1999 Volkswagen Golf problems

VISIBILITY/WIPER

WHITE METAL USED IN FRONT AND READ WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND ALSO REAR HATCH DOOR LATCH FLAKE APART AND CRUMBLE MAKING WIPERS AND LATCH UNUSABLE. REPLACED FRONT WIPER ASSEMBLY JUNE 2012, REAR WIPER DOES NOT WORK, SAME WITH REAR DOOR LATCH. FRONT WIPERS STOPPED WORKING SUDDENLY WHILE IN A SUMMER DOWNPOUR CAUSING A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10934964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS

THIS STARTED TO OCCUR ABOUT 2009, ABOUT 6 YEARS AGO. WHEN I PUSHED UP THE REAR SEATS, I DISCOVERED THAT THE CENTER SEAT BELT WAS TIGHT AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. I COULDN'T EVEN PUSH THE REAR SEAT BACK DOWN BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT WAS SO EXTREMELY TIGHT. WITHIN A YEAR OR TWO LATER, ALL OF THE REAR SEAT BELTS LOCKED UP. THE REAR SEATS ARE NOW UNSAFE FOR PASSENGERS.

NHTSA complaint #10762025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

WINDOW REGULATOR SWITCHES AND INTERIOR LIGHTS STARTED TO MALFUNCTION EARLY IN THE LIFE OF THE CAR, STARTING ABOUT 2003. MY PASSENGER WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR ONCE, AND THE SAME HAPPENED FOR MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW TWICE. THE WINDOW SWITCHES ARE FLAKY AND REQUIRE INTENSE CONCENTRATION TO TAP THEM JUST RIGHT TO MAKE THE WINDOW GO IN THE DIRECTION THAT YOU WANT. IF YOU TAP TOO STRONGLY OR TOO LONG, THE WINDOWS REVERSE DIRECTION. THIS IS EXTREMELY DISTRACTING AND DANGEROUS WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO FOCUS ON THE ROAD. DEALERSHIP AND LOCAL MECHANICS REPLACED REGULATOR SWITCHES AND MOTORS SEVERAL TIMES, YEARS AGO. I WAS TIRED OF REPLACING THEM, SO NOW I TRY TO USE THE WINDOWS AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE. I KEEP A FLASHLIGHT PERMANENTLY ON THE PASSENGER SEAT TO COMPENSATE FOR 12 YEARS OF DARKNESS IN THE CABIN. ALARM SYSTEM OCCASIONALLY CHIRPS FOR NO REASON, AS IF DETECTING AN INTRUDER, AND SOMETIMES WILL NOT GENERATE THE BEEP BEEP WHEN I HIT THE ENGAGE BUTTON ON MY KEY FOB. ALARM SOMETIMES GOES OFF WHEN I START THE CAR, AS IF I'M CARJACKING MY OWN CAR. I SUSPECT THE 1999 BATCH OF VOLKSWAGEN CARS HAD SERIOUS GROUNDING OR ELECTRICAL ISSUES. CAR CONTINUES TO RUN FINE (CURRENT MILEAGE IS 392,000) DESPITE THE ELECTRICAL DEMONS, BUT WITH REDUCED SAFETY AND INCREASED DISTRACTIONS.

NHTSA complaint #10762027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VALVE IN THE FUEL CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VALVE BECOMES CLOGGED WITH THE FUEL. HE HAS RESEARCHED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS FAILURE AND STATED THAT VOLKSWAGEN IS AWARE, BUT DOES NOTHING TO RECTIFY THE ISSUE. ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT HAS BEEN STRANDED IN COLD WEATHER AND FACED NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCES DUE TO THE STALLING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 126,900.

NHTSA complaint #10256580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE VEHICLE HAS A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE O RING DEFECT. THE DEFECT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT, RESULTING IN ENGINE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RECEIVED THE 44K TREATMENT TO RECTIFY THE FAILURE AND NOW THE ENTIRE EXHAUST SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS ALSO DEFECTIVE AND CAUSES THE MOTOR AND OTHER COMPONENTS TO OVERHEAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A LARGE QUANTITY OF SMOKE COMES FROM THE VEHICLE AND HE DOES NOT DRIVE IT DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS. HE IS ALSO UNABLE TO SWITCH GEARS BECAUSE THE CLUTCH IS BURNED OUT. THE RECALL NUMBER, VIN, AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 72,000.

