Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
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).
2 days after we purchase the car a brake shoe braket came off and was rubbing the rear rotor. July, 3 windows went bad, 2 were the wiring and 1 was the motor. October the front wheel bearing needed replaced plus wheel alignment. September the exhuast broke off behind the catalytic converter I had it fixed myself. The exhuast had also broke off 6 months earlier in front of the muffler but I fixed it. One window that they fixed in July 2002 went bad again in June of 2003 and needed fixed. The rear brake on the same wheel that they fixed in January of 2001 has gone bad now. I'm done with this car. It's been in the shop more then I have ever had any car combined. Thanks
While driving the posted speed limit, I attempted to slow down in preparation for a right hand turn. I turned on my signal, and slowly began to hit my brakes. As I hit my brakes, it began to to engage and then I felt a "pop" in the brake pedal. I hit the brake a little harder and nothing happened. I then began pumping the brakes in an attempt to stop the car. My attempt to stop the car failed and I hit a parked car at 30mph. Moderate damage done to passenger front and quarterpanel of car. Door wedged into car braking some glass on passenger side. Upon impact, no airbags deployed whatsoever. I hit the windshield with my head and spidered the glass upon impact. Impact jolted the car in such a way, it snaped my inside mirror off the front windshield.
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.
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.
While driving approximately 35 MPH consumer pressed on brakes to slow, and brake pedal hit the floor, but vehicle did not stop. This has caused vehicle to move out of control and hit a curb. Consumer and passenger sustained minor injuries.
Brake lamps were operating correctly on 11/22/2009 and on 11/23/2009 they ceased working. Checked with NHTSA to see if open recall was open none but wanted to make known the issue since there have been two recalls in the pass for the same issue.
Rear brakes were sqeualing for months. Took into dealership 5 times and they could not duplicate noise. Finally rear brakes went all together and had them replaced at another dealership. Dealer said they should not have gone after just over 30,000 miles so Volkswagen covered half of costs. One week later picked up car as I was driving home malfunction indication light came on. Took into dealership again. All three oxygen sensors had blown. Day after picking up from dealership passenger window fell into door and is currently back in being fixed. I know these are all common problems with 1999 Jetta. Vw was somewhat helpful on cost but will do nothing now because they "have already been too kind". This car is dangerous and I do not feel comfortable driving it anymore. Now I have to cover the cost of an early lease termination for fear of injury or more $ for damage repairs.
Engine transmission light failed after 3 months, both windows have fallen down into door, front bumper has been torn off, antena and other plastic objects around car have fallen off,ABS system light is on again, cover for gas tank will not open (I had to pry it open), cup holders and mirror covers have broken, inside of car started to bubble after 6 months, because of the plastic. All the service department in san antonio could say was that I did not know how to manage car. I didn't know I had to take a class in opening the gas cover. Oddly enough, most of these things started to break after my two year warranty expired. All they had to say was that "when it rains it pours". I would never recommend this car to anyone
The windshield wipers were intermittent. The dealer stated the wipers were incompatible. The wipers did not work in cold weather and did not have the proper speed in warm weather. The driver side window had fallen down into the door, the locking mechanism had malfunctioned and was replaced, the metal triangle pieces on the doors had been replaced, the cruise control never worked from purchase, and the front brakes had to be replaced. The consumer would like to know if there was a recall on the wipers. (no recall for wipers) mr scc
Brake complaints in other Jetta years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the brakes of the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta, 9% of the model year's 349 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Volkswagen Jetta brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes 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 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 126,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 0 fires and 7 injuries to brakes 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.