← New search

1999 Volkswagen Jetta

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Jetta years

Owner complaints for the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta are substantially higher than the model-year median of 68.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

88 reports with mileage · 261 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.

  • Visibility. Review the 81 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 78 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

33 crash reports9 fire reports21 injury reports

Visibility complaints

81 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2003
Visibility

REGULATOR ON DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW BROKE AGAIN. RECENTLY REPAIRED CUP HOLDER FELL APART AGAIN. CAR SELF-LOCKS (LOCKS ME OUT OF MY CAR BY ITSELF) PLUS I PAID FOR NUMEROUS OTHER COMMON PROBLEMS LISTED BY OTHERS. VOLKSWAGEN NEVER TAKES CARE IF THEIR KNOWN PROBLEMS. CONSUMERS NEED TO GET TOGETHER & FILE CLASS ACTION SUITS!!!! *AK

NHTSA ODI #10025992

Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2003
Electrical SystemExterior LightingPower Train

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH REPLACED BECAUSE CEL ILLUMINATED INDICATING A FAILURE OF SAME. AFTER SOME TESTING, IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATING APPROXIMATELY 9 OUT OF 10 TIMES THAT THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. AT APPROXIMATELY THE SAME TIME, THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL BEGAN ARCING. REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT SIGNA…

Read full complaint

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH REPLACED BECAUSE CEL ILLUMINATED INDICATING A FAILURE OF SAME. AFTER SOME TESTING, IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATING APPROXIMATELY 9 OUT OF 10 TIMES THAT THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. AT APPROXIMATELY THE SAME TIME, THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL BEGAN ARCING. REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT SIGNAL BULB DUE TO CARBON BUILDUP ON THE BULB. ALSO REPLACED THE TURN SIGNAL RELAY. RIGHT OUTER CV BOOT WAS FOUND TO BE LEAKING GREASE ON 5/22/2002 AND AGAIN ON 4/29/2003; IN BOTH CASES IT WAS REPLACED. BATTERY DIED ON 3/10/2003. ON 7/9/2002, THE CENTER REAR SEAT BELT BECAME STUCK IN ITS RETRACTOR AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. ON 10/1/2001, THE DRIVER'S FRONT WINDOW REGULATOR WAS REPLACED AFTER THE WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR WITHOUT WARNING. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10023910

100 miles · Jun 22, 2003
Visibility

THE AUTO UP FEATURE OF MY 1999 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA DRIVER SIDE WINDOW HAS NOT FUNCTIONED PROPERLY SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. OVER 50 PERCENT OF THE TIME, THE WINDOW DOES NOT STAY CLOSED. INSTEAD, IT AUTOMATICALLY RETRACTS. I COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS SEVERAL TIMES TO THE DEALER IN FARGO ND DURING THE TWO YEAR WARRANTY PERIOD ON …

Read full complaint

THE AUTO UP FEATURE OF MY 1999 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA DRIVER SIDE WINDOW HAS NOT FUNCTIONED PROPERLY SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. OVER 50 PERCENT OF THE TIME, THE WINDOW DOES NOT STAY CLOSED. INSTEAD, IT AUTOMATICALLY RETRACTS. I COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS SEVERAL TIMES TO THE DEALER IN FARGO ND DURING THE TWO YEAR WARRANTY PERIOD ON THE CAR. THEY WERE NEVER ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM WHILE THE CAR WAS IN FOR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO THIS DAY. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10023555

Mileage unknown · Jun 20, 2003
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL RECALLS/ AND SEVERAL PROBLEMS: DOME LIGHT, VANITY MIRRORS, EMISSIONS PROBLEMS, ETC... *MR THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS WITH: THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHTS, INTERIOR TRIM HAD COME LOOSE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, THE PASSENGER VANITY MIRROR LIGHT DID NOT SHUT OFF, THE CUP HOLDER WAS JAMMED …

