Model year record

1998 Volkswagen Passat

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

Volkswagen Passat, 1998–2005 generation
Pictured: the 1998–2005 generation. IFCAR, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

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.

Other Volkswagen Passat model years

All Volkswagen Passat 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.