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 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10242996Dec 8, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10238598Nov 29, 2013If a customer comments that the key cannot be removed from the ignition when the transmission is in PARK or that the PRND12 is not reading correctly in the MFI, DO NOT replace…
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8 | 25% |
| 2024 | 7 | 15% |
| 2023 | 2 | 5% |
| 2021 | 2 | 3% |
| 2020 | 7 | 13% |
| 2019 | 163 | 30% |
| 2018 | 5 | 16% |
| 2017 | 15 | 9% |
| 2016 | 22 | 14% |
| 2015 | 23 | 12% |
| 2014 | 74 | 19% |
| 2013 | 141 | 27% |
| 2012 | 46 | 9% |
| 2011 | 54 | 9% |
| 2010 | 111 | 13% |
| 2009 | 141 | 16% |
| 2008 | 53 | 28% |
| 2007 | 33 | 16% |
| 2006 | 245 | 42% |
| 2005 | 84 | 34% |
| 2004 | 35 | 15% |
| 2003 | 54 | 12% |
| 2002 | 103 | 15% |
| 2001 | 62 | 9% |
| 2000 | 37 | 8% |
| 1999 | 30 | 9% |
| 1998 | 14 | 7% |
| 1997 | 8 | 15% |
| 1996 | 2 | 6% |
| 1995 | 22 | 10% |
| 1994 | 8 | 7% |
| 1993 | 1 | 6% |
| 1992 | 1 | 3% |
| 1991 | 2 | 6% |
| 1990 | 1 | 5% |
| 1986 | 1 | 7% |
| 1985 | 4 | 31% |
Other parts of the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
81 complaintsEngine cooling
78 complaintsElectrical system
44 complaintsBrakes
31 complaintsAir bags
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 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