Most common 1999 Volkswagen Eurovan problems
Share of the 17 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Volkswagen Eurovan complaints by model year
Best Eurovan years: 1995, 2003, 1997. Years to avoid: 2002, 2000. Compare all years →
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 1999 Volkswagen Eurovan:
Engine cooling fan blade separation
The office of defects investigation opened a preliminary evaluation (pe)03-015 on April 15, 2003, based on three reports alleging that fan blades separated from the engine electronic cooling fan.all three vehicles were winnebago rialta class c motor homes built on a Volkswagen eurovan chassis.during the pe investigation, Volkswagen provided 125 additional reports of fan failures.the additional reports included 107…
What 1999 Volkswagen Eurovan owners say
Seat belts
The owner's manual states that the three-point seat belts are designed to hold a child's safety seat in place. To do this, you extend the belt fully until you hear a click, buckle the belt, then let it retract. You should hear a ratcheting noise. The belt should not extend. This is in fact what happens. However, my complaint is that this design does not comfortably accomodate a car full of adults. I do not have any small children. When any of us, sitting in a passenger seat, lean forward to pick up something off the floor of the car, or off the dashboard, the child safety feature engages, and when you lean back, you are locked to the seat. This child feature is dangerous to adults, because it, because the manual says to do it, makes you undo the seat belt to reset the safety feature. …
The rear seat female buckle apparatus breaks when a car seat is installed. The base plate of the buckle breaks off, allowing springs and other components of the assembly to fall out, at which point the assembly is no longer functional.
Engine & cooling
Vehicle: 1999 Volkswagen Eurovan camper with approximately 34,000 miles. The vehicle has 2 electric radiator fans. Both plastic fan blade assemblies failed while the vehicle was underway, resulting in severe imbalance. Multiple plastic fragments were shed, which could have caused injury if it had happened while servicing the vehicle with the hood open. Both fans were replaced by a vw dealer at a cost of $962.69. Vw service representative investigated a possible recall but said it doesn't apply to this vehicle. Failed parts are available. NHTSA preliminary evaluation pe03015 seems to describe this same problem.
The auxiliary fan blade on my Eurovan cracked and flew apart into several pieces. After posting on a Volkswagen website, I learned of others with the same problem. This presents a serious hazard as it could injure anyone in the vicinity when the blade breaks. Also, it clearly should not be happening on a five-year-old vehicle. However, Volkswagen has declared that it is not covered by warranty and will charge $600 to repair it. I recently saw that Jeep had a similar problem, and was wondering if it might be possible to encourage Volkswagen to consider a similar rectification.
1999 Volkswagen Eurovan engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 13 / 18 / 15 |
EPA ratings. Class: Minivan.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Volkswagen Eurovan a good car?
Based on 17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1999 Eurovan rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Eurovan at the same age. 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 Eurovan?
The seat belts — 5 complaints, 29% of all complaints for this model year, most often about front › buckle assembly. Next are the engine & cooling (4) and equipment & accessories (2).
How many recalls does the 1999 Volkswagen Eurovan have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1999 Volkswagen Eurovan. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Volkswagen Eurovan?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1995, 2003 and 1997. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2002 and 2000. See the full Volkswagen Eurovan years comparison.
At what mileage do 1999 Volkswagen Eurovan problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 51,000 miles; 33% 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.