1998 Volkswagen Beetle Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 4%of 171 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 71,152miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the fuel system of the 1998 Volkswagen Beetle, 4% of the 171 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 71,152 miles.
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.
“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“The turbo charger on the tdi volkswagons are failing at a very high rate. The cost for repair averages about $1600. The company should be forced to address this problem and repair this premature failure.”
NHTSA complaint #10132445, filed 2005-08, 92,304 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“I have had my car into the dealer several times and they just told me to keep driving until hte dying became closer. I told them (and reported it to Volkswagen case # 407289 ) it wasn't safe for me to drive this car I drive 280-320 miles a day. They are now replacing the fuel injection pump (it shorted out) they are charging me for this. ( DOT number: tire size: 20555r16 )”
NHTSA complaint #731356, filed 2000-09“On 9/1/99, I drove the car all day (bout 200 miles) and did not know that the top of the gas tank was leaking gas. (I have no sense of smell!!) until I got home and took a friend to dinner and he said this car stinks like gasoline ! We looked under the back seat and removed the cover plate and the entire top of the gas tank in the area of the sending unit retaining ring was filled with gas (about 1/2 inch deep) . Took car to dealer and they replaced the seal on the top of the tank. Two days later 9/4/99, gas smell returned and upon inspection the same thing happened again! …”
NHTSA complaint #710951, filed 1999-09Related service bulletins
- 10238572May 9, 2014Fault code P1297 may be set and fuel mixtures may go lean if the vehicle is driven under load or revved up and then returned to idle.
- 10241265Jan 27, 2014Fuel Additive to Help Prevent Sporadic Misfire Faults
- 10051320Nov 5, 2012Audi/volkswagen: a parts circular is issued regarding the fuel pump claims procedures. No model or model years listed.
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 2 | 12% |
| 2014 | 4 | 8% |
| 2013 | 7 | 8% |
| 2012 | 4 | 6% |
| 2010 | 3 | 10% |
| 2009 | 3 | 9% |
| 2008 | 4 | 7% |
| 2007 | 2 | 4% |
| 2006 | 7 | 6% |
| 2005 | 4 | 2% |
| 2004 | 5 | 1% |
| 2003 | 7 | 2% |
| 2002 | 5 | 3% |
| 2001 | 11 | 5% |
| 2000 | 8 | 3% |
| 1999 | 7 | 4% |
| 1998 | 6 | 4% |
Other parts of the 1998 Volkswagen Beetle
53 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
37 complaintsEngine cooling
32 complaintsExterior lighting
23 complaintsAir bags
14 complaintsEquipment
13 complaintsBody and structure
13 complaintsSeats
12 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
11 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsOther or unknown
8 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