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
What owners actually said
29 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2002
Electrical SystemFire
99 VW CABRIO CAUGHT FIRE NEXT TO THE FIREWALL. VW WILL NOT INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE DUE TO THE EXPENSE. THIS IS A LEASE VEHICLE ONLY 2000 MILES OUT OF WARRENTY AND VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. VOLKSWAGEN SAID IF YOU SMOKE A CIGARETTE WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN AND USE THE ASHTRAY, ASHES CAN BLOW INTO THE …
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99 VW CABRIO CAUGHT FIRE NEXT TO THE FIREWALL. VW WILL NOT INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE DUE TO THE EXPENSE. THIS IS A LEASE VEHICLE ONLY 2000 MILES OUT OF WARRENTY AND VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. VOLKSWAGEN SAID IF YOU SMOKE A CIGARETTE WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN AND USE THE ASHTRAY, ASHES CAN BLOW INTO THE DASH AND CAUSE FIRE. THE FIREMEN SAID THEY HAD NEVER SEEN INSULATION BURN LIKE IT DID ON THIS VOLKSWAGEN. THIS CAR LEFT US STRANDED 1000 MILES FROM HOME ON A FREEWAY WHILE ON VACATION. MY DAUGHTER'S LIFE WAS PUT IN GREAT DANGER AS THE CAR CAME CLOSE TO BLOWING UP. VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT IN THIS CASE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #760457
Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2002
Unknown Or OtherFire
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE DASHBOARD AREA WHILE DRIVING. *JG
NHTSA ODI #785916
Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2001
Seat Belts
FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT RELEASE. CONSUMER HAS TO MAKE ALL PASSENGERS SIT IN BACK OF VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #897098
Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2001
Electrical System
VEHICLE CONTINUES TO SHUT DOWN IN MOVING TRAFFIC. IT'S BEEN AT THE DEALER 6 TIMES, FOR UP TO 7 DAYS AT A TIME AND THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE CONCERN OR DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. I FEEL IT'S A REAL SAFETY ISSUE WHEN THE CAR SHUTS DOWN IN MOVING TRAFFIC WITH NO WARNING. CAR STARTS UP AFTER COMPLETELY STOPPING, PUTTING IT IN PARK…
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VEHICLE CONTINUES TO SHUT DOWN IN MOVING TRAFFIC. IT'S BEEN AT THE DEALER 6 TIMES, FOR UP TO 7 DAYS AT A TIME AND THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE CONCERN OR DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. I FEEL IT'S A REAL SAFETY ISSUE WHEN THE CAR SHUTS DOWN IN MOVING TRAFFIC WITH NO WARNING. CAR STARTS UP AFTER COMPLETELY STOPPING, PUTTING IT IN PARK TURNING THE IGNITION OFF AND RESTARTING IT. THERE ARE NO WARNING SIGNS. THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE IN THE ELECTRICAL BECAUSE THE CAR LOOSES ALL POWER. NO LIGHTS ON THE DASH, NO POWER STEERING ETC. WHAT IS A REASONABLE LENGHT OF TIME FOR THIS TO BE CORRECTED?*AK
NHTSA ODI #750545
Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE ENTERING A FREEWAY AT 40 MPH VEHICLE DIED, AND CONSUMER COASTED TO SIDE OF ROAD. CONSUMER RESTARTED, AND VEHICLE TOOK OFF. TOOK TO DEALER , AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THAT PROBLEM. ON 06/23/01, VEHICLE DIED AT 25 MPH. TOOK BACK TO DEALER, AND THEY STILL COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. ON JULY 3, 2001 VEHICLE DIED AG…
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WHILE ENTERING A FREEWAY AT 40 MPH VEHICLE DIED, AND CONSUMER COASTED TO SIDE OF ROAD. CONSUMER RESTARTED, AND VEHICLE TOOK OFF. TOOK TO DEALER , AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THAT PROBLEM. ON 06/23/01, VEHICLE DIED AT 25 MPH. TOOK BACK TO DEALER, AND THEY STILL COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. ON JULY 3, 2001 VEHICLE DIED AGAIN WHILE TRAVELING AT 15 MPH. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #892830
Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2000
SteeringStructureVisibility
PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOWS GO UP AND DOWN INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE LOCKS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, AND ALARM SYSTEMS ARE NOT OPERABLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #875527
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
Mileage unknown · Mar 10, 2000
EquipmentService Brakes, Hydraulic
I HAD OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR EXACTLY ONE MONTH WHEN THE A/C BEGAN TO NOT WORK. I SENT IT IN TO BE FIXED AND EXACTLY 1 WEEK LATER IT WAS BACK B/C THE A/C WAS NOT WORKING AGAIN. I ALSO HAD THE VEHICLE IN THE SHOP TWICE B/C OF THE BRAKES. THERE WERE OTHER SMALL PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR IN BETWEEN THOSE VISITS. ALTHOUGH THE CAR HAS …
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I HAD OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR EXACTLY ONE MONTH WHEN THE A/C BEGAN TO NOT WORK. I SENT IT IN TO BE FIXED AND EXACTLY 1 WEEK LATER IT WAS BACK B/C THE A/C WAS NOT WORKING AGAIN. I ALSO HAD THE VEHICLE IN THE SHOP TWICE B/C OF THE BRAKES. THERE WERE OTHER SMALL PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR IN BETWEEN THOSE VISITS. ALTHOUGH THE CAR HAS HIGH MILEAGE, THAT SHOULD NOT AFFECT THE PROBLEMS WHICH I HAVE HAD. I HAVE NOT OWNED THE CAR FOR 1 YR AND FEEL AS THOUGH I HAVE HAD WAY TOO MANY PROBLEMS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #719938
Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2000
Vehicle Speed Control
CRUISE CONTROL, ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL, READS THAT THE VEHICLE IS SURPOSE TO HAVE 4 FUNCTIONS; SET THE SPEED, /O RESUME THE SPEED/ TO ACCELERATE, AND TO SLOW DOWN. WHEN HOLDING THE SET BUTTON IN, IT'S SUPPOSE TO SLOW DOWN, BUT INSTEAD, IT ACCELERATES. THIS CAUSES THE CONSUMER TO ALMOST REAR END SOMEONE. CONSUMER TOO…
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CRUISE CONTROL, ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL, READS THAT THE VEHICLE IS SURPOSE TO HAVE 4 FUNCTIONS; SET THE SPEED, /O RESUME THE SPEED/ TO ACCELERATE, AND TO SLOW DOWN. WHEN HOLDING THE SET BUTTON IN, IT'S SUPPOSE TO SLOW DOWN, BUT INSTEAD, IT ACCELERATES. THIS CAUSES THE CONSUMER TO ALMOST REAR END SOMEONE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER , AND THEY SAID THE CAR WAS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #856029
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.
1999 Volkswagen Cabrio Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year