IllustrationWHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THE WINDOW WENT UP AND DOWN INTERMITTENTLY AND MADE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. *TT
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
Visibility complaints
42 reportsBOTH REAR WINDOWS FAILED. WINDOW FALLS ON IT'S OWN AND DOES NOT COME BACK UP USING THE POWER CONTROLS. *NLM
TWO OF THE WINDOWS ON MY 98 JETTA HAVE GONE OUT. MANY OF MY FRIENDS WHO ALSO DRIVE JETTA'S HAD THEIR WINDOWS GO OUT ALSO. *JB
PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOW MOTOR FAILED AT 20,000 MILES AND JUST RECENTLY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW MOTOR FAILED BY CABLE IN MOTOR SNAPPING
NO SUMMARY. DT
WINDOW REGULATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED SIX TIMES, BUT THE REMEDY IS NOT WORKING. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK
TOTAL OF $1300 SPENT ON 3 WINDOWS NOW.*AK
VOLKSWAGEN NEEDS TO RECALL WINDOW PARTS ON ALL 1998 JETTAS - EVEN SERVICE TECH AGREES. *AK
POWER WINDOWS FAIL TO OPERATE. FRONT DRIVER WINDOW IS MAKING NOISES LEADING ME TO BELIEVE IT TOO WILL FAIL SOON. FIRST WINDOW WAS REPAIRED BY DEALER UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. *AK
POWER WINDOWS GO ALL THE WAY UP THEN COME BACK DOWN, ALL WINDOWS DO THIS INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN LEFT REAR WINDOW IS ROLLED DOWN BY BUTTON ON DOOR OR ON THE FRONT CONTROL PANEL IT ACTIVATES THE FACTORY ALARM AND LOCKS ALL DOORS (IT DOES NOT SOUND) YOU HAVE TO STOP, ROLL DOWN DRIVERS WINDOW, TURN OFF ENGINE AND REACH OUTSIDE AND MA…
Read full complaint
POWER WINDOWS GO ALL THE WAY UP THEN COME BACK DOWN, ALL WINDOWS DO THIS INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN LEFT REAR WINDOW IS ROLLED DOWN BY BUTTON ON DOOR OR ON THE FRONT CONTROL PANEL IT ACTIVATES THE FACTORY ALARM AND LOCKS ALL DOORS (IT DOES NOT SOUND) YOU HAVE TO STOP, ROLL DOWN DRIVERS WINDOW, TURN OFF ENGINE AND REACH OUTSIDE AND MANUALY DISALARM CAR. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH VOLKSWAGEN THEY WANTED A DIAGNOSTIC WICH I PAYED $80 FOR FROM STEVENS CREEK VW, I HAVE TO SEND THIS IN AND THEY WILL TELL ME IF THEY CAN HELP ME OR IF I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS PROBLEMS RELATED TO THIS IN ALL STATES, HAVE YOU HEARD OF THIS AND IF VW DOES NOT HELP ME IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO? THANK YOU
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.