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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

1999 Volkswagen Jetta Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
30about this part
Share
9%of 349 total for the year
Median mileage
69,950miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 30 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta, 9% of the 349 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 69,950 miles. 1 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.

“I was driving up 24 north, driving approximately 70 miles per hour. While in the fast lane, my ability to accelerate just stopped. My engine continued to run, however, my car would not move. Fortunately, I was not driving on this highway during rush hour so I was able to coast over to the break down lane. Volkswagen diagnosed that the transmission failed in my car. My concern is that there were absolutely no warning signs or indications that this part was going to fail. …”

NHTSA complaint #10086271, filed 2004-08, 77,681 miles

“I have a 1999 Volkswagen Jetta. On march 24, 2003 monday morning I was driving with in the city in san ramon, ca and suddenly with a noise my car stopped. My engine won't start at all after that and in the end I had to call aaa to tow my car. Aaa towed my car to the nearest auto center, where after the complete inspection bob auto tech told me that the crank shaft of my car was broken. I was shocked and surprised to hear that, and I could not believe that. …”

NHTSA complaint #10019212, filed 2003-05, 70,339 miles

“Pin in transmission coming out, causing leak, replaced transmission/clutch disk, pressure plate and throwout bearings. Vw honor warranty because I was second owner. Original warranty 100,000 or 5yrs. Dealer stated they never saw a pin worked its way out that way. They thought vw should have covered problem. Milleage at time 68,299 .”

NHTSA complaint #10043681, filed 2003-10, 68,299 miles

“1999 Volkswagen Jetta experiencing transmission problems. When the gear selector was placed in reverse, the reverse synchro failed and as a result the vehicle had no reverse gear. When the vehicle was purchased the consumer was told that the vehicle had a 10 year/100,000 warranty, but when the consumer notified the dealer of the failure the dealer refused to make the repairs under warranty.”

NHTSA complaint #10037985, filed 2003-08, 65,000 miles

“The cars transmission did not lock in the park position and rolled in the curb just missing another car. The automatic transmission safety(for the park position) lock failed and will not allow me to place the car in park.”

NHTSA complaint #10073254, filed 2004-05, 69,950 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025825%
2024715%
202325%
202123%
2020713%
201916330%
2018516%
2017159%
20162214%
20152312%
20147419%
201314127%
2012469%
2011549%
201011113%
200914116%
20085328%
20073316%
200624542%
20058434%
20043515%
20035412%
200210315%
2001629%
2000378%
1999309%
1998147%
1997815%
199626%
19952210%
199487%
199316%
199213%
199126%
199015%
198617%
1985431%

Other parts of the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
81 complaints
Engine cooling
78 complaints
Electrical system
44 complaints
Brakes
31 complaints
Air bags
30 complaints
Vehicle speed control
26 complaints
Body and structure
25 complaints
Seat belts
24 complaints
Exterior lighting
17 complaints
Other or unknown
17 complaints
Fuel system
13 complaints
Suspension
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