1999 Volkswagen Jetta Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 78about this part
- Share
- 22%of 349 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 85,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 78 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta, 22% of the 349 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“About every 2,000 miles, the engine in my 1999 mk iv Volkswagen Jetta starts ticking, and I check my oil, and im a quart low. Everytime. The engine quality is steadily declining. I have not done anything to repair this because I do not have the money, nor do I trust mechanics with the car.”
NHTSA complaint #10195043, filed 2007-06, 85,000 miles“Coolant system external leak was fixed, hoses replaced and connector that attaches to engine was replaced also. Leak comes back , replaced another hose., then the worse starts, the heater core started leaking and the car started to smell like antifreeze. Got heater core replaced, but the inside of the car smells horrible,.every time I drive my 1999 Jetta, I get this metallic taste in my mouth and throat. The stuff is definitely toxic, and the af container reads poisonous. Becomes a torture to drive my Jetta I hate the metallic taste in my mouth. …”
NHTSA complaint #10259717, filed 2009-02, 147,787 miles“I have a new 1999 vw Jetta tdi and I keep having problems with breaking oil pans. There is a problem with the groung clearance with the car. I am on mt 3rd oil pan and going on the 4th.”
NHTSA complaint #10072672, filed 2004-05, 101,000 miles“2 days after we purchase the car a brake shoe braket came off and was rubbing the rear rotor. July, 3 windows went bad, 2 were the wiring and 1 was the motor. October the front wheel bearing needed replaced plus wheel alignment. September the exhuast broke off behind the catalytic converter I had it fixed myself. The exhuast had also broke off 6 months earlier in front of the muffler but I fixed it. One window that they fixed in july 2002 went bad again in june of 2003 and needed fixed. The rear brake on the same wheel that they fixed in january of 2001 has gone bad now. …”
NHTSA complaint #10070800, filed 2004-01, 53,000 miles“First: coin holder broke, next, the fuel pump. After that, the catalytic converter went. The heat gauge goes on the I will work when I want to, and I won't when I don't attitude. Speaking of front end bumpers, I've had mine replaced and fixed 3 times, stupid me, shouldn't I know by now not to get so close to those parking curbs. Next, it started using oil, every 1000 miles, 1 qt, went to dealer, gave me runaround, mechanic standing by listening, took my side, replaced rings, sorry, I didn't know about the site sooner so I could tell you all this.fixed. Maybe, hope. …”
NHTSA complaint #10036813, filed 2003-08, 30,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10241177Aug 21, 2023Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards
- 10237427May 30, 2023Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
- 10235138Apr 24, 2023Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
- 10133344Jul 5, 201717 17 01 July 5, 2017 2012855 Supersedes Technical Bulletin 17-16-02 (V171602) dated April 29, 2016 due to updated oil standards lists to current specifications. Engine Oils…
- 10123015Jul 7, 2015Technical Bulletin (Air Conditioning, Cleaning of the Refrigerant Circuit (U.S.Only)): In cases where an air conditioning system component (such as a compressor or other system…
- 10242996Dec 8, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10241265Jan 27, 2014Fuel Additive to Help Prevent Sporadic Misfire Faults
- 10240605Oct 15, 2013P0102, P1128, P1296 - WA front oxygen sensor faults
- 10240604Sep 18, 2013Emissions Recall Circular - 1999-2001 Volkswagen Folf/Jetta and New Beetle 2.0 Liter Gasoline Engine Vehicles Reprogramming of Engine Control Module and Replacement of…
- 10240597Sep 18, 20131999-2002 Jetta, Golf and GTI with VR6 Engine Update ECM Software for Catalytic Converter Monitoring System.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 2% |
| 2023 | 1 | 2% |
| 2019 | 2 | 0% |
| 2017 | 2 | 1% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 3 | 2% |
| 2014 | 6 | 2% |
| 2013 | 4 | 1% |
| 2012 | 8 | 2% |
| 2011 | 25 | 4% |
| 2010 | 71 | 8% |
| 2009 | 72 | 8% |
| 2008 | 7 | 4% |
| 2007 | 9 | 4% |
| 2006 | 54 | 9% |
| 2005 | 41 | 17% |
| 2004 | 37 | 16% |
| 2003 | 45 | 10% |
| 2002 | 104 | 15% |
| 2001 | 109 | 16% |
| 2000 | 121 | 28% |
| 1999 | 78 | 22% |
| 1998 | 15 | 8% |
| 1997 | 11 | 20% |
| 1996 | 1 | 3% |
| 1995 | 26 | 12% |
| 1994 | 20 | 17% |
| 1992 | 6 | 20% |
| 1991 | 5 | 16% |
| 1990 | 7 | 32% |
| 1989 | 2 | 7% |
| 1987 | 3 | 17% |
| 1985 | 2 | 15% |
Other parts of the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
81 complaintsElectrical system
44 complaintsBrakes
31 complaintsAir bags
30 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
30 complaintsVehicle speed control
26 complaintsBody and structure
25 complaintsSeat belts
24 complaintsExterior lighting
17 complaintsOther or unknown
17 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsSuspension
12 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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