VolkswagenGolf/GTI/Jetta1999Overview/volkswagen/golf-gti-jetta/1999/base/

1999 Volkswagen Golf/GTI/Jetta

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1999 Golf/GTI/Jetta.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1999 Volkswagen Golf/GTI/Jetta Overview defines a model range equipped with an Automatic 4-spd transmission and EPA fuel economy ratings of 19/26/22 mpg. Operational specifications for this configuration include an engine oil capacity of 4.2 qt with a viscosity range of 5W-50 / 10W-50 / 10W-60 API. In the context of the model's reliability history, this year is characterized by 6 recalls and 67 total owner complaints, with the Electrical System emerging as the top complaint area. These metrics establish the vehicle's documented standing, signaling specific regulatory and ownership focus areas for researcher assessment.

Model year19991998199719961995

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-50 / 10W-50 / 10W-60 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy19/26/22 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 47 · 520 CCA battery, OE oil filter 06A115561B. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 47 · 520 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size195-65HR15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter06A115561B alt 068115561E
Engine air filter1J0129620
Fuel filter1J0201511A alt 1J0127401A
Spark plug101000033AA alt 101000035AH
Battery000915105AB alt 000915105AD
Front wiper blades3A1955427 alt 6N0955427A
Serpentine belt06A260849B alt 06A260849C
Thermostat050121113C alt 075121113D
Cabin air filter1J0819644A alt 1J0819648

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined19 / 26 / 22 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.2 qt of 5W-50 / 10W-50 / 10W-60 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-4 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 89 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-4
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.7 Pints
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-4
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.7 Pints
Engine CoolantUSE G012ABG-A1 COOLANT
Engine Oil5W-50 · 10W-50 · 10W-60 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.2 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs15 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs15 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs15 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper BoltsDiesel 18 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts89 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub129 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)40 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)20 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)800 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)60 rpm
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance4000-6000 ohms

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.62 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type100
Oil CapacityModels w/Zexel compressor, 3.9; models w/Sanden compressor, 4.6. oz
Standard BCI Group Number47
Standard BCI Cranking Performance520 cca
Optional BCI Group Number97R

Service checks

Injector Primary Resistance14-20 ohms
Injector Primary Resistance13-19 ohms
Engine Oil Pressure29 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM2000 rpm
Engine Oil Pressure29 psi @ Idle, 43.5-65.3 psi @ 2000
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket26 ft-lbs / 92 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle48 ft-lbs / 80 ft-lbs / 92 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket26 ft-lbs / 92 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle48 ft-lbs / 80 ft-lbs / 92 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.276; Rear: 0.276 specification
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.394 in / 0.472 in / 0.788 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.394 in / 0.472 in / 0.788 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.315 in / 0.394 in / 0.709 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9022 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9022 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9022 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174 ft. lbs., step 2: 9074 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages
130 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
244 ft. lbs.44 ft. lbs
390 degrees.90 degrees
490 degrees.90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages
130 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
244 ft. lbs.44 ft. lbs
390 degrees.90 degrees
490 degrees.90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages
130 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
244 ft. lbs.44 ft. lbs
390 degrees.90 degrees
490 degrees.90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
130 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees.90 degrees
390 degrees.90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
137 ft. lbs.37 ft. lbs
290 degrees.90 degrees
390 degrees.90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat bolt head washers and threads with clean engine oil

129.5 ft. lbs.29.5 ft. lbs
244.2 ft. lbs.44.2 ft. lbs
390 degrees90 degrees
490 degrees90 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 44 ft. lbs., Step 3: 9022 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
144 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9044 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
144 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9044 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
148 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9048 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
148 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9048 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 18022 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 40,000 mi; coolant every 10,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 10,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 5,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Fuel Filter Water Separator (inspect) · Timing Belt (inspect)
Every 10,000 miBrake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Fuel Filter Water Separator (inspect)
At 20,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 20,000 miBattery (inspect electrolyte level) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Door Stop (lubricate) · Transmission Assembly (inspect) · Universal Vehicle Operation (read dtcs) · Vacuum Line (inspect)
Every 40,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Timing Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miTiming Belt Idler Pulley (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 1999 Volkswagen Golf/GTI/Jetta top in one area — the electrical system, 11 of 67 reports (16%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 7 recall campaigns target the electrical system, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 3 of the reports describe a crash and 1 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the electrical system pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
145
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
67
Owner complaints
3 involved a crash · 1 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 67 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System11
Engine & Engine Cooling11
Fuel System, Gasoline8
Visibility5
Seat Belts4
Power Train4
Exterior Lighting3
Engine & Engine Cooling,Unknown Or Other3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

14E007000Engine And Engine Cooling:EngineReported 07/03/2014

The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and… Remedy: Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.

09E012000Exterior LightingReported 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE… Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 145 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
V1719012012855652023-08-21Engine And Engine CoolingUpdate to Volkswagen engine oil standards
V1719012012855622023-05-30Engine And Engine CoolingVolkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
V1719012012855602023-04-24Engine And Engine CoolingEngine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
V9419012011521192022-12-12EquipmentUpdate model year applicability to include 2023.
V2719012011894222022-12-06Electrical SystemBattery testing and charging using special tools VAS6161 & GRX3000VAS Charger. Updated to…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Golf/GTI/Jetta. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1999 Golf/GTI/Jetta take?

4.2 qt of 5W-50, 10W-50 OR 10W-60 API SL, per the factory manual.

Does the 1999 Golf/GTI/Jetta have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Golf/GTI/Jetta get?

EPA figures are 19 city / 26 highway / 22 combined mpg.