MYRModel Year Report

1998 Volkswagen Jetta

● Typical for this model
1998 Volkswagen Jetta
RENDERED 2026-09-16T19:39:19.439Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Volkswagen Jetta Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1998 highlighted. 1984: 1 complaints 1984 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 14 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1988: 19 complaints 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 22 complaints 1990 1991: 32 complaints 1992: 30 complaints 1993: 17 complaints 1994: 120 complaints 1995: 220 complaints 1996: 173 complaints 1996 1997: 141 complaints 1998: 192 complaints 1998 1999: 349 complaints 2000: 439 complaints 2001: 668 complaints 2002: 702 complaints 2002 2003: 455 complaints 2004: 231 complaints 2005: 248 complaints 2006: 580 complaints 2007: 201 complaints 2008: 188 complaints 2008 2009: 888 complaints 2010: 852 complaints 2011: 606 complaints 2012: 499 complaints 2013: 516 complaints 2014: 386 complaints 2014 2015: 194 complaints 2016: 161 complaints 2017: 159 complaints 2018: 31 complaints 2019: 547 complaints 2020: 52 complaints 2020 2021: 67 complaints 2022: 42 complaints 2023: 43 complaints 2024: 43 complaints 2025: 28 complaints 2026: 5 complaints 2026
1998: 192 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19810
19820
19830
19841
198513
198614
198718
198819
198928
199022
199132
199230
199317
1994120
1995220
1996173
1997141
1998192
1999349
2000439
2001668
2002702
2003455
2004231
2005248
2006580
2007201
2008188
2009888
2010852
2011606
2012499
2013516
2014386
2015194
2016161
2017159
201831
2019547
202052
202167
202242
202343
202443
202528
20265

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

VISIBILITY 23%

23% of complaints: visibility — 44 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing power window devices and controls and windshield wiper/washer.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 22%

22% of complaints: electrical system — 42 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing switch and ignition.

FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I OWN A 1998 VOLKSWAGON JETTA, WOLFSBURG EDITION. I'VE BEEN STRANDED A TOTAL OF 6 OR 7 TIMES (LOSING COUNT) ON THE INTERSTATE BY THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20040505

THE VEHICLES' ANTI THEFT HAD WENT HAYWIRE. WENT TO START, BEEP SOUND WENT OFF. THEN WAS LOCKED INSIDE CAR. WITH THE ALARM GOING OFF. WAS ONLY ABLE TO EXIT VEHICLE BY HAVING PASSERBY UNHOOK BATTERY, WHILE I HELD THE UNLOCK BUTTON.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171115

Also filed under UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I HAVE BEEN TRAPPED INSIDE THE FRONT SEAT OF THIS VEHICLE. BOTH FRONT DOORS WILL OCCASIONALLY NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE CAR, EVEN WITH THE DOORS UNLOCKED. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT AND UNPREDICTABLE PROBLEM THAT I FEEL IS QUITE DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20121114

Also filed under STRUCTURE

TIRES 10%

10% of complaints: tires — 19 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tread/belt and sidewall.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 19990313

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 9%

9% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 17 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing exhaust system and gasoline.

POWER TRAIN 8%

8% of complaints: power train — 15 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASH

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 20000810 — PE (closed 20001228)

FUEL TANK PUNCTURE

I 20001228 — EA (closed 20020129)

FUEL TANK PUNCTURE

R 20030613 — fuel system, gasoline

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.

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

Campaign 02V026000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20030929 — equipment

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 I

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 DE

Campaign 03V156000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1998 Volkswagen Jetta — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for visibility issues (44 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (42 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for tires issues (19 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 02V026000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V156000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2018 ▲ 1992 ▲ 1991

WORST YEARS

■ 2009 ■ 2010 ■ 2002

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta?

The most-reported component is visibility, accounting for 23% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.