What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

1999 Volkswagen Passat

Typical pattern

10.2% of complaints about the 1999 Volkswagen Passat came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 1999 vehicle — around the middle of the 201 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 5.8 yr in service. The most-reported system is service brakes, hydraulic (183 complaints), typically at 7.1 yr or about 90,000 miles.

Complaints
787
Median age at failure
5.8 yr
Median mileage
76,000 n=490
Crash / fire / tow
4.1% of reports
Safety recalls
6

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Service brakes, hydraulic
183 reports · 90,000 mi
7.1 yr
5.5%
Suspension
134 reports · 62,000 mi
5.2 yr
0.7%
Engine cooling
81 reports · 77,000 mi
5.4 yr
1.2%
Steering
69 reports · 65,208 mi
5.5 yr
1.4%
Electrical system
60 reports · 86,000 mi
5.9 yr
11.7%
Service brakes, air
40 reports · 75,000 mi
6.2 yr
0%
Power train
29 reports · 59,859 mi
3.3 yr
0%
Speed control
29 reports · 85,225 mi
6.3 yr
6.9%
Visibility
28 reports · 85,029 mi
3.5 yr
3.6%
Fuel system
22 reports · 92,000 mi
4.9 yr
4.5%
Air bags
16 reports · 55,000 mi
3.2 yr
6.2%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

09E025000 2009-05-11
Exterior lighting:headlights

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

08V156000 2008-04-07
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 412,000 MY 1999-2005 PASSAT (5TH GENERATION) VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND PRODUCED AFTER JUNE 14, 1999. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE AN UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELD THAT CAN BECOME DAMAGED. IN ADDITION, AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS MAY HAVE A FUEL LINE (1.8T ENGINES ONLY) OR FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE (4MOTION/ALL WHEEL DRIVE ONLY) THAT CAN LEAK DUE TO FRACTURE.

A HEAT SHIELD THAT MAY CONTACT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE. IN ADDITION, A FUEL LEAK FROM A FUEL LINE OR FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CAN LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.

02V026000 2002-01-25
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:filler pipe and cap

ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK FILLER NECK CAN SUFFER ABRASION DAMAGE IF THE REAR TIRE GOES FLAT AND THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN UNTIL THE TIRE DISINTEGRATES.

FUEL LEAKAGE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

00V414000 2000-12-06
Steering:linkages:rod:relay:connecting

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TIE RODS OF THE STEERING ASSEMBLY ARE PROTECTED ON EACH SIDE BY A SEAL TO PREVENT MOISTURE AND DUST PARTICLES FROM ENTERING THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT SOME TIE ROD SEALS MAY NOT SEAL PROPERLY.

IF MOISTURE AND/OR DUST PARTICLES ENTER THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM, THE SWIVEL BEARING COULD WEAR OVER TIME DIMINISHING THE STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

99V248000 1999-09-13
Steering:linkages:rod:relay:connecting

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TIE RODS OF THE STEERING ASSEMBLY ARE PROTECTED ON EACH SIDE BY A SEAL TO PREVENT MOISTURE AND DUST PARTICLES FROM ENTERING THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT SOME TIE ROD SEALS MAY NOT SEAL PROPERLY.

IF MOISTURE AND/OR DUST PARTICLES ENTER THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM, THE SWIVEL BEARING COULD WEAR OVER TIME DIMINISHING THE STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

99V131001 1999-05-21
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. A CONTROL VALVE IN THE VACUUM HOSE CONNECTING THE BRAKE BOOSTER TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD MAY NOT OPEN OR CLOSE FULLY AT TEMPERATURES BELOW -4 F UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS.

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE INSUFFICIENT VACUUM TO BE PROVIDED TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.

In owners’ own words

Steering mileage not reported 7 mo in service
THE RACK AND PINION CAP FELL OUT/WAS MISSING, LEAVING NO FLUID IN POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY. THERE WAS A SMALL POP AND SMOKE FROM UNDER THE CAR. MY WIFE HAD A HARD TIME STEERING THE CAR AND MANEUVERING IT OFF THE ROAD. HAD THERE BEEN TRAFFIC SHE MAY WELL HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AS SHE SLOWED AND TRIED TO MUSCLE THE CAR OFF THE ROAD. STEERING WAS VERY TIGHT, SO TIGHT SHE COULD BARELY TURN THE WHEEL. CAR HAD JUST BEEN PICKED UP FROM THE DEALER AND HAD ONLY 250 MILES ON IT. CAR IS CURRENTLY AT FIORE VOLKSWAGEN IN HOLLIDAYSBURG, PA BEING REPAIRED. *AK
Steering mileage not reported 1.0 yr in service
STEERING WHEEL IS MAKING NOISE WHEN TURNING. IT ALSO ACTS AS IF STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK OR GIVE WAY. DEALER CLAIMS POWER STEERING PUMP IS LEAKING, AND RACK AND PINION. PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER. *AK
Steering mileage not reported 1.0 yr in service
STEERING WHEEL IS MAKING NOISE WHEN TURNING. IT ALSO ACTS AS IF STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK OR GIVE WAY. DEALER CLAIMS POWER STEERING PUMP IS LEAKING, AND RACK AND PINION. PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER. *AK
Power train mileage not reported 2 mo in service
CLUTCH - THE CLUTCH REMAINED DEPRESSED TO FLOORBOARD EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR REMAINED ENGAGED! THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD INTO INTERSECTION! ELECTRICAL FIRE - THE CAR'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM UNDER THE HOOD CAUGHT FIRE BURNING THE CAR TO THE GROUND.. THIS CAR IS BRAND NEW AND EXPERIENCED THESE PROBLEMS WITHIN 1 WEEK OF DELIVERY TO CUSTOMER...

Other Passat model years

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