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1999 Volkswagen Golf

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

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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

Seat Belts complaints

4 reports
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215,000 miles · Sep 8, 2015
Seat Belts

THIS STARTED TO OCCUR ABOUT 2009, ABOUT 6 YEARS AGO. WHEN I PUSHED UP THE REAR SEATS, I DISCOVERED THAT THE CENTER SEAT BELT WAS TIGHT AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. I COULDN'T EVEN PUSH THE REAR SEAT BACK DOWN BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT WAS SO EXTREMELY TIGHT. WITHIN A YEAR OR TWO LATER, ALL OF THE REAR SEAT BELTS LOCKED UP. THE REAR SE…

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THIS STARTED TO OCCUR ABOUT 2009, ABOUT 6 YEARS AGO. WHEN I PUSHED UP THE REAR SEATS, I DISCOVERED THAT THE CENTER SEAT BELT WAS TIGHT AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. I COULDN'T EVEN PUSH THE REAR SEAT BACK DOWN BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT WAS SO EXTREMELY TIGHT. WITHIN A YEAR OR TWO LATER, ALL OF THE REAR SEAT BELTS LOCKED UP. THE REAR SEATS ARE NOW UNSAFE FOR PASSENGERS.

NHTSA ODI #10762025

65,000 miles · Mar 23, 2003
Seat Belts

WHEN I LET DOWN THE BACK SEAT ON MY 99 VW GOLF THE SEAT BELT PULLS UP THE SLACK, BUT WHEN I TRY TO PUT THE SEAT BACK UP, IT DOES NOT RELEASE.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10010911

Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 2002
Seat Belts

REAR CENTER SEATBELT MECHANISM FAILURE. SEATBELTS SHOULD NEVER FAIL. DT

NHTSA ODI #769380

Mileage unknown · Sep 27, 2001
Seat Belts

THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE CENTER REAR SEATBELT RETRACTS AND WILL NOT COME OUT AGAIN. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED, A DEALER (NOT THE PURCHASE DEALER) WAS ABLE TO REPAIR IT, BUT IT FAILED AGAIN, AND WAS REPLACED. NOW, A YEAR LATER IT FAILED YET AGAIN. I HAVE THREE CHILDREN, AND CANNOT DRIVE WITH THEM IN THE BACKSEAT (ONE IS 13, …

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THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE CENTER REAR SEATBELT RETRACTS AND WILL NOT COME OUT AGAIN. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED, A DEALER (NOT THE PURCHASE DEALER) WAS ABLE TO REPAIR IT, BUT IT FAILED AGAIN, AND WAS REPLACED. NOW, A YEAR LATER IT FAILED YET AGAIN. I HAVE THREE CHILDREN, AND CANNOT DRIVE WITH THEM IN THE BACKSEAT (ONE IS 13, SO HE CAN RIDE IN FRONT), BUT IT IS A REAL AND RECURRING PROBLEM - NOW THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND IT IS A SLOW AND EXPENSIVE PROCESS TO HAVE THIS SAME PART REPLACED REPEATEDLY. THERE CLEARLY IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT HERE. THANKS - JACOB HELLER (631-689-8243) JHELLER@ALUMNI.SUNYSB.EDU

NHTSA ODI #752640

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.