Model year record

1998 Volkswagen Cabrio

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 37 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V026000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap

Component: Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected: 487,284
Reported to NHTSA: 2002-01-25
Owners notified: 2003-06-13

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

FUEL LEAKAGE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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 PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF TIRE DISINTEGRATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 13, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Owner complaints

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

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Structure: body: roof and pillars	4	—
Air bags	2	—
Electrical system: ignition: switch	2	—
Engine and engine cooling: engine	2	85,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	2	46,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly	2	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	2	—
Structure: body	2	85,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls	2	50,000 mi
Air bags: frontal	1	—
Back over prevention: warnings: external/pedestrian alert	1	50,000 mi
Electrical system	1	90,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system	1	—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner	1	—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.	1	—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	1	—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch	1	50,000 mi
Parking brake: conventional	1	—
Seat belts: front: retractor	1	—
Structure: frame and members	1	—
Tires	1	—
Vehicle speed control	1	—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system	1	—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices	1	—
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly	1	—

The 1997 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. The 1999 model has about half as many 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.