1998 Volkswagen Beetle Equipment Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 8%of 171 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the equipment of the 1998 Volkswagen Beetle, 8% of the 171 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 1998 Volkswagen Beetle is falling apart. I've had to replace my headlights 6 times within the past 4 years that I've owned this used vehicle. My interior trim, window switches, gearshift knob & several plastic covers in the car have fallen now fallen apart. My 6 headlights have cost me approx. $600.00 plus rent-a-car fees which my warranty doesn't cover! Please help me.”
NHTSA complaint #10078586, filed 2004-06, 30,415 miles“Drive time sold me a car that had the air bag light on, and said they were going to fix it, but they never did, now they have changed management and the person who promissed to repair is no longer there, leaving me in a position where the new manager says that the cost to fix the problem is not covered by their business. The car spent a week and a half on their repair shop, and nothing was fixed, my dash was scratched from the outside and they broke a piece between the seats.”
NHTSA complaint #10064060, filed 2004-03, 56,331 miles“Since I purchased my Beetle in 2001, it has been an ongoing money drain. In 6 yrs. I have replaced the manual transmission twice, had the brakes worked on a number of times, been unable to open the gas door on the car w/ the gas cap latch, had to replace the hood opening latch, had repeated electrical failures, problems w/ front & rear light wiring, had door locks/alarm fail & subsequently had my laptop stolen from the car, the radio has not worked for 1+ year, & it's cover panel is loose & falling back into the dash, the rear-view mirror switches have failed, the power window switches have…”
NHTSA complaint #10200746, filed 2007-08, 50,000 miles“Left headlight went out first, then again. Air compressor replaced 3 times. Car now stalls. Replaced fuel/air filters, still stalls. Car was recalled for the electrical system wiring harness under hood, recall states all problems I have had. I was not the owner at time of recall. Apparently was not fixed at recall.”
NHTSA complaint #754379, filed 2001-11“The contact stated the windshield was replaced and the replacement part distorts the view along the bottom passenger side and the outer driver side. The independent repair shop where the work was performed has been alerted. The windshield was manufactured by sekurit model #43r-004527. Updated 05/10/06.”
NHTSA complaint #10155683, filed 2006-04, 78,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10228180Dec 12, 2022Update model year applicability to include 2023.
- 10175799May 12, 2020Tool number added to table. Removal of Behr Flush Kit. VAS 6337/1A
- 10174476Apr 21, 2020Updated to include additional models and model year applicability.
- 10159010Mar 27, 2019The part number listed in the document is to be returned if it meets the criteria provided.
- 10159014Mar 22, 2019Alternative method for radio code retrieval.
- 10157302Sep 14, 2017Updated to include model year 2014 thru 2018 applicability.
- 10125661Aug 18, 2017Update to existing tip for fuel quality checking.
- 10155644Jun 28, 2017This special notice is to inform dealers to return all part numbers listed in the document and order the superseded part numbers going forward.
- 10157383Jun 22, 2017VAS 6154 Replacement Part Setup Guide
- 10128055Feb 1, 2017This communication is to update our ProFi dealers of the current status of the latest inbound and outbound ProFi requests.
Equipment: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 1 | 1% |
| 2013 | 2 | 2% |
| 2012 | 1 | 2% |
| 2010 | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 | 2 | 3% |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% |
| 2005 | 2 | 1% |
| 2004 | 10 | 3% |
| 2003 | 4 | 1% |
| 2002 | 5 | 3% |
| 2001 | 4 | 2% |
| 2000 | 5 | 2% |
| 1999 | 11 | 6% |
| 1998 | 13 | 8% |
Other parts of the 1998 Volkswagen Beetle
53 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
37 complaintsEngine cooling
32 complaintsExterior lighting
23 complaintsAir bags
14 complaintsBody and structure
13 complaintsSeats
12 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
11 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Volkswagen Beetle
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology