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1998 Volkswagen NEW BeetleProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 30 owner complaints about the 1998 Volkswagen NEW Beetle, most often about the exterior lighting. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

54
CarFlaw IndexSolid year16% below the NEW Beetle median · #4 of 7 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints305 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage48kExterior lighting, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 9, 2004. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1998 Volkswagen NEW Beetle has problems

30 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Exterior lighting90
Visibility70
Electrical system31
Seats31
Air bags21
Fuel system, gasoline20
Structure20
Equipment10
Vehicle speed control10
3 other systems30

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1998 Volkswagen NEW Beetle 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

Brake lights: switch

Recall 03V-265 · Jul 25, 2003 · 295,136 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LAMPS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE; OR THE LAMPS COULD COME ON AND STAY ON, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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 NEW Beetle 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 NEW Beetle median. How we score

'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'06
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What NEW Beetle owners report

Recent exterior lighting complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

HEADLIGHTS CONSTANTLY GO OUT WHILE DRIVING, HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE MANY TIMES DUE TO NO LIGHTS OR HAVING TO DRIVE WITH HIGH BEAMS ON. THIS PAST TIME HAD TO PARK THE CAR AND HAVE SOMEONE TAKE US HOME, COULD NOT DRIVE CAR UNTIL THE NEXT MORNING. REPAIR BILLS ARE BECOMING REDICULOUS.*AK
Complaint 10068206 · May 3, 2004 · 49,000 miles
I HAVE A 1998 VW BEETLE. I BOUGHT THE BEETLE NEW. THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE THE CAR HAD 15,000 MILES. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT GET THE LIGHT TO REMAIN OUT, HOWEVER SINCE I HAD REPORTED IT THEY WOULD HONOR THE WARRANTY ON IT IF IT WENT OUT…
Complaint 10014503 · Apr 17, 2003 · 15,000 miles
LEFT HEADLAMP BULB BURNED-OUT. I HAD TO REPLACE THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLAMP AT LEAST 5 TIMES OVER THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLAMP BULB HAS ONLY NEEDED REPLACEMENT ONCE OVER THE SAME TIME PERIOD. *JB
Complaint 10010457 · Mar 14, 2003

Own a 1998 NEW Beetle?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.