AI Damage1999 Volkswagen Cabrio: common problems
Owners of the 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio filed 29 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 29
- involving a crash
- 4
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 34% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 21% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 17% of all complaints
- 4 Vehicle speed control 17% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 14% of all complaints
- 6 Equipment 10% of all complaints
- 7 Exterior lighting 10% of all complaints
- 8 Powertrain 10% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 10 complaints (34% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 6 complaints (21% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 5 complaints (17% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Vehicle speed control: 5 complaints (17% of all).
- Structure: 4 complaints (14% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speednamed in 1 complaints
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 29 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 2 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Now I have my case on the docket to sue vw for faulty disc/hub assembly that separated due to corrosion. I have the parts and photos to submit. I injured my right ankle on july 9, 2009 when the wheel detached from my car without warning and after it had been recently inspected and cleaned by brake king.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 volkswagen cabrio convertible. The contact stated while driving at 50 mph, the rear passengers wheel fractured from the vehicle. The vehicle spun out of control and crashed into an embankment. The contact sustained unknown injuries and was transported to the hospital via ambulance.
While driving 35mph, the vehicle encountered another vehicle attempting to cross over. The driver then swiped the front drivers side of the consumers vehicle. Neither air bags deployed from the impact. The estimated amount of damage at this time is $6,000.00.
While driving at 10mph on a flat surface engine had stalled and caused an accident. Dealer notified.
The fuzebox in this car is unprotected from water and can cause a fire and any time water may leak into car. I parked my car and when I went to her back in it a hour later it wouldn't crank that's when we discovered the fuze box was melted from getting too hot due to it leaking thru the antenna o to the relays filling…
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 volkswagen cabrio. The contact stated that while driving 50 mph, the vehicle stopped accelerating. The contact was able to maneuver to the shoulder and coast to a stop.
When I hit a patch of water, the steering wheel locks up temporarily and I'm unable to maneuver. If I'm on a corner I have to hit the brakes to avoid an accident.
5) the radio suddenly stopped working (no power) after hitting a pothole in jan 2004. Dealer wants $600 for replacement. 6) the smog pump failed dec 2005, and charred the harness wiring. It was replaced with a salvaged smog pump by reputable repair shop. Dealer wanted $1000 for replacement.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 6,958 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 19% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Cabrio has 16 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 29, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine and cooling, service brakes. Total complaints: 29. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: windows, sunroof (14%), A/C or heater (10%), smoke, burning smell, fire (10%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1999 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.