1999 Volkswagen Jetta Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 81about this part
- Share
- 23%of 349 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 76,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 81 complaints about the visibility of the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta, 23% of the 349 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 76,000 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.
“The auto up feature of my 1999 Volkswagen Jetta driver side window has not functioned properly since I purchased the vehicle. Over 50 percent of the time, the window does not stay closed. Instead, it automatically retracts. I complained about this several times to the dealer in fargo nd during the two year warranty period on the car. They were never able to duplicate the problem while the car was in for scheduled maintenance. The problem continues to this day.”
NHTSA complaint #10023555, filed 2003-06, 100 miles“I was driving home from work. It was a nice day so I had the front windows open part way. When I hit the expressway, I decided to put the windows up. When I hit the switch for the passenger window, I heard the sound of plastic breaking. I looked over and saw the passenger window fall into the door. I drove home and removed the panel to find a couple of broken plastic clips in the bottom of the door. I have not contacted volkwagen yet, buy apparently this is an ongoing problem that Volkswagen refuses to recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10074634, filed 2004-06, 117,700 miles“Power windows are winding down by themselves and happened twice (10/3/03-10/04/03). I go outside and all the windows are down. If someone steals my car , then vw will have to buy be another!”
NHTSA complaint #10041230, filed 2003-10, 72,000 miles“I own a 1999.5 Volkswagen Jetta iv gls. There is a major problem with the window regulators and Volkswagen refuses to recall them. They know there is a problem as they have issued a 7-year extended warranty on the part. I have had to get the regulator replaced on my front passenger side window twice, due to window falling into door. This was under extended warranty. However my front driver side window (which I hardly ever use) has fallen into the door. I am now outside of the extended warranty period and the dealership is trying to charge me $500 to replace the regulator. …”
NHTSA complaint #10184355, filed 2007-03, 91,650 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 milesRelated 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
- 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…
- 10239531Jan 22, 2014HVAC, Temperature Output Control Cannot Be Adjusted
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 9% |
| 2024 | 4 | 9% |
| 2022 | 1 | 2% |
| 2021 | 4 | 6% |
| 2020 | 2 | 4% |
| 2019 | 26 | 5% |
| 2017 | 5 | 3% |
| 2016 | 2 | 1% |
| 2015 | 4 | 2% |
| 2014 | 8 | 2% |
| 2013 | 13 | 3% |
| 2012 | 24 | 5% |
| 2011 | 26 | 4% |
| 2010 | 14 | 2% |
| 2009 | 10 | 1% |
| 2008 | 8 | 4% |
| 2007 | 7 | 3% |
| 2006 | 24 | 4% |
| 2005 | 7 | 3% |
| 2004 | 11 | 5% |
| 2003 | 21 | 5% |
| 2002 | 45 | 6% |
| 2001 | 71 | 11% |
| 2000 | 77 | 18% |
| 1999 | 81 | 23% |
| 1998 | 42 | 22% |
| 1997 | 16 | 30% |
| 1996 | 13 | 42% |
| 1995 | 26 | 12% |
| 1994 | 15 | 13% |
| 1993 | 4 | 24% |
| 1992 | 3 | 10% |
| 1991 | 7 | 23% |
| 1990 | 4 | 18% |
| 1989 | 6 | 21% |
| 1988 | 2 | 11% |
| 1987 | 4 | 22% |
| 1986 | 3 | 21% |
| 1985 | 1 | 8% |
Other parts of the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
78 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 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