NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 664 owner complaints for the 1999 Volkswagen Passat. Most complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic (182) and suspension (118). The EPA rates it 18–24 mpg combined.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 412,000 MY 1999-2005 PASSAT (5TH GENERATION) VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND PRODUCED AFTER JUNE 14, 1999. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE AN UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELD THAT CAN BECOME DAMAGED. IN ADDITION, AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS MAY HAVE A FUEL LINE (1.8T ENGINES ONLY) OR FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE (4MOTION/ALL WHEEL DRIVE ONLY) THAT CAN LEAK DUE TO FRACTURE.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Passat model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 151 |
| 1997 | 76 |
| 1998 | 330 |
| 1999 | 664 |
| 2000 | 518 |
| 2001 | 441 |
| 2002 | 650 |
| 2003 | 641 |
| 2004 | 283 |
| 2005 | 148 |
| 2006 | 576 |
| 2007 | 273 |
| 2008 | 174 |
| 2009 | 152 |
| 2010 | 172 |
| 2012 | 484 |
| 2013 | 749 |
| 2014 | 594 |
| 2015 | 244 |
| 2016 | 106 |
| 2017 | 110 |
| 2018 | 46 |
| 2019 | 12 |
| 2020 | 18 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 13 |
“I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND STEPPED ON MY BRAKES. I NOTICED MY CAR WAS NOT STOPPING AND THE BRAKE WAS VERY LOW TO THE FLOOR. I GOT SO SCARED. THANK GOD I WAS GOING AT A VERY VERY SLOW SPEED. MY BRAKE LIGHT CAME FLASHING ON AND BEEPING LIKE CRAZY. THIS CAR SEEMS TO BE A LEMON LATELY. I ALREADY HAVE ISSUES WHEN I START MY CAR. AT TIMES IT JUST DOESN'T START SO I HAVE TO KEEP THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND WAIT ABOUT 35 SECONDS AND FINALLY THE CAR TURNS OVER. ALSO I HAVE GRAY SMOKE THAT COMES OUT OF MY TAIL PIPE UPON DRIVING AT TIMES. ALSO MY SUN ROOF, THE MATERIAL GOT CAUGHT AND ITS ALL RIPPED. AND. MY OIL DISAPPEARS ON ME. I CAN PUT TWO NEW QUARTS OF OIL IN MY CAR WITH IN TWO WEEKS ITS GONE BONE DRY WITH NO OIL LEAKS. VERY VERY WEIRD. CAN SOMEONE HELP ME OUT. ARE THERE ANY RECALLS FOR ANY OF THIS. I ALREADY BOUGHT ROTORS, BRAKE PADS FOR THE BACK BRAKES AND BUYING CALIPERS THIS WEEK. NOW THIS HAPPENS WHERE I HAVE NO BRAKES. I AM SO DEPRESSED ABOUT THIS. PLEASE HELP ME! I COULD OF GOTTEN INTO A BAD ACCIDENT BECAUSE MY ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED ON ME TODAY. GO VOLKSWAGEN. UNREAL. :( *KB”
“I OWN A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT IN WHICH THE CONTROL ARMS, TIE ROD ENDS, BALL JOINTS, AND BUSHINGS ARE FAILING. BASED ON SOME INTERNET RESEARCH, THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE FOR SIMILAR MAKES, MODELS, AND YEARS. THE PROBLEM OCCURS EVERY DAY, AND IF LEFT UNATTENDED, RESULTS IN SAFETY PROBLEMS AT HIGHER SPEEDS. PARTS WILL BE REPLACED IN THE NEAR FUTURE AND OLD PARTS WILL BE RETAINED, IF IT IS FEASIBLE. *TR”
“WAS DRIVING VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY , THE VEHICLE'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN , I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY I SEEN SMOKE I OPENED THE HOOD AND IT WAS ON FIRE. I CALLED POLICE AND FIRE. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT THE FANS ARE MELTED AND I'M NOT SURE WHAT ELSE IS BURNED , I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT COULD HAVE STARTED THE FIRE THE VEHICLE IS TAKEN CARE OF AND THERE'S NO WARNING LIGHTS ON , ON THE DASH. *TR”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passat Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 29 | 24 | $3,200 | 370 |
| Passat Wagon Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 29 | 24 | $3,200 | 370 |
| Passat Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 28 | 22 | $3,500 | 404 |
| Passat Wagon Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 28 | 22 | $3,500 | 404 |
| Passat Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,700 | 423 |
| Passat Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L, FFS · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,700 | 423 |
| Passat Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 26 | 19 | $4,050 | 468 |
| Passat Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L, FFS · Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 26 | 19 | $4,050 | 468 |
| Passat Wagon Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 26 | 19 | $4,050 | 468 |
| Passat Wagon Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L, FFS · Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 26 | 19 | $4,050 | 468 |
| Passat Syncro Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 24 | 18 | $4,300 | 494 |
| Passat Syncro Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L, FFS · Front-Wheel Drive | 15 | 24 | 18 | $4,300 | 494 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
6 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 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.
Owners filed 664 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes, hydraulic (182), suspension (118), engine and engine cooling (84). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1999 Volkswagen Passat at 18–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (12 versions rated).