Read full complaint

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL RECALLS/ AND SEVERAL PROBLEMS: DOME LIGHT, VANITY MIRRORS, EMISSIONS PROBLEMS, ETC... *MR THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS WITH: THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHTS, INTERIOR TRIM HAD COME LOOSE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, THE PASSENGER VANITY MIRROR LIGHT DID NOT SHUT OFF, THE CUP HOLDER WAS JAMMED AND HAD BROKEN, THE DRIVER WINDOW SOUNDED AS IF AIR WAS COMING IN THE VEHICLE, THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT HINGES HAD BROKEN, THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON WHEN THE RADIO WAS TURNED OFF, THE SENSORS NEVER SEEMED TO WORK, THE OIL DIPSTICK HAD GIVEN ABNORMAL READINGS(SHOWING LOW WHEN OIL WAS JUST CHANGED), THE LEAN OXYGEN SENSOR WAS REPLACED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS INTERMITTENT BUT STAYED ON, AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED DUE TO NOISE WHICH ENDED AFTER THE REPAIR(THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME BACK ON). *SCC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10022531

28,500 miles · Apr 21, 2003
Visibility

DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW (FIRST FRONT, THEN 1 WEEK LATER REAR) REGULATORS FAILED. CAR WAS LESS THAN THREE YEARS OLD AT TIME. COST ME ALMOST $1,000 THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10016244

Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2003
Latches/locks/linkagesService Brakes, HydraulicStructure

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE INTERMITTENT. THE DEALER STATED THE WIPERS WERE INCOMPATIBLE. THE WIPERS DID NOT WORK IN COLD WEATHER AND DID NOT HAVE THE PROPER SPEED IN WARM WEATHER. THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW HAD FALLEN DOWN INTO THE DOOR, THE LOCKING MECHANISM HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND WAS REPLACED, THE METAL TRIANGLE PIECES ON THE DO…

Read full complaint

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE INTERMITTENT. THE DEALER STATED THE WIPERS WERE INCOMPATIBLE. THE WIPERS DID NOT WORK IN COLD WEATHER AND DID NOT HAVE THE PROPER SPEED IN WARM WEATHER. THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW HAD FALLEN DOWN INTO THE DOOR, THE LOCKING MECHANISM HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND WAS REPLACED, THE METAL TRIANGLE PIECES ON THE DOORS HAD BEEN REPLACED, THE CRUISE CONTROL NEVER WORKED FROM PURCHASE, AND THE FRONT BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE WIPERS. (NO RECALL FOR WIPERS) MR SCC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10014865

40,000 miles · Jan 30, 2003
Visibility

VEHICLE'S WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING INTERMITTENTLY IN INCLINING WEATHER WHICH MAKES VISIBILITY IMPOSSIBLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS WIPER MOTOR REPLACED. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10005948

59,000 miles · Nov 5, 2002
Visibility

RIGHT REAR WINDOW FELL INTO DOOR WHEN POWERING IT DOWN AND THEN BACK UP. POWER MOTOR SOUNDS AS IF IT IS STILL WORKING, THEREFORE SUSPECT THE MECHANICAL CLIPS HOLDING THE WINDOW TO THE POWER MOTOR MUST HAVE FAILED. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT WINDOW CLIPS HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL. IN FACT, ON NOVEMBER 5, 2002 VW.COM …

