1999 Volkswagen NEW Beetle Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 6%of 34 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the air bags of the 1999 Volkswagen NEW Beetle, 6% of the 34 complaints for this model year. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving on an icy road at 20 MPH my car skidded of the road and hit a tree head on. The car will be most likely totaled, and I received injuries to my leg, back, shoulder and neck. Although my car is equipped with both front and side air bags, not one of them deployed. I mentioned the car received massive damage, yet the air bag system did nothing to lessen my injuries because they didn't work as I hoped. I purchased my vw beetle with the safety features in mind, but I now have learned that numerous complaints about the non deployment of air bags is common. …”
NHTSA complaint #770095, filed 2002-11“At various speeds vehicle will stall out and die without warning. Dealer has repaired electrical system, and fuel tank. But, problem still exists vehicle experiences oil leaks. Air bag light is on, dealer secured loose connector clear codes. Passenger seat would not move up or down. Trunk very hard to close, dealer adjusted upper and lower trunk lock assembly.”
NHTSA complaint #875140, filed 2000-11Air bags: other model years
Other parts of the 1999 Volkswagen NEW Beetle
7 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 Volkswagen NEW Beetle
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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