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.
The worst 1999 Volkswagen Beetle problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical39
- Engine34
- Transmission29
- Visibility26
- Airbags22
- Lights17
- Body16
- Brakes11
- Seats11
- Acceleration10
- Fuel system7
- Steering5
- Tires5
- Locks4
- Suspension4
Specific symptoms reported on the 1999 Volkswagen Beetle
Fire or smoke 13Check engine light 11Headlights 10Airbag light 9Stalling 7Won't shift 6Won't start 6ABS 5
Recalls 1
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 06V183000 · Recall details
See all 1 recalls for the 1999 Volkswagen Beetle
Defect investigations
Brake light switch failure
By letters dated may 24, 2006 and august 4, 2006, volkswagen (vw) notified the agency that it is conducting a safety recall (the federal safety agency 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.
RQ06004
Brake light switch
The brake light switch used in cruise control equipped my 1998-1999 and all my 2000 and later models has undergone multiple revisions.analysis of warranty and complaint data indicates high replacement rates occurred in vehicles built with brake switch part numbers 1j0 945 511a and 1j0 945 511b, the original and first revision levels, respectively.the failure of the switch could result in failure of the brake lights to illuminate when the brakes are applied, or could cause the brake lamps to stay continually illuminated.either condition results in the inability of the brake lights to notify other motorists of vehicle braking.under safety recall 03v‑265, volkswagen will inspect the brake light switch on all vehicles built through november 2001.any affected switch will be replaced free of charge with the most current version, part number 1j0 945 511d.
EA03002
Brake light switch operation
The brake light switch used in new beetle is also specified in golf and jetta models.one type of switch is used on cruise equipped models, a second type is used on non-cruise models.vw reports 86 consumer complaints and 2575 warranty claims of inoperative brake lights, the majority of which are related to the brake switch.two of the vw complaints involve failures that were also reported to odi.additionally, over 100,000 brake switch service components have been sold under 4 different part numbers.the investigation has been upgraded to an engineering analysis.
PE02084
Technical service bulletins for the 1999 Volkswagen Beetle 108
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards
- Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
- Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
- Update model year applicability to include 2023.
- Battery testing and charging using special tools VAS6161 & GRX3000VAS Charger
- Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)
- Tool number added to table
- Updated to include additional models and model year applicability.
- Quick Reference Update Guide.
- The part number listed in the document is to be returned if it meets the criteria provided.
What 1999 Volkswagen Beetle owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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 the federal safety agency campaign number: 14e007000 (engine and engine cooling). The VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 07v063000 (exterior lighting) and 06v183000 (exterior lighting).the manufacturer was notified of the failure months ago and was to provide further testing to determine the failure. The contact kept calling, but received no response from the manufacturer. The vehicle was destroyed. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.
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 the federal safety agency campaign number: 14e007000 (engine and engine cooling). The failure mileage was 235,403.
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
Tl* the contact owned a 1999 volkswagen beetle. While driving 65 MPH, the air bags deployed when the contact crashed into the bars on the freeway. The contact sustained a fractured nose and a cut to the face that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 123,000.
Had to have fuse panel on battery replaced for 2nd time in 2-3 yrs and also a fuse box under dash. Cost was very expensive. Car would not start all of a sudden after shopping at a store. Had to push start the car to a independent mechanic. Still don't know why it went bad/appeared melted. In first episode the alternator had to be replaced also as there were battery drain problems. This an indirect safety issue as my daughter drives car and she could have be stranded at any place when this happened.
The speedometer stopped working. Shortly after this the drive by wire throttle also stopped working returning the vehicle to an idle (approx. 1100 RPM). This can occur at any time. You have to restart the vehicle to get the throttle to work again. This is very dangerous when it happens in heavy traffic. The manufacturer (vw) can offer no solution to the problem. I have discovered this issue, at some point in time, could affect all of the 1999 -2009 new beetles along with the audi tt. Again vw and the speedometer cluster manufacturer magneti morelli can offer no fix for the problem.
Sending my daughter to college in this cute little red bug. Every vw dealership and their brother, is aware of a driver side airbag defect in these cute little things. My dealer will repair the faulty wiring and belt buckle, as they did for the school teacher I bought this cute little thing from. What school teachers won't do is replace the faulty airbag in the side for six years because they think, "oh I am safe enough with a front airbag only!" and nobody wants to spend $700 for a little side airbag. But I think vw should recall the side airbag for putting in so many faulty side airbags as a whole bunch of cute school teachers and cute little freshman students like my little precious girl drive around these bugs with a smile on there face. And the cute light with a little man holding a beach ball in his lap!
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 volkswagen beetle. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis where it was stated to the contact that the clutch, pressure plate, and bearings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the problem persisted. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.
Compare the 1999 Volkswagen Beetle
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Questions about the 1999 Volkswagen Beetle
Is the 1999 Volkswagen Beetle reliable?
Owners have filed 174 complaints about the 1999 Volkswagen Beetle, 2.7 times a typical Beetle model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1999 Volkswagen Beetle?
Electrical system, with 39 complaints, typically around 73,500 miles. Next is engine (34).
How many recalls does the 1999 Volkswagen Beetle have?
1 recall, covering exterior lighting.
What year does the Volkswagen Beetle have the most electrical problems?
The Volkswagen Beetle model years with the most electrical complaints are 2000 (58 complaints), 1998 (53 complaints) and 2004 (47 complaints).
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