1999 Volkswagen Passat Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 1%of 664 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the seat belts of the 1999 Volkswagen Passat, 1% of the 664 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.
“Just as I parked, the explosive seatbelt retractor for the rear passenger seat activated. There was a loud pop from the charge and the plastic seatbelt alignment clip flew off, and smoke came out from around the seatbelt. Had the vehicle been in motion there would have been a very serious safety hazard from the distraction, and if someone was in the back, there was the clip that flew off that could have struck them. No one was in the seat at the time of the incident. The seatbelt is now stuck in the retracted position. The component has not been inspected. …”
NHTSA complaint #11471455, filed 2022-06“After folding rear seat forward then returning to upright, rear center seatbelt locks in retracted position; seatbelt assy. Replaced once by dealer, repaired by dealer following recurrence approx. 1 month later. Svc. Advisor at dealer said that this is a frequent problem with late model Passat wagons, due to apparent design flaw.”
NHTSA complaint #729515, filed 2000-08“The vehicle was involved in a collision, and the driver's seat belt tensioner failed, which caused the seat belt not to lock, consumer suffered injuries.”
NHTSA complaint #10009459, filed 2003-02Seat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 6% |
| 2017 | 2 | 2% |
| 2016 | 2 | 2% |
| 2015 | 4 | 2% |
| 2014 | 3 | 1% |
| 2013 | 4 | 1% |
| 2012 | 1 | 0% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 3 | 1% |
| 2006 | 6 | 1% |
| 2005 | 2 | 1% |
| 2004 | 1 | 0% |
| 2003 | 5 | 1% |
| 2002 | 5 | 1% |
| 2001 | 4 | 1% |
| 2000 | 6 | 1% |
| 1999 | 4 | 1% |
| 1998 | 2 | 1% |
| 1997 | 1 | 3% |
| 1995 | 4 | 4% |
| 1994 | 3 | 12% |
| 1993 | 4 | 6% |
| 1992 | 2 | 5% |
| 1991 | 3 | 13% |
| 1990 | 7 | 21% |
Other parts of the 1999 Volkswagen Passat
233 complaintsSuspension
118 complaintsEngine cooling
86 complaintsSteering
76 complaintsElectrical system
58 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
33 complaintsVehicle speed control
32 complaintsFuel system
29 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
29 complaintsAir bags
21 complaintsExterior lighting
15 complaintsTires
12 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 Volkswagen Passat
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