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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

Visibility complaints

42 reports
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98,500 miles · May 5, 2008
Visibility

THE WINDOWS IN THE DOORS ARE FALLING DOWN AND NEEDING THE MECHANISM REPLACED. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO 3 OF THE DOORS SO FAR. HAS THIS BEEN A PROBLEM-WAS THERE EVER A RECALL FOR THIS-THIS SEEMS LIKE A WEIRD THING TO HAVE HAPPEN. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE YOU CANNOT ROLL THE WINDOW UP OR DOWN, AS WELL AS THE INTERIOR GETTING WE…

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THE WINDOWS IN THE DOORS ARE FALLING DOWN AND NEEDING THE MECHANISM REPLACED. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO 3 OF THE DOORS SO FAR. HAS THIS BEEN A PROBLEM-WAS THERE EVER A RECALL FOR THIS-THIS SEEMS LIKE A WEIRD THING TO HAVE HAPPEN. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE YOU CANNOT ROLL THE WINDOW UP OR DOWN, AS WELL AS THE INTERIOR GETTING WET FROM THE WEATHER. THANK YOU. REBECCA *TR

NHTSA ODI #10226616

Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2007
Visibility

I HAVE 1998 VW JETTA--I PRESENTLY HAVE THREE ELECTRIC WINDOWS WHICH DO NOT GO UP OR DOWN. TWO OF THEM HAVE PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPAIRED. THIS APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT OR NEEDED RECALL. CAUSE OF PROBLEMS IS MOTORS OR REGULATORS. THESE SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY VW. OF ALL THE VEHICLES I HAVE OWNED IN THE PAST 40 YEARS WITH ELECTRIC WI…

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I HAVE 1998 VW JETTA--I PRESENTLY HAVE THREE ELECTRIC WINDOWS WHICH DO NOT GO UP OR DOWN. TWO OF THEM HAVE PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPAIRED. THIS APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT OR NEEDED RECALL. CAUSE OF PROBLEMS IS MOTORS OR REGULATORS. THESE SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY VW. OF ALL THE VEHICLES I HAVE OWNED IN THE PAST 40 YEARS WITH ELECTRIC WINDOWS I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEMS EXCEPT WITH THE VW JETTA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10204217

1 miles · Nov 30, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingVisibility

LIKE OTHERS, I HAVE HAD THE IGNITION COIL REPLACED. THIS HAPPENED AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, OF COURSE. I HAVE ALSO HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDOWS (REGULATOR AND MOTOR) FOR ALL OF THEM. NOW, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS FLASHING AND THE CAR IS SPUTTERING. I KNOW THE SECONDARY AIR INTAKE VALVE NEEDS REPLACING BUT IT DID NO…

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LIKE OTHERS, I HAVE HAD THE IGNITION COIL REPLACED. THIS HAPPENED AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, OF COURSE. I HAVE ALSO HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDOWS (REGULATOR AND MOTOR) FOR ALL OF THEM. NOW, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS FLASHING AND THE CAR IS SPUTTERING. I KNOW THE SECONDARY AIR INTAKE VALVE NEEDS REPLACING BUT IT DID NOT CAUSE PROBLEMS. NOW I'M WONDERING IF SOMETHING NEW IS WRONG??? ALSO, I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH LOSING COOLANT AND HAD TO CONTINUOUSLY REPLACE ANTIFREEZE. AFTER FIXING WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A SMALL LEAK THE ENTIRE SYSTEM WILL NOT PRODUCE COOL AIR! THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS AND VW SHOULD LOOK INTO ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10174774

110,000 miles · Nov 22, 2006
Visibility

I BOUGHT A USED 1998 VW JETTA FOR MY DAUGHTER. GOOD CAR FUN TO DRIVE BUT ONE DAY AS SHE WAS DRIVING THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW FELL DOWN INTO THE DOOR. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR. MOST RECENTLY DURING THE SUMMER THE DRIVER'S FRONT WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR. ALL OF THESE INCIDENTS COULD ST…

