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
58,000 miles · Jan 16, 2003
Electrical System
1998 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA VR6 HAS HAD SECOND IGNITION COILPACK FAIL, CREATING A DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION AND RENDERING THE CAR INOPERABLE. CAR CURRENTLY HAS 58,000 ON JAN. 13TH., 2003 AND REQUIRED IGNITION COILPACK REPLACEMENT. IGNITION COILPACK WAS ALSO REPLACED ON 06/26/2000 WHEN VEHICLE HAD 34,119 MILES. VOLKSWAGEN SERVI…
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1998 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA VR6 HAS HAD SECOND IGNITION COILPACK FAIL, CREATING A DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION AND RENDERING THE CAR INOPERABLE. CAR CURRENTLY HAS 58,000 ON JAN. 13TH., 2003 AND REQUIRED IGNITION COILPACK REPLACEMENT. IGNITION COILPACK WAS ALSO REPLACED ON 06/26/2000 WHEN VEHICLE HAD 34,119 MILES. VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE MANAGER AGREES THAT THIS FAILED PREMATURELY, BUT CUSTOMER COMPLAINT CENTER REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM EXISTS. THIS PROBLEM CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL AND SPUTTER IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC, THUS CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR MY FAMILY AND SURROUNDING VEHICLES.
NHTSA ODI #10002791
80,000 miles · Jan 5, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE FRONT DISK BRAKE ROTORS WERE UNDERSIZED IN DIAMETER. THIS ALLOWED THE DISC BRAKE PADS TO WEAR IN A MANNER THAT ALLOWED THE PADS TO CONTACT OUTSIDE OF THE ROTOR AND RESULT IN REDUCED PRESSURE ON THE ROTOR. PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE PROBLEM ARE AVAILABLE. BRAKE FADING AND LOSS OF BREAKS FROM OVERHEATING ON MOUNTAIN ROADS THEN OCCURR…
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THE FRONT DISK BRAKE ROTORS WERE UNDERSIZED IN DIAMETER. THIS ALLOWED THE DISC BRAKE PADS TO WEAR IN A MANNER THAT ALLOWED THE PADS TO CONTACT OUTSIDE OF THE ROTOR AND RESULT IN REDUCED PRESSURE ON THE ROTOR. PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE PROBLEM ARE AVAILABLE. BRAKE FADING AND LOSS OF BREAKS FROM OVERHEATING ON MOUNTAIN ROADS THEN OCCURRED. THE CAR MODEL IS A VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI MODEL YEAR 1998. THE CAR WAS BOUGHT USED BUT IT WOULD BE UNLIKELY THAT THE DISK ROTORS WOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH LESS THAN 80000 MILES.
NHTSA ODI #10000740
Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2002
Unknown Or OtherVisibility
NO SUMMARY. DT
NHTSA ODI #770730
Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE ABS INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON AND THEN IT WENT OFF AGAIN BEFORE I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE IT IN FOR A CHECK. THIS HAPPENED IN NOVEMBER 2001. THEN RECENTLY THE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS, SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO BE CHECKED. THEY SAID THAT IT NEEDED AN ABS HYDRAULIC PUMP. ALTHOUGH …
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THE ABS INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON AND THEN IT WENT OFF AGAIN BEFORE I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE IT IN FOR A CHECK. THIS HAPPENED IN NOVEMBER 2001. THEN RECENTLY THE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS, SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO BE CHECKED. THEY SAID THAT IT NEEDED AN ABS HYDRAULIC PUMP. ALTHOUGH MY BRAKES WORK FINE, APPARENTLY MY ABS SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING. THE CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION UNTIL I CARE FOR THIS MATTER, BUT AT MORE THAN $1100.00. I WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL INSPECTION TO CARE FOR THIS ITEM. I JUST THOUGHT I SHOULD REPORT THIS TO NHTSA WHILE I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY. DT
NHTSA ODI #770072
Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 2002
Seat Belts
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE REAR SEAT BELT UNLATCHES IT SELF. TS
NHTSA ODI #8021794
Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2002
Electrical SystemSteering
BATTERY ACID LEAKED ON RESERVOIR CAUSING RESERVOIR TO LEAK FLUID, WHICH COULD CAUSE LOSS OF STEERING.DEALER CONTACTED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8016039
Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2002
Seat Belts
THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN REAR LEFT SEAT BELT, CANNOT INSTALL ANY CHILD SEAT. CHILD TECHNICAN UNABLE TO INSTALL SEAT. *AK.
NHTSA ODI #8014495
Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2002
Equipment
AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR FAILED WITH ONLY 45000, I HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF JETTA OWNERS COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SAME DEFECT. THE COST ESTIMATED AT VOLKSWAGEN WAS 1600 DOLLARS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #764400
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 · Jun 19, 2002
Visibility
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
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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