Eight problems related to air bag light on have been reported for the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Took my car to dealership to have my airbag light checked, they said that they would clear it. It was cleared, then popped up again and has since then stayed on.
Vehicle experienced several recalls/ and several problems: dome light, vanity mirrors, emissions problems, etc. . . The consumer experienced the following problems with: the interior dome lights, interior trim had come loose on the passenger side, the passenger vanity mirror light did not shut off, the cup holder was jammed and had broken, the driver window sounded as if air was coming in the vehicle, the glove compartment hinges had broken, the air bag light would come on when the radio was turned off, the sensors never seemed to work, the oil dipstick had given abnormal readings(showing low when oil was just changed), the lean oxygen sensor was replaced, the check engine light was intermittent but stayed on, and the catalytic converter was replaced due to noise which ended after the repair(the check engine light had come back on).
The air bag indicator light in the dashboard came on. The dealership told me it would be about $700. 00 to repair . I was informed that while the light was on the air bags would not function. The vehicle has not been crashed and it would appear this is a safety issue that vw should address and repair. R.
Air bag indicator light on dasboard became illuminated. Took car to dealer who informed me that vw's need supplemental wiring harness installed in steering column because of a problem with the connection as shippped from the factory. Dealer says "most" vw new Jettas have this problem and charged $90 to install new connector. If this is true shouldn't vw have to recall because it is a safety system? nlm.
While driving the air bag indicator light illuminated on the the dashboard, vehicle was taken to Volkswagen where consumer was informed that vehicles of this make and model needed a supplemental wiring harness installed in the steering column because of a problem with the connector as shipped from the factory, consumer is unaware of any recalls for this condition.
While driving down the road airbag light comes and shuts down the airbag system. Contacted dealer and manufacturer.
Vehicle burns oil (doing so for 9 mos now), dealer has been running "test" on car for 4 mos. Said may have to replace engine. Air bag light on first day owning, told to wait 2wks for an appt at which was told car unsafe to drive. Transmission difficult to shift/acceleration (making turns, entering highways, etc. ).
I purchased my '99 Jetta new. After apprx 7 days the airbag warning illuminated for no reason. I took the car back to the dealer for service. They had a difficult time diagnosing the problem. They did get the light to go off, but after a week it illuminated again. I took the car back a second time, and this time the kept it for 2 weeks. They decided it was a sesor, then changed their minds and said it was the wiring harness. After 2 weeks they told me it was fixed. Several mechanics warned me against driving it when the airbag light is on, citing a possible defect. The light stayed off untill about the 20,000 mile mark. It went on and I took it in, they fixed it without much explaination. Now at 54,000 it is on again. I am worried about a possible defect which might prevent my airbag from deploying in case of an emergency. Before now, it was under warranty. The only cost was time and effort. Now I must pay to have it diagnosed, a rental car and to actually have it repaired, once again. I have talked to others that have been through the same thing with little help from Volkswagen or the dealer. I was hoping to get the word out that there may be a possible defect with the electrical sensor, wire harness or the airbag itself. Thank you.