1999 Volkswagen Jetta Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 24about this part
- Share
- 7%of 349 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 64,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the seat belts of the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta, 7% of the 349 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 64,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“In my 99.5 vw Jetta gls the middle rear seat belt has tightened and will not release. I have taken it to a repair shop and have had them work on it and normally they can get it to release. However once it is released, it can't be used b/c the next time I go to use the seat belt and pull it out it locks again. The seat can't be used. It has also made it impossible to lay down the back seats, or once I lay it flat the seat can't be returned to the up right position.”
NHTSA complaint #10343827, filed 2010-07, 95,000 miles“The center rear seatbelt locked up and will not release, was told by dealer and vw customer service that this is extremely common, I was advised I can either pay the $200 + to get it repaired or else cut it and not use it.”
NHTSA complaint #10062158, filed 2004-03, 50,090 miles“The rear middle shoulder belt of my 1999 Jetta is constantly broken. Every time I fold the middle seat down in the back the seatbelt gets tighter and tighter and tighter. This happens until eventually the belt is too tight for me to even fold the seat down any longer and I have to take the car in to be worked on. Apparently it is some button that is breaking. This happens every time I try to fold the seat down and as a result I am not able to safely secure passengers in my middle seat. So far I have had this button replaced 3 times.”
NHTSA complaint #10198742, filed 2007-08, 60,000 miles“I bought the car in august 2003, I noticed a repair docket from previous owner for left lower ball joint and left tie rod assemble w front end alignment on 5/29/03 at 34383 miles. I had a lot of noise under the engine. Vw capistrano checked it out and said it was driver side ball joint. I bought car from a ford dealer who did not want anything to do with it. Finally, vw capistrano forced their hand and processed it through my then current warranty. At the time, I had 45k miles on the car. I thought it shocking that a car so young should have such a major problem (for the second time). …”
NHTSA complaint #10080543, filed 2004-07, 34,383 miles“1999 Volkswagen Jetta, rear middle passenger seat belt has become tightened to the point that it won't release. It seems that each time the seat back was lowered to increase the cargo area of the trunk, the belt tightens more.”
NHTSA complaint #10359081, filed 2010-10, 88,100 milesSeat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 3 | 4% |
| 2019 | 6 | 1% |
| 2018 | 1 | 3% |
| 2017 | 4 | 3% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 4 | 2% |
| 2014 | 5 | 1% |
| 2013 | 2 | 0% |
| 2012 | 9 | 2% |
| 2011 | 8 | 1% |
| 2010 | 11 | 1% |
| 2009 | 14 | 2% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 2 | 1% |
| 2006 | 10 | 2% |
| 2005 | 7 | 3% |
| 2004 | 6 | 3% |
| 2003 | 2 | 0% |
| 2002 | 7 | 1% |
| 2001 | 5 | 1% |
| 2000 | 10 | 2% |
| 1999 | 24 | 7% |
| 1998 | 3 | 2% |
| 1995 | 9 | 4% |
| 1994 | 2 | 2% |
| 1993 | 3 | 18% |
| 1992 | 2 | 7% |
| 1991 | 3 | 10% |
| 1990 | 1 | 5% |
| 1989 | 9 | 32% |
| 1988 | 3 | 16% |
| 1987 | 2 | 11% |
| 1985 | 2 | 15% |
Other parts of the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
81 complaintsEngine cooling
78 complaintsElectrical system
44 complaintsBrakes
31 complaintsAir bags
30 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
30 complaintsVehicle speed control
26 complaintsBody and structure
25 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 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