1999 Volkswagen Beetle Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 6%of 174 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 47,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the seats of the 1999 Volkswagen Beetle, 6% of the 174 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 47,500 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“After being rear ended, the drivers seat reclined causing the driver to sustain whip lash. After making contact with the manufacturer, they stated the seat was designed that way. The vehicle was totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #10119066, filed 2005-04, 45,000 miles“On 2 occasions when my car has been facing down on a slope it will not start and I have to put it in neutral and roll to level ground to get it to start. On one other occation my car did have a problem when I pulled into my parents driveway and I put my car in reverse , it did not go into gear and I rolled over my mom's flowers. The deal has checked in their database and with Volkswagen of america and noone has reported a problem similar to mine. They tried to recreate what I described, but to no avail. …”
NHTSA complaint #716185, filed 1999-12“The contact owns a 1999 Volkswagen Beetle. While driving, the driver's seat moved by itself and prevented the contact from reaching the accelerator pedal. The driver observed that the seat had completely separated from the vehicle. Aaa stated that the plastic failed in the seat and that the screws were detached. Aaa replaced the screws in the seat so that the contact could drive home. The dealer repaired the seat and confirmed that the screws and the plastic failed. The second time the seat failed, the dealer would not repair or inspect it to determine the cause of failure. …”
NHTSA complaint #10203463, filed 2007-09, 50,000 miles“Driver cannot adjust the headrest down to see out of the driver's side back and rear windows to change lanes. Dealer contacted and gave reference sheet of 1-8-99, #99-001, stated change in design for 1999 model. Problem still exists. Warranty effective and does not cover. .et.”
NHTSA complaint #835024, filed 1999-02“She was stationary inside of vehicle and heard sweaking noise last week. Driver's side seat came off track, and fell over into back seat. Consumer took vehicle to the dealership, and they were aware of problem. Vehicle has been at dealership.”
NHTSA complaint #867872, filed 2000-08Seats: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 | 6% |
| 2013 | 1 | 1% |
| 2012 | 1 | 2% |
| 2010 | 1 | 3% |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 | 4 | 7% |
| 2007 | 2 | 4% |
| 2006 | 3 | 2% |
| 2004 | 5 | 1% |
| 2003 | 6 | 2% |
| 2002 | 2 | 1% |
| 2001 | 4 | 2% |
| 2000 | 3 | 1% |
| 1999 | 11 | 6% |
| 1998 | 12 | 7% |
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 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsEquipment
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 Oct 31, 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