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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

What owners actually said

192 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 2, 2001
Latches/locks/linkages

WHILE DRIVING 60 TO 65 MPH HOOD FLEW UP AND BROKE WINDSHIELD. IT BROKE ONE SIDE OF HOOD CONNECTION WHERE HOOD IS ATTACHED. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WILL LOOK AT VEHICLE AND GET BACK WITH CONSUMER. PLEASE ADD VIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #898672

Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 2001
Visibility

VOLKSWAGEN NEEDS TO RECALL WINDOW PARTS ON ALL 1998 JETTAS - EVEN SERVICE TECH AGREES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #752963

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 · Oct 1, 2001
Visibility

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

NHTSA ODI #752792

Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2001
Electrical SystemFire

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

NHTSA ODI #895404

Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2001
Electrical SystemFire

THE BRAKE LIGHTS SPONTANEOUSLY IGNITED WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED IN AN APARTMENT PARKING LOT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #750942

Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2001
Fuel System, Gasoline

ENGINE LOST POWER WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS HIGH (GREATER THAN 95 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT). ON THE FIRST OCCURRENCE (JULY 30, 1999, IN DES PLAINES, IL) THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A VW DEALER IN MT. PROSPECT, IL, WHERE THEY DETECTED A FAULTY AIR-GAS RATIO AND SAID. *AK

NHTSA ODI #750492

Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 2001
Tires

MY MOTHER TOOK HER 1998'JETTA TO THE DOVER VW DEALERSHIP FOR THE LAST WARRANTY SERVICE AT 24,000 MILES. AS SHE WAS LEAVING (GETTING INTO HER CAR) THEY SAID THEY WERE ORDERING 4-NEW TIRES FOR HER (I GUESS THEY FORGOT ABOUT THE FULL SIZE SPARE IN THE TRUNK) THEY TOLD HER THAT GOOD YEAR (NOT VW WAS DOING A RECALL ON THESE TIRES) AN…

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MY MOTHER TOOK HER 1998'JETTA TO THE DOVER VW DEALERSHIP FOR THE LAST WARRANTY SERVICE AT 24,000 MILES. AS SHE WAS LEAVING (GETTING INTO HER CAR) THEY SAID THEY WERE ORDERING 4-NEW TIRES FOR HER (I GUESS THEY FORGOT ABOUT THE FULL SIZE SPARE IN THE TRUNK) THEY TOLD HER THAT GOOD YEAR (NOT VW WAS DOING A RECALL ON THESE TIRES) AND TO ALLOW 3 MONTHS, YES 3 MONTHS FOR THE NEW ONES. THEY TOLD HER THEY WERE NOT WEARING CORRECTLY, BUT HTERE WAS NO IMMEDIATE DANGER - THEY WERE OK TO DRIVE, AND THEY WOULD BE COVERED AT 100 %. NOW WE ARE BOTH VW OWNERS, WE BOTH RECEIVED SEPERATE LETTERS FROM VW, REMINDING OWNERS TO CHECK THE AIR PRESSURE IN THERI TIRES, AND MAINTAIN THEM CORRECTLY - BUT NO MENTION, THAT IF YOU HAD GOOD YEAR TIRES ON YOUR VW, FOR MODEL YEARS, X,Y,Z, THAT YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR DEALERSHIP. I THINK IT HORRIBLE THAT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIPS (HIT OR MISS) IF A CUSTOMER HAPPENS IN, AND THEY HAVE THE DEFECTIVE TIRES, THAT AT THAT POINT, THEY SAY, WELL VW ISN;T DOING THE RECALL, GOOD YEAR IS, AND VW DOES'NT KNOW WHAT CARS HAVE GOOD YEARS, OR CONTINENTAL, OR WHAT EVER. SEEMS THAT IF VW (AND I DON'T MEAN THE MAINTENANCE REMINDER LETTERS THE LOCAL DEALER SEND OUT TO SERVICE YOUR CAR) THAT IF THEY WERE GOING TO REMIND FOLKS THAT THEY SHOULD MAINTAIN THEIR TIRES, THAT CERTAINLY THEY WOULD BE AWARE OF GOOD YEARS TIRE PROBLEMS (RECALL) AND COULD'VE ADDED VERBIAGE TO SAY, IF YOU HAVE THESE TIRES, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR DEALERSHIP, OF GOOD YEAR. VW DID A HALF WAY JOB HEAR IN MY OPINION. I HOPE THE WORD GETS OUT TO OTHER OWNERS FOR THEIR SAFETY AND FOR THEIR MANUFACTURER'S REPLACEMENT FREE OF CHARGE !*AK

NHTSA ODI #749400

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 · Jul 23, 2001
Visibility

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #749011

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.