NHTSA complaint #10212219 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE VEHICLE HAS A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE O RING DEFECT. THE DEFECT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT, RESULTING IN ENGINE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RECEIVED THE 44K TREATMENT TO RECTIFY THE FAILURE AND NOW THE ENTIRE EXHAUST SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS ALSO DEFECTIVE AND CAUSES THE MOTOR AND OTHER COMPONENTS TO OVERHEAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A LARGE QUANTITY OF SMOKE COMES FROM THE VEHICLE AND HE DOES NOT DRIVE IT DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS. HE IS ALSO UNABLE TO SWITCH GEARS BECAUSE THE CLUTCH IS BURNED OUT. THE RECALL NUMBER, VIN, AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 72,000.

NHTSA complaint #10212219 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE VEHICLE HAS A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE O RING DEFECT. THE DEFECT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT, RESULTING IN ENGINE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RECEIVED THE 44K TREATMENT TO RECTIFY THE FAILURE AND NOW THE ENTIRE EXHAUST SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS ALSO DEFECTIVE AND CAUSES THE MOTOR AND OTHER COMPONENTS TO OVERHEAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A LARGE QUANTITY OF SMOKE COMES FROM THE VEHICLE AND HE DOES NOT DRIVE IT DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS. HE IS ALSO UNABLE TO SWITCH GEARS BECAUSE THE CLUTCH IS BURNED OUT. THE RECALL NUMBER, VIN, AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 72,000.

NHTSA complaint #10212219 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10209679 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE VEHICLE HAS DOUGLAS & LOMASON (19570R14) TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. HE PULLED OVER, NOTICED A FLAT TIRE, AND REPLACED IT WITH A SPARE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CASE SEPARATED. THE FAILURE WAS DUPLICATED WITH BOTH FRONT TIRES AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA complaint #10203636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MALFUNCTIONS.

NHTSA complaint #10176525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

1999 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF SAFETY RECALL RECEIVED REGARDING THE DEFECT WITH THE FUEL SUPPLY MODULE.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE CONSUMER STATED HE DID SMELL GAS COMING FROM THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER NO LONGER LIVES IN THE UNITED STATES AND WHERE SHE LIVES NOW NO ONE WAS FAMILIAR WITH AMERICAN MADE VEHICLES OR EVEN THE RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10137726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

I HAVE A 1999 GOLF 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION THAT HAS A HOLE IN ITS CORE. WHEN SHOPPING AROUND TO GET A USED OR NEW TRANSMISSION(I CALLED OVER 20 DIFFERENT COMPANIES AROUND THE US) I WAS TOLD, BY SEVERAL COMPANIES THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MY TRANSMISSION. SOME SALES PEOPLE DID NOT EVEN NEED THE TRANSMISSION CODE, THEY KNEW AS SOON AS I TOLD THEM I HAD A VW TRANSMISSION FOR A GOLF. MANY TOLD ME THEY HAD SEVERAL THAT HAD HOLES IN THE CASE/CORE.I DID CALL VW TO INFORM THEM OF WHAT I HAD FOUND AND COULD NOT BELIEVE THEY WOULD EVEN CHARGE $750 FOR A CORE CHARGE WHEN IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THERE IS A PTOBLEM WITH THE CORES ON THE MODEL. I KNOW THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, I WOULD THINK MAYBE VW SHOULD LOOK TO SEE IF IT IS A FAULTY DESIGN

