Sell your 1999 Volkswagen Passat for cash

The 1999 Volkswagen Passat is a wagon that came with a choice of 1.8L 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.

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1999 Volkswagen Passat at a glance

Body styleMidsize Cars, Midsize Station Wagons
Engines1.8L 4-cyl, 2.8L 6-cyl (turbocharged versions available)
TransmissionsAutomatic 5-spd, Manual 5-spd
DriveFront-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
FuelPremium Gasoline
Fuel economy15–20 city / 24–29 highway / 18–24 combined MPG
EPA annual fuel cost$3,400–$4,550 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles)
Tailpipe CO₂370–494 grams per mile
Versions tested by EPA16 configurations: Passat, Passat Syncro, Passat Wagon, Passat Wagon Syncro
Age27 years

Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.

What affects its junk value

  • Age: at 27 years old, most of a 1999 Passat's value comes from reusable parts and scrap metal, not resale.
  • Weight: as a wagon, it weighs less than a truck or SUV, so its value leans more on parts than on scrap weight. See how scrap prices by weight work.
  • Catalytic converter: like all gas and diesel cars, it has a catalytic converter containing precious metals, one of the most valuable parts on a junk car. An offer assumes it's still in place. More on catalytic converters.
  • Recalls: NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 1999 Passat. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking it.
  • Known problems: owners reported the most issues with the service brakes, hydraulic, typically around 82,000 miles. If that's what failed on yours, it can still be sold as-is.

How junk car offers are calculated

1999 Volkswagen Passat recalls

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls covering the 1999 Volkswagen Passat. 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.

Fuel System, GasolineApr 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V156000

Volkswagen is recalling 412,000 my 1999-2005 Passat (5th generation) vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions and produced after june 14, 1999. These vehicles may have an underbody heat shield that can become damaged. In addition, affected vehicles with automatic or manual transmissions may have a fuel line (1.8t engines only)…

Risk: A heat shield that may contact the exhaust system can result in a vehicle fire. In addition, a fuel leak from a fuel line or fuel tank ventilation valve, in the presence of an ignition source, can lead to a vehicle fire.

Fuel System, GasolineJan 2002 · NHTSA campaign 02V026000

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.

SteeringDec 2000 · NHTSA campaign 00V414000

Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The tie rods of the steering assembly are protected on each side by a seal to prevent moisture and dust particles from entering the swivel bearing mechanism. It is possible that some tie rod seals may not seal properly.

Risk: If moisture and/or dust particles enter the swivel bearing mechanism, the swivel bearing could wear over time diminishing the steering control of the vehicle.

SteeringSep 1999 · NHTSA campaign 99V248000

Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The tie rods of the steering assembly are protected on each side by a seal to prevent moisture and dust particles from entering the swivel bearing mechanism. It is possible that some tie rod seals may not seal properly.

Risk: If moisture and/or dust particles enter the swivel bearing mechanism, the swivel bearing could wear over time diminishing the steering control of the vehicle.

Service Brakes, HydraulicMay 1999 · NHTSA campaign 99V131001

Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. A control valve in the vacuum hose connecting the brake booster to the intake manifold may not open or close fully at temperatures below -4 f under certain driving conditions.

Risk: This condition could cause insufficient vacuum to be provided to the brake booster.

Common 1999 Passat problems

Owners have filed 664 complaints about the 1999 Volkswagen Passat with NHTSA. 11 reports involved a crash and 13 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 11 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.

Most-reported components

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic66
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic51
  • Steering37
  • Suspension37
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic32
  • Suspension32

Typical mileage when problems were reported

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic82,000 mi
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic80,000 mi
  • Steering59,000 mi
  • Suspension70,000 mi
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic115,000 mi
  • Suspension62,000 mi

1999 Volkswagen Passat service bulletins

Manufacturers have filed 122 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 1999 Volkswagen Passat. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.

Most common bulletin topics

  • Equipment22
  • Electrical System8
  • Engine and Engine Cooling8
  • Structure8
  • Equipment7
  • Engine6

Recent bulletins

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsAug 2023 · V171901201285565

    Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsMay 2023 · V171901201285562

    Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsApr 2023 · V171901201285560

    Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsDec 2022 · V941901201152119

    Update model year applicability to include 2023.

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA opened 8 defect investigations covering the 1999 Volkswagen Passat.

Electrical SystemEA07014 · opened Sep 2007, closed Jul 2008Led to recall 08V156000

Passenger engine compartment fires

The manufacturer notified NHTSA on 04-apr-08 that a safety recall action would be initiated to remedy the issue.in june 2008, the manufacturer issued a technical service bulletin (code 26e5/r5) regarding the specific procedures to be employed in this campaign.vehicle owner notification letters were sent beginning appro

SteeringDP05003 · opened Aug 2005, closed Dec 2005

Alleged premature tie rod failure

On august 2, 2005, odi received a petition submitted by ms. Miriam schneider of olney, md, requesting an investigation of allegedly defective tie rods in certain model year (my) 1999 Volkswagen Passat vehicles not included in two previous safety recall campaigns (identified henceforth as the subject vehicles).in a sept

Fuel System, GasolineEA04017 · opened Jun 2004, closed Feb 2005Led to recall 04V495000

Stuck-open throttle

Vwoa has recalled approximately 28,300 my 1998-99 a6 vehicles in cold weather states that experienced the highest rate of throttle icing incidents in the subject vehicles (04v-495).the failure rate in the a4 and Passat vehicles is much lower than in the recalled vehicles.odi will continue to monitor the experience in t

Air BagsEA03020 · opened Oct 2003, closed Apr 2004

Passenger air bag lid failure

This investigation involves the Volkswagen (vw) passenger supplemental inflatable restraint (psir) lid utilized in my 1998-2002 vw Passat.the psir lid may detach from the instrument panel during air bag deployment.the office of defects investigation (odi) of the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) op

Air BagsPE03021 · opened May 2003, closed Oct 2003

Passenger sir door mounting stud failure

Odi opened a preliminary evaluation (pe03-021) based on two reports of failed bolt studs that attach the passenger supplemental inflatable restraint (psir) door cover to the instrument panel (ip) on the Volkswagen (vw) Passat (model years 2000, 2002).vw has indicated to odi that it has no additional reports.vw implemen

Vehicle Speed ControlEA00028 · opened Dec 2000, closed Jan 2002Led to recall 02V026000

Fuel tank puncture

Vehicle Speed ControlPE00033 · opened Aug 2000, closed Dec 2000

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.

Service Brakes, HydraulicRQ99008 · opened Jun 1999, closed Nov 2000Led to recall 99V131001

Power brake booster vacuum by-pass

There is no summary currently available

Other Volkswagen Passat years

‹ Sell a 1998 Passat · Sell a 2000 Passat › · All Volkswagen Passat years

Other 1999 Volkswagen models

Selling a 1999 Passat: questions

How much is a 1999 Volkswagen Passat worth for junk?

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.

Can I junk a 1999 Passat that doesn't run?

Yes. We buy 1999 Passats that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.

Can I sell a 1999 Passat with open recalls?

Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 1999 Volkswagen Passat; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What paperwork do I need to sell my 1999 Passat?

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.

Before you sell

Sources

Data retrieved October 2026.

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