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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

Power Train complaints

14 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 1999
Power TrainCrash

FIRST INCIDENT WITH GEAR SHIFTER HAPPENED IN MARCH 1999 WHEN IT POPPED OUT OF FIRST, THIRD AND FIFTH GEAR WHILE DRIVING. THE GEAR SHIFTER RATTLED IMMENSELY. THE SECOND TIME, IT HAD BEEN HARD TO GET INTO FIRST AND THIRD GEAR AND WAS POPPING OUT OF FIRST GEAR IN PARTICULAR. PRIOR TO HAVING THE CAR FIXED, IT WAS PARKED IN MY DRI…

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FIRST INCIDENT WITH GEAR SHIFTER HAPPENED IN MARCH 1999 WHEN IT POPPED OUT OF FIRST, THIRD AND FIFTH GEAR WHILE DRIVING. THE GEAR SHIFTER RATTLED IMMENSELY. THE SECOND TIME, IT HAD BEEN HARD TO GET INTO FIRST AND THIRD GEAR AND WAS POPPING OUT OF FIRST GEAR IN PARTICULAR. PRIOR TO HAVING THE CAR FIXED, IT WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY DURING A STORM. THE CAR POPPED OUT OF GEAR AND ROLLED DOWN MY DRIVEWAY INTO A TREE. VOLKSWAGEN ADJUSTED THE SHIFTER (WHICH THEY ADJUSTED INCORRECTLY IN THE FIRST PLACE). THE THIRD TIME, (WHICH IS NOW) IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO GET IT IN FIRST GEAR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #710805

Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 1999
Power Train

DRIVING 20MPH IT WAS HARD TO SHIFT AND CAR STALLED IN THE DRIVEWAY. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #844825

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Power Train

GEAR SHIFT FAILED CAUSING SECOND GEAR TO BE HARD TO ENGAGE.

NHTSA ODI #607020

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Power Train

CLUTCH SPRINGS FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE VERY DIFFUCULT TO PUT INTO GEAR. NLM

NHTSA ODI #606441

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.