1999 Volkswagen Cabrio

Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.

72/100

Worth a look

AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.

What owners actually report

Owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio, and it carries no recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.

Complaints by area, from NHTSA records for this model-year
Area	Complaints	Share
Electrical system	4	14%
Power train	3	10%
Structure	2	7%
Engine and engine cooling	2	7%
Suspension	1	3%
Steering	1	3%
Suspension	1	3%
Electrical system	1	3%
Engine and engine cooling	1	3%
Fuel system	1	3%

In owners' own words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.

THE FUZEBOX IN THIS CAR IS UNPROTECTED FROM WATER AND CAN CAUSE A FIRE AND ANY TIME WATER MAY LEAK INTO CAR. I PARKED MY CAR AND WHEN I WENT TO HER BACK IN IT A HOUR LATER IT WOULDN'T CRANK THAT'S WHEN WE DISCOVERED THE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN CABRIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER TO THE SHOULDER AND COAST TO A STOP. THE CONTACT EXAMINED TH
NHTSA complaint: Power train

HELLO, I CONTACTED YOU ABOUT 2 YRS AGO WITHOUT F/U DUE TO RECOVERY FROM INJURIES. NOW I HAVE MY CASE ON THE DOCKET TO SUE VW FOR FAULTY DISC/HUB ASSEMBLY THAT SEPARATED DUE TO CORROSION. I HAVE THE PARTS AND PHOTOS TO
NHTSA complaint: Suspension

THIS HAS ACTUALLY HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WITH THIS CAR. WHEN I HIT A PATCH OF WATER, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP TEMPORARILY AND I'M UNABLE TO MANEUVER. IF I'M ON A CORNER I HAVE TO HIT THE BRAKES TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint: Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN CABRIO CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGERS WHEEL FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT.
NHTSA complaint: Suspension

I HAVE A 1999 VW CABRIO, WHICH IS THE CONVERTIBLE MODEL OF THE GOLF. THERE IS A RECALL OF VWS BECAUSE OF FAULTY BRAKE LIGHTS DUE TO FAULTY IGNITION PARTS. I CALLED VW TO REGISTER MY COMPLAINT. THEY SAY THAT MY VIN IS NOT
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system

1) DUE TO VANDALISM, THE CONVERTIBLE TOP WAS REPLACED BY A REPUTABLE SHOP. I USED THE POWER TOP ONCE AFTER THE REPLACEMENT, THEN FOLLOWING THAT WINTER, THE POWER TOP FAILED. IT WAS BEYOND WARRANTY ACCORDING TO DEALER
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 35MPH IN NORMAL CONDITIONS, THE FUEL LINE FRACTURED. THE RESULT OF THE FAILURE WAS GAS LEAKING WHILE IN MOTION. THE CONTACT NOTICED A GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. UPON A
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system

The seven scores

Reliability raw	85	excellent
Longevity est.	79	good
Maintenance	90	excellent
Depreciation	54	average
Performance	45	below average
Efficiency	41	below average

How it compares in its class

Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.

Reliability: better than 46% of compact cars
Longevity: better than 54% of compact cars
Running costs: better than 100% of compact cars
Value retention: better than 19% of compact cars

Which of these numbers are measured

What stands behind each score for this car:

Reliability 85: from NHTSA recalls and complaints. This one is a raw count: we do not have a sales figure for this model, so a high-volume car looks worse here than it should.
Longevity 79: an estimate from powertrain and brand record. No 200,000-mile population exists for a 1999 car yet, so this is a prior, not evidence.
Maintenance 90: repair-cost data where we have it for this model, otherwise a mechanical-complexity estimate from engine size, cylinder count and drivetrain.
Safety: no score. NHTSA crash testing thins out for older vehicles and we would rather show nothing than guess.

Common questions

What goes wrong with the 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio?

Owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 4 of them (14%). No recalls are on record for it.

Is the 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio reliable?

AVOIR scores its reliability 85/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.

How long will a 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio last?

AVOIR scores its longevity 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1999 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.

Should I buy a 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio?

AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 72/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.

Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.