Read full complaint

RIGHT REAR WINDOW FELL INTO DOOR WHEN POWERING IT DOWN AND THEN BACK UP. POWER MOTOR SOUNDS AS IF IT IS STILL WORKING, THEREFORE SUSPECT THE MECHANICAL CLIPS HOLDING THE WINDOW TO THE POWER MOTOR MUST HAVE FAILED. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT WINDOW CLIPS HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL. IN FACT, ON NOVEMBER 5, 2002 VW.COM WEBSITE WAS SHOWING A PRESS RELEASE EXPLAINING THAT WINDOW CLIPS WERE FAILING, AND VW WOULD BE SENDING LETTERS OUT TO 1999-2002 VW OWNERS ABOUT REPAIRING/REPLACING THE WINDOW CLIPS WITH REDESIGNED CLIPS (NOTE: THIS IS NOT A PART RECALL, BUT ONLY A LETTER TO OWNERS). IN ADDITION, MY FRONT RIGHT WINDOW OCCASIONALLY DOES NOT POWER ITSELF FROM OPEN TO FULLY CLOSED (IT STOPS HALF WAY). ASSUME THIS IS WELL KNOWN "POWER WINDOW VOLTAGE REGULATOR" PROBLEM THAT VW IS CURRENTLY COVERING THE REPAIRS FOR (BUT I CAN NEVER GET THE FAILURE TO REPEAT ITSELF WHEN I BRING IT INTO THE DEALERS SO THEY WONT AGREE TO TELL VW IT IS BROKEN UNTIL THEY ACTUALLY WITNESS THE FAILURE). ****DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****769315. *AK *JB

NHTSA ODI #10008533

Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 2002
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingVisibility

CONSUMER ON BEHALF OF DAUGHTER. IN MAY, THE LEFT FRONT WINDOW FELL DOWN INSIDE THE DOOR AND THE REGULATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. THEY WERE INFORMED THAT THE WINDOW REGULATOR WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. *JG

NHTSA ODI #567488

Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 2002
Visibility

I HEARD A SNAPPING NOISE WHEN I RAISED WINDOW. WHEN I TRIED TO LOWER THE WINDOWS, THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WINDOW FELL IN BETWEEN THE DOOR & PANEL. I'VE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THIS PART IS ON NATIONAL BACKORDER AND I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GET ONE FOR SIX WEEKS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #765926

Official recalls

6

06V183000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

May 24, 2006

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND CRUISE CONTROLS, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING SAFETY RECALLS 03V-265 OR 04V-096.

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 NOVEMBER 27, 2006. 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.

04V096000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Feb 20, 2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR COME ON AND STAY ON, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.

Remedy: THIS RECALL HAS BEEN SUPERCEDED BY 06V-183. OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD A REMEDY PERFORMED UNDER THIS RECALL SHOULD RETURN TO THEIR DEALER FOR THE REDESIGNED REMEDY. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

03V156000 · Equipment:other:labels

Apr 23, 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 SUBSTANTIALY UNDER INFLATED TIRES PUTS THE CONSUMER AT A 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.

02V026000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

Jan 25, 2002

ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK FILLER NECK CAN SUFFER ABRASION DAMAGE IF THE REAR TIRE GOES FLAT AND THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN UNTIL THE TIRE DISINTEGRATES.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL FIT PASSAT VEHICLES WITH A NEW WHEEL HOUSE LINER THAT WILL BETTER PROTECT THE CAR'S FILLER NECK. JETTA VEHICLES WILL BE FITTED WITH A DIFFERENT METAL SHIELD DESIGNED TO ENHANCE ABRASION PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF TIRE DISINTEGRATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 13, 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 VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

99V251000 · Structure:frame And Members

Sep 17, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE HEAD INJURY CRITERION REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." THE UPPER RETAINER CLIP NEAR THE BP1 IMPACT LOCATION IS DESIGNED TO BREAK WHEN IMPACTED BY THE HEAD FORM. IN SOME CASES, THE MATERIAL OF THE TRIM PART MAY BE MORE IMPACT RESISTANT AS A RESULT OF VARIATIONS IN THE MOLDING PROCESS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT THE CLIP FROM BREAKING ON IMPACT AND RESULT IN LESS DEFORMATION IN THE IMPACTED AREA AND A HIGHER DECLERATION OF THE HEAD FORM, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE TRIM COVER FROM EACH OF THE B PILLARS AND INSTALL A NEW COVER.

