IllustrationA FIRE STARTED IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
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 reportsMY LIGHTS, WIPERS AND HEAT WOULDN'T WORK, DISCOVERED IT WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH. CONTACTED VW, AND DEALER, THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME TOO MUCH TO FIX IT. I KNOW 3 OTHER PEOPLE WITH JETTAS THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. OBVIOUSLY VW IS INSTALLING DEFECTIVE IGNITIONS. MY EMERGENCY BRAKE WASN'T RELEASING, TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THEY INF…
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MY LIGHTS, WIPERS AND HEAT WOULDN'T WORK, DISCOVERED IT WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH. CONTACTED VW, AND DEALER, THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME TOO MUCH TO FIX IT. I KNOW 3 OTHER PEOPLE WITH JETTAS THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. OBVIOUSLY VW IS INSTALLING DEFECTIVE IGNITIONS. MY EMERGENCY BRAKE WASN'T RELEASING, TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT I HAD A TORN BRAKE CABLE BOOT THAT WAS ALLOWING MOISTURE TO GET IN AND FREEZE MY CABLE. THE 2 YR/24,000 MILE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED GOING ON AND OFF, WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, IT TOOK THEM 3 TIMES TO FIGURE OUT IT'S THE REAR OXYGEN SENSOR. THIS IS THE FIRST BRAND NEW CAR I HAVE EVER PURCHASED AND I HAVE HAD MORE THINGS WRONG WITH IT THAN I EVER HAD WITH PREVIOUSLY OWNED VEHICLES.*AK
VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR OVER FOUR HOURS WHEN IT SUDDENLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED, WHICH DETERMINED THAT BRAKE LIGHTS HOUSED WITHIN TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY SHORTED OUT, MELTING WIRE AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, WHICH SENT OUT A FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAI…
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VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR OVER FOUR HOURS WHEN IT SUDDENLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED, WHICH DETERMINED THAT BRAKE LIGHTS HOUSED WITHIN TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY SHORTED OUT, MELTING WIRE AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, WHICH SENT OUT A FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
THE BRAKE LIGHTS SPONTANEOUSLY IGNITED WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED IN AN APARTMENT PARKING LOT.*AK
BATTERY EXPLODED WHILE STARTING THE ENGINE. AFTER RESEARCHING ON LINE, I'VE DETERMINED THAT THIS MAY BE A LARGER PROBLEM. *AK
WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP AND KEY MOVED ALL HEAD LIGHTS TURNED OFF BECAUSE OF ELECTRICAL WIRES SHORTING OUT THROUGH IGNITION SYSTEM. MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN CONTACTED, AND THEY SAID JUST TO MOVE KEY AND HEAD LIGHTS WILL COME BACK ON.*AK
TOTAL FAILURE OF LIGHTS AND DOOR BUZER.
BATTERY FAILED TO HAVE AN ACID RELEASE HOSE. ACID HAD DRIPPED ONTO POWER STEERING RESERVOIR & ATE THROUGH IT. THIS CAUSED A LOSS OF STEERING FLUID, POWER STEERING, AND CONTROL OF VEHICLE.*AK *SLC
THE BATTERY EXPLODED. NLM
I HAVE SPOKEN WITH VW AND THE DEALERSHIP A NUMBER OF TIMES.. NO ONE WILL HELP.
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.