9.2

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
1,765 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #17

May 242006

Jetta 4-cyl

  • miles
1999 Jetta's oil pan threads were stripped and drain plug needed to be replaced.

- Napa, CA, USA

problem #16

Jul 312003

(reported on)

Jetta

  • miles
Consumer noticed the epc light came which resulted in the vehicle losing power.

- Silverdale, WA, USA

problem #15

May 092002

Jetta 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 30,000 miles
Check engine light, power failure on door locks and alarm.

- Mountain View, CA, USA

problem #14

Jan 052001

Jetta

  • miles
Engine light was on. Driver took vehicle to dealer, and they stated that engine valves and hoses needed to be replaced.

- Fairfield, AL, USA

problem #13

Jun 042001

(reported on)

Jetta

  • miles
Vehicle consumes more oil than required, causing light to illuminate intermittently. Dealer has been notified.

- Massadonia, OH, USA

problem #12

Mar 302000

Jetta

  • miles
I understand there has been numberous report oil pan punctures with the VW Jetta. The combination of thin gauge steel and the low positon of the pan lead to high potential from road damage.

- Reading, PA, USA

problem #11

Sep 262000

(reported on)

Jetta

  • miles
Burning oil, changed to using 20W 50 - still burning, have investigated at several dealers, they are all aware of the problem, say it happens in 10% of vehicles, and that Volkswagen is not recalling until they know exactly the cause. My problem was initiated with a loss of a engine casting seal, and has been burning ever since. Most dealers are giving the run around, and VW is claiming that the vehicle is in spec. When talking to independent mechanics and telling them that the vehicle is burning 1 qt of 20W50 every 750-1000 miles, each tells me that the engine is ruined, probably happened when the seal blew. VW is hiding this from the consumers, apparently is well aware of the problem and is hiding behind a equipment spec. I have been told that it is very possible that there is engine damage to the vehicle and VW is stalling.

- Bridgewater, MA, USA

problem #10

Sep 262000

(reported on)

Jetta

  • miles
Vehicle consumes a quart of oil every 1K miles. Dealer has been notified, and said that vehicle is within specifications.

- Cheltonham, PA, USA

problem #9

Apr 012000

Jetta

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Vehicle which is a 4 cylinder engine burned more oil than expected, a quart every 1000 mile. The oil level was down at 1000-1500 miles after oil change. About this time check the engine light came on. The dealer states that this problem is common with 2.0L. 4 cylinder engine, when the check engine came on againe, the dealer replaced the oxyen sensor. Since then no light came on.

- Marshfield, MA, USA

problem #8

Apr 012000

Jetta

  • miles
4 cylinder engine burned 1 quart of oil every 1000 miles, but this vehicle has been burning more oil. Dealer could not determine the cause.

- Marshfield, MA, USA

problem #7

Mar 012000

Jetta

  • miles
Oil pan cracked.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #6

Mar 111999

Jetta

  • miles
Engine head gasket blew out, spark plugs melted. Head gasket and spark plugs had to be replaced by the dealership. Also, front axle was bent. When consumer drove at approximately 50 mph vehicle would shake.

- Whitestone, NY, USA

problem #5

Mar 012000

Jetta

  • miles
Hit dip in road at low speed, chafed oil pan which caused a one inch split in oil pan.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #4

Oct 101999

Jetta

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle has excessive engine oil consumption and loss of cooling at the same rate, which could cause engine failure/fire and air pollution. Owner has contacted dealership two times about the problem. Also, gear selection and engagement of the transmission are slow to respond to input. Dealer says that these problems are normal.

- Dayton, OH, USA

problem #3

Feb 011999

Jetta

  • miles
Vehicle experiencing problem with oil burning (one quart) every 750 mile.; dealer notified on seven occasions. Tests were performed and consumer was informed that nothing could be found, and that it was normal. Seeking NHTSA for information on this matter.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

problem #2

Sep 201999

(reported on)

Jetta

  • miles
The vehicle hit a pothole and it punctured the oil pan, allowing oil to leak from the vehicle. Dealer said oil pan needed to be replaced.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #1

Sep 031999

Jetta

  • miles
While driving at 70 mph and without prior warnng, engine failed, and consumer lost power. Consumer was in the third lane, and the vehicle shut down. Also, engine valves dropped straight through the engine on the other side while in motion, and vehicle vibrated.

- Coronado, CA, USA