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1999 Volkswagen Cabrio

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 14 of 29 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports2 fire reports2 injury reports

Visibility complaints

3 reports
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42,100 miles · Feb 19, 2005
Air BagsElectrical SystemExterior Lighting

MY CAR'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM STARTED TO FAIL TWO WEEKS AGO. THE DIRECTIONALS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, ALL EXTERIOR LIGHTS AND HEATER DID NOT WORK. I WAS TOLD BY A VW DEALERSHIP IN MA THAT THE CAR ALARM SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AND HAS CAUSED THE SWITCHING GEAR AND OTHER VARIOUS ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN MY CAR TO MALFUNCTION. AFTER INFORMI…

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MY CAR'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM STARTED TO FAIL TWO WEEKS AGO. THE DIRECTIONALS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, ALL EXTERIOR LIGHTS AND HEATER DID NOT WORK. I WAS TOLD BY A VW DEALERSHIP IN MA THAT THE CAR ALARM SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AND HAS CAUSED THE SWITCHING GEAR AND OTHER VARIOUS ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN MY CAR TO MALFUNCTION. AFTER INFORMING THAT THE COST TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM WOULD BE AROUND $1,000.00 I DECIDED TO LOOK INTO THESE ISSUES ONLY TO BE SURPRISED TO FIND THAT MY VW 1999 CABRIO IS NOTORIOUS ALONG WITH ALL OF THE OTHER MAKES OF THE VW LINE TO HAVE FAULTY AND PROBLEMATIC ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS. MY CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY, BUT WAS TOLD, "SORRY THIS IS NOT A COVERED ITEM" THERE ARE VARIOUS RESOURCES OUT THERE TO LEARN THAT OVER AND OVER AGAIN, THIS HAPPENS TO THE CONSUMER OF THEIR CARS. WHEN YOU PAY $35000 FOR A CAR YOU EXPECT IT TO NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS LIKE THIS BEFORE 50K MILES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10110780

Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingSeats

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON & STAYS ON, AS DOES THE ABS LIGHT, THE DRIVERS SEAT HEATER SHORTED OUT, THE CARS BATTERY EXPLOADED, THE DRIVERS POWER WINDOW MALFUNCTIONS, THE VOLUME CONTROL ON THE RADIO HAS A MALFUNCTION, THE HYDROLIC PUMP FOR AUTOMATIC TOP MALFUNCTIONED & NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS SOME OTHER MORE …

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THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON & STAYS ON, AS DOES THE ABS LIGHT, THE DRIVERS SEAT HEATER SHORTED OUT, THE CARS BATTERY EXPLOADED, THE DRIVERS POWER WINDOW MALFUNCTIONS, THE VOLUME CONTROL ON THE RADIO HAS A MALFUNCTION, THE HYDROLIC PUMP FOR AUTOMATIC TOP MALFUNCTIONED & NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS SOME OTHER MORE MINOR PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ODI #10063883

Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2000
SteeringStructureVisibility

PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOWS GO UP AND DOWN INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE LOCKS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, AND ALARM SYSTEMS ARE NOT OPERABLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #875527

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE00033 · Fuel Tank Puncture

Opened Aug 10, 2000 · Closed Dec 28, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION ON AUGUST 10, 2000 BASED ON 9 REPORTS REGARDING PUNCTURED FUEL TANKS INVOLVING THE JETTA, PASSAT, AND CABRIO MODELS.THE REPORTS INDICATE ADDITIONAL REPORTS IN ITS RESPONSE TO THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED FOR FURTHER STUDY.