Airbag malfunction. This is the 5th time the passenger side, side-air-bag attenuator on my 1999 vw gti (new gti) has needed service. First time was just after car went off warranty. Vw regional agreed to pay. About 18 months later, same problem -- had to call vw regional to mount the case for them to pay, and they did. 11 months later, same problem. Dealership paid for repair saying it was covered by their 12mo/12k mile service warranty. 11 months later -- same problem, dealer paid. Now, 5 months later, airbag light on again. Same problem.
The worst 1999 Volkswagen GTI problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Electrical2
- Visibility2
- Acceleration1
- Airbags1
- Engine1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical2
- Visibility2
- Acceleration1
- Airbags1
- Engine1
- Fuel system1
- Seat belts1
Recalls 2
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger, wagon, and convertible vehicles equipped with or without cruise control, a brake light switch may malfunction if it was installed incorrectly.
- 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 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.
Recall number 07V063000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 05V154000 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 1999 Volkswagen GTI
Defect investigations
Fuel pump leaks
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.
PE04079
Technical service bulletins for the 1999 Volkswagen GTI 59
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.
- The part number listed in the document is to be returned if it meets the criteria provided.
- Alternative method for radio code retrieval.
1999 Volkswagen GTI fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 19-21 | 26-29 | 22-24 |
| 2.8L 6‑cyl | FWD | 17 | 24 | 19 |
What 1999 Volkswagen GTI owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I noticed that my speedometer was not properly functioning so I went to the vw dealership and they told me that I had a coolant leak and coolant migration. The coolant apparently migrated through the wiring harness to short my instrument cluster. The entire wire harness and part of my instrument cluster is now inoperable due to the migration. I was quoted a $3,800 estimate and my car only has 68,000 miles. I performed online research and several 1999 vw's had the same problem due to a design defect that dripped coolant over the wire harness. There is even a technical service bulletin filed with the federal safety agency that instructs vw how to replace to massive problem. I contacted vw and they will not help even thought this is a widely reported problem with 1999-2001 vws and a design defect. Now I need to replace the wire harness, which apparently runs through most of the engine and car components and my instrument cluster- a $3,800 repair. Rather than correct their design defect, vw offered me $1,00 offer a new vw, which is totally unacceptable. *tr updated 12/12/07
The rear center seat belt of my 1999.5 volkswagen gti trapped a passenger in my car. Upon exiting the vehicle, the rear center seat belt locked up and would no longer retract or extend, which left a passenger stuck in my car recently (it was necessary to unbolt the seat belt to free the passenger). The unit is no longer functioning. Based on the information gathered from other volkswagen golf/gti owners in the 1999-2005 year range, this is a common occurrence and has occurred specifically. I believe this clearly shows product defect and it is a safety concern. I can obtain and submit proof that this has happened in several other golf/gti model vehicles if necessary, there is a very large vw forum online which has several instances of this complaint stretching back several years.
Safety recall uu 1999-2000 model volkswagen golf and gti vehicles equipped with a gasoline engine inspect fuel supply module for leaks and install connector on fuel line; replace fuel supple module if necessary. *mr while driving home the consumer felt a bump and heard a cracking sound. The consumer then smelled gas. The electric fuel pump, line and fitting on the fuel pump cracked. Recall campaign #05v154000.
The window regulators are a known problem and volkswagen of america will not issue a recall.I've had 2 fail on me with in a years time. I now fear the window will not roll back up whenever I roll my windows down.
This is a know part failure for all 1999.5-2001 volkswagens. No safety defect listed.
This is an on going problem with the new golf's and jetta's that needs to be addressed by vwoa. No safety defect.
While driving about any MPH RPM will go over 1500 and engine will die without a prior warning. Had taken vehicle to shop, and they said it was coil pack that was malfunctioning.
Compare the 1999 Volkswagen GTI
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Questions about the 1999 Volkswagen GTI
Is the 1999 Volkswagen GTI reliable?
Owners have filed 8 complaints about the 1999 Volkswagen GTI, fewer than a typical GTI model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1999 Volkswagen GTI?
Electrical system, with 2 complaints. Next is visibility (2).
How many recalls does the 1999 Volkswagen GTI have?
2 recalls, covering exterior lighting and fuel system, gasoline.
What year does the Volkswagen GTI have the most electrical problems?
The Volkswagen GTI model years with the most electrical complaints are 2002 (42 complaints), 2009 (31 complaints) and 2001 (21 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1999 Volkswagen GTI get?
Official estimates for the 1999 Volkswagen GTI range from 19 to 24 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 19-21 city and 26-29 highway.
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