Model year record

1998 Volkswagen Beetle

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 289 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 06V183000

Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch

Component
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC
Vehicles affected
646,246
Reported to NHTSA
2006-05-24
Owners notified
2006-11-27

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND CRUISE CONTROLS, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING SAFETY RECALLS 03V-265 OR 04V-096.

Safety risk

THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 27, 2006. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V100000

Electrical system: wiring: front underhood

Component
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
8,500
Reported to NHTSA
1998-05-13
Owners notified
1998-05-14

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ELECTRICAL WIRING LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ROUTED TOO CLOSE TO THE ENDGE OF THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY TRAY. THE WIRING CAN BECOME DAMAGED OVER TIME BY CHAFING AND THE AIR-CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR AND/OR THE FUEL PUMP CAN MALFUNCTION.

Safety risk

A MALFUNCTION OF THE FUEL PUMP CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL, AND IN SOME INSTANCES, COULD ALSO RESULT IN A WIRING FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A MODIFIED BATTERY TRAY AND INSPECT, PROPERLY ROUTE, AND SECURING THE WIRING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECALL REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Visibility: power window devices and controls2450,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1455,000 mi
Electrical system1376,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights1353,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood117,815 mi
Seats1153,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers10106,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery9
Electrical system: wiring930,415 mi
Engine and engine cooling850,000 mi
Unknown or other8
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch660,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch652,000 mi
Air bags581,000 mi
Air bags: frontal535,201 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine510,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner510,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.550,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic589,957 mi
Vehicle speed control553,000 mi
Air bags: side/window4
Equipment456,331 mi
Power train: automatic transmission466,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior458,997 mi
Visibility: windshield478,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition397,785 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash358,650 mi
Exterior lighting350,000 mi
Structure326,000 mi
Structure: body3
Structure: body: trunk lid3
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer353,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator2
Engine285,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system2
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan252,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system2
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock2
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch2
Power train2
Service brakes2
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump2
Structure: body: door2
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments297,785 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields2
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module110,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables1
Electrical system: starter assembly: relay131,500 mi
Electrical system: wiring: rear compartment/trunk1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger1
Exterior lighting: back up lights160,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights1
Exterior lighting: fog lights1
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch197,785 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights1
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1
Fuel system, diesel192,304 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap150,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages110,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)1
Power train: axle assembly1
Power train: clutch assembly1
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1
Power train: manual transmission150,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission: floor shift assembly110,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage1
Seats: front assembly: recliner1
Service brakes, air: antilock: wheel speed sensor1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1
Steering1
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1
Steering: rack and pinion1
Structure: body: bumpers1
Structure: frame and members1
Tires: tread/belt1
Vehicle speed control: cables1
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1140,000 mi
Visibility1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1
Visibility: glass, side/rear1
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices1

The 1999 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.