IllustrationBATTERY EXPLODED WHILE STARTING THE ENGINE. AFTER RESEARCHING ON LINE, I'VE DETERMINED THAT THIS MAY BE A LARGER PROBLEM. *AK
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Jetta years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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 reportsPASSENGER'S SIDE REAR WINDOW STOPPED OPERATING ON 05/13/01/ DRIVERS SIDE REAR WINDOW STOPPED OPERATING ON 07/03/01. CONSUMER CAN HEAR MOTOR, BUT WINDOW IS STUCK IN DOOR. DEALER HAS NOT YET BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
HEATER CORE FAILED AND COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE CABIN ALONG WITH FUMES. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR DID NOT HAVE PARTS IN STOCK.*AK
WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP AND KEY MOVED ALL HEAD LIGHTS TURNED OFF BECAUSE OF ELECTRICAL WIRES SHORTING OUT THROUGH IGNITION SYSTEM. MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN CONTACTED, AND THEY SAID JUST TO MOVE KEY AND HEAD LIGHTS WILL COME BACK ON.*AK
OUT OF 3 NEW TIRES, 1 COMPLETE BLOWOUT ON INTERSTATE, 2 REPL. SDWL LEAKS. VALVE STEM REPLACEMENT.*AK (DOT NUMBER: MDULJPHR09 TIRESIZE: 205/50R15)
TRANSMISSION SLIPS BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD GEAR. THIS PROBLEM WAS FIRST REPORTED TO GOSSETT MOTOR CARS ON 05/06/98, AND HAS BEEN A RECURRING PROBLEM EVER SINCE. CRUISE CONTROL HAS FUNCTIONED PROPERLY THREE TIMES AND FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES. GOSSETT MOTOR CARS SAYS THERE IS NOT A PROBLEM.. *AK
BLOWOUT OF LEFT REAR AND RIGHT FRONT. FIRST OCCURRED 0800 21 APR 01 ON INTERSTATA 64 WEST NEAR RICHMOND VA. SECOND LATER THAT SAME DAY ON INTERSTATE 95 SOUTH NORTH OF RICHMOND. IN BOTH CASES BELT SEPARATION OCCURRED. NO PUNCTURE. HOLES IN SIDEWALL. I TOOK THE ONE TIRE I SAVED TO A GOODYEAR DEALER AND HE DETERMINED THAT THE…
Read full complaint
BLOWOUT OF LEFT REAR AND RIGHT FRONT. FIRST OCCURRED 0800 21 APR 01 ON INTERSTATA 64 WEST NEAR RICHMOND VA. SECOND LATER THAT SAME DAY ON INTERSTATE 95 SOUTH NORTH OF RICHMOND. IN BOTH CASES BELT SEPARATION OCCURRED. NO PUNCTURE. HOLES IN SIDEWALL. I TOOK THE ONE TIRE I SAVED TO A GOODYEAR DEALER AND HE DETERMINED THAT THE TIRE HAD A DEFECT RESULTING IN BELT SEPARATION. WEAR ON THE TIRE EVEN THO IT HAD 50000 MILES WAS OVER 20% TREAD LEFT. I WOULD NEVER HAVE EXPECTED TWO BLOWOUTS IN ONE DAY PARTICULARLY WITH THE TREAD AS GOOD AS IT APPEARED. THE TIRES WERE STATE INSPECTED IN LATE JANUARY.*AK (TIRESIZE: 195/60/R14)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 195/60/R14 )
WHEN CONSUMER COMES TO A STOP THERE WAS SURGE INSIDE OF ENGINE AND VEHICLE WANTS TO MOVE ON ITS ON.*AK CONSUMER STATES ON ONE OCCASION COMING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE, VEHICLE BEGAN TO MOVE AND CONSUMER HAD TO PRESS VERY HARD ON BRAKE SO SHE WOULD NOT MOVE. *SLC
RECURRING ISSUE - AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS LIT AFTER STARTING. TAKES DEALERSHIP A LONG TIME TO DIAGNOSE AND FIX. WE HAVE LOST OVER 2 WEEKS OF USE OF THE VEHICLE SO FAR.
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, FRONT END CAUGHT ON FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED.*AK
Official recalls
203V156000 · 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
2EA00028 · 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.