no report yet
Other: labels
Risk. UNDER INFLATED TIRES CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING, AND DRIVING WITH SUBSTANTIALY UNDER INFLATED TIRES PUTS THE CONSUMER AT A RISK FOR A CRASH.
1998 Volkswagen JettaProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 192 owner complaints about the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta, most often about the visibility. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 21, 2023. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta has problems
192 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
42Visibility
41Electrical system7 crash/fire/injury
19Tires1 crash/fire/injury
15Engine and engine cooling
14Structure
14Power train
12Equipment
12Steering
11Service brakes, hydraulic
5411 other systems9 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 42 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 41 | 7 |
| Tires | 19 | 1 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 15 | 0 |
| Structure | 14 | 1 |
| Power train | 14 | 1 |
| Equipment | 12 | 1 |
| Steering | 12 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 11 | 2 |
| 11 other systems | 54 | 9 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
1998 Volkswagen Jetta recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Volkswagen.
Best & worst years
1998 vs. every other Jetta year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Jetta median. How we score
0000113141819282231301711722031541923494396687024562312485802011888898526075005183881941621603255354714342463461
'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
1998 Volkswagen Jetta safety ratings
1998 Volkswagen Jetta III 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Side barrierNot rated
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta, and the recalls they led to.
- FUEL TANK PUNCTURELed to recall 02V-026
- FUEL TANK PUNCTURENo recall
In owners' words
What Jetta owners report
Recent visibility complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
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…
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…
Own a 1998 Jetta?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.