Model year record

1998 Volkswagen Jetta

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 253 owner complaints on file.

Volkswagen Jetta, 1993–1998 generation
Pictured: the 1993–1998 generation. IFCAR, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V156000

Equipment: other: labels

Component
Equipment: other: labels
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
9,811
Reported to NHTSA
2003-04-23
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 SUBSTANTIALY UNDER INFLATED TIRES PUTS THE CONSUMER AT A 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.

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.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Visibility: power window devices and controls3379,000 mi
Tires1318,000 mi
Unknown or other1018,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch882,563 mi
Vehicle speed control8—
Electrical system7—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery769,050 mi
Electrical system: ignition796,821 mi
Power train: automatic transmission6—
Air bags: frontal5—
Structure: body: door5—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers4—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline4—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system4—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner4—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip4—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components4—
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device4—
Tires: sidewall4—
Air bags3120,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling31 mi
Equipment350,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights3—
Power train3130,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system3—
Structure318,000 mi
Structure: body3—
Tires: tread/belt3—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer377,000 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs3—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood2—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.2—
Exterior lighting: brake lights2—
Fuel system, gasoline2—
Fuel system, other2—
Power train: clutch assembly2—
Power train: manual transmission2—
Seat belts: rear/other2—
Seats2—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump2—
Structure: frame and members2—
Suspension284,000 mi
Suspension: front2—
Suspension: rear2156,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core21 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring21 mi
Wheels2156,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module1—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1—
Electrical system: horn1—
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module165,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module158,000 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly1—
Electrical system: wiring1—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system118,350 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: other fuel types: turbo/supercharger1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control11 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1—
Equipment: electrical1—
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift147,000 mi
Equipment: mechanical: carrier/rack1—
Exterior lighting1—
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: switch179,100 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1—
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system1—
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1—
Parking brake: conventional1—
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1—
Power train: manual transmission: column shift assembly1—
Seat belts: front: retractor1—
Service brakes, hydraulic1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor180,000 mi
Steering184,000 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1—
Steering: column1105,000 mi
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm1—
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields1—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm1—
Suspension: front: springs: torsion bar1—
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element1—
Visibility: glass, side/rear1—
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1—
Visibility: windshield1—

The 1997 model has 3 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.

Other Volkswagen Jetta model years

All Volkswagen Jetta 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.