IllustrationELECTRICAL SYSTEMS ARE SUSPECT. THESE TWO PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN INTO THE DEALER, BUT THE WINDOW, EVEN AFTER BEING REPLACED, CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEMS
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 reportsNO SUMMARY
THE CAR HAS A REOCURRING PROBLEM WITH A MILDEW SMELL IN THE A/C SYSTEM. THE DEALER HAS SPRAYED DISINFECTANT IN THE VENTS AND WAS GOING TO DISASSEMBLE AND CLEAN THE UNIT. THE REGIONAL VW REP. HAD SAID THAT SPRAYING WAS ALL THEY WERE GOING TO DO. HOWEVER, THERE IS A FLYER AT THE DEALER, PUBLISHED BY VW OFFERING AN OPTIONAL SERVICE…
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THE CAR HAS A REOCURRING PROBLEM WITH A MILDEW SMELL IN THE A/C SYSTEM. THE DEALER HAS SPRAYED DISINFECTANT IN THE VENTS AND WAS GOING TO DISASSEMBLE AND CLEAN THE UNIT. THE REGIONAL VW REP. HAD SAID THAT SPRAYING WAS ALL THEY WERE GOING TO DO. HOWEVER, THERE IS A FLYER AT THE DEALER, PUBLISHED BY VW OFFERING AN OPTIONAL SERVICE TO ACRYLIC COAT THE EXAPORATOR. I FEEL THAT VW KNOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM, AND WHILE I AM UNDER WARRANTEE, I FEEL IT SHOULD BE DONE FREE OF CHARGE TO ME. VW DOES NOT AGREE. I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM EXISTING WITH BACTERIA LADEN WATER (LEGIONAIRES DISEASE, ETC). I HAVE ALREADY BEEN TREATED FOR A FUNGAL INFECTION ON MY TORSO THAT CAME OUT OF NOWHERE. I AM NOT SURE IF THAT IS RELATED OR NOT, BUT I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY TYPE OF SKIN PROBLEMS IN MY 36 YEARS. THE SMELL IS HORRIBLE, AND I DON'T THINK A NEW CAR SHOULD HAVE THIS KIND OF PROBLEM.. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 60MPH, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
LOUD BRAKES.
AIR CONDITIONER PIPE EXPLODED.
CLUTCH-CENTERING SPRING FELL OUT.
WINDSHIELD WASHER.
CD PLAYER FAILURE.
FIRST INCIDENT WITH GEAR SHIFTER HAPPENED IN MARCH 1999 WHEN IT POPPED OUT OF FIRST, THIRD AND FIFTH GEAR WHILE DRIVING. THE GEAR SHIFTER RATTLED IMMENSELY. THE SECOND TIME, IT HAD BEEN HARD TO GET INTO FIRST AND THIRD GEAR AND WAS POPPING OUT OF FIRST GEAR IN PARTICULAR. PRIOR TO HAVING THE CAR FIXED, IT WAS PARKED IN MY DRI…
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FIRST INCIDENT WITH GEAR SHIFTER HAPPENED IN MARCH 1999 WHEN IT POPPED OUT OF FIRST, THIRD AND FIFTH GEAR WHILE DRIVING. THE GEAR SHIFTER RATTLED IMMENSELY. THE SECOND TIME, IT HAD BEEN HARD TO GET INTO FIRST AND THIRD GEAR AND WAS POPPING OUT OF FIRST GEAR IN PARTICULAR. PRIOR TO HAVING THE CAR FIXED, IT WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY DURING A STORM. THE CAR POPPED OUT OF GEAR AND ROLLED DOWN MY DRIVEWAY INTO A TREE. VOLKSWAGEN ADJUSTED THE SHIFTER (WHICH THEY ADJUSTED INCORRECTLY IN THE FIRST PLACE). THE THIRD TIME, (WHICH IS NOW) IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO GET IT IN FIRST GEAR. *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.