Known Recalls

Model year record

1998 Volkswagen Golf

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 28 owner complaints on file.

Volkswagen Golf, 1993–1998 generation
Pictured: the 1993–1998 generation. OWS Photography, CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V155000

Equipment: other: labels

Component
Equipment: other: labels
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
4,243
Reported to NHTSA
2003-04-22
Owners notified
2003-09-29

Defect description

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 INFLATION PRESSURE PUBLISHED ON THE LABEL FOR TIRES OF THE SIZE 205/50 R15 86H IS 0.1 BAR (1.45 PSI) TOO LOW. IT SHOULD BE 2.5 BAR (36.3 PSI). THE LABEL RECOMMENDS 2.4 BAR (34.8 PSI = 35 PSI).

Safety risk

UNDER INFLATED TIRES CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING, AND DRIVING WITH SUBSTANTIALLY UNDER INFLATED TIRES PUTS THE CONSUMER AT RISK FOR A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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 DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VW AT 1-800-893-5298.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system: ignition: switch457,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system3—
Power train: automatic transmission324,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip2—
Air bags: frontal1—
Electrical system: wiring1153,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1—
Exterior lighting: headlights1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1—
Power train: clutch assembly1—
Seats: front assembly: head restraint1—
Tires1—
Vehicle speed control1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1—
Wheels1—

The 1997 model has 4 times as many complaints as this one. The 1999 model has about a third as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Volkswagen Golf model years

202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997199619951994199319921991199019891988198719861985

All Volkswagen Golf recalls by year

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.