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1998 Volkswagen Golf

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.

About this comparison →
18Owner complaints

Model-year median: 18

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Inspection summary

1998 Volkswagen Golf

NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 18 owner complaints · 1 recall campaigns · 0 investigations.

Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.

Top reported categories (up to 5)

  • Electrical System: 5 reports
  • Power Train: 4 reports
  • Engine And Engine Cooling: 3 reports
  • Equipment: 2 reports
  • Exterior Lighting: 2 reports

Full reported-category list and vehicle report

Recall links

Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
43
19953
19967
199718
199864
199988
2000116
2001
Compare all Golf years →

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

What owners reported most

Electrical System
5Power Train
4Engine And Engine Cooling
3Equipment
2Exterior Lighting
2
All reported categories
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2Visibility
2Air Bags
1Seats
1Tires
1Vehicle Speed Control
1Wheels
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: 4 of 18 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

2 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentPower Train

THE "VOLKSWAGEN CERTIFIED" DEALERSHIP WAS ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE. ALL THE LISTED PROBLEMS I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THEM REPEATEDLY, AND IT WOULD NORMALLY TAKE 3-5 VISITS FOR THE ITEM TO GET FIXED. I DIDN'T EVEN GET TO LIST ALL THE PROBLEMS WITH THE SPEAKER PANEL, CLUTCH, AND FENDERS GETTING FLEXED. I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER VOLKSWAGEN, …

Read full complaint

THE "VOLKSWAGEN CERTIFIED" DEALERSHIP WAS ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE. ALL THE LISTED PROBLEMS I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THEM REPEATEDLY, AND IT WOULD NORMALLY TAKE 3-5 VISITS FOR THE ITEM TO GET FIXED. I DIDN'T EVEN GET TO LIST ALL THE PROBLEMS WITH THE SPEAKER PANEL, CLUTCH, AND FENDERS GETTING FLEXED. I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER VOLKSWAGEN, OR GO TO THE DEALERSHIP EVER AGAIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #714777

Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ABS BRAKE PROBLEMS; INTERMITTENTLY WHEN APPLYING BRAKES ON REGULAR ROAD CONDITIONS, BRAKE PEDAL BECAME VERY HARD AND THERE WAS NO BRAKING ABILITY. DEALER COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE WEATHER WAS COLD. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #836407

Recall campaigns

1

03V155000 · Equipment:other:labels

Apr 22, 2003

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.8L VR6 ENGINES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE RECOMMENDED COLD TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE PUBLISHED ON THE LABEL FOR TIRES OF THE SIZE 205/50 R15 86H IS 0.1 BAR (1.45 PSI) TOO LOW. IT SHOULD BE 2.5 BAR (36.3 PSI). THE LABEL RECOMMENDS 2.4 BAR (34.8 PSI = 35 PSI).

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: UNDER INFLATED TIRES CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING, AND DRIVING WITH SUBSTANTIALLY UNDER INFLATED TIRES PUTS THE CONSUMER AT RISK FOR A CRASH.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECTED LABELS, OR A DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL IF THE OWNER WISHES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 29, 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 VW AT 1-800-893-5298.

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

Defect investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.