Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Volkswagen Jetta owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, smoke began to fill the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stopped the vehicle and saw that smoke was bellowing from beneath the steering column. The smoke disappeared after some time. The contact then attempted to restart the vehicle and the air bag deployed independently. The manufacturer was notified and advised the contact to take the vehicle to a dealer. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for inspection and the contact was awaiting the results. The failure and current mileage was 115,144.
I was involved in a collision at about 40mph and the airbags did not deploy. The car received major front end damage and hit all 3 airbag sensors. The car in front of me had its airbags deploy and it was a Toyota.
Vehicle was involved in a head-on collisi0n, impact at approximately 30 MPH. ABS brakes failed to operate,causing vehicle to slow down but not stop. Seat belt on driver's side failed to lock in place, causing consumer to sustain a head injury from hitting windshield. Also, air bags did not deploy. Dealer / manufacturer notified.
Left front brakes grabbed. Other three failed to work. Took vehicle to dealer at least 7 times. Each time brakes were replaced/repaired. Also, air bags failed to deploy after hitting a deer on left front side of vehicle. Front grill was crushed. Insurance company indicated vehicle was repairable.
Crossing an intersection another vehicle ran a red light & broadsided Volkswagen.driver's side and passenger's side air bags did not deploy. Investigator & Volkswagen personnel inspected vehicle. Vehicle below threshold for air bag deployment. Driver and passenger sustained multiple injuries.
My friend had an automoble accident last week and his car's airbags did not deploy he did hit the guardrails head-on and the air bags never deployed he wanted me to check to see if there has been a recall about this his car was a vw Jetta '99 I'm sure the car was totaled in this wreck .
While trying to reduce speed by depressing brake pedal, vehicle continued to travel causing consumer to lose control, and resulting in a collision. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy. Dealer has been notified. Please provide further infortmation.
Consumer was traveling in intersection and another vehicle ran a red light, and rammed into consumer's vehicle from side .car was completley turned around into the street, and had to be towed away. Upon impact, air bags failed to deploy.
Consumer was involved in a collision in which seat belts did not lock up upon impact, and driver's/passenger's air bags did not deploy. Cause unknown, also steering rack and pinion was damaged . Passenger window fell off twice.
While vehicle was moving from a green light another vehicle crossed the red light, stricking consumer's vehicle on the right front passengers side where none of the air bags deployed, not protecting passenger and
Airbag complaints in other Jetta years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the air bags of the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta, 9% of the model year's 349 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (18 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Volkswagen Jetta airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta, though it has 6 recalls 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 Jetta airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 66,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 18 crashes, 1 fire and 14 injuries to air bags 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.