1999 Volkswagen Beetle Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 26about this part
- Share
- 15%of 174 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the visibility of the 1999 Volkswagen Beetle, 15% of the 174 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Purchased 1999 vw Beetle 20 months ago. Car has only 54,000 miles. Since owning the car have already over $3,500 in repairs. All of the repairs were done at my local darcar vw repair shop. I believe some of these repairs were recalls and have all receipt. Is there someone I can sent my repair receipts to to see if I can be reimbursed for out of pocket expenses which should have been recall services? I can forward receipts. …”
NHTSA complaint #10222876, filed 2008-03, 46,000 miles“Drivers side window regulator failed - cable 'shredded' and automatic window no longer works to 'roll up' the window. Found many results online for other vw owners experiencing the exact same problem with their oe regulators.”
NHTSA complaint #10228868, filed 2008-05, 78,000 miles“Dt: Volkswagen Beetle 1999. The consumer is not satisfied with mirrors on the left driver's side. They have too much of a blind spot for oncoming vehicles. Also, the post between the windshield and the left and right sides, before getting to the doors, are also giving the consumer trouble, as being a blind spot. The consumer pulled out onto the highway in front of oncoming traffic, and didn't see another vehicle because of the blind spots from the car.”
NHTSA complaint #10124066, filed 2005-07, 30 miles“The first occurrence (driver's side window) occurred within 6,000 miles of driving off the dealer's lot -- the second occurrence (passenger side window) occurred today, 7/24/2006. The events leading up to today's incident, albeit identical to the first occurrence 3 years ago, goes something like this: I hit the 'down' button to lower the window; the window lowers itself and stays in the down position -- thereby subjecting the driver and passengers to the possibility of: a: exposure to the elements including the possibility of dust/debris causing temporary blindness. …”
NHTSA complaint #10163357, filed 2006-07, 35,000 miles“I purchased this vehicle because I was looking for a reliable and economical car. I have been very disappointed. This car burns oil at an unbelievable rate. I cannot rely on it and do not want to drive it out of town. I am now keeping jumper cables in the hatch because of constant battery problems. The radio is not working. I have already replaced a regulator (window) on the driver's side and it has broken again. Less than a year after it was replaced. …”
NHTSA complaint #744238, filed 2001-04Related service bulletins
- 10123011Jul 22, 2015Technical Bulletin (Windshield Wipers Streak or Smear): Windshield or rear window is streaked, has a snakeskin appearance, or the surface feels rough. To avoid unnecessary…
- 10122956May 8, 2015Tech Tips (Heated Rear Window, One or More Lines Inoperative): To detect which line(s) is inoperative, utilize a volt meter to check for 0 V, which will be present after the open…
- 10242996Dec 8, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10239541Sep 24, 2014Air Conditioning, Cleaning of the Refrigerant Circuit (U.S.Only)
- 10243011May 19, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10242349May 19, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10243002Jan 27, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10239789Jan 24, 2014To detect which line(s) is inoperative, utilize a volt meter to check for 0 V, which will be present after the open in the grid line. The check must be performed with the engine…
- 10122240Jan 24, 2014Tech Tips (Heated Rear Window, One or More Lines Inoperative): To detect which line(s) is inoperative, utilize a volt meter to check for 0 V, which will be present after the open…
- 10239531Jan 22, 2014HVAC, Temperature Output Control Cannot Be Adjusted
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 7% |
| 2015 | 5 | 6% |
| 2014 | 5 | 10% |
| 2013 | 5 | 5% |
| 2012 | 21 | 32% |
| 2010 | 4 | 13% |
| 2009 | 5 | 15% |
| 2008 | 6 | 10% |
| 2007 | 4 | 7% |
| 2006 | 11 | 9% |
| 2005 | 62 | 24% |
| 2004 | 65 | 19% |
| 2003 | 56 | 18% |
| 2002 | 13 | 8% |
| 2001 | 7 | 3% |
| 2000 | 21 | 8% |
| 1999 | 26 | 15% |
| 1998 | 37 | 22% |
Other parts of the 1999 Volkswagen Beetle
39 complaintsEngine cooling
31 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
29 complaintsAir bags
22 complaintsExterior lighting
17 complaintsBody and structure
16 complaintsBrakes
11 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 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