IllustrationCURRENT PROBLEM: MANUAL TRANSMISSION STICK SHIFT MECHANISM COMPLETELY BROKE DURING SHIFTING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (DURING RUSH HOUR). IT WENT TO NEUTRAL, BUT I WAS ABLE TO FIND 3RD GEAR AND GET THE CAR OFF OF THE ROAD.
1999 Volkswagen Beetle
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Beetle years
Owner complaints for the 1999 Volkswagen Beetle are substantially higher than the model-year median of 49.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Beetle years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
110–25K
1325–50K
1550–75K
1075–100K
16100–150K
4150K+
69 reports with mileage · 105 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
17 crash reports20 fire reports14 injury reports
Visibility complaints
26 reportsEIGHTEEN MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN CONSUMER TRIED TO TURN IT ON. AFTER THE THIRD TIME, CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED IT WAS A COMPUTER MALFUNCTION. *JG
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT 18 MONTHS AFTER THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE JUMP STARTED. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A COMPUTER MALFUNCTION. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN FOR AN INOPERATIVE SPEEDOMETER BUT IT ENDED UP BEING THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE L…
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THE CONSUMER STATED THAT 18 MONTHS AFTER THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE JUMP STARTED. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A COMPUTER MALFUNCTION. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN FOR AN INOPERATIVE SPEEDOMETER BUT IT ENDED UP BEING THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS WOULDN'T WORK BECAUSE OF AN ERROR WITH THE ELECTRONICS. *SCC
SHORTLY AFTER I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, ENGINE"CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. ALSO, CD PLAYER WAS NOT OPERATING CORRECTLY AND TEMPERATURE DISPLAY (BY REAR VIEW MIRROR) DID NOT WORK. TOOK IN TO DEALER'S SVC DEPT. MANY TIMES, BUT PROBLEMS PERSITED . DEALER SVC. DEPT. CLAIMED EVERYTHING WORKING FINE. RECENTLY, THE WINDOW ON TH…
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SHORTLY AFTER I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, ENGINE"CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. ALSO, CD PLAYER WAS NOT OPERATING CORRECTLY AND TEMPERATURE DISPLAY (BY REAR VIEW MIRROR) DID NOT WORK. TOOK IN TO DEALER'S SVC DEPT. MANY TIMES, BUT PROBLEMS PERSITED . DEALER SVC. DEPT. CLAIMED EVERYTHING WORKING FINE. RECENTLY, THE WINDOW ON THE DRIVER SIDE FAILED AND IT WOULD NOT GO UP. TOOK CAR IN TO DEALER SVC. DEPT. AND GOT REPAIRED. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, CAR DIED. IT WAS NOT THE BATTERY, SO CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER SERVICE DEPT. ON 8-14-02. DEALER EXAMINED CAR AND SAID IT WAS THE TRI-LOCK SYSTEM AND DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. TRI-LOCK SYSTEM REMOVED BY DEALER BUT CAR STILL NOT WORKING. PROBLEM: POWER WINDOWS DID NOT WORK, PUSH WINDOW BUTTON AND TRUNK WOULD POP OPEN, AIR BAG LIGHT STAYED ON, ETC. ETC. ETC. THE CAR HAS BEEN AT DEALESHIP FOR OVER A WEEK AND DEALER KEEPS TELLING ME IT'S FIXED, BUT WHEN I GO PICK IT UP (3 TIMES), THE CAR IS STILL DOING THE SAME THING, AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS STILL ON ALL THE TIME. VERY FRUSTRATED AND DISAPPOINTED.*AK
