1999 Volkswagen Golf Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 13%of 64 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 86,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the visibility of the 1999 Volkswagen Golf, 13% of the 64 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 86,000 miles.
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.
“Window regulator switches and interior lights started to malfunction early in the life of the car, starting about 2003. My passenger window fell into the door once, and the same happened for my driver side window twice. The window switches are flaky and require intense concentration to tap them just right to make the window go in the direction that you want. If you tap too strongly or too long, the windows reverse direction. This is extremely distracting and dangerous when you are trying to focus on the road. …”
NHTSA complaint #10762027, filed 2015-09, 100,000 miles“White metal used in front and read windshield wipers and also rear hatch door latch flake apart and crumble making wipers and latch unusable. Replaced front wiper assembly june 2012, rear wiper does not work, same with rear door latch. Front wipers stopped working suddenly while in a summer downpour causing a major safety problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10934964, filed 2016-12, 71,000 miles“Window regulator has broken 4 times, 3 on the driver's side & 1 on the passenger's side. Air conditioning compressor has broken as well on a 2 year old car purchased as new! Volkswagen has refused to pay or help with any of the costs of said parts”
NHTSA complaint #764781, filed 2002-07“Consumer states that the plastic connectors which keep the side door windows in place are breaking and causes the windows to drop down inside the doors. Problem has been repaired four times . Feel free to provide any further information.”
NHTSA complaint #8019732, filed 2002-09“When window regulator fails, the window drops in the door. If driving in rain or -20 degrees weather, it becomes a safety hazard. I'd like to see a recall soon on this.”
NHTSA complaint #765413, filed 2002-08Related 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…
- 10122911Apr 20, 2015Technical Bulletin (Rear Door Glass Inoperative): The rear glass cannot be opened / closed, the rear glass may slide down into the door, or the rear glass motor operates but the…
- 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…
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 9% |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 2 | 3% |
| 2017 | 5 | 4% |
| 2016 | 2 | 2% |
| 2015 | 2 | 2% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2004 | 1 | 4% |
| 2002 | 7 | 9% |
| 2001 | 13 | 11% |
| 2000 | 20 | 23% |
| 1999 | 8 | 13% |
| 1998 | 2 | 11% |
| 1997 | 1 | 14% |
| 1995 | 2 | 5% |
| 1994 | 3 | 7% |
| 1992 | 1 | 17% |
| 1991 | 3 | 38% |
| 1990 | 1 | 10% |
| 1989 | 4 | 24% |
| 1988 | 3 | 33% |
| 1986 | 3 | 23% |
| 1985 | 4 | 40% |
Other parts of the 1999 Volkswagen Golf
16 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsElectrical system
9 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 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