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I BOUGHT A USED 1998 VW JETTA FOR MY DAUGHTER. GOOD CAR FUN TO DRIVE BUT ONE DAY AS SHE WAS DRIVING THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW FELL DOWN INTO THE DOOR. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR. MOST RECENTLY DURING THE SUMMER THE DRIVER'S FRONT WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR. ALL OF THESE INCIDENTS COULD STARTLE A DRIVER OR SHATTER THE WINDOW. CURRENTLY SHE HAS THE WINDOW TAPED UP ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND IT HINDERS HER VISIBILITY. VW SAID IT WOULD COST $485 PER DOOR!!!! YOU KNOW THE DRIVER'S REAR DOOR WILL GO SOON AND IT JUST DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT THAT WE SHOULD HAVE TO INVEST ANOTHER CLOSE TO $2000 JUST TO KEEP THE WINDOWS UP! THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT WHEN I CALLED VW THEY THANKED ME FOR BEING A LOYAL VW CUSTOMER AND ASKED ME IF I NAME MY CARS...VW KNOWS THAT THE PLASTIC BOTTOM ON THE REGULATOR FAILS AND THEY REPLACE THEM WITH METAL ONES. THEY SHOULD DO THIS FOR EVERYONE THAT HAS THESE CARS. I BELIEVE IN 2001 THE REGULATORS WITH METAL BOTTOMS ARE OEM. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10174045

100,000 miles · Apr 4, 2006
EquipmentVisibility

I PURCHASED A USED 1998 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLX SEVERAL YEARS AGO. WITHIN A YEAR OF PURCHASE, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FAILED TO OPPERATE PROPERLY. I HAD THE REGULATOR REPLACED. A YEAR LATER THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW FAILED. THAT REGULATOR WAS REPLACED. A YEAR LATER THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE FAILED AGAIN. BEFORE I COULD GET …

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I PURCHASED A USED 1998 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLX SEVERAL YEARS AGO. WITHIN A YEAR OF PURCHASE, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FAILED TO OPPERATE PROPERLY. I HAD THE REGULATOR REPLACED. A YEAR LATER THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW FAILED. THAT REGULATOR WAS REPLACED. A YEAR LATER THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE FAILED AGAIN. BEFORE I COULD GET IT FIXED, THE REAR DIVER SIDE WINDOW FAILED AS WELL. BOTH REGULATORS ARE BEING REPLACED. THE TOTAL COST OF THESE REPAIRS WILL BE OVER $2000. I FIND IT APPALLING THAT THE SAME PROBLEM CAN OCCUR MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE SAME VEHICLE. I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR VW VEHICLES AND YET NOTHING IS BEING DONE TO CORRECT IT - BE IT A DESIGN FLAW, MANUFACTURING PROBLEM, ETC. FAILED REGULATORS ARE BOTH A SAFETY AND SECURITY PROBLEM. I HOPE THAT NHTSA TAKES THESE COMPLAINTS SERIOUSLY AND INVESTIGATES THE PROBLEM. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10154541

Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2006
Visibility

1998 JETTA GLX. ANOTHER WINDOW REGULATOR DEFAULT. I'M ORIGINAL OWNER, THIRD TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED. BACK PASSENGER WINDOW TWICE, NO ONE EVER SITS BACK THERE AND THE WINDOW IS HARDLY EVER USED. SAT. DRIVER'S WINDOW, KER-PLUNK. REALLY ANNOYING, WINDOW DOWN AND IT'S RAINING. HAD TO TAPE THE OPENING CLOSED. I'M PAYING FOR THE…

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1998 JETTA GLX. ANOTHER WINDOW REGULATOR DEFAULT. I'M ORIGINAL OWNER, THIRD TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED. BACK PASSENGER WINDOW TWICE, NO ONE EVER SITS BACK THERE AND THE WINDOW IS HARDLY EVER USED. SAT. DRIVER'S WINDOW, KER-PLUNK. REALLY ANNOYING, WINDOW DOWN AND IT'S RAINING. HAD TO TAPE THE OPENING CLOSED. I'M PAYING FOR THE REPAIR, I KNOW VW OF AMERICA WILL NOT. BETWEEN THIS ISSUE AND THE BODY MOLDING CONSTANTLY FALLING OFF, I DOUBT I'LL BUY ANOTHER VW.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10152017

Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 2005
Visibility

I HAVE A 1998 VW JETTA GLS. I HAVE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED A WINDOW REGULATOR AT A COST OF $450, NOW THE REMAINING 3 HAVE FAILED WITHIN A WEEK. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH VW AND VW HAS ACKNOWLEDGED IT WITH SERVICE BULLETINS,ETC. VW USA CUSTOMER CARE HAS REFUSED TO COVER THE REPAIR. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10134287

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2005
Visibility

THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MY SAME VEHICLE, ALL HAPPENED THE SAME WAY. EACH TIME A DIFFERENT WINDOW. THE POWER WINDOW BUTTON WILL START MAKING NOISE WHEN YOU RAISE/LOWER THE WINDOW, THEN THE WINDOW WILL ONLY CLOSE HALF WAY. IF YOU PRESS THE POWER WINDOW BUTTON AGAIN THE WINDOW WILL DROP INTO THE DOOR. IN…

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THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MY SAME VEHICLE, ALL HAPPENED THE SAME WAY. EACH TIME A DIFFERENT WINDOW. THE POWER WINDOW BUTTON WILL START MAKING NOISE WHEN YOU RAISE/LOWER THE WINDOW, THEN THE WINDOW WILL ONLY CLOSE HALF WAY. IF YOU PRESS THE POWER WINDOW BUTTON AGAIN THE WINDOW WILL DROP INTO THE DOOR. IN THE PAST IT HAPPENED TO MY 2 BACK PASSENGER WINDOWS. EACH TIME VW TOLD ME IT WAS THE WINDOW REGULATOR AND IT COST ABOUT $350 TO FIX IT. SINCE THEY ARE BACK PASSENGER WINDOWS THE DEALER TOLD ME THEY COULD JUST PROP THE WINDOW UP WITH A PIECE OF WOOD MUCH CHEAPER. TODAY THE EXACT SAME SEQUENCE OF EVENTS HAPPENED TO MY DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW, SINCE ITS A DRIVER WINDOW I MOST LIKELY WILL HAVE TO PAY OUT THE $350 TO REPLACE THE FAULTY REGULATOR. LOOKING AT WWW.MYVWLEMON.COM I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE THAT THIS IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH ALL MAKES OF VW YET VW ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR A FAULTY PART.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10131654

Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 2005
Visibility

I HAVE HAD THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR REPLACED/REPAIRED TWICE BY THE DEALER UNDER WARRANTY. THEN I REPLACED IT MYSELF ONCE, AS THE REPAIR COSTS ARE TOO EXPENSIVE. THEN IT BROKE AGAIN AND I DON'T HAVE THE FUNDS TO FIX IT, SO I SIMPLY AVOID ROLLING DOWN THE WINDOW. THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE REGULATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED…

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I HAVE HAD THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR REPLACED/REPAIRED TWICE BY THE DEALER UNDER WARRANTY. THEN I REPLACED IT MYSELF ONCE, AS THE REPAIR COSTS ARE TOO EXPENSIVE. THEN IT BROKE AGAIN AND I DON'T HAVE THE FUNDS TO FIX IT, SO I SIMPLY AVOID ROLLING DOWN THE WINDOW. THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE REGULATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE BY THE DEALER UNDER WARRANTY. THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE REGULATOR IS NOW ACTING UP. I'M AFRAID TO ROLL DOWN MY WINDOWS AS THEY MAY NOT ROLL BACK UP.

NHTSA ODI #10129553

75,000 miles · May 24, 2005
Visibility

FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOWS COMPLETLY STOPPED WORKING. STUCK IN "UP" POSITION. TO EXPENSIVE TO FIX.

NHTSA ODI #10121975

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.