Model year guide

1999 Volkswagen Cabrio

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 4 on record.

1999 Volkswagen Cabrio — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1999 Volkswagen Cabrio at a glance

Safety recallsNone
Owner complaints29
Combined22–24 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1999 Volkswagen Cabrio recalls 0

No NHTSA safety-recall campaigns are on record for the 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1999 Volkswagen Cabrio common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

1999 Volkswagen Cabrio MPG & running costs

Combined22–24 mpg
City20 mpg
Highway27 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,925
EPA size classSubcompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd
Passenger volume82 cu ft
Cargo volume8 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$2,625 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$14,625
Fuel only$14,625
Per mile$0.20

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 1

FUEL TANK PUNCTURE Closed

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.

NHTSA #PE00033 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened Aug 2000 · closed Dec 2000

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 68

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 68.

Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards

Bulletin V171901201285565 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2023

Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.

Bulletin V171901201285562 · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2023

Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.

Bulletin V171901201285560 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2023

Update model year applicability to include 2023.

Bulletin V941901201152119 · Equipment · Dec 2022

Battery testing and charging using special tools VAS6161 & GRX3000VAS Charger. Updated to include additional model year applicability.

Bulletin V271901201189422 · Electrical System · Dec 2022

Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)

Bulletin V171901201285534 · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2021

Tool number added to table. Removal of Behr Flush Kit. VAS 6337/1A

Bulletin V871806201994714 · Equipment · May 2020

The part number listed in the document is to be returned if it meets the criteria provided.

Bulletin SM 33-2019 · Equipment · Mar 2019

Alternative method for radio code retrieval.

Bulletin TT 91 19 01 · Equipment, Electrical System · Mar 2019

Engine Oils Which Meet Volkswagen Oil Quality Standards

Bulletin V171901-2012855 · Engine · Mar 2019

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the CABRIO. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the Volkswagen Cabrio

The Volkswagen Golf is a compact car/small family car (C-segment) produced by the German automotive manufacturer Volkswagen since 1974, marketed worldwide across eight generations, in various body configurations and under various nameplates – including as the Volkswagen Rabbit in the United States and Canada, and as the Volkswagen Caribe in Mexico (Mk1). The Golf is Volkswagen's bestseller and the third best-selling automobile of all time, with over 37 million units sold worldwide.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1999 Volkswagen Cabrio trims & engines on record

Trims
GLS (1999.5) · GL (1999.5) · GLS
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl 115 hp

1999 Volkswagen Cabrio vehicles on record

Other Volkswagen Cabrio model years

1999 Volkswagen Cabrio — frequently asked questions

Does the 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists no safety-recall campaigns for the 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio?

Across all 29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, engine and engine cooling, service brakes.

What gas mileage does the 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio get?

The 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio has U.S. EPA estimates of 22–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.