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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.

About this comparison →
29Owner complaints

Model-year median: 14.5

0Recall campaigns

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1Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
6
199614
199721
199829
199916
200038
200123
2002
Compare all Cabrio years →

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

What owners reported most

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

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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…

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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

Official recalls

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 ↗

NHTSA 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.