RecallRepo

1999 Volkswagen Passat Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1999 Volkswagen Passat has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,122,305 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 854 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 08V156000 2008-04-07 412,000 affected
Defect

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…

Consequence

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.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL ADDITIONAL UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELDS ON VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS TO COVER THE POSSIBLY DAMAGED AREAS AND FLASH ALL 1.8T ENGINES WITH A PRECAUTIONARY SOFTWARE UPDATE. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT AND ADJUST THE FUEL LINE ROUTING ON 1.8T VEHICLES AND THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE ON…

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 02V026000 2002-01-25 487,284 affected
Defect

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.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL FIT PASSAT VEHICLES WITH A NEW WHEEL HOUSE LINER THAT WILL BETTER PROTECT THE CAR'S FILLER NECK. JETTA VEHICLES WILL BE FITTED WITH A DIFFERENT METAL SHIELD DESIGNED TO ENHANCE ABRASION PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF TIRE DISINTEGRATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 13, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR…

STEERING 00V414000 2000-12-06 83,000 affected
Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE RODS.

STEERING 99V248000 1999-09-13 51,900 affected
Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE RODS.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 99V131001 1999-05-21 88,121 affected
Defect

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.

Consequence

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

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A VACUUM BY-PASS SYSTEM INTO VEHICLES OPERATED IN THESE STATES WHICH IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT VACUUM FOR FULL BRAKE ASSIST UNDER ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS.

Complaints by component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
66
2crashes1injuries2deaths
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
51
2crashes1fires2injuries
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
37
1injuries
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
37
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
32
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
32
1crashes
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
29
1fires
SUSPENSION:FRONT
29
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
24
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
23
1fires
Total complaints854

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“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…”

SEAT BELTS · reported 2022-06-28

“I wos driving from work to home I took the parkway I wos going 60 miles then in his own the car starting increasing speed so I move the shoulder I put the car neutral and stop the car.the took me 3 try to the car go back to normal. I dont know if this car got I recall.”

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · reported 2019-08-10

“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.”

VISIBILITY/WIPER · reported 2016-08-05

“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 volkswagen passat. The contact stated that while having a routine service performed at an independent mechanic, the technician diagnosed the water pump was cracked and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure.…”

ENGINE · reported 2015-05-24

“Passat began to accelerate under no pressure to pedal. Passat started to accelerate fairly slowly but steadily at first, then it increased. It wasn't possible to decelerate/no pressure on the brake pedal stopped the acceleration. It began to reach an unsafe speed then I began to downshift and to…”

ENGINE · reported 2015-02-19

“Passat began to accelerate under no pressure to pedal. Passat started to accelerate fairly slowly but steadily at first, then it increased. It wasn't possible to decelerate/no pressure on the brake pedal stopped the acceleration. It began to reach an unsafe speed then I began to downshift and to…”

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · reported 2015-02-19

“Passat began to accelerate under no pressure to pedal. Passat started to accelerate fairly slowly but steadily at first, then it increased. It wasn't possible to decelerate/no pressure on the brake pedal stopped the acceleration. It began to reach an unsafe speed then I began to downshift and to…”

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · reported 2015-02-19

“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 volkswagen passat. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, fuel fumes emitted in and around the vehicle. The contact mentioned that while inspecting the vehicle, fuel was discovered leaking from the rear passenger side sub frame. Also, the contact indicated…”

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · reported 2015-02-15

Defect investigations

Investigation DP05003 Opened 2005-08-08 · closed 2005-12-09

ALLEGED PREMATURE TIE ROD FAILURE

ON AUGUST 2, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION SUBMITTED BY MS. MIRIAM SCHNEIDER OF OLNEY, MD, REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION OF ALLEGEDLY DEFECTIVE TIE RODS IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT VEHICLES NOT INCLUDED IN TWO PREVIOUS SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGNS (IDENTIFIED HENCEFORTH AS THE SUBJECT VEHICLES).IN A…

Investigation EA00028 Opened 2000-12-28 · closed 2002-01-29

FUEL TANK PUNCTURE

Investigation EA03020 Opened 2003-10-07 · closed 2004-04-23

PASSENGER AIR BAG LID FAILURE

THIS INVESTIGATION INVOLVES THE VOLKSWAGEN (VW) PASSENGER SUPPLEMENTAL INFLATABLE RESTRAINT (PSIR) LID UTILIZED IN MY 1998-2002 VW PASSAT.THE PSIR LID MAY DETACH FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OF THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA)…

Investigation EA03020 Opened 2003-10-07 · closed 2004-04-23

PASSENGER AIR BAG LID FAILURE

THIS INVESTIGATION INVOLVES THE VOLKSWAGEN (VW) PASSENGER SUPPLEMENTAL INFLATABLE RESTRAINT (PSIR) LID UTILIZED IN MY 1998-2002 VW PASSAT.THE PSIR LID MAY DETACH FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OF THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA)…

Investigation EA04017 Opened 2004-06-30 · closed 2005-02-10

STUCK-OPEN THROTTLE

VWOA HAS RECALLED APPROXIMATELY 28,300 MY 1998-99 A6 VEHICLES IN COLD WEATHER STATES THAT EXPERIENCED THE HIGHEST RATE OF THROTTLE ICING INCIDENTS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES (04V-495).THE FAILURE RATE IN THE A4 AND PASSAT VEHICLES IS MUCH LOWER THAN IN THE RECALLED VEHICLES.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE EXPERIENCE IN…

Investigation EA07014 Opened 2007-09-28 · closed 2008-07-07

PASSENGER ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED NHTSA ON 04-APR-08 THAT A SAFETY RECALL ACTION WOULD BE INITIATED TO REMEDY THE ISSUE.IN JUNE 2008, THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (CODE 26E5/R5) REGARDING THE SPECIFIC PROCEDURES TO BE EMPLOYED IN THIS CAMPAIGN.VEHICLE OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTERS WERE SENT BEGINNING…

Investigation EA07014 Opened 2007-09-28 · closed 2008-07-07

PASSENGER ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED NHTSA ON 04-APR-08 THAT A SAFETY RECALL ACTION WOULD BE INITIATED TO REMEDY THE ISSUE.IN JUNE 2008, THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (CODE 26E5/R5) REGARDING THE SPECIFIC PROCEDURES TO BE EMPLOYED IN THIS CAMPAIGN.VEHICLE OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTERS WERE SENT BEGINNING…

Investigation PE00033 Opened 2000-08-10 · closed 2000-12-28

FUEL TANK PUNCTURE

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.

Investigation PE03021 Opened 2003-05-23 · closed 2003-10-07

PASSENGER SIR DOOR MOUNTING STUD FAILURE

ODI OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE03-021) BASED ON TWO REPORTS OF FAILED BOLT STUDS THAT ATTACH THE PASSENGER SUPPLEMENTAL INFLATABLE RESTRAINT (PSIR) DOOR COVER TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL (IP) ON THE VOLKSWAGEN (VW) PASSAT (MODEL YEARS 2000, 2002).VW HAS INDICATED TO ODI THAT IT HAS NO ADDITIONAL REPORTS.VW…

Investigation RQ99008 Opened 1999-06-01 · closed 2000-11-14

POWER BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM BY-PASS

There is no summary currently available

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1999 Volkswagen Passat as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.