Most common 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio problems
Share of the 29 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Volkswagen Cabrio complaints by model year
Best Cabrio years: 1996, 1997, 1995. Years to avoid: 2001, 1999. Compare all years →
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio:
Fuel tank puncture
The office of defects investigation opened this investigation on August 10, 2000 based on 9 reports regarding punctured fuel tanks involving the jetta, passat, and cabrio models.the reports indicate additional reports in its response to the preliminary evaluation.this investigation has been upgraded for further study.
What 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio owners say
Electrical system
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 them with water and then cause a drip to come from relays onto fuze and burn out the fuze slit for the fuel pump which caused my car not to crank at all. This a common occurrence and could potentially be a huge problem
1) due to vandalism, the convertible top was replaced by a reputable shop. I used the power top once after the replacement, then following that winter, the power top failed. It was beyond warranty according to dealer when I discovered the failure. Dealer wants $1200 for replacement. 2) the 6 cd changer stopped working just after warranty expired. Dealer wants $600 for replacement. 3) cruise control became intermittent after a throttle body replacement in March 2003. Dealer wants $800 for replacement. 4) the speedometer and tachometer became intermittent in sept 2003. It has been removed and the contacts cleaned. It only works on extremely cold mornings, only on the first start. All other gauges work on the module. Dealer wants $600 for replacement. 5) the radio suddenly stopped working (no power) after hitting a pothole in jan 2004. Dealer wants $600 for replacement. …
Brakes
Hello, I contacted you about 2 yrs ago without f/u due to recovery from injuries. 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. Similar to the Jeep grand cherokee recall since I owned one and had the hub/disc assembly replaced by stainless steel assembly. I wish to continue this investigation so that others are not injured heaven forbid. Now I am ready to handle the case in court and am preparing for the trial. Please advise as to how to defend my case as the ones that were tried on the Jeep recall and accidents. Also, if you need more info pls contact me. …
About three months after the purchase of a new 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio the entire cruise control system had to be replaced because it quit working. In July 2001 the emergency brake cable went bad. Three years later, the cable has gone bad again. In October of 2001 a computer chip went bad and the car wouldn't start. In January 2003 the front exhaust pipe had to be replaced. In addition to those problems, there are a number of other problems such as the "check engine" light coming on and staying on but no one can find anything wrong with the car. Buttons, like the lock button, fall off the car. My taillights frequently go out and come back on by themselves but no one can find a loose wire. The car was in an accident in January 2004. The auto shop ordered parts and they didn't fit. It turns out even though the car is a 1999, there are some 2000 parts on it.
Engine & cooling
1) due to vandalism, the convertible top was replaced by a reputable shop. I used the power top once after the replacement, then following that winter, the power top failed. It was beyond warranty according to dealer when I discovered the failure. Dealer wants $1200 for replacement. 2) the 6 cd changer stopped working just after warranty expired. Dealer wants $600 for replacement. 3) cruise control became intermittent after a throttle body replacement in March 2003. Dealer wants $800 for replacement. 4) the speedometer and tachometer became intermittent in sept 2003. It has been removed and the contacts cleaned. It only works on extremely cold mornings, only on the first start. All other gauges work on the module. Dealer wants $600 for replacement. 5) the radio suddenly stopped working (no power) after hitting a pothole in jan 2004. Dealer wants $600 for replacement. …
About three months after the purchase of a new 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio the entire cruise control system had to be replaced because it quit working. In July 2001 the emergency brake cable went bad. Three years later, the cable has gone bad again. In October of 2001 a computer chip went bad and the car wouldn't start. In January 2003 the front exhaust pipe had to be replaced. In addition to those problems, there are a number of other problems such as the "check engine" light coming on and staying on but no one can find anything wrong with the car. Buttons, like the lock button, fall off the car. My taillights frequently go out and come back on by themselves but no one can find a loose wire. The car was in an accident in January 2004. The auto shop ordered parts and they didn't fit. It turns out even though the car is a 1999, there are some 2000 parts on it.
1999 Volkswagen Cabrio engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 21 / 28 / 24 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 26 / 22 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio a good car?
Based on 29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1999 Cabrio rates use caution: 1.4× as many complaints as a typical year of the Cabrio at the same age. It is one of the Cabrio years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio?
The electrical system — 10 complaints, 34% of all complaints for this model year, most often about ignition › switch. Next are the brakes (6) and engine & cooling (6).
How many recalls does the 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Volkswagen Cabrio?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1996, 1997 and 1995. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2001 and 1999. See the full Volkswagen Cabrio years comparison.
At what mileage do 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 80,000 miles; 50% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.