The 1999 Volkswagen Golf has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,073,209 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 76 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
Consequence
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…
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.
Consequence
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.
EQUIPMENT03V1550002003-04-224,243 affected
Defect
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.8L VR6 ENGINES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE RECOMMENDED COLD TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE PUBLISHED ON THE LABEL FOR TIRES OF THE SIZE 205/50 R15 86H IS 0.1 BAR (1.45 PSI) TOO LOW. IT…
Consequence
UNDER INFLATED TIRES CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING, AND DRIVING WITH SUBSTANTIALLY UNDER INFLATED TIRES PUTS THE CONSUMER AT RISK FOR A CRASH.
Remedy
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECTED LABELS, OR A DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL IF THE OWNER WISHES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 29, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VW AT…
STRUCTURE99V0220001999-02-0536,258 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SOUND ABSORBING MAT ATTACHED TO THE INSIDE OF THE B-PILLAR SIDE TRIM PANEL COULD HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. SURFACE AND EDGES OF THE MAT COULD HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING THE ASSEMBLY PROCESS. IT COULD IGNITE WHEN EXPOSED TO THE EXHAUST GAS OF THE SEAT BELT…
Consequence
THIS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE MATTING MATERIALS FROM INSIDE THE B-PILLAR ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE.
Complaints by component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
8
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
5
1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
5
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
5
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
5
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
3
1crashes
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
3
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
2
Total complaints76
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“White metal used in front and read windshield wipers and also rear hatch door latch flake apart and crumble making wipers and latch unusable. Replaced front wiper assembly june 2012, rear wiper does not work, same with rear door latch. Front wipers stopped working suddenly while in a summer…”
“This started to occur about 2009, about 6 years ago. When I pushed up the rear seats, I discovered that the center seat belt was tight and would not release. I couldn't even push the rear seat back down because the seat belt was so extremely tight. Within a year or two later, all of the rear seat…”
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 volkswagen golf. The contact stated that the valve in the fuel causes the vehicle to stall without warning. The valve becomes clogged with the fuel. He has researched several complaints regarding this failure and stated that volkswagen is aware, but does nothing to…”
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 volkswagen golf. The vehicle has a recall notice for the o ring defect. The defect causes the vehicle to overheat, resulting in engine failure. The contact stated that the vehicle received the 44k treatment to rectify the failure and now the entire exhaust system needs…”
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 volkswagen golf. The vehicle has a recall notice for the o ring defect. The defect causes the vehicle to overheat, resulting in engine failure. The contact stated that the vehicle received the 44k treatment to rectify the failure and now the entire exhaust system needs…”
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 volkswagen golf. The vehicle has a recall notice for the o ring defect. The defect causes the vehicle to overheat, resulting in engine failure. The contact stated that the vehicle received the 44k treatment to rectify the failure and now the entire exhaust system needs…”
“Windshield wiper failure. *tr”
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 volkswagen golf. The vehicle has douglas & lomason (19570r14) tires. While driving 65 mph, the contact heard a loud noise coming from the vehicle. He pulled over, noticed a flat tire, and replaced it with a spare. The dealer stated that the case separated. The failure…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationPE04079 Opened 2004-11-29 · closed 2005-04-19
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…
InvestigationPE04079 Opened 2004-11-29 · closed 2005-04-19
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…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1999 Volkswagen Golf as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.