SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

1998 Volkswagen Golf

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
18Owner complaints

Model-year median: 18

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
43
19953
19967
199718
199864
199988
2000116
2001
Compare all Golf years →

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

What owners reported most

Electrical System
5Power Train
4Engine And Engine Cooling
3Equipment
2Exterior Lighting
2
All reported categories
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2Visibility
2Air Bags
1Seats
1Tires
1Vehicle Speed Control
1Wheels
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: 4 of 18 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. 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.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

18 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2000
Electrical SystemEquipmentVisibility

SOMETIMES WHEN TURNING ON AIR CONDITIONER IT DOES NOT COME ON, AND SOMETIMES WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT WORK. TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID IT WAS BINDING. LOCK CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #876280

Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2000
Power Train

TRANSMISSION HAS LOCKED INTO 3RD GEAR WITH OUT WARNING. THIS HAS CAUSED A LACK PERFORMANCE. ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE CAR NOT ACELERATING AS EXPECTED.

NHTSA ODI #728690

Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentPower Train

THE "VOLKSWAGEN CERTIFIED" DEALERSHIP WAS ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE. ALL THE LISTED PROBLEMS I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THEM REPEATEDLY, AND IT WOULD NORMALLY TAKE 3-5 VISITS FOR THE ITEM TO GET FIXED. I DIDN'T EVEN GET TO LIST ALL THE PROBLEMS WITH THE SPEAKER PANEL, CLUTCH, AND FENDERS GETTING FLEXED. I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER VOLKSWAGEN, …

Read full complaint

THE "VOLKSWAGEN CERTIFIED" DEALERSHIP WAS ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE. ALL THE LISTED PROBLEMS I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THEM REPEATEDLY, AND IT WOULD NORMALLY TAKE 3-5 VISITS FOR THE ITEM TO GET FIXED. I DIDN'T EVEN GET TO LIST ALL THE PROBLEMS WITH THE SPEAKER PANEL, CLUTCH, AND FENDERS GETTING FLEXED. I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER VOLKSWAGEN, OR GO TO THE DEALERSHIP EVER AGAIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #714777

Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ABS BRAKE PROBLEMS; INTERMITTENTLY WHEN APPLYING BRAKES ON REGULAR ROAD CONDITIONS, BRAKE PEDAL BECAME VERY HARD AND THERE WAS NO BRAKING ABILITY. DEALER COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE WEATHER WAS COLD. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #836407

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Tires

TIRE FAILURE. (ENERGY MICHELIN - MXV4 PLUS - XSE 203/55 R16 91H MXS) *YC

NHTSA ODI #608155

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Exterior Lighting

REAR BLINKER FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #608121

Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 1998
Seats

THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH HEAD RESTRAINTS. HEAD REST DROPS DOWN WITH A HEAVY IMPACT. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #831984

Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 1998
Power Train

WHEN PULLING OUT THE RPMS REACHED UP TO 40,000 BEFORE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTED TO THE NEXT GEAR AND THIS IS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #829809

Official recalls

1

03V155000 · Equipment:other:labels

Apr 22, 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 SUBSTANTIALLY UNDER INFLATED TIRES PUTS THE CONSUMER AT 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.

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.