IllustrationNO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
1999 Volkswagen Golf
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Golf years →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
20–25K
625–50K
650–75K
475–100K
4100–150K
1150K+
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
What owners actually said
64 reportsTHE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT ONLY 54,000 MILES AFTER A HISTORY OF PERFECT UP-KEEP. THE DEALERSHIP THAT IS DOING THE WORK SAYS ONE SINGLE VALET PARKING JOB COULD HAVE CAUSED THE DAMAGE AND LOCAL MECHANIC SAYS ALL THE 99?S ARE COMING IN WITH THIS PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER THEMSELVES WAS COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE AND UNI…
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THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT ONLY 54,000 MILES AFTER A HISTORY OF PERFECT UP-KEEP. THE DEALERSHIP THAT IS DOING THE WORK SAYS ONE SINGLE VALET PARKING JOB COULD HAVE CAUSED THE DAMAGE AND LOCAL MECHANIC SAYS ALL THE 99?S ARE COMING IN WITH THIS PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER THEMSELVES WAS COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE AND UNINTERESTED IN THE PROBLEM. NOW CONSUMER HAS FACED $ 1,600 TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. *YD
RELAY QUIT WORKING AND LEFT ME STRANDED ON A 10 DEGREE MORNING. *AK
ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED RUNNING WHILE ON FREEWAY, ONLY GOOD LUCK ALLOWED ME TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC. ENGINE RESTARTED 5 MINUTES, I CONTINUE DRIVING, NOW ONLY IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE. ALMOST MADE IT HOME, ENGINE DIES SUDDENLY AGAIN, SAME 5 MINUTE WAIT, ENGINE STARTS AND RUNS JUST FINE. I AM AN ENGINEER SO I TOOK OFF THE KICK PANE…
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ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED RUNNING WHILE ON FREEWAY, ONLY GOOD LUCK ALLOWED ME TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC. ENGINE RESTARTED 5 MINUTES, I CONTINUE DRIVING, NOW ONLY IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE. ALMOST MADE IT HOME, ENGINE DIES SUDDENLY AGAIN, SAME 5 MINUTE WAIT, ENGINE STARTS AND RUNS JUST FINE. I AM AN ENGINEER SO I TOOK OFF THE KICK PANEL TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE RELAY PANEL: THE NEXT TIME IT SUDDENLY STOPPED, I FELT ALL RELAYS ON THE PANEL, RELAY MARKED 109 WAS HOT TO MY TOUCH; I WOULD ESTIMATE 130 DEGREES F OR MORE. I REPLACED THE RELAY AND I FIND IT HAS BEEN REDESIGNED. THIS IS WHY I CONTACT YOU.*AK
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
POWER WINDOW REGULATOR IS DEFECTIVE. WINDOW CAN, AT ANY TIME, FALL INTO DOOR FRAME. HAS NOT CONTACTED DEALER.*AK
ELECTRONIC DEFECTS THAT MANUFACTER CANNOT/WILL NOT FIX. CAR WILL STOP AT CRUISE SPEEDS WITHOUT WARNING AND DURING ACCELERATION. CAR HAS BEEN TO DEALER5 TIMES SINCE MAY TO DATE. NO FIX AVAILABLE YET. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IN MANY ROAD CONDITIONS. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
ENIGNE CUT OUT SEVERAL TIMES THEN DIED. CRANKED OVER, NO RESTART. HAPPENED LATE AT NIGHT, IF IT HAD BEEN RUSH HOUR WOULD HAVE CAUSED ACCIDENT OR NEAR MISS!!*AK
ENGINE DIED ON HIGHWAY; RESTARTED BUT STALLED 2 MORE TIMES. REPLACED RELAY BASED ON INTERNET INPUT (SEARCH 'RELAY 109' AT WWW.TDICLUB.COM). *AK
Official recalls
407V063000 · 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
1PE04079 · 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.