IllustrationTHE E BRAKE LIGHT, AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAY ON ONCE THE CAR IS STARTED. TODAY THIS PROBLEM HAS INCLUDED THE HEATER FAN NOT WORKING, THE HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT COME ON, AND THE WIPERS WILL NOT WORK. IF I LEAVE THE LIGHT SWITCH ON, AND LEAVE THE WIPER SWITCH ON, I HAVE FOUND I CAN PULL THE HIGH BEAM SWITCH, AND THE WIPERS COME ON.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Jetta years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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: 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 reportsTHE IGNITION SWITCH IN MY CAR IS GETTING WORSE. THE FIRST TIME IT MALFUNCTIONED WAS ON A COLD AND SNOWY NIGHT. I WAS DRIVING ALONG AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE LIGHTS WENT OUT, THE WIPERS STOPPED, THE DEFROSTER FAN STOPPED AND THE ABS LIGHT WENT ON. IT WAS A LITTLE UNSETTLING. THE VW DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS A BAD INGNITION SWITCH AND …
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THE IGNITION SWITCH IN MY CAR IS GETTING WORSE. THE FIRST TIME IT MALFUNCTIONED WAS ON A COLD AND SNOWY NIGHT. I WAS DRIVING ALONG AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE LIGHTS WENT OUT, THE WIPERS STOPPED, THE DEFROSTER FAN STOPPED AND THE ABS LIGHT WENT ON. IT WAS A LITTLE UNSETTLING. THE VW DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS A BAD INGNITION SWITCH AND IT WOULD COST ABOUT $300.OO DOLLARS TO REPLACE. WHEN I ASKED THE PARTS DEPARTMENT IF THEY HAD THE SWITCH IN STOCK HE LAUGHED AND SAID "OH YEAH". I AM NOW DRIVING MY CAR ONLY IN THE DAYTIME WHILE I SAVE THE MONEY TO REPLACE THE SWITCH. I HAVE OWNED OVER 30 CARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD AN IGNITION FAIL.*AK
MY 1998 VOLKSWAGEN (VW) JETTA HAS AN IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM. WHEN DRIVING, IT FALLS BACK, TURNING OFF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (INCLUDING LIGHTS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS). VW HAS IDENTIFIED THIS AS A PROBLEM IN THE 1996 AND 1997 JETTAS (AND SENT OUT A RECALL ON THE PART) BUT DOES NOT RECOGNIZE IT AS A PROBLEM FOR THE 1998 MODELS. I …
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MY 1998 VOLKSWAGEN (VW) JETTA HAS AN IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM. WHEN DRIVING, IT FALLS BACK, TURNING OFF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (INCLUDING LIGHTS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS). VW HAS IDENTIFIED THIS AS A PROBLEM IN THE 1996 AND 1997 JETTAS (AND SENT OUT A RECALL ON THE PART) BUT DOES NOT RECOGNIZE IT AS A PROBLEM FOR THE 1998 MODELS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A VW SERVICE PERSON THAT THE 1998 MODELS USE THE SAME IGNITION SWITCH AS THE 1996/1997'S. VW REPRESENTATIVES CLAIM THAT THEY DO NOT SEE A PROBLEM WITH THE 1998'S. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY VW. *LA
IGNITION SWITCH. I HAVE A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. WITH THE CAR RUNNING, THERE HAVE BEEN OCCASIONS WHEN MY HEADLIGHTS HAVE TURNED OFF, AND THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. I HAVE SEEN APPROXIMATELY 5 POSTINGS ON DIFFERENT MESSAGE BOARDS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *LA
IGNITION COIL PROBLEM .DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
THE VEHICLES IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND CAUSED THE HEADLIGHT TO SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON A DARK COUNTRY ROAD. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM
FAILURE OF DOOR WIRING HARNESS. DOES NOT ALLOW ME TO DRIVE THE CAR - THE ENGIN WILL NOT ENGAGE DUE TO THE ELECTRONIC FAILURE OF THE DOOR WIRING HARNESS. THERE SHOULD BE SOME WAY TO OVERRIDE THE ELECTRONIC FAILURE SO THAT I CAN DRIVE IT.
I OWN A 1998 VOLKWAGEN JETTA GL. THE CAR BATTERY EXPLODED WHILE IN OPERATION. I HAVE DIGITAL PHOTOS OF THE BATTERY IF REQUESTED. IT DIDN'T SEEM NORMAL AND SO I FIGURED I'D FILE A REPORT.
1998 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA VR6 HAS HAD SECOND IGNITION COILPACK FAIL, CREATING A DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION AND RENDERING THE CAR INOPERABLE. CAR CURRENTLY HAS 58,000 ON JAN. 13TH., 2003 AND REQUIRED IGNITION COILPACK REPLACEMENT. IGNITION COILPACK WAS ALSO REPLACED ON 06/26/2000 WHEN VEHICLE HAD 34,119 MILES. VOLKSWAGEN SERVI…
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1998 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA VR6 HAS HAD SECOND IGNITION COILPACK FAIL, CREATING A DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION AND RENDERING THE CAR INOPERABLE. CAR CURRENTLY HAS 58,000 ON JAN. 13TH., 2003 AND REQUIRED IGNITION COILPACK REPLACEMENT. IGNITION COILPACK WAS ALSO REPLACED ON 06/26/2000 WHEN VEHICLE HAD 34,119 MILES. VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE MANAGER AGREES THAT THIS FAILED PREMATURELY, BUT CUSTOMER COMPLAINT CENTER REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM EXISTS. THIS PROBLEM CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL AND SPUTTER IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC, THUS CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR MY FAMILY AND SURROUNDING VEHICLES.
BATTERY ACID LEAKED ON RESERVOIR CAUSING RESERVOIR TO LEAK FLUID, WHICH COULD CAUSE LOSS OF STEERING.DEALER CONTACTED.*AK
Official recalls
203V156000 · 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
2EA00028 · 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.