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
What owners actually said
192 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline
REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR RECALL REPAIRS THAT WERE PERFORMED ON A 1998 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA.*MR THE MANUFACTURER STATED THEY WOULD ONLY REIMBURSE THE CONSUMER $380.00 DOLLARS. THE CONSUMER STATED A REPRESENTATIVE STATED THE ENTIRE AMOUNT WOULD BE REFUNDED FOR THE GAS TANK AND THE REPLACEMENT TIRE. THE CONSUMER TRAVELING 70 MPH …
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REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR RECALL REPAIRS THAT WERE PERFORMED ON A 1998 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA.*MR THE MANUFACTURER STATED THEY WOULD ONLY REIMBURSE THE CONSUMER $380.00 DOLLARS. THE CONSUMER STATED A REPRESENTATIVE STATED THE ENTIRE AMOUNT WOULD BE REFUNDED FOR THE GAS TANK AND THE REPLACEMENT TIRE. THE CONSUMER TRAVELING 70 MPH WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. (FATHER NATHAN DOWNEY ON BEHALF OF HIS DAUGHTER MAURA DOWNEY WHO OWNS THE VEHICLE) *JB
NHTSA ODI #10046630
102,000 miles · Oct 30, 2003
Electrical System
IGNITION SWITCH. I HAVE A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. WITH THE CAR RUNNING, THERE HAVE BEEN OCCASIONS WHEN MY HEADLIGHTS HAVE TURNED OFF, AND THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. I HAVE SEEN APPROXIMATELY 5 POSTINGS ON DIFFERENT MESSAGE BOARDS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10045153
77,000 miles · Oct 8, 2003
Visibility
WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED, CAUSING DRIVER TO HAVE POOR VISIBILITY. IT WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE MECHANIC CHECK IT OUT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10042521
18,350 miles · Sep 17, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
LEAKING COOLANT FROM THE COOLANT OVERFLOW BOTTLE MIGRATED UP THE ELECTRICAL LOW INDICATOR SENSOR WIRES, CAUSING DAMAGE THE RELAY CONTROL BOARD AND ALARM SENSOR MODULE. THIS PROBLEM IS KNOWN TO VOLKSWAGEN AS A "COOLANT MIGRATION" PROBLEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10039045
Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2003
Exterior LightingCrash
STOP BRAKE LIGHT TOO DIM ON VW JETTA 1999 OLD BODY STYLE. I WAS DRIVING ON A LOCAL ROAD WITH A SAFE DISTANCE TO THE CAR INFRONT OF ME ( A JETTA 1999 OLD BODY STYLE) ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STOPPED AND I NEVER SAW ITS TAIL LIGHTS TURN ON. CONSEQUENTLY I REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS OF MY VEHICLE. INTERESTIN…
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STOP BRAKE LIGHT TOO DIM ON VW JETTA 1999 OLD BODY STYLE. I WAS DRIVING ON A LOCAL ROAD WITH A SAFE DISTANCE TO THE CAR INFRONT OF ME ( A JETTA 1999 OLD BODY STYLE) ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STOPPED AND I NEVER SAW ITS TAIL LIGHTS TURN ON. CONSEQUENTLY I REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS OF MY VEHICLE. INTERESTINGLY THE DRIVER IN THE CAR INFRONT OF ME TOLD ME THAT EVER SINCE HE HAD PURCHASED THIS CARD (ABOUT 2 YRS AGO) HE HAS BEEN REAR ENDED 3 TIMES BEFORE. TODAY I WAS DRIVING DOWN AND I NEARLY REAR ENDED ANOTHER JETTA OF THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL. I WAS OBEYING ALL TRAFFIC LAWS AND MAINTAINING A VERY SAFE DRIVING DISTANCE TO THE VEHICLE INFRONT OF ME. I MY SELF OWN THE SAME JETTA AND SEVERAL TIMES I HAVE HEARD COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER DRIVERS THAT MY TAIL LIGHTS ARE TOO DIM AND THEY NEARLY REAR ENDED ME. I WILL REALLY APPRECIATE IF THE OFFICE CAN INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE. THIS WILL SAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM GETTING INJURED. THANK YOU JUNAID . *AK
NHTSA ODI #10037343
Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2003
SuspensionWheels
WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING RIGHT REAR WHEEL LUGS:NUTS CAME OFF, CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL. DEALER STATED THAT WHEEL BEARING WENT BAD. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10038197
92,000 miles · Aug 30, 2003
Visibility
ALL 4 OF MY ELECTRIC WINDOWS HAVE FAILED, 3 OF THEM FALL DOWN AND 1 WILL NOT MOVE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10036896
Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2003
Electrical System
IGNITION COIL PROBLEM .DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10022904
Mileage unknown · May 28, 2003
Visibility
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THE WINDOW WENT UP AND DOWN INTERMITTENTLY AND MADE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10021744
105,000 miles · May 27, 2003
Unknown Or Other
98 VW JETTA TDI. THE ODOMETER, SPEEDOMETER AND CRUISE CONTROL INTERMITTENTLY QUIT WORKING WHILE DRIVING. SOMETIMES THEY COME BACK ON WITHIN A MILE, SOMETIMES UP TO TEN MILES. HAPPENS ABOUT EVERY 150 MILES. VEHICLE HAS 111,500 MILES. *TT
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.
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.
1998 Volkswagen Jetta Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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