WINDOWS ON PASSENGER SIDE AND DRIVER SIDE WILL CONTINUOUSLY FALL WHENEVER CONSUMER IS DRIVING VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER . DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK
VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN CONSUMER NOTICED FLAMES 1 FOOT HIGH COMING FROM DASHBOARD. AT DEALER AT THIS TIME, HEATER SWITCH CAUSED FIRE. *AK
CONSUMER HAS BEEN HAVING ALOT OF PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL FEATURES. CONSUMER HAS REPLACED 2 BATTERIES/ 1 CD CHANGER/ 4 HEADLIGHT BULBS, AND AIR CONDITIONER OUTLET DIDN'T WORK. DEALER STATED VEHICLE HAD TOO MANY MILES. PROBLEMS EXISTED SINCE DAY 1.*AK
BATTERY CABLE HAS BURNED OUT TWICE SINCE DATE OF PURCHASE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK REAR HATCH INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT OPEN WITH THE REMOTE DUE TO IT BEING OUT OF ADJUSTMENT, THE LEFT WINDOW SWITCH IS LOOSE. NLM
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE I WAS LOOKING FOR A RELIABLE AND ECONOMICAL CAR. I HAVE BEEN VERY DISAPPOINTED. THIS CAR BURNS OIL AT AN UNBELIEVABLE RATE. I CANNOT RELY ON IT AND DO NOT WANT TO DRIVE IT OUT OF TOWN. I AM NOW KEEPING JUMPER CABLES IN THE HATCH BECAUSE OF CONSTANT BATTERY PROBLEMS. THE RADIO IS NOT WORKING.…
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I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE I WAS LOOKING FOR A RELIABLE AND ECONOMICAL CAR. I HAVE BEEN VERY DISAPPOINTED. THIS CAR BURNS OIL AT AN UNBELIEVABLE RATE. I CANNOT RELY ON IT AND DO NOT WANT TO DRIVE IT OUT OF TOWN. I AM NOW KEEPING JUMPER CABLES IN THE HATCH BECAUSE OF CONSTANT BATTERY PROBLEMS. THE RADIO IS NOT WORKING. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED A REGULATOR (WINDOW) ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND IT HAS BROKEN AGAIN. LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER IT WAS REPLACED. SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS TOLD ME THAT THEY COULDN'T GET ME IN TO FIX THE PROBLEM FOR 2 WEEKS - MY WINDOW WAS STUCK DOWN INSIDE OF THE DOOR AND WOULD NOT ROLL UP. THE WAITING TIME FOR AN APPT AT A DEALER SHOULD BE AN INDICATION THAT THE ARE NOT PRODUCING QUALITY VEHICLES. THE WARRANTY PERIOD IS TOO SHORT. THE PROBLEMS SEEM TO ALL HAPPEN AFTER THE WARRANTY IS UP. IS THAT HOW LONG THEY EXPECTED TO LAST - 2 YEARS?I HAVE BEEN VERY DISAPOINTED.*AK
ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS OCCUR PERIODICALY. ONE DAY THE GAS GAUGE WILL SHOW EMPTY WHEN THE TANK IS FULL. THE ELECTRIC WINDOW WENT DOWN AND NEVER CAME BACK UP, THEY HAD TO REPLACE A SWITCH IN SIDE THE DOOR. THE RIGHT SIDE DOOR HANDLE HAS TO BE PULLED ON TWICE TO OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE REAR HATCH WILL NOT ALWAYS OPEN WHE…
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ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS OCCUR PERIODICALY. ONE DAY THE GAS GAUGE WILL SHOW EMPTY WHEN THE TANK IS FULL. THE ELECTRIC WINDOW WENT DOWN AND NEVER CAME BACK UP, THEY HAD TO REPLACE A SWITCH IN SIDE THE DOOR. THE RIGHT SIDE DOOR HANDLE HAS TO BE PULLED ON TWICE TO OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE REAR HATCH WILL NOT ALWAYS OPEN WHEN RELEASED, YOU MUST PUSH THE BUTTOM AGAIN TO OPEN IT. AND THE REASON I AM FILLING OUT THIS QUESTIONNAIRE IS BECAUSE THE CAR TONIGHT WOULD NOT START. THE LIGHTS WOULD COME ON, THEN OFF, THEN DIM, THEN GO BRIGHT. (THE RADIO SHOWS ON ITS SMALL WINDOW THE WORD SAFE) THE IGNITION SWITCH DOES NOT SEEM TO BE WORKING. SO I DECIDED TO CHECK OUT YOUR WEB SITE FOR ANY RECALLS OR SERVICE BULLETINS. THE CAR WILL BE HEADING TO THE DEALERSHIP IN THE MORNING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.
