1999 Volkswagen Passat Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 33about this part
- Share
- 5%of 664 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 97,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 33 complaints about the visibility of the 1999 Volkswagen Passat, 5% of the 664 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 97,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I had shut off my car and when I went to turn it back on I had no lights, turn signals, dome light, horn, climat control or radio. I took it to the dealer they told me it happens on beetles and golfs all the time and that it was the ignision switch. They showed me the switch when they pulled it out. It had gotten so hot it melted right through the wires. There is no safety recall on this but if it gets hot enough to melt metal it could start the car on fire.”
NHTSA complaint #10020648, filed 2003-05, 97,000 miles“I was driving down the street when my passenger side front window fell down into the door. The is the second time for this window and the fourth time overall. Everytime its been the window regulator. This cost me $392 everytime. I drive my car once or twice a week. This should not have happened four times when I have less than 60,000 miles on my car. I know many people with the same problem but who do we complain to? And when we do it falls on deaf ears. I can't take it anymore. Also my cruise control does not work and they want me to spend another $300+ to put a new turn signal in. …”
NHTSA complaint #10221985, filed 2008-03, 54,000 miles“Drivers side window fell partially into the door while operating window power control during driving operation on highway. Upon reaching the destination and touching the window power control, the window completely fell down into the door. This event is the second time it's happened on this vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10893979, filed 2016-08, 123,718 miles“Windshield wiper assembly on drivers side broke and popped out of body. Upon further investigation it was determined that the control linkage from the motor broke and pushed the base of the windshield wiper out. The wiper blade is two to three inches off the window. The passenger side wiper is also not functioning.”
NHTSA complaint #10037035, filed 2003-09, 60,000 miles“Clunking noises heard when transmission is in gear and moving forward-not heard in reverse. Car would not go into any forward gears, it would only shift in reverse. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who determined that the transmission control module had been damaged beyond repaire. The unit sits beneath the passenger seat of the vehicle and was completely submerged in water due to the failure of the sunroof drains which caused rain water to collect and pool inside of the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10106904, filed 2004-12, 85,029 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…
- 10242998Dec 22, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 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…
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 6% |
| 2019 | 1 | 8% |
| 2017 | 6 | 5% |
| 2016 | 3 | 3% |
| 2015 | 12 | 5% |
| 2014 | 16 | 3% |
| 2013 | 23 | 3% |
| 2012 | 6 | 1% |
| 2010 | 3 | 2% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 6 | 4% |
| 2007 | 8 | 3% |
| 2006 | 21 | 4% |
| 2005 | 4 | 3% |
| 2004 | 13 | 5% |
| 2003 | 22 | 4% |
| 2002 | 27 | 4% |
| 2001 | 31 | 7% |
| 2000 | 26 | 5% |
| 1999 | 33 | 5% |
| 1998 | 27 | 8% |
| 1997 | 16 | 43% |
| 1996 | 12 | 30% |
| 1995 | 20 | 22% |
| 1994 | 2 | 8% |
| 1993 | 17 | 25% |
| 1992 | 7 | 18% |
| 1991 | 6 | 25% |
| 1990 | 8 | 24% |
Other parts of the 1999 Volkswagen Passat
233 complaintsSuspension
118 complaintsEngine cooling
86 complaintsSteering
76 complaintsElectrical system
58 complaintsVehicle speed control
32 complaintsFuel system
29 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
29 complaintsAir bags
21 complaintsExterior lighting
15 complaintsTires
12 complaintsOther or unknown
11 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