1999 Volkswagen GTI
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Volkswagen › GTI › 1999
These records cover every 1999 Volkswagen GTI. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1999 Volkswagen GTI. Newest first.
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 and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
Owner complaints
8 complaints
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Air bags › Side/window
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…
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. *tr
- Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel · Electrical system › Wiring · Engine and engine cooling
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…
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 nhtsa 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 *tr
- Seat belts › Rear/other
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…
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. *Nm
- Unknown or other
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…
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. *sc
- Visibility › Power window devices and controls
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.*ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
This IS a know part failure for all 1999.5-2001 volkswagens. No safety defect listed. *Ak
- Visibility › Power window devices and controls
This IS an on going problem with the new golf's and jetta's that needs to be addressed by vwoa. No safety defect. *Ak
- Electrical system › Ignition · Vehicle speed control
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. *ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- 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…
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.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10243011VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10242996VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10242349VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10241340Engine Oils Which Meet Volkswagen Oil Quality Standard VW 502 00/505 00/505 01 and VW 504 00/507 00
- 10241266Squeaks, Rattles, Noise, Repair Materials
- 10241265Fuel Additive to Help Prevent Sporadic Misfire Faults
- 10241177Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards
- 102405971999-2002 Jetta, Golf and GTI with VR6 Engine Update ECM Software for Catalytic Converter Monitoring System.
- 10239831Battery, Testing and Charging Using Midtronics VAS6161, MCR340V, InCharge 940, or GRX3000 Charger
- 10239789To detect which line(s) is inoperative, utilize a volt meter to check for 0 V, which will be present after the open in the grid line. The check must be performed with the engine running and heated rear window switched on. Switch OFF the ignition and visually locate the damage. Proceed with checking any other lines as necessary. Once the damaged line is identified, repair utilizing the Repair kit by Permatex ITEM 09117.
- 10239592Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
- 10239591Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
- 10239590Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
- 10239541Air Conditioning, Cleaning of the Refrigerant Circuit (U.S.Only)
- 10239270Volkswagen Warranty Policies and Procedures ? April 2014
- 10239262In SAGA, the time units for the Volkswagen DoubleCheck labor operation were reduced in error from 50 time units to 30 time units during the system update posted on July 4th.
- 10238572Fault code P1297 may be set and fuel mixtures may go lean if the vehicle is driven under load or revved up and then returned to idle.
- 10237427Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
- 10236426Contacting the parts helpline
- 10235138Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
- 10228180Update model year applicability to include 2023.
- 10228178Battery testing and charging using special tools VAS6161 & GRX3000VAS Charger. Updated to include additional model year applicability.
- 10213836Airbag Issues.
- 10193577Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)
- 10175799Tool number added to table. Removal of Behr Flush Kit. VAS 6337/1A
- 10174476Updated to include additional models and model year applicability.
- 10159016Engine Oils Which Meet Volkswagen Oil Quality Standards
- 10159014Alternative method for radio code retrieval.
- 10159010The part number listed in the document is to be returned if it meets the criteria provided.
- 10158533Condensation and or water droplets visible on inside of exterior light lenses. TB updated to include model year 2019 applicability.
- 10158529Battery Testing and Charging instruction. Updated to include model year 2019 applicability.
- 10157394Emissions Service Action Circular (VR6 Engine Update ECM Software for Catalytic Converter Monitoring System): The ECM software for the catalytic converter monitoring system is too sensitive. This can cause the MIL to come on, and some vehicles may exceed Federal and/or California emissions standards. Also, in some cases this leads to unnecessary catalytic converter replacement. The corrective action taken for this issue was to Update ECM software.
- 10157383VAS 6154 Replacement Part Setup Guide
- 10155823Emissions Service Action Circular (VR6 Engine Update ECM Software for Catalytic Converter Monitoring System): The ECM software for the catalytic converter monitoring system is too sensitive. This can cause the MIL to come on, and some vehicles may exceed Federal and/or California emissions standards. Also, in some cases this leads to unnecessary catalytic converter replacement. The corrective action taken for this issue was to Update ECM software.
- 10155644This special notice is to inform dealers to return all part numbers listed in the document and order the superseded part numbers going forward.
- 10133469Tip for Scan tool concerns that may occur duing a test plan
- 10128105This document contains the VW Elsa Newsletter that contains a general overview of wiring diagrams updates, technical bulletins, pending service solutions, tech tips, campaigns, updates, and suggestions.
- 10128104This document contains the VW Elsa Newsletter that contains a general overview of wiring diagrams updates, ElsaPro infomedia icons grayed out, workshop equipment tool storage application, technical bulletins, pending service solutions, tech tips, campaigns, updates, and suggestions.
- 10128055This communication is to update our ProFi dealers of the current status of the latest inbound and outbound ProFi requests.
- 10127969Data Link connector pin assignment chart that is applicable to all models. Update model year applicability.
Every Volkswagen GTI model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.