Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Volkswagen Beetle owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owned a 1999 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that there was an abnormal noise while driving in the middle lane of the road. The contact stated that smoke emitted near the left part of the dashboard close to the steering wheel. In addition, due to the extensive nature of the smoke, the contact had to engage the hazard lights and exited the vehicle while in the lane. The fire department extinguished the flames. A police officer was present to direct traffic and a report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a yard. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14e007000 (engine and engine cooling). The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 07V063000 (exterior lighting) and 06V183000 (exterior lighting).the manufacturer was notified of the failure months ago and was to provide further testing to determine the failure. …
My car- 1999 vw Beetle was not fully inspected before I got the car from dealer. I just found out that my car has long list of parts need replacement to repair and I felt that it wasn't real safe because of strut shock and power steering also cv joints are getting bad in the under of hood. I found out that my car has no panel skid for prevent from wetting on motor parts and got bad acid on it. I has to order the parts for my car and hasn't driven for almost 6 months by so far. By right I don't have much money to pay for repairs.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Volkswagen Beetle. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning light and coolant temperature warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the timing belt was defective. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14e007000 (engine and engine cooling). The failure mileage was 235,403.
The driver was sitting at an intersection another vehicle rear ended the driver. The driver hit the vehicle in front without warning the vehicle caught fire. No injuries to report. The fire department was called out to extinguished out the fire. The vehicle was towed and totaled out by the insurance company. Please provide additional information. Updated 04/19/06.
While driving clutch went out, and the consumer could not shift the gears. After getting out of the vehicle there was a fire under the hood. The fire department responded and put the fire out. Vehiicle was later towed. The air pump was defective. Vehicle was totaled.
1)driver's side window had difficulty going up since vehicle purchase, have to push with hand to assist. 2) just a few months after purchase sensor behind brake pedal failed, vehicle would shift from park, replaced. 3) air bag came on and then engine light soon after, catalytic converter replaced. Both warning lights off and replaced. 4) headlights are constantly blowing out, evidence of a short when replaced. Burn marks, and exposed wiring because plastic on connectors got brittle and cracked off. 5) air bag light on again, two weeks later engine light on. Told two sensors on mass air flow and some others are malfunctioning and now been replaced. Told there is a broken clock spring in steering column along with bad wiring harness, both affecting air bags. Also, told air bag is now bad and needs to be replaced because other defective components have shorted igniter in air bag out. …
At 25,000 miles the car started burning excessive amounts of oil. At 28,516 vw finally agrees the car is burning oil excessively. Vw replaced piston rings. But at 35,000 the problem returns! Now vw states this is "normal". Why is this normal now and the same problem was not normal before? I have recently learned per Volkswagen,is supposed to use a quart of oil every 1,000 miles. I was never informed of this by the dealership. This is totally ridiculous and unacceptable!!! Its my opinion, but I suspect that vw is well aware of this problem. They probably don't want to eat the cost of replacing thousands of engines. So....they declared this situation "normal".I am total discussed with vw of America. Because this car burns more oil then the old heap I got tired of. I would like a new engine that does not burn oil!!!! …
I bought my 99 Beetle in October of 2007 and the day that I got the car the oil light came on and I took it back they had it for one month they replaced the motor and wire cluster. When I finally got it back about two weeks passed and I was driving on the interstate and my speedometer went from 0 to 120 and then the care lost power on the middle lane of the road. I took it back and they replaced the transmission I have tried numerous times to get them to take the car back and they wont. After I got it back that time the heater stopped working and the speedometer will not go above 40 when I told them this they said they would not fix it that it was my problem. Yesterday my mileage, speedometer, and gas gage stopped working my check engine light came on. And I don't know what to do if you know any one who could help me with these problems please let me know.
The water pump has a part that goes into the engine; it's made of plastic and called an impeller. It is part of the water pump. The plastic impeller disintegrated, causing the engine to overheat. The engine light on the dashboard came on just minutes before the engine ceased up. Other than that, there was no warning that the engine was running hot. Normally when a water pump goes out, the water leaks out. In this case, the water remained in and did not circulate. Repairer has asked owner for money to replace the engine entirely. Vw will not stand by its manufacturer's warranty, which the owner has. The plastic impeller is a common design defect which vw knows has a short life, but they keep designing their vws with a plastic impeller!
Purchased 1999 vw Beetle 20 months ago. Car has only 54,000 miles. Since owning the car have already over $3,500 in repairs. All of the repairs were done at my local darcar vw repair shop. I believe some of these repairs were recalls and have all receipt. Is there someone I can sent my repair receipts to to see if I can be reimbursed for out of pocket expenses which should have been recall services? I can forward receipts. Also seven days ago the passenger side window regulator broke and it appears it had been recalled per two vw owner who had same problems but I can't find the recall information on it. Can you suggest how I can view all recalls for 1999 vw Beetle gls?
Engine complaints in other Beetle years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1999 Volkswagen Beetle?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1999 Volkswagen Beetle, 20% of the model year's 174 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Volkswagen Beetle engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 1999 Volkswagen Beetle, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1999 Volkswagen Beetle engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 39,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 4 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.