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: 20 of 220 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 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
21 crash reports11 fire reports17 injury reports
What owners actually said
220 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 1998
EquipmentLatches/locks/linkagesVisibility
DOOR LOCK FROZE, NOT OPENING W/KEY. WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN & THEN MAKING CLICKING NOISES WHEN TRYING TO ROLL WINDOW BACK UP. NEEDED TO PULL WINDOW UP BY HAND. AIR CONDITIONER MAKES NOISE WHEN TURNED ON. WINDSHIELD CRACKED DUE TO STRESS. RECEIVED RECALL FOR NOOD LATCH, BUT UNABLE TO GET REPLACEMENT PARTS. PAINT IS CRACKING. RA…
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DOOR LOCK FROZE, NOT OPENING W/KEY. WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN & THEN MAKING CLICKING NOISES WHEN TRYING TO ROLL WINDOW BACK UP. NEEDED TO PULL WINDOW UP BY HAND. AIR CONDITIONER MAKES NOISE WHEN TURNED ON. WINDSHIELD CRACKED DUE TO STRESS. RECEIVED RECALL FOR NOOD LATCH, BUT UNABLE TO GET REPLACEMENT PARTS. PAINT IS CRACKING. RADIO GOES OUT. VW SAYS THAT THERE IS A FACTORY DEFECT, BUT HAVE NOT HELPED REPAIR THESE PROBLEMS. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #829563
Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 1998
Latches/locks/linkages
RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE (#98V160000). DEALERSHIP HAS NO PARTS AFTER BEING NOTIFIED BY CONSUMER. SAME ENTRY AS REF NO. 829508. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #829508
Mileage unknown · Nov 25, 1998
Latches/locks/linkagesService Brakes, Hydraulic
CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER IN REFERENCE TO RECALLS 98V195000 AND 98V160000. PARTS NOT AVAILABLE, PARTS EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE IN DECEMBER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #831341
Mileage unknown · Nov 12, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE IN MAIL 98V195000 & NOTIFIED THE DEALER. WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE & WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #830620
Mileage unknown · Nov 12, 1998
Latches/locks/linkages
RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE (#98V160000) IN MAIL. CALLED DEALER. INFORMED NO PARTS AVAILABLE FOR THE HOOD LATCHES. WILL NOTIFY WHEN THEY ARE AVAILABLE. HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING SINCE OCTOBER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #830615
Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 1998
Latches/locks/linkagesService Brakes, Air
RECALL # 98V160000 VW/HOOD LATCH; CONTACTED DEALER YESTERDAY FOR THE THIRD TIME WITHIN A ONE MONTH. RECALL NOTICE STATES THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE ON 10/15/98. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. DEALER NOT SURE WHEN PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. SAME SITUATION EXISTS FOR A RECALL FOR BRAKE LINING FAILURE THAT …
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RECALL # 98V160000 VW/HOOD LATCH; CONTACTED DEALER YESTERDAY FOR THE THIRD TIME WITHIN A ONE MONTH. RECALL NOTICE STATES THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE ON 10/15/98. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. DEALER NOT SURE WHEN PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. SAME SITUATION EXISTS FOR A RECALL FOR BRAKE LINING FAILURE THAT OWNER HAS ALSO RECEIVED. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #830535
Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
HAD RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 98V195000 FOR THE BRAKES. CALLED DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT PARTS FOR THE BRAKES ARE NOT AVAILABLE. WOULD LIKE AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COMPLAINT FOR NO BRAKE PARTS. *AK
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE REAR BRAKE LINE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS ROUTED TOO CLOSE TO THE CORNER OF THE FUEL TANK. THE LINE COULD BE DAMAGED BY CHAFING AGAINST THE FUEL TANK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: REPEATED CHAFING COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A LEAKING BRAKE LINE CAUSING DIMINISHED BRAKING IN ONE BRAKE CIRCUIT INCREASING THE VEHICLE'S STOPPING DISTANCE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LINE AND REPLACE ANY DAMAGED LINES.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BOLTS SECURING THE FRONT HOOD LATCH CAN LOOSEN OVER TIME. THE LATCH WOULD MOVE CAUSING DISENGAGEMENT OF THE HOOD STRIKER FROM THE LATCH.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: UNEXPECTED OPENING OF THE HOOD COULD OCCUR OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVER'S VIEW OF THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HOOD LATCH AND SECURING BOLTS AND REPLACE THEM IF NECESSARY.
