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1998 Volkswagen PassatProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 331 owner complaints about the 1998 Volkswagen Passat, most often about the suspension. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

34
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.9× the Passat median · #11 of 33 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints33118 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage72kSuspension, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 13, 2017. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1998 Volkswagen Passat has problems

331 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
Suspension901
Service brakes, hydraulic701
Steering522
Engine and engine cooling391
Electrical system283
Visibility273
Service brakes, air170
Power train161
Fuel system, gasoline160
16 other systems656

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

4 recalls

1998 Volkswagen Passat 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

Relay: connecting

Recall 99V-248 · Sep 13, 1999 · 51,900 vehicles

Risk. IF MOISTURE AND/OR DUST PARTICLES ENTER THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM, THE SWIVEL BEARING COULD WEAR OVER TIME DIMINISHING THE STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 99V-131 · May 21, 1999 · 88,121 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE INSUFFICIENT VACUUM TO BE PROVIDED TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system

Recall 98V-134 · Jun 22, 1998 · 19,800 vehicles

Risk. SCREEN PIECES COULD ENTER THE INTAKE AIR FLOW SYSTEM AND PREVENT THE THROTTLE PLATE FROM RETURNING TO ITS FULL IDLE POSITION.

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.

Owner-reported costs

What owners say repairs cost

Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.

Service brakes, hydraulic

28 owners mentioned a cost

$2,000median

Middle half: $1,413 – $2,425

Suspension

12 owners mentioned a cost

$900median

Middle half: $745 – $963

If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.

Best & worst years

1998 vs. every other Passat 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 Passat median. How we score

'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
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
6 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1998 Volkswagen Passat, and the recalls they led to.

  1. FUEL TANK PUNCTUREEA00028 · closed Jan 29, 2002
    Led to recall 02V-026
  2. PASSENGER AIR BAG LID FAILUREEA03020 · closed Apr 23, 2004
    No recall
  3. STUCK-OPEN THROTTLEEA04017 · closed Feb 10, 2005
    Led to recall 04V-495
  4. FUEL TANK PUNCTUREPE00033 · closed Dec 28, 2000
    No recall
  5. PASSENGER SIR DOOR MOUNTING STUD FAILUREPE03021 · closed Oct 7, 2003
    No recall
  6. POWER BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM BY-PASSRQ99008 · closed Nov 14, 2000
    Led to recall 99V-131
In owners' words

What Passat owners report

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

THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS ON MY 1998 VW PASSAT ARE DEFECTIVE AND DANGEROUS ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC. VW REFUSES TO REPLACE THEM EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THESE PARTS. THE REASONING IS THAT: - I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR THE RECALL AT THEIR DEALER IN 2005 AND AT THE TIME THE PARTS SEEMED OK. - AT…
Complaint 10243345 · Sep 24, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING NOISE WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH IN REVERSE. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SLAMMED TO THE GROUND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND A LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED THE LOWER RIGHT CONTROL ARM. THE CONTACT HAS THE FAILED COMPONENT…
Complaint 10191302 · May 21, 2007 · 197,000 miles
HAD A CREAKING SOUND IN THE FRONT END OF MY 1998 VW PASSAT 1.8T. TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE LEFT FRONT UPPER CONTROL ARM TIE RODS WERE BAD (AND DANGEROUS) AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT MY COST. DID THIS AND 6 WEEKS LATER THE UPPER CONTROL ARM ON THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE FAILED WHILE DRIVING…
Complaint 10152692 · Mar 14, 2006 · 135,500 miles

Own a 1998 Passat?

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