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Model Year Problem Record

Volkswagen Passat 1999 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1999 Volkswagen Passat: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

664Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
5Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
10Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
33Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Brakes250 complaints

250 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 99V131001.

Suspension140 complaints

140 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine92 complaints

92 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering78 complaints

78 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 00V414000, 99V248000.

Electrical System62 complaints

62 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility34 complaints

34 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control32 complaints

32 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train31 complaints

31 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System29 complaints

29 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 02V026000, 08V156000.

Air Bags22 complaints

22 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting18 complaints

18 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

00V414000Reported December 6, 2000 - 83,000 vehicles potentially affected

Steering. Recall covering the steering system, reported to NHTSA on December 6, 2000. The campaign covers an estimated 83,000 vehicles across all affected models.

02V026000Reported January 25, 2002 - 487,284 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on January 25, 2002. The campaign covers an estimated 487,284 vehicles across all affected models.

08V156000Reported April 7, 2008 - 412,000 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on April 7, 2008. The campaign covers an estimated 412,000 vehicles across all affected models.

99V131001Reported May 21, 1999 - 88,121 vehicles potentially affected

Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on May 21, 1999. The campaign covers an estimated 88,121 vehicles across all affected models.

99V248000Reported September 13, 1999 - 51,900 vehicles potentially affected

Steering. Recall covering the steering system, reported to NHTSA on September 13, 1999. The campaign covers an estimated 51,900 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

DP05003Opened August 8, 2005 - Closed December 9, 2005

ALLEGED PREMATURE TIE ROD FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA00028Opened December 28, 2000 - Closed January 29, 2002

FUEL TANK PUNCTURE. Resulted in recall campaign 02V026000.

EA03020Opened October 7, 2003 - Closed April 23, 2004

PASSENGER AIR BAG LID FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA03020Opened October 7, 2003 - Closed April 23, 2004

PASSENGER AIR BAG LID FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA04017Opened June 30, 2004 - Closed February 10, 2005

STUCK-OPEN THROTTLE. Resulted in recall campaign 04V495000.

EA07014Opened September 28, 2007 - Closed July 7, 2008

PASSENGER ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 08V156000.

EA07014Opened September 28, 2007 - Closed July 7, 2008

PASSENGER ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 08V156000.

PE00033Opened August 10, 2000 - Closed December 28, 2000

FUEL TANK PUNCTURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE03021Opened May 23, 2003 - Closed October 7, 2003

PASSENGER SIR DOOR MOUNTING STUD FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

RQ99008Opened June 1, 1999 - Closed November 14, 2000

POWER BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM BY-PASS. Resulted in recall campaign 99V131001.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

19985
199938
200040
200148
200254
200377
2004108
2005101
200656
200743
200851
200918
20106
20117
20124
20131
20153
20161
20171
20191
20221
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.