1999 Volkswagen Cabrio Problems
- Complaints
- 29filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 62,500miles, 14 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 24 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 28 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio. The part named most often is electrical system, with 10 complaints (34% of the total), followed by brakes (6) and engine cooling (6). 14 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 62,500 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 63 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 16 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system10 34%
- Brakes6 21%
- Engine cooling6 21%
- Body and structure4 14%
- Equipment3 10%
- Exterior lighting3 10%
- Steering3 10%
Also reported: Air bags (2), Fuel system (2), Seat belts (2), Suspension (2), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Other or unknown (1), Seats (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “The fuzebox in this car is unprotected from water and can cause a fire and any time water may leak into car. I parked my car and when I went to her back in it a hour later it wouldn't crank that's when we discovered the fuze box was melted from getting too hot due to it leaking thru the antenna o to the relays filling them with water and then cause a drip to come from relays onto fuze and burn out the fuze slit for the fuel pump which caused my car not to crank at all. This a common occurrence and could potentially be a huge problem”
NHTSA complaint #11398220, filed 2021-02, 80,000 milesBrakes: “Hello, I contacted you about 2 yrs ago without f/u due to recovery from injuries. Now I have my case on the docket to sue vw for faulty disc/hub assembly that separated due to corrosion. I have the parts and photos to submit. I injured my right ankle on july 9, 2009 when the wheel detached from my car without warning and after it had been recently inspected and cleaned by brake king. Similar to the jeep grand cherokee recall since I owned one and had the hub/disc assembly replaced by stainless steel assembly. I wish to continue this investigation so that others are not injured heaven forbid. …”
NHTSA complaint #10440279, filed 2011-12, 110,000 milesEngine cooling: “1) due to vandalism, the convertible top was replaced by a reputable shop. I used the power top once after the replacement, then following that winter, the power top failed. It was beyond warranty according to dealer when I discovered the failure. Dealer wants $1200 for replacement. 2) the 6 cd changer stopped working just after warranty expired. Dealer wants $600 for replacement. 3) cruise control became intermittent after a throttle body replacement in march 2003. Dealer wants $800 for replacement. 4) the speedometer and tachometer became intermittent in sept 2003. …”
NHTSA complaint #10183792, filed 2007-02, 33,000 milesVehicle speed control: “Gauge cluster malfunctioned, resulting in no speedometer or tachometer. This results in having to guess your speed. The only correction is replacement of the entire gauge cluster and the odometer cannot be reset. This is the second replacement in 12 months.”
NHTSA complaint #10075055, filed 2004-06, 45,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
50% of the 14 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 33,000 and 105,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabrio FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 28 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Cabrio FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 19 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 63 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10241177Aug 21, 2023Engine cooling. Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards
- 10237427May 30, 2023Engine cooling. Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
- 10235138Apr 24, 2023Engine cooling. Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
- 10228180Dec 12, 2022Equipment. Update model year applicability to include 2023.
- 10228178Dec 6, 2022Electrical system. Battery testing and charging using special tools VAS6161 & GRX3000VAS Charger. Updated to include additional model year applicability.
- 10193577May 11, 2021Engine cooling. Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)
- 10175799May 12, 2020Equipment. Tool number added to table. Removal of Behr Flush Kit. VAS 6337/1A
- 10159010Mar 27, 2019Equipment. The part number listed in the document is to be returned if it meets the criteria provided.
- 10159014Mar 22, 2019Equipment, Electrical system. Alternative method for radio code retrieval.
- 10159016Mar 12, 2019Engine. Engine Oils Which Meet Volkswagen Oil Quality Standards
Other model years of the Volkswagen Cabrio
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 23 | 52,450 | 0 | — | 24 | — | Stable |
| 2001 | 38 | 42,750 | 1 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 16 | 39,500 | 1 | — | 24 | — | Stable |
| 1999 | 29 | 62,500 | 0 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 21 | 85,000 | 1 | — | 24 | — | Stable |
| 1997 | 14 | 92,500 | 0 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 1996 | 6 | 200,000 | 0 | — | 23 | — | Not enough data |
| 1995 | 15 | 63,000 | 0 | — | 24 | — | Stable |
| 1993 | 8 | 10,000 | 0 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 1992 | 9 | 125,750 | 1 | — | 25 | — | Not enough data |
| 1991 | 7 | 87,000 | 3 | — | 25 | — | Not enough data |
All Volkswagen Cabrio model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio have?
NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 10 complaints (34% of the total), followed by brakes with 6.
Has the 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio get?
The EPA rates the 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio (Cabrio, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 21 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio reported?
Among the 14 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 62,500 miles and the middle half falls between 33,000 and 105,000 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.