Official recalls
106V183000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
May 24, 2006
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 & remedy
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 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
3RQ06004 · Brake Light Switch Failure
Opened Feb 28, 2006 · Closed Aug 7, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
BY LETTERS DATED MAY 24, 2006 AND AUGUST 4, 2006, VOLKSWAGEN (VW) NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO 06V-183) INVOLVING MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998-2002 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE AND 1999-2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN?S RECALL COVERS 646,246 VEHICLES.PREVIOUSLY, VW RECALLED THESE VEHICLES TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH (RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096) THAT WAS UNIQUE TO VEHICLES WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN REPORTS THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096.VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH.BASED ON VOLKSWAGEN'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
BY LETTERS DATED MAY 24, 2006 AND AUGUST 4, 2006, VOLKSWAGEN (VW) NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO 06V-183) INVOLVING MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998-2002 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE AND 1999-2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN?S RECALL COVERS 646,246 VEHICLES.PREVIOUSLY, VW RECALLED THESE VEHICLES TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH (RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096) THAT WAS UNIQUE TO VEHICLES WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN REPORTS THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096.VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH.BASED ON VOLKSWAGEN'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
BY LETTERS DATED MAY 24, 2006 AND AUGUST 4, 2006, VOLKSWAGEN (VW) NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO 06V-183) INVOLVING MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998-2002 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE AND 1999-2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN?S RECALL COVERS 646,246 VEHICLES.PREVIOUSLY, VW RECALLED THESE VEHICLES TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH (RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096) THAT WAS UNIQUE TO VEHICLES WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN REPORTS THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096.VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH.BASED ON VOLKSWAGEN'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
EA03002 · Brake Light Switch
Opened Apr 8, 2003 · Closed Aug 20, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH USED IN CRUISE CONTROL EQUIPPED MY 1998-1999 AND ALL MY 2000 AND LATER MODELS HAS UNDERGONE MULTIPLE REVISIONS.ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY AND COMPLAINT DATA INDICATES HIGH REPLACEMENT RATES OCCURRED IN VEHICLES BUILT WITH BRAKE SWITCH PART NUMBERS 1J0 945 511A AND 1J0 945 511B, THE ORIGINAL AND FIRST REVISION LEVELS, RESPECTIVELY.THE FAILURE OF THE SWITCH COULD RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, OR COULD CAUSE THE BRAKE LAMPS TO STAY CONTINUALLY ILLUMINATED.EITHER CONDITION RESULTS IN THE INABILITY OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOTIFY OTHER MOTORISTS OF VEHICLE BRAKING.UNDER SAFETY RECALL 03V-265, VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON ALL VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH NOVEMBER 2001.ANY AFFECTED SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE WITH THE MOST CURRENT VERSION, PART NUMBER 1J0 945 511D.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH USED IN CRUISE CONTROL EQUIPPED MY 1998-1999 AND ALL MY 2000 AND LATER MODELS HAS UNDERGONE MULTIPLE REVISIONS.ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY AND COMPLAINT DATA INDICATES HIGH REPLACEMENT RATES OCCURRED IN VEHICLES BUILT WITH BRAKE SWITCH PART NUMBERS 1J0 945 511A AND 1J0 945 511B, THE ORIGINAL AND FIRST REVISION LEVELS, RESPECTIVELY.THE FAILURE OF THE SWITCH COULD RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, OR COULD CAUSE THE BRAKE LAMPS TO STAY CONTINUALLY ILLUMINATED.EITHER CONDITION RESULTS IN THE INABILITY OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOTIFY OTHER MOTORISTS OF VEHICLE BRAKING.UNDER SAFETY RECALL 03V-265, VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON ALL VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH NOVEMBER 2001.ANY AFFECTED SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE WITH THE MOST CURRENT VERSION, PART NUMBER 1J0 945 511D.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH USED IN CRUISE CONTROL EQUIPPED MY 1998-1999 AND ALL MY 2000 AND LATER MODELS HAS UNDERGONE MULTIPLE REVISIONS.ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY AND COMPLAINT DATA INDICATES HIGH REPLACEMENT RATES OCCURRED IN VEHICLES BUILT WITH BRAKE SWITCH PART NUMBERS 1J0 945 511A AND 1J0 945 511B, THE ORIGINAL AND FIRST REVISION LEVELS, RESPECTIVELY.THE FAILURE OF THE SWITCH COULD RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, OR COULD CAUSE THE BRAKE LAMPS TO STAY CONTINUALLY ILLUMINATED.EITHER CONDITION RESULTS IN THE INABILITY OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOTIFY OTHER MOTORISTS OF VEHICLE BRAKING.UNDER SAFETY RECALL 03V-265, VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON ALL VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH NOVEMBER 2001.ANY AFFECTED SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE WITH THE MOST CURRENT VERSION, PART NUMBER 1J0 945 511D.
PE02084 · Brake Light Switch Operation
Opened Nov 18, 2002 · Closed Apr 8, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH USED IN NEW BEETLE IS ALSO SPECIFIED IN GOLF AND JETTA MODELS.ONE TYPE OF SWITCH IS USED ON CRUISE EQUIPPED MODELS, A SECOND TYPE IS USED ON NON-CRUISE MODELS.VW REPORTS 86 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND 2575 WARRANTY CLAIMS OF INOPERATIVE BRAKE LIGHTS, THE MAJORITY OF WHICH ARE RELATED TO THE BRAKE SWITCH.TWO OF THE VW COMPLAINTS INVOLVE FAILURES THAT WERE ALSO REPORTED TO ODI.ADDITIONALLY, OVER 100,000 BRAKE SWITCH SERVICE COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN SOLD UNDER 4 DIFFERENT PART NUMBERS.THE INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH USED IN NEW BEETLE IS ALSO SPECIFIED IN GOLF AND JETTA MODELS.ONE TYPE OF SWITCH IS USED ON CRUISE EQUIPPED MODELS, A SECOND TYPE IS USED ON NON-CRUISE MODELS.VW REPORTS 86 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND 2575 WARRANTY CLAIMS OF INOPERATIVE BRAKE LIGHTS, THE MAJORITY OF WHICH ARE RELATED TO THE BRAKE SWITCH.TWO OF THE VW COMPLAINTS INVOLVE FAILURES THAT WERE ALSO REPORTED TO ODI.ADDITIONALLY, OVER 100,000 BRAKE SWITCH SERVICE COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN SOLD UNDER 4 DIFFERENT PART NUMBERS.THE INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS.
Exterior Lighting
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH USED IN NEW BEETLE IS ALSO SPECIFIED IN GOLF AND JETTA MODELS.ONE TYPE OF SWITCH IS USED ON CRUISE EQUIPPED MODELS, A SECOND TYPE IS USED ON NON-CRUISE MODELS.VW REPORTS 86 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND 2575 WARRANTY CLAIMS OF INOPERATIVE BRAKE LIGHTS, THE MAJORITY OF WHICH ARE RELATED TO THE BRAKE SWITCH.TWO OF THE VW COMPLAINTS INVOLVE FAILURES THAT WERE ALSO REPORTED TO ODI.ADDITIONALLY, OVER 100,000 BRAKE SWITCH SERVICE COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN SOLD UNDER 4 DIFFERENT PART NUMBERS.THE INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS.