1998 Volkswagen Jetta problems
The 1998 Volkswagen Jetta has 253 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (17%) concerns wipers, windshield & visibility. After that come electrical system (17%) and tires (8%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 253 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Wipers, windshield & visibility 17% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 14 and 8
- Injuries and deaths
- 12 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 78,000 miles 50 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 13 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 1 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 5 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 8 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 7 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 12 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 2 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 2 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 50 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 78,000 miles. For wipers, windshield & visibility specifically, the median reported mileage is about 77,000 miles (15 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 14 complaints mention a crash; 8 complaints mention a fire; 12 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1998 ranks 20th most-complained-about out of 35 model years of the Volkswagen Jetta with enough data (164 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 2 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tire had a sidewall seperation on the highway resulting in accident; this has happened now twice, on the stock tires, first time I thought it was just bad luck, however two times seems to be fishy. The tires have plenty of tread left. I am interested to find out if this has happened to other people.( DOT number: mkhcfjdr19 tire size: 195/60r14 )
Vehicle was involved in a frontal collision at 60MPH, and the airbags did not deploy, resulting in minor injuries. Manufacturer has been notified.
While driving 35 MPH vehicle collided with a tree. Upon impact, air bags failed to deploy. Driver and passenger sustained minor injuries, and were transported to the hospital. Vehicle was taken to the dealer and dealer was unable to duplicate or resolve the problem.
Dt*: the contact stated the left rear wheel detached from the vehicle, crossed the highway and hit another vehicle. The other vehicle sustained minor body damage. A police report was filed. This occurred while driving 35 MPH without warning. The vehicle was pulled to the side of the highway. The vehicle was then towed to an independent repair shop. The mechanic was unable to duplicate the problem; however the left rear wheel assembly, brakes, rim and tire were replaced. The manufacturer was not alerted.
My 1998 volkswagen (VW) jetta has an ignition switch problem. When driving, it falls back, turning off the electrical system (including lights and windshield wipers). VW has identified this as a problem in the 1996 and 1997 jettas (and sent out a recall on the part) but does not recognize it as a problem for the 1998 models. I have been told by a VW service person that the 1998 models use the same ignition switch as the 1996/1997's. VW representatives claim that they do not see a problem with the 1998's.