1999 Volkswagen Golf Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 14%of 64 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the electrical system of the 1999 Volkswagen Golf, 14% of the 64 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, 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.
“Instrument cluster fire in 1999 vw GOLF tdi: 2003-01-14, mileage 88290, lights and gauges on instrument cluster were acting flaky and not working properly. Some lights were dim and some were burnt out. 2003-02-05, I bought new instrument cluster. Plan was to have dealership replace faulty one with new one on 2003-02-10. A few days after I bought new one, the cars existing one suddenly emitted sparks while I was driving in a snow storm, and caught on fire! Thick, acrid smoke billowed from underneath the dashboard, forcing me out of the car. I put out the fire with my jacket and some snow. …”
NHTSA complaint #10762026, filed 2015-09, 90,000 miles“Engine suddenly stopped running while on freeway, only good luck allowed me to get out of traffic. Engine restarted 5 minutes, I continue driving, now only in the right hand lane. Almost made it home, engine dies suddenly again, same 5 minute wait, engine starts and runs just fine. I am an engineer so I took off the kick panel to have access to the relay panel: the next time it suddenly stopped, I felt all relays on the panel, relay marked 109 was hot to my touch; I would estimate 130 degrees f or more. I replaced the relay and I find it has been redesigned. This is why I contact you.”
NHTSA complaint #752814, filed 2001-10“Electronic defects that manufacter cannot/will not fix. Car will stop at cruise speeds without warning and during acceleration. Car has been to dealer5 times since may to date. No fix available yet. Extremely dangerous in many road conditions.”
NHTSA complaint #750115, filed 2001-08Related service bulletins
- 10228178Dec 6, 2022Battery testing and charging using special tools VAS6161 & GRX3000VAS Charger. Updated to include additional model year applicability.
- 10159014Mar 22, 2019Alternative method for radio code retrieval.
- 10158529Feb 19, 2019Battery Testing and Charging instruction. Updated to include model year 2019 applicability.
- 10133469Nov 10, 2017Tip for Scan tool concerns that may occur duing a test plan
- 10157832Sep 19, 2017Update to model year applicability.
- 10157828Sep 14, 2017Updated to include model year 2014 thru 2018 applicability.
- 10130748Mar 13, 2017Quick Reference of vehicle concerns. Includes a list of Software versions and the technical bulletin numbers that referred to the concerns Updated
- 10128084May 20, 2016Quick Reference Update Guide of the vehicles expected upgraded software level. The latest corresponding technical bulletins that address the issues, and concerns that have been…
- 10127681Feb 12, 2016Quick Reference of vehicle concerns. Includes a list of Software versions and the technical bulletin numbers that referred to the concerns Updated
- 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…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 6 | 55% |
| 2022 | 11 | 14% |
| 2021 | 3 | 43% |
| 2020 | 2 | 33% |
| 2019 | 5 | 8% |
| 2018 | 2 | 7% |
| 2017 | 10 | 9% |
| 2016 | 8 | 9% |
| 2015 | 18 | 14% |
| 2014 | 1 | 8% |
| 2013 | 7 | 16% |
| 2012 | 6 | 13% |
| 2011 | 18 | 16% |
| 2010 | 5 | 7% |
| 2006 | 1 | 8% |
| 2005 | 2 | 11% |
| 2004 | 4 | 14% |
| 2003 | 4 | 15% |
| 2002 | 11 | 15% |
| 2001 | 15 | 13% |
| 2000 | 5 | 6% |
| 1999 | 9 | 14% |
| 1998 | 5 | 28% |
| 1995 | 12 | 28% |
| 1994 | 9 | 22% |
| 1993 | 3 | 43% |
| 1992 | 1 | 17% |
| 1991 | 3 | 38% |
| 1990 | 2 | 20% |
| 1989 | 2 | 12% |
| 1988 | 2 | 22% |
| 1986 | 1 | 8% |
Other parts of the 1999 Volkswagen Golf
16 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 Volkswagen Golf
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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