1999 Volkswagen Beetle Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

1999 Volkswagen Beetle recalls

Most common 1999 Volkswagen Beetle problems

Problem areas named in the 174 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem area	Reports
Electrical System	50
Engine And Engine Cooling	35
Power Train	33
Visibility	27
Air Bags	22
Exterior Lighting	19
Structure	17
Seats	11
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	11
Vehicle Speed Control	10

What owners report

2017-07-19, Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, WHITE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE CENTER CONSOLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE CONSOLE WAS MELTING. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,500.

2017-05-03, Engine
MY CAR- 1999 VW BEETLE WAS NOT FULLY INSPECTED BEFORE I GOT THE CAR FROM DEALER. I JUST FOUND OUT THAT MY CAR HAS LONG LIST OF PARTS NEED REPLACEMENT TO REPAIR AND I FELT THAT IT WASN'T REAL SAFE BECAUSE OF STRUT SHOCK AND POWER STEERING ALSO CV JOINTS ARE GETTING BAD IN THE UNDER OF HOOD. I FOUND OUT THAT MY CAR HAS NO PANEL SKID FOR PREVENT FROM WETTING ON MOTOR PARTS AND GOT BAD ACID ON IT. I HAS TO ORDER THE PARTS FOR MY CAR AND HASN'T DRIVEN FOR ALMOST 6 MONTHS BY SO FAR. BY RIGHT I DON'T HAVE MUCH MONEY TO PAY FOR REPAIRS.

2016-07-27, Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHILE DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE EMITTED NEAR THE LEFT PART OF THE DASHBOARD CLOSE TO THE STEERING WHEEL. IN ADDITION, DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE NATURE OF THE SMOKE, THE CONTACT HAD TO ENGAGE THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND EXITED THE VEHICLE WHILE IN THE LANE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. A POLICE OFFICER WAS PRESENT TO DIRECT TRAFFIC AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A YARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E007000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 07V063000 (EXTERIOR

2015-05-27, Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT AND COOLANT TEMPERATURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING BELT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E007000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 235,403.

2015-05-26, Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AND SWITCHING LANES ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE RETENTION WALL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BROKEN NOSE AND A LARGE CUT FROM THE LOWER LIP ALL THE WAY DOWN TO HER CHIN. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DOCTOR STATED THAT A PIECE OF METAL FROM THE AIR BAG CRACKED SOME OF HER FRONTAL TEETH. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000. ...UPDATED 06-12-15 *BF

1999 Volkswagen Beetle questions

Does the 1999 Volkswagen Beetle have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 1999 Volkswagen Beetle: Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

What are the most common problems with the 1999 Volkswagen Beetle?

Based on 174 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Electrical System (50), Engine And Engine Cooling (35), Power Train (33).

How do I check if a recall on my 1999 Volkswagen Beetle has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.