IllustrationHORN UNCONTROLLABLY HONKS ON AND OFF. ALSO THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN HAS A SPARKLING NOISE., AND A BURNING SMELL COMES FROM THE STEERING COLUMN . *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 reportsSTARTER FAILED IN OCT, 99. NEW PART REPLACED BY DEALER. STARTER FAILED AGAIN MAY, 2000. NEW PART IS NEEDED AGAIN.
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN UNDER THE DASH FIRE WHILE TRAVELING AT 25 MPH. CONSUMER EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE BEFORE LOCAL FIRE DEPARMENT ARRIVED. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *AK
VEHICLE SERVICED SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATING, REPLACEMENT OF THE OIL AND IGNITION CABLE THAT HAD SHORTED OUT DID NOT RECTIFY PROBLEMS WITH THE INTERMITTENT ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. *MJS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS ARE SUSPECT. THESE TWO PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN INTO THE DEALER, BUT THE WINDOW, EVEN AFTER BEING REPLACED, CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEMS
NO SUMMARY
IF BATTERY IS OVERFILLED OR LEAKS AND DRIPS ONTO THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR THE RESEVOIR WILL FAIL. THIS FAILURE IS CATASTROPHIC IN NATURE AND CAN CAUSE THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING, VEHICLE CONTROL AND EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE LOSS OF FLUID OCCURED ON MY VEHICLE WITH ONLY 9 MONTHS OF SERVICE. FORTUNAT…
Read full complaint
IF BATTERY IS OVERFILLED OR LEAKS AND DRIPS ONTO THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR THE RESEVOIR WILL FAIL. THIS FAILURE IS CATASTROPHIC IN NATURE AND CAN CAUSE THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING, VEHICLE CONTROL AND EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE LOSS OF FLUID OCCURED ON MY VEHICLE WITH ONLY 9 MONTHS OF SERVICE. FORTUNATELY THE CAR WAS PARKED AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS NOT IMPACTED. THE DEALER SUPPORT AT RANDY HILEY VOLKSWAGEN IN ARLINGTON TEXAS WAS IMMEDIATE AND THOROUGH. AFTER DISCUSSION, VOLKSWAGEN REFUNDED ALL BUT THE TOWING CHARGES FOR THIS REPAIR THROUGH RANDY HILEY VOLKSWAGEN IN ARLINGTON, TEXAS. ON THE 1999 MODEL THE PART HAS BEEN MOVED FROM UNDERNEATH THE BATTERY. DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL INDICATED THAT THIS WAS NOT THE 1ST TIME THIS FAILURE HAD TO BE REPAIRED AT THEIR FRANCHISE. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS REPAIR CURED THE IMMEDIATE SYMPTOM BUT WHAT HAPPENS IF ACID CONTACTS THIS COMPONENT AGAIN DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, LATER LIFE BATTERY CHANGEOUT ETC. THE PART IS STILL LOCATED BENEATH THE BATTERY. THE MATERIAL OF CONSTRUCTION IS UNCHANGED. CAN THIS PART BE REPLACED IN A RECALL WITH A MATERIAL THAT IS BETTER SUITED FOR CONTACT BY ACID?
IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. YH
IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. YH
SECURITY REMOTE,DOOR LOCKS, AND PANIC BUTTON FAILED.
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.