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1999 Volkswagen Cabrio

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.

About this comparison →
29Owner complaints

Model-year median: 14.5

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Inspection summary

1999 Volkswagen Cabrio

NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 29 owner complaints · 0 recall campaigns · 1 investigations.

Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.

Top reported categories (up to 5)

  • Electrical System: 10 reports
  • Engine And Engine Cooling: 6 reports
  • Vehicle Speed Control: 5 reports
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 4 reports
  • Structure: 4 reports

Full reported-category list and vehicle report

Recall links

    No recall campaigns in this snapshot.

    Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

    Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.

    How this year compares

    Owner complaints by model year

    Other model years Selected year
    6
    1996    14
    1997    21
    1998    29
    1999    16
    2000    38
    2001    23
    2002
    Compare all Cabrio years →

    Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure and reporting. They are not failure rates.

    What owners reported most

    Electrical System
    10    Engine And Engine Cooling
    6    Vehicle Speed Control
    5    Service Brakes, Hydraulic
    4    Structure
    4
    All reported categories
    Equipment
    3    Exterior Lighting
    3    Power Train
    3    Steering
    3    Visibility
    3    Air Bags
    2    Seat Belts
    2    Suspension
    2    Fuel System, Gasoline
    1    Fuel System, Other
    1    Latches/locks/linkages
    1    Parking Brake
    1    Seats
    1    Service Brakes, Air
    1    Unknown Or Other
    1    Wheels
    1

    Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

    When problems were reported

    Mileage at the reported incident

    Limited mileage data: 14 of 29 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

    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 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

    NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

    4 crash reports2 fire reports2 injury reports

    Power Train complaints

    3 reports
    Clear category filter
    98,000 miles · Jun 12, 2012
    Power Train

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN CABRIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER TO THE SHOULDER AND COAST TO A STOP. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE RETAINER CLIP ON THE END OF THE CABLE THAT SECURED IT TO THE CLUTCH ENGAGEMENT LEVER…

    Read full complaint

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN CABRIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER TO THE SHOULDER AND COAST TO A STOP. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE RETAINER CLIP ON THE END OF THE CABLE THAT SECURED IT TO THE CLUTCH ENGAGEMENT LEVER FAILED. . THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. UPDATED 07/18/12

    NHTSA ODI #10461344

    8,000 miles · Nov 30, 2004
    Power Train

    I HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS SINCE THE CAR HAD 8,000 MILES ON IT. YOU PUSH ON THE GAS AND THE CAR GOES JUST ENOUGH TO PUT YOU INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND THEN IT WON'T GO ANYWHERE FOR 3-4 SECONDS. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX TWICE AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME IT'S FIXED, BUT…

    Read full complaint

    I HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS SINCE THE CAR HAD 8,000 MILES ON IT. YOU PUSH ON THE GAS AND THE CAR GOES JUST ENOUGH TO PUT YOU INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND THEN IT WON'T GO ANYWHERE FOR 3-4 SECONDS. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX TWICE AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME IT'S FIXED, BUT IT'S NOT. MY CAR NOW HAS 56,000 MILES ON IT AND IS OUT OF WARRANTY. NO ONE WANTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM.*AK

    NHTSA ODI #10100818

    Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 2000
    Power Train

    WHEN DEPRESSING CLUTCH PEDAL IT WILL GET STUCK ON VEHICLE RUG. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

    NHTSA ODI #873723

    Recall campaigns

    0

    No recalls in this snapshot.

    Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

    Defect investigations

    1

    PE00033 · Fuel Tank Puncture

    Opened Aug 10, 2000 · Closed Dec 28, 2000

    Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

    THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION ON AUGUST 10, 2000 BASED ON 9 REPORTS REGARDING PUNCTURED FUEL TANKS INVOLVING THE JETTA, PASSAT, AND CABRIO MODELS.THE REPORTS INDICATE ADDITIONAL REPORTS IN ITS RESPONSE TO THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED FOR FURTHER STUDY.

    An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.