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1998 Volkswagen Cabrio

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
21Owner complaints

Model-year median: 14.5

1Recall campaigns

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1Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
15
19956
199614
199721
199829
199916
200038
2001
Compare all Cabrio years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Structure
7Visibility
5Electrical System
4Power Train
4Air Bags
3
All reported categories
Engine And Engine Cooling
3Equipment
2Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2Back Over Prevention
1Fuel System, Gasoline
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Parking Brake
1Seat Belts
1Tires
1Vehicle Speed Control
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 5 of 21 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Structure. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

4 reports
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90,000 miles · Aug 31, 2004
Electrical System

1) NO KNOWN EVENT LEADING TO THIS RADIO SYSTEM FAILURE. 2) RADIO SUDDENLY AND INEXPLICABLY MOVED FROM NORMAL 'ON' TO MAXIMUM BLARING VOLUME WITH NO ONE TOUCHING IT... AND COULD NOT BE CHANGED, TURNED OFF, OR ALTERED IN ANY WAY. RADIO CONTROLS HAD NO EFFECT, EVEN TURNING OFF THE AUTO AND REMOVING THE KEYS DID NOT SHUT OFF R…

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1) NO KNOWN EVENT LEADING TO THIS RADIO SYSTEM FAILURE. 2) RADIO SUDDENLY AND INEXPLICABLY MOVED FROM NORMAL 'ON' TO MAXIMUM BLARING VOLUME WITH NO ONE TOUCHING IT... AND COULD NOT BE CHANGED, TURNED OFF, OR ALTERED IN ANY WAY. RADIO CONTROLS HAD NO EFFECT, EVEN TURNING OFF THE AUTO AND REMOVING THE KEYS DID NOT SHUT OFF RADIO. DRIVING SUDDENLY BECAME DANGEROUS AND NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE AS THE NOISE WAS DEAFENING AND TOTALLY DISTRACTING. I COULD NOT HEAR MY TEENAGE SON IN THE SEAT NEXT TO ME (NOT NECESSARILY A BAD THING)... BUT COULD SEE WELL ENOUGH THAT HE WAS LAUGHING HIS HEAD OFF (AN ANNOYING IRRIATATION THAT DID NOT HELP!) :) AFTER 15 - 20 MINUTES AND SOME MILES OF TORTURED DRIVING, THE RADIO WENT SILENT ON IT' S OWN. 3) NO CORRECTIVE ACTION TAKEN YET. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10088869

Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2002
Electrical SystemEquipmentStructure

AIR CONDITIONER FAILED, DEALER STATED THAT THE CLUTCH RELAY UNIT WAS THE PROBLEM. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #566623

Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2001
Electrical System

IGNITION SWITCH OPERATES INTERMITTENTLY, CAUSING FAILURE OF ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS. A PRIVATE MECHANIC HAS DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM, AND WAS MAKING REPAIRS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #897162

Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2000
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING HEADLIGHTS CUT OFF AND ON AND SO DID THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. DEALER SAID IT WAS DUE TO IGNITION SWITCH. *AK

NHTSA ODI #865957

Official recalls

1

02V026000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

Jan 25, 2002

ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK FILLER NECK CAN SUFFER ABRASION DAMAGE IF THE REAR TIRE GOES FLAT AND THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN UNTIL THE TIRE DISINTEGRATES.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL FIT PASSAT VEHICLES WITH A NEW WHEEL HOUSE LINER THAT WILL BETTER PROTECT THE CAR'S FILLER NECK. JETTA VEHICLES WILL BE FITTED WITH A DIFFERENT METAL SHIELD DESIGNED TO ENHANCE ABRASION PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF TIRE DISINTEGRATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 13, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE00033 · Fuel Tank Puncture

Opened Aug 10, 2000 · Closed Dec 28, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION ON AUGUST 10, 2000 BASED ON 9 REPORTS REGARDING PUNCTURED FUEL TANKS INVOLVING THE JETTA, PASSAT, AND CABRIO MODELS.THE REPORTS INDICATE ADDITIONAL REPORTS IN ITS RESPONSE TO THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED FOR FURTHER STUDY.