MYRModel Year Report

1998 Volkswagen Passat

◆ Worse than typical
1998 Volkswagen Passat
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than 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 Passat Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1998 highlighted. 1990: 34 complaints 1990 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 40 complaints 1993: 68 complaints 1994: 25 complaints 1995: 94 complaints 1995 1996: 142 complaints 1997: 70 complaints 1998: 331 complaints 1998 1999: 664 complaints 2000: 507 complaints 2000 2001: 430 complaints 2002: 636 complaints 2003: 629 complaints 2004: 279 complaints 2005: 148 complaints 2005 2006: 576 complaints 2007: 262 complaints 2008: 168 complaints 2009: 146 complaints 2010: 163 complaints 2010 2011: 16 complaints 2012: 483 complaints 2013: 748 complaints 2014: 594 complaints 2015: 243 complaints 2015 2016: 106 complaints 2017: 110 complaints 2018: 45 complaints 2019: 12 complaints 2020: 17 complaints 2020 2021: 18 complaints 2022: 12 complaints 2022
1998: 331 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19880
19890
199034
199124
199240
199368
199425
199594
1996142
199770
1998331
1999664
2000507
2001430
2002636
2003629
2004279
2005148
2006576
2007262
2008168
2009146
2010163
201116
2012483
2013748
2014594
2015243
2016106
2017110
201845
201912
202017
202118
202212

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

SERVICE BRAKES 30%

30% of complaints: service brakes — 100 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH
SUSPENSION 30%

30% of complaints: suspension — 98 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing control arm and front.

CRASH
STEERING 18%

18% of complaints: steering — 58 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tie rod assembly and rack and pinion.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

ONGOING DISPUTE WITH VCI AND VW OVER LEASE PAYMENTS AND RECALL AND DAMAGES. NO SAFETY DEFECTS MENTIONED IN SUMMARY. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20000110

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 14%

14% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 45 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

FIRE
VISIBILITY 10%

10% of complaints: visibility — 32 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing sun/moon roof assembly and windshield.

INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME SUNROOF MECHANISMS FRACTURED. THIS TIME THEY STRUCK THE DRIVER WHILE DRIVING (PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY). IN BOTH FAILURES, THERE WERE FRACTURES OF THE MECHANISM.

NHTSA ODI report, 19990527

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1998 — complaint volume: 331
R 19980825 — engine and engine cooling

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE BACKFIRES DURING A COLD-START, AN AIR SCREEN WHICH IS LOOSELY SEATED IN THE AIR FLOW METER CAN BECOME DAMAGED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RETAINING RING TO HOLD THE AIR SCREEN IN PLACE.

Campaign 98V134000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19990601 — RQ (closed 20001114)

POWER BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM BY-PASS

R 19991005 — steering

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TIE RODS OF THE STEERING ASSEMBLY ARE PROTECTED ON EACH SIDE BY A SEAL TO PREVENT MOISTURE AND DUST PARTICLES FROM ENTERING THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE RODS.

Campaign 99V248000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19991009 — service brakes, hydraulic

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. A CONTROL VALVE IN THE VACUUM HOSE CONNECTING THE BRAKE BOOSTER TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD MAY NOT OPEN OR CLOSE FULLY AT

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A VACUUM BY-PASS SYSTEM INTO VEHICLES OPERATED IN THESE STATES WHICH IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT VACUUM FOR FULL BRAKE ASSIST UNDER ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS.

Campaign 99V131001 — check if this car was fixed

I 20000810 — PE (closed 20001228)

FUEL TANK PUNCTURE

I 20001228 — EA (closed 20020129)

FUEL TANK PUNCTURE

I 20030523 — PE (closed 20031007)

PASSENGER SIR DOOR MOUNTING STUD FAILURE

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

I 20031007 — EA (closed 20040423)

PASSENGER AIR BAG LID FAILURE

I 20040630 — EA (closed 20050210)

STUCK-OPEN THROTTLE

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 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: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1998 Volkswagen Passat — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (100 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (98 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for steering issues (58 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 98V134000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 99V248000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 99V131001 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 02V026000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1990 ▲ 1992 ▲ 2018

WORST YEARS

■ 2013 ■ 1999 ■ 2003

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1998 Volkswagen Passat reliable?

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

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

The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 30% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1998 Volkswagen Passat have?

5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.