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

5

RQ06004 · Brake Light Switch Failure

Opened Feb 28, 2006 · Closed Aug 7, 2006

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

BY LETTERS DATED MAY 24, 2006 AND AUGUST 4, 2006, VOLKSWAGEN (VW) NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO 06V-183) INVOLVING MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998-2002 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE AND 1999-2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN?S RECALL COVERS 646,246 VEHICLES.PREVIOUSLY, VW RECALLED THESE VEHICLES TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH (RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096) THAT WAS UNIQUE TO VEHICLES WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN REPORTS THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096.VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH.BASED ON VOLKSWAGEN'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

BY LETTERS DATED MAY 24, 2006 AND AUGUST 4, 2006, VOLKSWAGEN (VW) NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO 06V-183) INVOLVING MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998-2002 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE AND 1999-2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN?S RECALL COVERS 646,246 VEHICLES.PREVIOUSLY, VW RECALLED THESE VEHICLES TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH (RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096) THAT WAS UNIQUE TO VEHICLES WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN REPORTS THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096.VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH.BASED ON VOLKSWAGEN'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights

BY LETTERS DATED MAY 24, 2006 AND AUGUST 4, 2006, VOLKSWAGEN (VW) NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO 06V-183) INVOLVING MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998-2002 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE AND 1999-2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN?S RECALL COVERS 646,246 VEHICLES.PREVIOUSLY, VW RECALLED THESE VEHICLES TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH (RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096) THAT WAS UNIQUE TO VEHICLES WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN REPORTS THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096.VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH.BASED ON VOLKSWAGEN'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

RQ03010 · Brake Light Switch

Opened Dec 17, 2003 · Closed Mar 1, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

THE NUMBER OF DUPLICATES BETWEEN ODI AND MANUFACTURER FAILURE REPORTS CANNOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO MISSING AND OR INACCURATE INFORMATION.THE INJURY NOTED ABOVE WAS MINOR.ON FEBRUARY 26, 2004, VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC. (VW) SUBMITTED A DEFECT NOTIFICATION (PER 49CFR573) TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) ADVISING THAT CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999 - 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA VEHICLES MANUFACUTURED WITH THE SAME BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH AS RECALLED UNDER 03V-265 (MY 1998-2002 NEW BEETLE) ARE AFFECTED BY A SAFETY DEFECT.SPECIFICALLY, IF THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MALFUNCTIONS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD FAIL TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, OR COULD STAY ILLUMINATED CONTINUALLY EVEN WHEN THE BRAKES ARE NOT APPLIED.EITHER CONDITION RESULTS IN THE INABILITY OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOTIFY OTHER MOTORISTS OF VEHICLE BRAKING, THUS INCREASING THE RISK OF A REAR END COLLISION AND OCCUPANT INJURY.ACCORDINGLY, VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING JETTA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 1998 TO NOVEMBER 2001 TO INSPECT AND REPLACE FREE OF CHARGE ANY AFFECTED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHES.THE RECALL PROGRAM, VW CODE WX, WILL COMMENCE IN APRIL 2004.

EA00028 · Fuel Tank Puncture

Opened Dec 28, 2000 · Closed Jan 29, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

No summary supplied.

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.

PE99007 · Passenger Compartment Fire

Opened Jan 29, 1999 · Closed Feb 8, 1999

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other

IN ITS LETTER DATED FEBRUARY 4, 1999, VOLKSWAGEN STATED THAT IT WILL RECALL APPROXIMATELY 23,600 REDESIGNED 1999 JETTA AND GOLF 4-DOOR VEHICLES, OF WHICH APPROXIMATELY 11,000 HAVE BEEN SOLD TO CUSTOMERS, TO CORRECT A DEFECT THATMAY CAUSE A FIRE IN THE PASSENGEER COMPARTMENT AFTER A VEHICLE COLLISION.A SOUND INSULATION MATERIAL ATTACHED TO THE INSIDE OF THE B-PILLAR TRIM PANEL COULD HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED.IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION SEVERE ENOUGH TO ACTIVATE THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER, THE HOT EXHAUST GAS FROM THE PRETENSIONER COULD IGNITE THE INSULATION MATERIAL IF IT IS TOO CLOSE TO THE PRETENSIONER.VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE INSULATION MATERIAL FROM THE B-PILLARS.