NHTSA complaint #10127831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

DT: 1999 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF, FUEL PUMP WAS LEAKING BECAUSE THE SUPPLY FITTING WAS CRACKED. THIS WAS CAUSED BY A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT, WHICH CAUSED A POOL OF FUEL TO FORM UNDER THE BACK SEAT. ALSO, FUEL WAS LEAKING OUT OF THE VEHICLE ONTO THE GROUND. THE CONSUMER FOUND VARIOUS WEBSITES THAT THERE HAD ALREADY BEEN A RECALL 05V154000 CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM. IN ADDITION, THE CONSUMER HAD FOUND THAT THERE WAS A LETTER FROM NHTSA TO VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, PEA-04-079. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY INDICATED THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE RECALL. WHEN THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, THEY TOLD CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. FUMES WERE CAUSING THE CONSUMER AND PASSENGERS HEADACHES AND DRY EYES. VEHICLE LEAKED FUEL WHEN THE IGNITION WAS IN THE ON POSITION, WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WAS OPENED AND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING. D.PATRICK MOTOPLEX LOCATED ON 200 NORTH GREEN RIVER ROAD EVANSVILLE, IN, 47716, PH. NO. 812-473-6500, WAS THE DEALERSHIP WORKING ON THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10127689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

CAR STARTED SMELLING STRONGLY OF GASOLINE ON THE INSIDE AS WELL AS ON THE OUTSIDE. A GASOLINE PUDDLE WAS FORMING UNDER THE CAR WHEN PARKED. CAR COULD NOT BE PARKED INSIDE ANY FURTHER. VW DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP (OLD PART IS NOT AVAILABLE). REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I HAD TO PAY FOR LABOR.

NHTSA complaint #10107910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

RECALL 00V280000, WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED CONSUMER LOST STEERING CONTROL. DEALERSHIP DID NOT REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED.

NHTSA complaint #10105352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

FUEL PUMP LEAKED CAUSING AN EXTREMELY STRONG SMELL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. *BF

NHTSA complaint #10097470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING, A BANGING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS INSIDE OF THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #10096912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

THE FUEL PUMP ON MY 1999 VW GOLF HAS FAILED TWICE. I FEEL THIS IS BOTH A DEFECT AND HIGHLY DANGEROUS. THE FUEL PUMP CRACKED AND DUMPED FUEL OUT ONTO THE PAVEMENT. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS UNUSUAL, BUT WHEN I WAS IN THE SECOND TIME, I MET ANOTHER VW OWNER WITH THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. VW CONTINUES TO DENY ANY RESPONSIBILITY AND REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE MATTER. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE HAPPENED ON 9-10-01 AT 26K MILES, THE SECOND ON 7-7-04 AT 52000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10091162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

MY 1999 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF HAS 35,000 MILES ON IT. I HAD MY DEALERSHIP ORDER A PART BACK IN AUGUST OF 2003 WHILE MY EXTENDED WARRANTY STILL COVERED IT THEY NEVER ORDERED IT AND NOW WANT ME TO PAY FOR THIS PART. I HAVE THE DOCUMENT SAYING THEY WOULD ORDER THE PART. PLUS MY CAR HAS HAD DEFECTIVE PROBLEMS SINCE I PURCHASED IT 5 YEARS AGO. MY WINDOW WASHER BOTTLE DOESN'T HOLD FLUID EVEN AFTER THEY TOLD ME IT WAS FIXED.

NHTSA complaint #10080505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

SMELL OF GAS HEAVY INSIDE THE CAR. SMELL EQUALLY AS BAD IF WINDOWS ARE ROLLED DOWN. GRADUAL DECREASE IN THE MILES TO GALLON. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. THEY REPLACED THE FUEL COMPONENT THAT SITS UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE OF BACK SEAT. HAPPENED AGAIN ONE YEAR AND 1 MONTH LATER. CAR THEN OUT OF WARRANTY. TOOK TO PRIVATE MECHANIC. FIXED PROBLEM AGAIN. TOLD BOTH TIMES IT WAS REPAIRED THAT A CIGARETTE ON THE ROAD WAY COULD HAVE CAUSE CAR TO EXPLODE DUE TO GAS SPEWING OUT OF CAR. ON THE COMPONENT THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED (IM NOT SURE OF THE EXACT NAME) THERE WAS A PLASTIC "NIPPLE" THAT COMES OUT OF COMPONENT AND A PLASTIC TUBE IS ATTACHED THERE. ""NIPPLE" HAD CRACKED ALMOST COMPLETELY OFF AND GAS WAS SPEWING OUT EVERY TIME I PRESSED ON THE GAS. CAR WAS DRIVEN NORMAL AND NOT INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENTS. PERHAPS DRY ROTTING OF PLASTIC?

