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

Owner complaints29
Combined22–24 mpg

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

1999 Volkswagen Cabrio common problems

Owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — 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.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
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.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.

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.

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

1999 Volkswagen Cabrio 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio GLS (1999.5)3VWDB61E2XM811733 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio GL (1999.5)3VWCB61E8XM814972 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio GLS (1999.5)3VWDB61E0XM808507 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio GLS3VWBB81E1XM801472

Other Volkswagen Cabrio model years

2002 2001 2000 1998

1999 Volkswagen Cabrio — frequently asked questions

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

Owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, vehicle speed control, engine and engine cooling.

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.