Total Complaints
280 filings
VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE · model year
280 NHTSA complaints, 19 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1999VOLKSWAGENBEETLE carries 280 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 19 crashes, 28 fires, 19 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1999 BEETLE is visibility:power window devices and controls with 16 filings, followed by power train:automatic transmission (15) and air bags (14). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 37 investigation files overlapping the 1999 BEETLE, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
280 filings
Crashes Reported
19 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | 16 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 15 |
| AIR BAGS | 14 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 14 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 10 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 10 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 9 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY | 8 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH | 8 |
| SEATS | 7 |
| STRUCTURE | 6 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL | 6 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 6 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING | 5 |
| POWER TRAIN | 5 |
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.
Mileage: 73,500
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.
Mileage: 140
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.
Mileage: 140
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.
Mileage: 140
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 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 1
Mileage: 125,000
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 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 1
Mileage: 125,000
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 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 1
Mileage: 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 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E007000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 235,403.
Mileage: 235,403
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.
Mileage: 123,000
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
Mileage: 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. *TR
Mileage: 60,000
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. *TR
Mileage: 138,097
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. *TR
Mileage: 138,097
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. *TR
Mileage: 138,097
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! *TR
Mileage: 188,206
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. *TR
Mileage: 65,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT SHE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING THEN NOTICED SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT HOME WHERE THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY ENGOLF INTO FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,500.
Mileage: 166,500
MY GRANDMOTHER HAD PURCHASED A EDDIE BAUER BROOKE STROLLER AND CAR SEAT SET ONLINE FOR MY BABY SHOWER END OF SEPTEMBER THROUGH BEGINNING OF AUGUST 2011. PURCHASE WAS AROUND $300+ WHICH I DON'T FIND CHEAP BY ANY MEANS. LONG STORY SHORT- MY 5 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER AND I WERE IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WHERE I'VE LEARNED HER CAR SEAT BASE WAS DEFECTED DURING THE CRASH AND HAD ACTUALLY LIFTED OUT OF THE BASE AND BACK DOWN. COULD HAVE EASILY WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. SHE SUFFERED A BROKEN RIGHT FEMUR AND A FRACTURED LEFT FEMUR LEAVING HER IN A ALMOST FULL BODY CAST FOR 4 WEEKS. I HAD HIT A FULL SIZED TRUCK HEAD ON LEADING UP TO THE EVEN THE BASE AND CAR SEAT DETACHED. THE CAR SEAT WAS THROWN AWAY SOMETIME WHILE I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL. I WAS IN A MEDICALLY INDUCED COMA FOR THREE DAYS BEFORE STATING TO ANYONE AT THE HOSPITAL. ONE OF THE FIRST RESPONDERS FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD GOTTEN THE BABY OUT FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR FROM REACHING AROUND ME. I HAVE THE STROLLER AND THE BOX THE SET CAME
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, HE TURNED OFF THE AIR CONDITIONER AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PARK AND EXIT THE VEHICLE, WHEN THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE WAS ABLE TO BE EXTINGUISHED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
Mileage: 107,000
DEFECTIVE PLASTIC SPEEDOMETER DRIVE GEAR IN TRANSMISSION. AFTER DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES THE SPEEDOMETER GRADUALLY DROPS CAUSING YOU TO THINK THAT YOUR DRIVING SLOWER THAN YOU ACTUALLY ARE. AT 65MPH THE SPEEDOMETER FLOATS BETWEEN 45 - 55 MPH. AT 80MPH IT READS 60. THIS PROBLEM CAUSES THE CRUISE CONTROL TO CONSTANTLY TRY TO SPEED THE CAR UP. I'M AFRAID TO LET MY TEEN DRIVER USE THE CAR. COST OF REPAIR AT PRIVATE SHOP IS OVER $1000. DUE TO INTENSE LABOR TO REPLACE BROKEN GEAR. TRANSMISSION MUST BE TAKEN APART TO FIX. DEALER WANTS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION FOR $4000. THESE BEETLES ARE POPULAR WITH NEW TEEN DRIVERS AND THIS IS A DANGEROUS DEFECT. AN INTERNET SEARCH ALSO SHOWS THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRING IN THE JETTA.
Mileage: 101,000
Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking
Inadvertent Door Opening
Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647)
Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking
LGES High Voltage Battery Failures
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.