owner-reported narrative. 23,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10072353 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 10091162 · 2004-09-17 (September 17, 2004)
THE FUEL PUMP ON MY 1999 VW GOLF HAS FAILED TWICE. I FEEL THIS IS BOTH A DEFECT AND HIGHLY DANGEROUS. THE FUEL PUMP CRACKED AND DUMPED FUEL OUT ONTO THE PAVEMENT. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS UNUSUAL, BUT WHEN I WAS IN THE SECOND TIME, I MET ANOTHER VW OWNER WITH THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. VW CONTINUES TO DENY ANY RESPONSIBILITY AND REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE MATTER. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE HAPPENED ON 9-10-01 AT 26K MILES, THE SECOND ON 7-7-04 AT 52000 MILES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 52,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10091162 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10762026 · 2015-09-08 (September 8, 2015)
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FIRE IN 1999 VW GOLF TDI: 2003-01-14, MILEAGE 88290, LIGHTS AND GAUGES ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WERE ACTING FLAKY AND NOT WORKING PROPERLY. SOME LIGHTS WERE DIM AND SOME WERE BURNT OUT. 2003-02-05, I BOUGHT NEW INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. PLAN WAS TO HAVE DEALERSHIP REPLACE FAULTY ONE WITH NEW ONE ON 2003-02-10. A FEW DAYS AFTER I BOUGHT NEW ONE, THE CARS EXISTING ONE SUDDENLY EMITTED SPARKS WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN A SNOW STORM, AND CAUGHT ON FIRE! THICK, ACRID SMOKE BILLOWED FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD, FORCING ME OUT OF THE C…
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10762026 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10762027 · 2015-09-08 (September 8, 2015)
WINDOW REGULATOR SWITCHES AND INTERIOR LIGHTS STARTED TO MALFUNCTION EARLY IN THE LIFE OF THE CAR, STARTING ABOUT 2003. MY PASSENGER WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR ONCE, AND THE SAME HAPPENED FOR MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW TWICE. THE WINDOW SWITCHES ARE FLAKY AND REQUIRE INTENSE CONCENTRATION TO TAP THEM JUST RIGHT TO MAKE THE WINDOW GO IN THE DIRECTION THAT YOU WANT. IF YOU TAP TOO STRONGLY OR TOO LONG, THE WINDOWS REVERSE DIRECTION. THIS IS EXTREMELY DISTRACTING AND DANGEROUS WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO FOCUS ON THE ROAD. DEALERSHIP AND LOCAL MECHANICS…
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10762027 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10127831 · 2005-07-07 (July 7, 2005)
I HAVE A 1999 GOLF 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION THAT HAS A HOLE IN ITS CORE. WHEN SHOPPING AROUND TO GET A USED OR NEW TRANSMISSION(I CALLED OVER 20 DIFFERENT COMPANIES AROUND THE US) I WAS TOLD, BY SEVERAL COMPANIES THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MY TRANSMISSION. SOME SALES PEOPLE DID NOT EVEN NEED THE TRANSMISSION CODE, THEY KNEW AS SOON AS I TOLD THEM I HAD A VW TRANSMISSION FOR A GOLF. MANY TOLD ME THEY HAD SEVERAL THAT HAD HOLES IN THE CASE/CORE.I DID CALL VW TO INFORM THEM OF WHAT I HAD FOUND AND COULD NOT BELIEVE THEY WOULD EVEN CHAR…
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10127831 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 785856 · 2002-01-27 (January 27, 2002)
THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT ONLY 54,000 MILES AFTER A HISTORY OF PERFECT UP-KEEP. THE DEALERSHIP THAT IS DOING THE WORK SAYS ONE SINGLE VALET PARKING JOB COULD HAVE CAUSED THE DAMAGE AND LOCAL MECHANIC SAYS ALL THE 99?S ARE COMING IN WITH THIS PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER THEMSELVES WAS COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE AND UNINTERESTED IN THE PROBLEM. NOW CONSUMER HAS FACED $ 1,600 TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. *YD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 785856 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10105352 · 2004-12-27 (December 27, 2004)
RECALL 00V280000, WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED CONSUMER LOST STEERING CONTROL. DEALERSHIP DID NOT REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10105352 at NHTSA ↗