IMPROPER MATERIAL WAS USED IN MANUFACTURING THE RADIATOR FAN MOTOR SHAFT CAUSING THE SHAFT TO WEAR AND BECOME NOISY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A WORN AND NOISY FAN MOTOR SHAFT CAN SEIZE RENDERINGTHE FAN MOTOR INOPERATIVE, EVENTUALLY CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND STALL. A STALLED VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC CAN INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE COMPLETE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY ON VEHICLE HAVING THE POTENTIAL SHAFT MATERIAL PROBLEM. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW FAN BLADE INCLUDING A NEW LOCK NUT ON VEHICLE WITH LOOSE FAN BLADE LOCK NUTS.
THE JACKS SUPPLIED WITH THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH AN IMPROPERLY MACHINED SPINDLE, SO THAT A SHARP RIDGE ON THE EDGE OF SPINDLE'S THREAD WOULD HAVE REMAINED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS RIDGE CAN DAMAGE THE INSIDE THREAD OF THE JACK'S SCISSOR SHOE WHEN THE JACK IS USED TO LIFT THE VEHICLE. THE JACK COULD COLLAPSE WITH THE POSSIBILITY THAT A PERSON STANDING CLOSE TO THE VEHICLE COULD BE INJURED.
THE JACKS SUPPLIED WITH THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH AN IMPROPERLY MACHINED SPINDLE, SO THAT A SHARP RIDGE ON THE EDGE OF SPINDLE'S THREAD WOULD HAVE REMAINED.
Consequence: THIS RIDGE CAN DAMAGE THE INSIDE THREAD OF THE JACK'S SCISSOR SHOE WHEN THE JACK IS USED TO LIFT THE VEHICLE. THE JACK COULD COLLAPSE WITH THE POSSIBILITY THAT A PERSON STANDING CLOSE TO THE VEHICLE COULD BE INJURED.
THE JACKS SUPPLIED WITH THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH AN IMPROPERLY MACHINED SPINDLE, SO THAT A SHARP RIDGE ON THE EDGE OF SPINDLE'S THREAD WOULD HAVE REMAINED.
Consequence: THIS RIDGE CAN DAMAGE THE INSIDE THREAD OF THE JACK'S SCISSOR SHOE WHEN THE JACK IS USED TO LIFT THE VEHICLE. THE JACK COULD COLLAPSE WITH THE POSSIBILITY THAT A PERSON STANDING CLOSE TO THE VEHICLE COULD BE INJURED.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A NEW JACK.
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
4
EA00028 · Fuel Tank Puncture
Opened Dec 28, 2000 · Closed Jan 29, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
No summary supplied.
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.
PE98037 · Hood Latch Failure
Opened Jul 1, 1998 · Closed Jul 20, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
ODI HAS RECEIVED THREE REPORTS, INCLUDING THE PETITIONERS, REGARDING ALLEGED HOOD LATCH FAILURES.ALL OF THE ODI REPORTS INDICATE THE HOOD FLEW UP WHILE DRIVING.FOLLOWING A TELEPHONE INQUIRY, VOLKSWAGEN PROVIDED ODI WITH SOME LIMITED INFORMATION REGARDING SIX ADDITIONAL REPORTS OF HOOD FLY-UP FOR MODEL YEARS 1995 AND 1996.THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED TO FURTHER STUDY THIS ISSUE.DEFECT DESCRIPTION:IT IS POSSIBLE THAT ON SOME OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES THE BOLTS SECURING THE FRONT HOOD LATCH MAY LOSE THEIR SPECIFIED FASTENING TORQUE OVER TIME.SHOULD THIS HAPPEN, THE LATCH COULD MOVE OUT OF ITS DESIGN POSITION AND CAUSE DISENGAGEMENT OF THE HOOD STRIKER FROM THE LATCH.IN SOME VEHICLES THE LATCH MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY ALIGNED DURING PRODUCTION.REPEATED OPENING AND CLOSING OF THE HOOD WITH AN IMPROPERLY ALIGNED LATCH COULD RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE LATCH.EITHER CONDITION COULD RESULT IN UNEXPECTED OPENING OF THE HOOD AND COULD OBSTRUCT A PORTION OF THE DRIVER'S VIEW OF THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING, AND RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.REMEDY: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC. WILL INITIATE A VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL INSTRUCTING ITS AUTHORIZED DEALERS TO CHECK THE HOOD LATCH AND SECURING BOLTS AND REPLACE THEM IF NECESSARY.
DP98006 · Hood FLY-UP
Opened Jun 11, 1998 · Closed Jul 1, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
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