Recalls & safety ratings

1999 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE

Every NHTSA recall campaign covering the 1999 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE, and the crash-test ratings for the body styles that were tested.
  • 1
    Recalls
  • 236
    Owner complaints
  • 3
    Investigations

Sourced from NHTSA recall and safety-rating data — last checked 4 September 2026.

1 recall campaign

A campaign usually covers only part of a model year's production, so it may not apply to a particular car. Check the VIN to be certain.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

NHTSA campaign 03V265000 · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

Summary

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION.

Consequence

IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LAMPS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE; OR THE LAMPS COULD COME ON AND STAY ON, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCHES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 26, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VWOA AT 1-800-822-8987.

Notes

VW RECALL NO. WT. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

NHTSA crash-tests vehicles and rates them out of five stars. More stars mean a safer car. Ratings are per body style, so a model can appear more than once below.

1999 Volkswagen Beetle 2-DR. w/SAB

Overall
Not rated

Frontal crash

Not rated
Driver
Passenger

Side crash

Not rated
Driver
Passenger
Pole
Not rated

Rollover

Not rated

0% chance of rollover in a single-vehicle crash.

  • Electronic stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No

Get started for free

Get a free preview of the report