1999 Volkswagen Beetle Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 6%of 174 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 58,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the brakes of the 1999 Volkswagen Beetle, 6% of the 174 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 58,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have a 99 vw Beetle, 2.0 l 4 cylinder 5 spd manual gti. I have had continual ABS light problems since 10000 miles. The left rear speed sensor has been replaced 5 times. The vw dealer in hi at 16 k says it the control module after replacing the sensor and wire harness. Now at 28000 miles the ABS light is on and the brake light flashes and alarms. I seems this is a class engineering problem that requires a recall to fix.”
NHTSA complaint #10203288, filed 2007-09, 9,800 miles“The ABS light stays on all of the time. Whenever I drive in wet conditions the brake warning light flashes and a buzzer sounds. Vw dealer recommends replacement of ABS control module at a cost of $1,680.”
NHTSA complaint #10203006, filed 2007-09, 78,000 miles“Vehicle rolled forward into a parked vehicle in a neighbors driveway. The consumer was involved in an accident, when she tried to applied the brakes they did not respond. The consumer stated was going to have the master cylinder checked.”
NHTSA complaint #10031231, filed 2003-08, 42,000 miles“1)driver's side window had difficulty going up since vehicle purchase, have to push with hand to assist. 2) just a few months after purchase sensor behind brake pedal failed, vehicle would shift from park, replaced. 3) air bag came on and then engine light soon after, catalytic converter replaced. Both warning lights off and replaced. 4) headlights are constantly blowing out, evidence of a short when replaced. Burn marks, and exposed wiring because plastic on connectors got brittle and cracked off. 5) air bag light on again, two weeks later engine light on. …”
NHTSA complaint #10006532, filed 2002-12, 58,000 miles“While traveling 50mph with the cruise control on, went to apply brakes to release cruise control & failed to release or to slow down vehicle. Instead, vehicle started to increase in speed & hit a concrete barrier. Also had hit or clipped 2 other vheicles. Then the vehicle slid sideways & came to a stop. No injuries.”
NHTSA complaint #853074, filed 1999-11Related recalls
- 06V183000May 24, 2006On certain passenger vehicles equipped with automatic or manual transmissions and cruise controls, a brake light switch on these vehicles may malfunction if…Covers: Volkswagen Beetle 1998–2002, Jetta 1999–2002
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2 | 14% |
| 2016 | 2 | 4% |
| 2015 | 7 | 8% |
| 2014 | 4 | 8% |
| 2013 | 4 | 4% |
| 2010 | 5 | 17% |
| 2008 | 1 | 2% |
| 2007 | 2 | 4% |
| 2006 | 6 | 5% |
| 2005 | 4 | 2% |
| 2004 | 4 | 1% |
| 2003 | 3 | 1% |
| 2002 | 13 | 8% |
| 2001 | 22 | 11% |
| 2000 | 23 | 9% |
| 1999 | 11 | 6% |
| 1998 | 10 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1999 Volkswagen Beetle
39 complaintsEngine cooling
31 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
29 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
26 complaintsAir bags
22 complaintsExterior lighting
17 complaintsBody and structure
16 complaintsEquipment
11 complaintsSeats
11 complaintsVehicle speed control
10 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 Volkswagen Beetle
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology