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1998 Volkswagen Jetta

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Jetta years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta are substantially higher than the model-year median of 68.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 38 of 192 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.

  • Visibility. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Tires. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports8 fire reports7 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

41 reports
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Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2017
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

THE VEHICLES' ANTI THEFT HAD WENT HAYWIRE. WENT TO START, BEEP SOUND WENT OFF. THEN WAS LOCKED INSIDE CAR. WITH THE ALARM GOING OFF. WAS ONLY ABLE TO EXIT VEHICLE BY HAVING PASSERBY UNHOOK BATTERY, WHILE I HELD THE UNLOCK BUTTON. THIS WAS OVER 2 WEEKS AGO. WHEN HOOKING BATTERY BACK UP, THE ALARM STILL GOES OFF. I AM UNABLE TO DR…

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THE VEHICLES' ANTI THEFT HAD WENT HAYWIRE. WENT TO START, BEEP SOUND WENT OFF. THEN WAS LOCKED INSIDE CAR. WITH THE ALARM GOING OFF. WAS ONLY ABLE TO EXIT VEHICLE BY HAVING PASSERBY UNHOOK BATTERY, WHILE I HELD THE UNLOCK BUTTON. THIS WAS OVER 2 WEEKS AGO. WHEN HOOKING BATTERY BACK UP, THE ALARM STILL GOES OFF. I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE. THE BATTERY WAS PURCHASED NEW IN JUNE. NOTHING HAS BEEN ADDED TO VEHICLE. PLEASE ADVISE TO HOW THIS MATTER WILL BE RESOLVED & IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11046171

Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2012
Electrical SystemStructure

I HAVE BEEN TRAPPED INSIDE THE FRONT SEAT OF THIS VEHICLE. BOTH FRONT DOORS WILL OCCASIONALLY NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE CAR, EVEN WITH THE DOORS UNLOCKED. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT AND UNPREDICTABLE PROBLEM THAT I FEEL IS QUITE DANGEROUS. THESE VEHICLES SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND HAD THE DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM REPL…

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I HAVE BEEN TRAPPED INSIDE THE FRONT SEAT OF THIS VEHICLE. BOTH FRONT DOORS WILL OCCASIONALLY NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE CAR, EVEN WITH THE DOORS UNLOCKED. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT AND UNPREDICTABLE PROBLEM THAT I FEEL IS QUITE DANGEROUS. THESE VEHICLES SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND HAD THE DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10484666

1 miles · Nov 30, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingVisibility

LIKE OTHERS, I HAVE HAD THE IGNITION COIL REPLACED. THIS HAPPENED AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, OF COURSE. I HAVE ALSO HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDOWS (REGULATOR AND MOTOR) FOR ALL OF THEM. NOW, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS FLASHING AND THE CAR IS SPUTTERING. I KNOW THE SECONDARY AIR INTAKE VALVE NEEDS REPLACING BUT IT DID NO…

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LIKE OTHERS, I HAVE HAD THE IGNITION COIL REPLACED. THIS HAPPENED AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, OF COURSE. I HAVE ALSO HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDOWS (REGULATOR AND MOTOR) FOR ALL OF THEM. NOW, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS FLASHING AND THE CAR IS SPUTTERING. I KNOW THE SECONDARY AIR INTAKE VALVE NEEDS REPLACING BUT IT DID NOT CAUSE PROBLEMS. NOW I'M WONDERING IF SOMETHING NEW IS WRONG??? ALSO, I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH LOSING COOLANT AND HAD TO CONTINUOUSLY REPLACE ANTIFREEZE. AFTER FIXING WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A SMALL LEAK THE ENTIRE SYSTEM WILL NOT PRODUCE COOL AIR! THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS AND VW SHOULD LOOK INTO ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10174774

96,821 miles · Jul 1, 2006
Electrical System

GLOW PLUG CONTROL UNIT FAILS ON 1998 VW JETTA TDI, BUT THERE IS NO PART FOR THE LAST 5+ MONTHS AVAILABLE FROM VOLKSWAGEN. ALSO, THERE IS NO ESTIMATE OF WHEN VOLKSWAGEN WILL HAVE A PART AVAILABLE. THIS IS NATIONWIDE. THE CONTROL UNIT IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE STARTING OF THE CAR. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10161195

12,000 miles · Jul 5, 2005
Electrical System

1. DRIVING 2. LIGHTS WENT OUT, FAN WENT OUT AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING.

NHTSA ODI #10127426

Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 2005
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineTires

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE FRONT LEFT TIRE WAS FLAT. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE STALLED. DRIVER WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH. VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10111335

Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2004
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

WHILE DRIVING HEADLIGHTS WERE DIM. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. CONSUMER FOUND THERE WERE ALOT OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE HEADLIGHTS. CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE BULB WITH HIGHER WALTAGE. THERE WAS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSAT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM WAS ELECTRICAL. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10102001

75,000 miles · May 14, 2004
Electrical System

BATTERY EXPLODED WHILE STARTING THE ENGINE. HOOD DAMAGED, BATTERY ACID RELEASED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10072598

Mileage unknown · May 5, 2004
Electrical SystemFire

I OWN A 1998 VOLKSWAGON JETTA, WOLFSBURG EDITION. I'VE BEEN STRANDED A TOTAL OF 6 OR 7 TIMES (LOSING COUNT) ON THE INTERSTATE BY THIS VEHICLE. PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM A PRIVATE OWNER LESS THAN A YEAR AGO AND HAVE EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS MYSTERIOUS PROBLEMS EVER SINCE. I WORK FOR THE STATE OF INDIANA, COMMUNTE INTO INDIANAPOLIS…

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I OWN A 1998 VOLKSWAGON JETTA, WOLFSBURG EDITION. I'VE BEEN STRANDED A TOTAL OF 6 OR 7 TIMES (LOSING COUNT) ON THE INTERSTATE BY THIS VEHICLE. PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM A PRIVATE OWNER LESS THAN A YEAR AGO AND HAVE EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS MYSTERIOUS PROBLEMS EVER SINCE. I WORK FOR THE STATE OF INDIANA, COMMUNTE INTO INDIANAPOLIS 5 DAYS A WEEK, I AM AN INTERSTATE TRAVELER. I HAVE FORGIVEN MOST OF THE PROBLEMS THIS CAR HAS HAD, BUT RECENTLY HAVE REACHED THE LIMIT. JUST LAST WEEK I WAS ONCE AGAIN STRANDED ON THE INTERSTATE DURING RUSH HOUR AND MY CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED RUNNING AND SMOKE BEGAN TO RISE FROM MY STEERING COLUMN. THIS SITUATION TERRIFIED ME. NOT ONLY DID I HAVE TO URGENTLY COAST TO THE SHOULDER OF THE INTERSTATE, BUT I WAS IN FEAR THAT THE CAR WOULD BE ON FIRE DUE TO SEEING THIS SMOKE. THE CAR WAS TOWED AND THE IGNITION COIL WAS REPLACED; ALTHOUGH THE SERVICE MAN DIDN'T THINK THAT WAS THE SOURCE OF THE SMOKE FROM MY STEERING COLUMN. I KNOW FROM READING OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT THE BAD IGNITION COIL IN THESE VEHICLES IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THERE ARE EXISTING RECALLS ON SOME VOLKSWAGON IGNITION COILS. THIS SEEMS UNJUST CONSIDERING THEY USED THE SAME IGNITION COIL IN THE 1998 THAT THEY DID IN OTHER VEHICLE YEARS. THIS REPAIR COST ME $400, WHICH IS JUST ICING ON THE CAKE FOR ME RIGHT NOW. NOW MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND THE SERVICEMAN WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION COIL SAYS ALL IS CONNECTED AND HE THINKS THE SMOKE IN THE CAR WAS COMING FROM THE AIRBAG WIRING. HE SAID THERE'S NO WAY TO DISCONNECT THE AIRBAG (TO STOP ANY CHANCE OF IT EXPLODING OUT ON ME WHILE DRIVING). IF IT COMES OUT WHILE DRIVING..I AM DEAD.IF IT FAILS IN AN ACCIDENT.I COULD BE DEAD. I AM AFRAID TO EVEN HAVE MY FAMILY IN THE CAR. I HONESTLY THINK IT'S ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS WIRED INCORRECTLY. PLEASE ASSIST ME IN GETTING JUSTICE SERVED. I'VE HEARD OF SO MANY OTHERS WHO ARE MISTREATED AND IGNORED BY VOLKSWAGON. THIS VEHICLE'S REPEATED FAILURE SHOULD BE NOTED. I APPRECIATE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10068345

Mileage unknown · Apr 1, 2004
Electrical System

WHEN TURNING THE IGNITION ON ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS DO NOT WORK. THE HEADLIGHTS DON'T COME, AND HEATER DOESN'T WORK. CONSUMER BELIEVES IT IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *AK *MR

NHTSA ODI #10062962

Official recalls

2

03V156000 · Equipment:other:labels

Apr 23, 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 SUBSTANTIALY UNDER INFLATED TIRES PUTS THE CONSUMER AT A 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.

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

2

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.