1999 Volkswagen Golf Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 6%of 64 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 91,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1999 Volkswagen Golf, 6% of the 64 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 91,000 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 have a 1999 GOLF 5 speed manual transmission that has a hole in its core. When shopping around to get a used or new transmission(I called over 20 different companies around the us) I was told, by several companies that this is a common problem with my transmission. Some sales people did not even need the transmission code, they knew as soon as I told them I had a vw transmission for a GOLF. …”
NHTSA complaint #10127831, filed 2005-07, 110,000 miles“The transmission needs to be replaced at only 54,000 miles after a history of perfect up-keep. The dealership that is doing the work says one single valet parking job could have caused the damage and local mechanic says all the 99?s are coming in with this problem. The manufacturer themselves was completely unresponsive and uninterested in the problem. Now consumer has faced $ 1,600 to replace transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #785856, filed 2002-01Related service bulletins
- 10242996Dec 8, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10240605Oct 15, 2013P0102, P1128, P1296 - WA front oxygen sensor faults
- 10242397Jun 17, 2013VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10157735Oct 1, 2012Transmission Control Module Updates: This document informs of the software, and technical bulletins that service corresponding cars and their Transmission Control Module…
- 10156129Oct 1, 2012Transmission Control Module Updates: This document informs of the software, and technical bulletins that service corresponding cars and their Transmission Control Module…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 9% |
| 2022 | 25 | 31% |
| 2021 | 1 | 14% |
| 2019 | 13 | 21% |
| 2018 | 4 | 14% |
| 2017 | 5 | 4% |
| 2016 | 5 | 6% |
| 2015 | 14 | 11% |
| 2014 | 2 | 17% |
| 2013 | 1 | 2% |
| 2012 | 9 | 19% |
| 2011 | 21 | 19% |
| 2010 | 7 | 10% |
| 2005 | 2 | 11% |
| 2004 | 3 | 11% |
| 2003 | 2 | 8% |
| 2002 | 4 | 5% |
| 2001 | 7 | 6% |
| 2000 | 5 | 6% |
| 1999 | 4 | 6% |
| 1998 | 4 | 22% |
| 1997 | 3 | 43% |
| 1995 | 2 | 5% |
| 1994 | 1 | 2% |
| 1989 | 3 | 18% |
| 1986 | 1 | 8% |
| 1985 | 3 | 30% |
Other parts of the 1999 Volkswagen Golf
16 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsSeat belts
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 Nov 1, 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