Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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 there were two safety recalls 06V183000 and 99V251000. , one recall was for the brake lamp switch assemble and the other was for the b pillar mounting clips. The contact stated that the vehicle was in a crash while going 40 MPH the person that hit the contact's vehicle said that he hit him because the brake lights did not turn on, and then he fled the seen. The contact stated that a police report was taken, and a complaint made to the insurance company. The contact was not sure if he got a ticket or not for not having brake lights. The contact stated that he was coming off of the expressway at 40 MPH, the weather was clear, and the incident took place in daylight. The contact had to pay for the repairs. The contact had been pulled over by the police before because of the brake lights. …
Dt: the contact owns a 1999 vw Jetta. The contact was having problems with the brake light switch. She started having problems with the switch on 9-2-05. It caused the brake lights to become inoperable or to come on and stay on even though the vehicle was parked. The consumer could not get the car out of park and this problem was in some way tied into the brake light switch failure. A NHTSA recall 04V096000 was issued. The consumer bought the car used from an individual who received a recall notice in 4-04. The notice did not indicate a VIN.
I drive a 1999 vw Jetta, standard transmission. I was informed by a police officer that my brake lights were not operating. After searching the internet, I learned from the NHTSA web site that there was a recall issued May of 2006 for certain vw cars that had their brake light switch replaced for an earlier recall. I called the dealership and they told me my car was serviced under the last recall, but it does not qualify for the recall. I had the brake light switch replaced and the problem has been corrected. The old part is not available.
Recall notice for check/ replace brake light switch. The faulty brake light switch caused the emergency brake light to remain on. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop three times but they were unable to fix the problem (Volkswagen Jetta). The dealer was finally able to identify the problem and informed the consumer it would cost $6000. The consumer took the vehicle elsewhere for repairs because the service dealer's staff suddenly became rude.
The blinker on my car is failing. It is in the unit on the steering column. After turning a corner it will not automatically shut off. When driving it will drop down and come on sometimes. It sometimes does not want to come on and I have to push it hard. The vehicle is a 1999.5 vw Jetta. I have read on the forums also that this is a very common problem and a very expensive fix.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving the brake light switch failed. A NHTSA recall, #06V183000 was performed on the vehicle concerning, the brake light switch however, the recall did not remedy the problem. The dealership would not offer a second repair without charge under the recall.
Turn signals and flashers not blinking as described in recall id number: 04V584000 which calls for the replacement of the hazard flasher switch, however the 1999 new jettas are not covered by the recall.
Vehicle experienced several recalls/ and several problems: dome light, vanity mirrors, emissions problems, etc... The consumer experienced the following problems with: the interior dome lights, interior trim had come loose on the passenger side, the passenger vanity mirror light did not shut off, the cup holder was jammed and had broken, the driver window sounded as if air was coming in the vehicle, the glove compartment hinges had broken, the air bag light would come on when the radio was turned off, the sensors never seemed to work, the oil dipstick had given abnormal readings(showing low when oil was just changed), the lean oxygen sensor was replaced, the check engine light was intermittent but stayed on, and the catalytic converter was replaced due to noise which ended after the repair(the check engine light had come back on).
Brake light switch replaced because CEL illuminated indicating a failure of same. After some testing, it became apparent that the brake lights were not illuminating approximately 9 out of 10 times that the brakes were applied. At approximately the same time, the right turn signal began arcing. Replaced the right front signal bulb due to carbon buildup on the bulb. Also replaced the turn signal relay. Right outer cv boot was found to be leaking grease on 5/22/2002 and again on 4/29/2003; in both cases it was replaced. Battery died on 3/10/2003. On 7/9/2002, the center rear seat belt became stuck in its retractor and would not release. Seat belt assembly was replaced. On 10/1/2001, the driver's front window regulator was replaced after the window fell into the door without warning.
While driving to work, my headlights, dashlights, heater/defrost, all went out and my e-brake light came on. Do to the conditions and the cold, my windshield fogged up extememly quickly and made it difficult to drive. This has happened many times since, almost on a daily basis. I figured out later on, that by moving the ignition switch around, everything went back to normal. I have not contacted the dealer about this due to my military schedule. I am deplpyed right now and am planning to contact the dealer in fargo as soon as I return.
Related recalls
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with automatic or manual transmissions and cruise controls, a brake light switch on these vehicles May malfunction if it was installed incorrectly during safety recalls 03v-265 or 04v-096.
Remedy: Dealers will install the newly designed brake light switch free of charge. The recall began on November 27, 2006. Vehicles within the make, model, and model year of this population May be involved in either this recall…
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
On certain passenger vehicles, a brake light switch on these vehicles May malfunction.
Remedy: This recall has been superceded by 06v-183. Owners who have had a remedy performed under this recall should return to their dealer for the redesigned remedy. Owners should contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
NHTSA investigations
Brake light switch failure
By letters dated May 24, 2006 and August 4, 2006, Volkswagen (vw) notified the agency that it is conducting a safety recall (NHTSA recall no 06v-183) involving model year (my) 1998-2002 Volkswagen new beetle and 1999-2002 Volkswagen jetta vehicles equipped with cruise control.Volkswagen?s recall covers 646,246 vehicles.previously, vw recalled these vehicles to replace a defective brake light switch (recalls 03v-265…
Brake light switch
The number of duplicates between odi and manufacturer failure reports cannot be determined due to missing and or inaccurate information.the injury noted above was minor.on February 26, 2004, Volkswagen of America, inc. (vw) submitted a defect notification (per 49cfr573) to the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) advising that certain model year (my) 1999 - 2002 Volkswagen jetta vehicles…
Headlight complaints in other Jetta years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the lights of the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta, 6% of the model year's 349 complaints. The component named most often is brake lights › switch (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Volkswagen Jetta headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 06V-183 (switch, May 24, 2006); NHTSA recall 04V-096 (switch, Feb 20, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1999 Volkswagen Jetta headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 83,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 2 injuries to lights 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.