SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

1998 Volkswagen New Beetle

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 25.

About this comparison →
30Owner complaints

Model-year median: 25

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
30
199834
199940
200039
2001
Compare all New Beetle years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Exterior Lighting
9Visibility
7Electrical System
3Seats
3Air Bags
2
All reported categories
Fuel System, Gasoline
2Structure
2Unknown Or Other
2Engine And Engine Cooling
1Equipment
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Power Train
1Vehicle Speed Control
1

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: 10 of 30 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.

  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports

Structure complaints

2 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 2002
StructureVisibility

WHILE IN MOTION, THE POWER WINDOWS FAILED. THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FAILED WHEN CONSUMER WAS OPERATING IT AND IT JUST STOPPED MOVING AND THEN FELL DOWN INTO THE CAR DOOR. THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW FAILED IN AUGUST 2002. CONSUMER POWERED THE WINDOW DOWN AND THEN IT WOULD NOT GO BACK UP, LEAVING IT OPEN. THE DRIVER WINDOW WAS FI…

Read full complaint

WHILE IN MOTION, THE POWER WINDOWS FAILED. THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FAILED WHEN CONSUMER WAS OPERATING IT AND IT JUST STOPPED MOVING AND THEN FELL DOWN INTO THE CAR DOOR. THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW FAILED IN AUGUST 2002. CONSUMER POWERED THE WINDOW DOWN AND THEN IT WOULD NOT GO BACK UP, LEAVING IT OPEN. THE DRIVER WINDOW WAS FIXED AT THE DEALERSHIP IN VERMONT AND THE PASSENGER WINDOW WAS REPAIRED AT THE DEALERSHIP IN WASHINGTON, DC. A VOLKSWAGEN REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE POWER WINDOWS WERE A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES, BUT THAT NO RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR MONIES PAID FOR REPAIRS. *JG *SCC

NHTSA ODI #567489

Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2002
Structure

THE VEHICLE HAD INADEQUATE GROUND CLEARANCE. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT PORTION OF THE ENGINE SPLASH SHIELD SCRAPES ON THE UPPER SURFACE OF THE CONCRETE STOP. *YH

NHTSA ODI #566175

Official recalls

1

03V265000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Jul 25, 2003

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LAMPS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE; OR THE LAMPS COULD COME ON AND STAY ON, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCHES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 26, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VWOA 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.