NHTSA complaint #10079259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY GOING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN THE HOOD ON MY 1999 VW GOLF UNEXPECTEDLY OPENED AND HIT THE WINDSHIELD WITH A DEGREE OF IMPACT THAT DENTED THE HOOD IN SEVERAL PLACES AND THE HOOD WILL NO LONGER CLOSE. I WAS FORCED TO BRAKE IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE I COULD NOT SEE. THE CARS BEHIND ME SWERVED TO PREVENT HITTING ME. THE HOOD APPEARED TO BE SECURELY SHUT PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. I RESEARCHED THE NHTSA RECALL HISTORY AND FOUND THAT IT INDICATES THAT VW ISSUED A RECALL OF 93-96 GOLF, GOLF GTI AND JETTA (98V-160) DUE TO THE BOLTS SECURING THE FRONT HOOD LATCH LOOSENING OVER TIME AND CAUSING DISENGAGEMENT OF HOOD STRIKER FROM LATCH AND POSSIBLE UNEXPECTED OPENING OF HOOD. WONDERING IF SOMETHING SIMILAR MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF WHAT HAPPENED TO ME I CALLED VW US AND MADE A COMPLAINT WITH DYLAN DUNBAR ON MAY 10TH 2004 AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE THE CAR TO A VW DEALERSHIP AND HAVE THEM DIAGNOSE WHAT THE CAUSE OF THE INCIDENT WAS - A MALFUNCTION / DEFECT OR "SOMETHING I NEED TO SPEAK TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY ABOUT". IT SEEMS LIKE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST ON THE PART OF VW TO HAVE VW TO DETERMINE IF THEY OR RESPONSIBLE OR NOT.

NHTSA complaint #10072353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

I OWN A 1999 VW GOLF GL THAT HAD TO HAVE ITS LOWER BALL JOINTS REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE DANGEROUSLY WORN OUT AND COULD HAVE BROKEN OFF AT ANYTIME. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND INJURY. I HAD MY CAR IN THE GARAGE TO HAVE THE TIRES REPLACED WHEN THE MECHANIC NOTICED THE MAJOR PROBLEM. TWO OTHER MECHANICS AGREED THAT THESE BALL JOINTS SHOULD HAVE NEVER WORE OUT THIS BADLY OR QUICKLY. THEY STATED THAT THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF THE ROAD TO FIX THIS SERIOUS DEFECT IN A RECALL AND I AGREE. WE CONTACTED VW AND THEY DENIED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BALL JOINTS. I DISAGREE, AND THINK THAT THEY SHOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR THE COST OF THIS DANGEROUS AND LIFE THREATENING REPAIR. IF I WOULD HAVE NEVER NEEDED NEW TIRES FOR MY CAR I MIGHT HAVE NOT BEEN WRITING THIS COMPLAINT. SO I HOPE I CAN SAVE SOMEONE ELSE'S INJURY OR LIFE TOO!

NHTSA complaint #10062061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

RECALL REPAIR WORK WAS PERFORMED ON VEHICLE, CONSUMER WAS CHARGED $313.63 AND REPAIRS WERE HALF COMPLETED.*MR SINCE IT WAS A RECALL, THE WORK PERFORMED WAS SUPPOSE TO BE FREE OF CHARGE. THE DEALER ONLY PERFORMED HALF THE WORK AND LEFT A BROKEN PART IN THE DOOR WHICH HAD TO BE REMOVED BY TAKING THE DOOR APART AGAIN. THEY REFUSED TO REFUND THE $313.63 AND REPAIR THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WHICH WAS PART OF THE RECALL. THEY ONLY FIXED THE DRIVER DOOR. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE THE MONIES REIMBURSED PLUS AN ADDITION $313.63 FOR HAVE THE REPAIRS COMPLETED AT ANOTHER DEALER. THE CONSUMER ALSO REQUESTED A LIFE-TIME WARRANTY ON THE WORK O'BRIEN ALREADY DID, $50. PER DAY FOR THE TWO DAYS THE CONSUMER HAD NO VEHICLE, MAILING AND COPYING COST. *PH *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10046266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

DRIVER'S SIDE ENGINE MOUNT BROKEN.

NHTSA complaint #10041470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.