Model year record

1998 Volkswagen Jetta

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

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.

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.