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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

Structure complaints

14 reports
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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

Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2011
Fuel System, GasolineStructure

TOTALLY RUSTED OUT AREA AROUND GAS INTAKE PIPE. VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1998. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10383390

18,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
StructureTiresUnknown Or Other

THIS CAR HAS BEEN A PAIN IN THE A-- ALMOST SINCE PURCHASE. THE MOST SERIOUS PROBLEMS HAVE INVOLVED WHAT SEEMS TO BE DEFECTIVE WIRING WITH RESPECT TO THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS. THESE HAVE BEEN REPAIRED 3 TIMES SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENCE CITED ABOVE,TO THE TUNE OF $250, THE LAST TIME BEING 6 MONTHS AGO. NOW I AM TOLD THAT IT NEEDS A NEW…

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THIS CAR HAS BEEN A PAIN IN THE A-- ALMOST SINCE PURCHASE. THE MOST SERIOUS PROBLEMS HAVE INVOLVED WHAT SEEMS TO BE DEFECTIVE WIRING WITH RESPECT TO THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS. THESE HAVE BEEN REPAIRED 3 TIMES SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENCE CITED ABOVE,TO THE TUNE OF $250, THE LAST TIME BEING 6 MONTHS AGO. NOW I AM TOLD THAT IT NEEDS A NEW MOTOR ASSEMBLY TO THE TUNE OF $650 PARTS AND LABOR! OTHER ASSORTED DOOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. OTHER PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN: DOOR MOLDINGS FALLING OFF (THIS MUST BE AN INHERENT PROBLEM WITH '98 JETTAS, BECAUSE I'VE NOTICED THAT MOST OF THOSE THAT I SEE ON THE ROAD HAVE MISSING MOLDINGS). BOTH FRONT TIRES BLEW OUT WITHIN 2 WEEKS OF EACH OTHER AFTER AN INAPPROPIATELY SHORT USAGE. MUCH LOWER GAS MILEAGE THAT ORIGINALLY PROMISED. MOST OF THESE PROBLEMS STARTED WELL WITHIN WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI #10070704

Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 2003
Structure

DOOR MOLDING HAS FALLEN OFF. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10016345

Mileage unknown · Jun 20, 2002
Structure

FRONT RIGHT SIDE DOOR MOLDING FELL OFF AT 30000 AND AGAIN AT 36000. THE OTHER THREE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF FALLING OFF OR HAVE FALLEN OFF OF THE OTHER DOORS. CAR HAS 60000, AND THE DEALER SAYS IT IS A PROBLEM BUT CORPORATE VOLKSWAGEN DOES NOT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #763288

Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2002
Structure

THREE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES WERE REPLACED BETWEEN 40,000 - 70,000 MILES. AT 80,000 MILES, THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE HAD TO BE REPLACED ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. DEALER NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK *JG

NHTSA ODI #8004044

Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2001
Structure

BODY TRIM HAS FALLEN OFF OF LEFT SIDE DOORS. I THINK THE PROBLEM MAY BE HEAT RELATED, AND EXASERBATED BY THE CAR BEING BLACK. HOWEVER , I KEEP THE CAR IN MY GARAGE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #752793

Mileage unknown · Jul 27, 2001
Structure

ELECTRICAL HARNESS IN THE LEFT REAR DOOR THAT CONTROLS THE POWER WINDOW WAS CUT BY THE DOOR CLOSING. THIS CAUSED A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND FAILURE OF THE POWER WINDOW CONTROL. *AK

NHTSA ODI #749355

Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingStructure

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

NHTSA ODI #550253

Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 1999
StructureCrash

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION AND THE PART ON THE LEFT SIDE RAIL THAT WAS NEEDED THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT MANUFACTURE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #853819

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.