The 1999 Volkswagen Jetta is a compact car that came with a choice of 1.9L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl and 2.8L 6-cyl engines. At 27 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.
| Body style | Compact Cars |
|---|---|
| Engines | 1.9L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.8L 6-cyl (turbocharged versions available) |
| Transmissions | Manual 5-spd, Automatic 4-spd |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel | Diesel, Regular Gasoline |
| Fuel economy | 16–35 city / 23–44 highway / 19–38 combined MPG |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,500–$3,550 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles) |
| Tailpipe CO₂ | 268–468 grams per mile |
| Versions tested by EPA | 11 configurations: Jetta, New Jetta |
| Age | 27 years |
Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.
NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls covering the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.
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.
Risk: The brake lights could become inoperative, or remain on. Failure to provide the proper signal when braking could lead to a crash without warning.
On certain passenger vehicles, a brake light switch on these vehicles may malfunction.
Risk: If this happens, the brake lights could become inoperative, or come on and stay on, even though the vehicle is parked.
Certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.8l vr6 engines fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." the recommended cold tire inflation pressure published on the label for tires of the size 205/50 r15 86h is 0.1 bar (1.45 psi) too low. It should be 2.5 bar (36.3…
Risk: Under inflated tires can affect vehicle handling, and driving with substantialy under inflated tires puts the consumer at a risk for a crash.
On some passenger vehicles, the fuel tank filler neck can suffer abrasion damage if the rear tire goes flat and the vehicle is driven until the tire disintegrates.
Risk: Fuel leakage can occur increasing the risk of a fire.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Some of these vehicles do not comply with the head injury criterion requirements of fmvss no. 201, "occupant protection in interior impact." the upper retainer clip near the bp1 impact location is designed to break when impacted by the head form. In some cases, the material of the trim part…
Risk: This condition could prevent the clip from breaking on impact and result in less deformation in the impacted area and a higher decleration of the head form, increasing the risk of personal injury in the event of a crash.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The sound absorbing mat attached to the inside of the b-pillar side trim panel could have been improperly installed. Surface and edges of the mat could have been damaged during the assembly process. It could ignite when exposed to the exhaust gas of the seat belt pre-tensioner igniter in the…
Risk: This could result in a fire.
Owners have filed 349 complaints about the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta with NHTSA. 33 reports involved a crash and 9 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 29 injuries.
Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.
Manufacturers have filed 159 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.
Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards
Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
Update model year applicability to include 2023.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).
NHTSA opened 5 defect investigations covering the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta.
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
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 administra
Fuel tank puncture
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.
Passenger compartment fire
In its letter dated february 4, 1999, Volkswagen stated that it will recall approximately 23,600 redesigned 1999 Jetta and golf 4-door vehicles, of which approximately 11,000 have been sold to customers, to correct a defect thatmay cause a fire in the passengeer compartment after a vehicle collision.a sound insulation
It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. Its parts make up much of its value. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.
Yes. We buy 1999 Jettas that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.
Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.
Data retrieved October 2026.
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