Model year record

1998 Volkswagen Golf

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

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.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Electrical system: ignition: switch	4	57,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system	3	—
Power train: automatic transmission	3	24,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe	2	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	2	—
Air bags: frontal	1	—
Electrical system: wiring	1	153,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline	1	—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner	1	—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.	1	—
Exterior lighting: headlights	1	—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit	1	—
Power train: clutch assembly	1	—
Seats: front assembly: head restraint	1	—
Tires	1	—
Vehicle speed control	1	—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system	1	—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer	1	—
Wheels	1	—

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.

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.