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Research · Compact Cars

1999 Volkswagen JettaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 354 owner complaints for the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta. Most complaints involve visibility (78) and engine and engine cooling (76). The EPA rates it 19–37 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19–37mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest Mar 2014
Owner complaints
354
Top: visibility
Fuel cost / yr
$2,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

7 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Free remedy

The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. 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.

Engine and engine coolingReported Mar 7, 2014NHTSA 14E007000

Exterior lighting: switch

Free remedy

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.

Exterior lightingReported May 24, 2006NHTSA 06V183000

Exterior lighting: switch

Free remedy

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION.

Exterior lightingReported Feb 20, 2004NHTSA 04V096000
See all 7 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

354 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 1998 – May 2013
  1. Visibility78
  2. Engine and engine cooling76
  3. Electrical system41
  4. Service brakes, hydraulic30
  5. Air bags29
  6. Power train28
  7. Vehicle speed control26
  8. Seat belts24
  9. Structure23

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Jetta model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996183
1997141
1998194
1999354
2000451
2001677
2002711
2003463
2004233
2005248
2006580
2007201
2008190
2009905
2010875
2011640
2012527
2013518
2014388
2015196
2016164
2017160
201832
2019552
202054
202171
202243
202343
202446
202532
20266
Crashes reported
33
Fires reported
9
Injuries reported
29
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Visibility

78 reports2 crashes
“WINDOW REGULATOR GOING BAD. RESEARCHED YOUR SITE AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. JUST PURCHASED CAR USED AND WAS UNAWARE OF PROBLEM AND OF COURSE IT IS TOO LATE FOR ANY EXTENDED WARRANTIES. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE RECONCILED REGARDLESS OF TIMEFRAME. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 16, 2008VisibilityODI 10245649

Engine and engine cooling

76 reports2 crashes
“COOLANT SYSTEM EXTERNAL LEAK WAS FIXED, HOSES REPLACED AND CONNECTOR THAT ATTACHES TO ENGINE WAS REPLACED ALSO. LEAK COMES BACK , REPLACED ANOTHER HOSE., THEN THE WORSE STARTS, THE HEATER CORE STARTED LEAKING AND THE CAR STARTED TO SMELL LIKE ANTIFREEZE. GOT HEATER CORE REPLACED, BUT THE INSIDE OF THE CAR SMELLS HORRIBLE,.EVERY TIME I DRIVE MY 1999 JETTA, I GET THIS METALLIC TASTE IN MY MOUTH AND THROAT. THE STUFF IS DEFINITELY TOXIC, AND THE AF CONTAINER READS POISONOUS. BECOMES A TORTURE TO DRIVE MY JETTA I HATE THE METALLIC TASTE IN MY MOUTH. THE DESIGN OFF SOME OF THE HEATING SYSTEM INCLUDES PLASTIC COMPONENTS THAT MAY NOT TAKE THE HEAT WELL SPECIALLY AT THE POINT OF CONTACT WITH THE ENGINE. DID SOME ONLINE RESEARCH AND FOUND SIMILAR CASES WITH INTERNAL ANTIFREEZE LEAKS ON VW JETTAS. THIS FUMES CAN REALLY RUIN YOUR DRIVING EXPERIENCE NOT TO MENTION THE POSSIBLE DETRIMENT ON YOUR HEALTH DUE TO BREATHING IN A CONTAMINATED ATMOSPHERE THANKS FOR LOOKING INTO THIS COMPLAINT. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 23, 2009Engine and engine coolingODI 10259717

Electrical system

41 reports2 crashes5 fires
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, SMOKE BEGAN TO FILL THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND SAW THAT SMOKE WAS BELLOWING FROM BENEATH THE STEERING COLUMN. THE SMOKE DISAPPEARED AFTER SOME TIME. THE CONTACT THEN ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING THE RESULTS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,144.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 2, 2013Electrical system, Air bagsFire reportedODI 10505399
All 1999 Jetta problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
1.9L 4-cyl turbo diesel · 2.0L 4-cyl · 2.8L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Diesel · Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Jetta
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, Diesel, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
334437$2,550275
Jetta
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
212824$2,600370
Jetta
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192622$2,850404
Jetta
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
162319$3,300468
Jetta
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172419$3,300468
  • Jetta
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, Diesel, Turbo
    33 city · 44 hwy · $2,550/yr
    37
    mpg comb.
  • Jetta
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    21 city · 28 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Jetta
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    19 city · 26 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Jetta
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L
    16 city · 23 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Jetta
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 3985
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1999 Jetta questions

How many recalls does the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta have?

7 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 1999 Volkswagen Jetta problems?

Owners filed 354 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are visibility (78), engine and engine cooling (76), electrical system (41). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta get?

The EPA rates the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta at 19–37 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026