1999 Volkswagen Beetle Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 6%of 174 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 79,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1999 Volkswagen Beetle, 6% of the 174 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 79,500 miles. 1 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.
“I bought my 99 Beetle in october of 2007 and the day that I got the car the oil light came on and I took it back they had it for one month they replaced the motor and wire cluster. When I finally got it back about two weeks passed and I was driving on the interstate and my speedometer went from 0 to 120 and then the care lost power on the middle lane of the road. I took it back and they replaced the transmission I have tried numerous times to get them to take the car back and they wont. …”
NHTSA complaint #10216730, filed 2008-02, 100 miles“The speedometer stopped working. Shortly after this the drive by wire throttle also stopped working returning the vehicle to an idle (approx. 1100 RPM). This can occur at any time. You have to restart the vehicle to get the throttle to work again. This is very dangerous when it happens in heavy traffic. The manufacturer (vw) can offer no solution to the problem. I have discovered this issue, at some point in time, could affect all of the 1999 -2009 new beetles along with the audi tt. Again vw and the speedometer cluster manufacturer magneti morelli can offer no fix for the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10559753, filed 2014-01, 138,097 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 1999-11“While driving at 35 MPH vehicle began to stall, and shake, showed a sign of vehicle losing power.engine check light illuminated on the dash panel, and vehicle shut off. Dealer has been contacted. Engine also hesitates when accelerating from the start. Vehicle has had complaints regarding trunk and fuel release actuator cable. Steering rods came loose and had to be resecured and mounting bolt.. Window motor failed.”
NHTSA complaint #878900, filed 2001-01Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 | 7% |
| 2016 | 2 | 4% |
| 2015 | 1 | 1% |
| 2014 | 3 | 6% |
| 2013 | 2 | 2% |
| 2012 | 2 | 3% |
| 2010 | 1 | 3% |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 | 1 | 2% |
| 2007 | 3 | 5% |
| 2006 | 5 | 4% |
| 2005 | 7 | 3% |
| 2004 | 2 | 1% |
| 2003 | 10 | 3% |
| 2002 | 6 | 4% |
| 2001 | 6 | 3% |
| 2000 | 14 | 5% |
| 1999 | 10 | 6% |
| 1998 | 7 | 4% |
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 complaintsSeats
11 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