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1999 Volkswagen Golf

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

23 reports with mileage · 41 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.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

16 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH ENGINE CONSUMING/BURNING UP TWO QUARTS OF OIL EVERY 1200 MILES OF WEAR. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS WAS NORMAL FOR THAT ENGINE. ASKING NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #860236

Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHEN DRIVING ENGINE MISFIRES AND STALLS. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE 5 TIMES, AND CAN'T SOLVE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #854288

Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other

VEHICLE WILL MISFIRE / STALL. THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK *YC

NHTSA ODI #853791

Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling

CAR WENT INTO DIP IN ROAD, OIL PAN CRACKED OPEN WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING LIGHTS OR NOTIFICATION. LOCAL DEALER STATES ENGINE NEEDS REPLACEMENT. NO PARTS AVAILABLE ANYWHERE IN THE US. OIL PAN MADE OF POROUS, POT-METAL WHICH APPEARS WEAKENED BY AIR BUBBLES. COST ESTIMATE EXCEEDS MORE THAN HALF THE PRICE OF THE VEHICLE. NOW HAVE A …

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CAR WENT INTO DIP IN ROAD, OIL PAN CRACKED OPEN WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING LIGHTS OR NOTIFICATION. LOCAL DEALER STATES ENGINE NEEDS REPLACEMENT. NO PARTS AVAILABLE ANYWHERE IN THE US. OIL PAN MADE OF POROUS, POT-METAL WHICH APPEARS WEAKENED BY AIR BUBBLES. COST ESTIMATE EXCEEDS MORE THAN HALF THE PRICE OF THE VEHICLE. NOW HAVE A CAR THAT IS UNUSABLE AND WE ARE STILL PAYING LEASE PAYMENTS. NO COMPANY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO SELL CARS WITHOUT PART AVAILABILITY. PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA ODI #715516

Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING ON A ROAD ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND ENGINE STARTED MISFIRING. CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. TO BRING VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #853017

Mileage unknown · May 10, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT STALLING WHILE DRIVING.THIS CONDITION OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT REPAIR SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT PROBLEM COULD NOT BE FOUND. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #837704

Official recalls

4

07V063000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Feb 20, 2007

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.

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 APRIL 27, 2007, AND WILL BE CONDUCTED IN SEVERAL STAGGERED MAILINGS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21, 2007. 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.

05V154000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Apr 19, 2005

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GASOLINE ENGINES AND DOUBLE-LAYER FUEL TANKS, TENSION ON THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP SUPPLY NIPPLE TO CRACK WHICH COULD RESULT IN A LEAK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: LEAKING FUEL, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, MAY CAUSE A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE FOR TENSION, AND INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP SUPPLY NIPPLE FOR CRACKING. IF NECESSARY THE FUEL LINE AND THE FUEL PUMP WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 25, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

03V155000 · Equipment:other:labels

Apr 22, 2003

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.8L VR6 ENGINES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE RECOMMENDED COLD TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE PUBLISHED ON THE LABEL FOR TIRES OF THE SIZE 205/50 R15 86H IS 0.1 BAR (1.45 PSI) TOO LOW. IT SHOULD BE 2.5 BAR (36.3 PSI). THE LABEL RECOMMENDS 2.4 BAR (34.8 PSI = 35 PSI).

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: UNDER INFLATED TIRES CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING, AND DRIVING WITH SUBSTANTIALLY UNDER INFLATED TIRES PUTS THE CONSUMER AT RISK FOR A CRASH.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECTED LABELS, OR A DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL IF THE OWNER WISHES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 29, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VW AT 1-800-893-5298.

99V022000 · Structure:frame And Members

Feb 5, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SOUND ABSORBING MAT ATTACHED TO THE INSIDE OF THE B-PILLAR SIDE TRIM PANEL COULD HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. SURFACE AND EDGES OF THE MAT COULD HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING THE ASSEMBLY PROCESS. IT COULD IGNITE WHEN EXPOSED TO THE EXHAUST GAS OF THE SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER IGNITER IN THE EVENT OF A SEVERE FRONT OR SIDE COLLISION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE MATTING MATERIALS FROM INSIDE THE B-PILLAR ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE.

