Model year record

1998 Volkswagen Passat

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 476 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V248000

Steering: linkages: rod: relay: connecting

Component
Steering: linkages: rod: relay: connecting
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
51,900
Reported to NHTSA
1999-09-13
Owners notified
1999-10-05

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TIE RODS OF THE STEERING ASSEMBLY ARE PROTECTED ON EACH SIDE BY A SEAL TO PREVENT MOISTURE AND DUST PARTICLES FROM ENTERING THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT SOME TIE ROD SEALS MAY NOT SEAL PROPERLY.

Safety risk

IF MOISTURE AND/OR DUST PARTICLES ENTER THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM, THE SWIVEL BEARING COULD WEAR OVER TIME DIMINISHING THE STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE RODS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V131001

Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
88,121
Reported to NHTSA
1999-05-21
Owners notified
1999-10-09

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. A CONTROL VALVE IN THE VACUUM HOSE CONNECTING THE BRAKE BOOSTER TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD MAY NOT OPEN OR CLOSE FULLY AT TEMPERATURES BELOW -4 F UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE INSUFFICIENT VACUUM TO BE PROVIDED TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A VACUUM BY-PASS SYSTEM INTO VEHICLES OPERATED IN THESE STATES WHICH IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT VACUUM FOR FULL BRAKE ASSIST UNDER ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V134000

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system

Component
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
19,800
Reported to NHTSA
1998-06-22
Owners notified
1998-08-25

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE BACKFIRES DURING A COLD-START, AN AIR SCREEN WHICH IS LOOSELY SEATED IN THE AIR FLOW METER CAN BECOME DAMAGED.

Safety risk

SCREEN PIECES COULD ENTER THE INTAKE AIR FLOW SYSTEM AND PREVENT THE THROTTLE PLATE FROM RETURNING TO ITS FULL IDLE POSITION.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RETAINING RING TO HOLD THE AIR SCREEN IN PLACE.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Suspension: front: control arm2984,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip2890,000 mi
Suspension: front2871,315 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly2458,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine2275,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module2277,993 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm2180,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light1180,000 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1180,000 mi
Seats985,020 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly8
Service brakes, hydraulic8101,000 mi
Visibility: windshield875,000 mi
Electrical system768,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission7
Service brakes, air: antilock: control unit/module779,890 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper arm771,315 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline6
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components6
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor6
Steering: rack and pinion6
Electrical system: ignition568,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap5
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch560,770 mi
Steering: linkages: rod: relay: connecting554,636 mi
Steering: rack and pinion: rack5
Unknown or other541,100 mi
Air bags: frontal498,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash483,730 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system472,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.496,000 mi
Interior lighting4
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint4
Power train: manual transmission4
Service brakes, electric460,000 mi
Steering: linkages485,000 mi
Suspension470,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing4
Visibility: power window devices and controls453,978 mi
Air bags: side/window385,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module396,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring394,400 mi
Engine and engine cooling387,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner3
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler3110,000 mi
Steering3105,090 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system3
Structure: body3
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint3
Tires3113,884 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood299,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys277,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system288,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor2
Equipment262,520 mi
Exterior lighting2
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system2
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump2
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)2
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light281,250 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads2
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar2
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid241,001 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump2
Structure2
Structure: body: door2
Tires: tread/belt2
Vehicle speed control2105,090 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear2
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices2
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer253,978 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module178,950 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel194,400 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1
Electrical system: horn1
Electrical system: ignition: switch1
Electrical system: starter assembly162,520 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)1110,000 mi
Engine1105,090 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1
Exterior lighting: brake lights1103,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1
Fuel system, gasoline1223,434 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors1
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system1
Fuel/propulsion system112,800 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock1
Parking brake168,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1
Seat belts: front1
Seat belts: front: warning light/devices1
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor1
Service brakes, hydraulic: brake fluid low warning: lamp1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: differential proportional valve1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum1
Steering: column1
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm1
Structure: body: tailgate1
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint139,200 mi
Suspension: front: macpherson strut1
Suspension: rear1
Vehicle speed control: cruise control196,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element175,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1

The 1997 model has 8 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.