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

PE04079 · Fuel Pump Leaks

Opened Nov 29, 2004 · Closed Apr 19, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON NOVEMBER 29, 2004, BASED ON FIVE CONSUMER REPORTS ALLEGING FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL PUMP.BY LETTER OF APRIL 14, 2004, VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA (VOLKSWAGEN) NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF 35,000 GOLF AND GTI VEHICLES MANUFACTURED IN WOLFSBURG GERMANY FOR THE NORTH AMERICAN MARKET.THE RECALLED VEHICLES ARE IN MODEL YEARS 1999 AND 2000 AND ARE EQUIPPED WITH GASOLINE ENGINES.VOLKSWAGEN HAS IDENTIFIED A CONDITION IN WHICH THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE FROM THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (PUMP) TO THE FUEL FILTER MAY COME UNDER TENSION. IN THIS CONDITION THE FUEL PUMP SUPPLY NIPPLE CAN CRACK, RESULTING IN A GASOLINE LEAK.VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR TENSION ON THE FUEL LINE AND CRACKS IN THE FUEL PUMP SUPPLY NIPPLE.IF TENSION IS FOUND IN THE LINE, IT WILL BE REPLACED WITH A REVISED LINE.IF THE FUEL PUMP SUPPLY NIPPLE IS CRACKED, THE LINE AND THE PUMP WILL BE REPLACED.PLEASE SEE SAFETY RECALL 05V154 FOR DETAILS.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON NOVEMBER 29, 2004, BASED ON FIVE CONSUMER REPORTS ALLEGING FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL PUMP.BY LETTER OF APRIL 14, 2004, VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA (VOLKSWAGEN) NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF 35,000 GOLF AND GTI VEHICLES MANUFACTURED IN WOLFSBURG GERMANY FOR THE NORTH AMERICAN MARKET.THE RECALLED VEHICLES ARE IN MODEL YEARS 1999 AND 2000 AND ARE EQUIPPED WITH GASOLINE ENGINES.VOLKSWAGEN HAS IDENTIFIED A CONDITION IN WHICH THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE FROM THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (PUMP) TO THE FUEL FILTER MAY COME UNDER TENSION. IN THIS CONDITION THE FUEL PUMP SUPPLY NIPPLE CAN CRACK, RESULTING IN A GASOLINE LEAK.VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR TENSION ON THE FUEL LINE AND CRACKS IN THE FUEL PUMP SUPPLY NIPPLE.IF TENSION IS FOUND IN THE LINE, IT WILL BE REPLACED WITH A REVISED LINE.IF THE FUEL PUMP SUPPLY NIPPLE IS CRACKED, THE LINE AND THE PUMP WILL BE REPLACED.PLEASE SEE SAFETY RECALL 05V154 FOR DETAILS.

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON NOVEMBER 29, 2004, BASED ON FIVE CONSUMER REPORTS ALLEGING FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL PUMP.BY LETTER OF APRIL 14, 2004, VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA (VOLKSWAGEN) NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF 35,000 GOLF AND GTI VEHICLES MANUFACTURED IN WOLFSBURG GERMANY FOR THE NORTH AMERICAN MARKET.THE RECALLED VEHICLES ARE IN MODEL YEARS 1999 AND 2000 AND ARE EQUIPPED WITH GASOLINE ENGINES.VOLKSWAGEN HAS IDENTIFIED A CONDITION IN WHICH THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE FROM THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (PUMP) TO THE FUEL FILTER MAY COME UNDER TENSION. IN THIS CONDITION THE FUEL PUMP SUPPLY NIPPLE CAN CRACK, RESULTING IN A GASOLINE LEAK.VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR TENSION ON THE FUEL LINE AND CRACKS IN THE FUEL PUMP SUPPLY NIPPLE.IF TENSION IS FOUND IN THE LINE, IT WILL BE REPLACED WITH A REVISED LINE.IF THE FUEL PUMP SUPPLY NIPPLE IS CRACKED, THE LINE AND THE PUMP WILL BE REPLACED.PLEASE SEE SAFETY RECALL 05V154 FOR DETAILS.