1998 Volkswagen Beetle Other or unknown Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 5%of 171 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 10,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the other or unknown of the 1998 Volkswagen Beetle, 5% of the 171 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 10,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 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 bug has burned approx. 1 quart of oil every 1000 miles, dealership reported this as normal? Don't think so. I have also replaced the headlights every six months until the switch on the emergency brake for the daytime runnings lamps broke. I open the car door (still in warranty) and the handle fell off in my hands. Fog light had moisture in it, now both have fallen out. Both door hinges broke. You cannot open doors and shut them, I had to climb in and out of the windows to get into the car. The trunk latch had to be repaired, it wouldn't open. …”
NHTSA complaint #10110626, filed 2005-02, 10,000 miles“I bought a 1998 Volkswagen Beetle from torrance nissan on 5 january, 2003: since the date of purchase, this car had been overheating off and on. I returned it to the dealership but was informed that it was nothing to worry about.? They went as far as taking it to a vw service rep on 5 and 6 january, 2003 for confirmation. I found out later that vw has no record of ever servicing or even seeing the vw until 1 april, 2003! During the months of february and march, 2003 I still experienced the vehicle overheating and each time I called amir, I would follow up with a visit to torrance nissan. …”
NHTSA complaint #10069625, filed 2004-01“This vehicle has been nothing but problems from the start. When the vehicle was purchased about three weeks afterwards, if you hit a bump the hubcaps would come flying off. This would happen going at the speed of 25mph. I've taken it back to the dealer for service. They said that was a problem with the new models. They replaced the hubcaps, but the problem would continuously happen. Finally I took it back again for service and demanded that this problem be fixed. So far they are all changed and it hasn't occured again. Between these problems a total of 5 hubcaps have been replaced. …”
NHTSA complaint #728228, filed 2000-08“The malfunction indicator lamp mil comes on all the time and stays on. Vehicle has been to dealership seven times. He hasn't solved the problem. The yellow light came on and went out several times at different mileage. The dealer kept telling the customer it is okey to drive it. But the customer does not feel safe.”
NHTSA complaint #862559, filed 2000-05“Vehicle caught on fire, possible engine failure, while driving the vehicles brake system failed and the driver had to use the emergency brake to stop vehicle. The head light malfunctioned and the vehicles is flling apart after one month of ownership. The dealer refused to fix it.”
NHTSA complaint #8019393, filed 2002-09Related service bulletins
- 10239789Jan 24, 2014To detect which line(s) is inoperative, utilize a volt meter to check for 0 V, which will be present after the open in the grid line. The check must be performed with the engine…
- 10242404May 13, 2013VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10253204May 6, 2012Customer States Windshield Wipers Streak or Smear
Other or unknown: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2 | 14% |
| 2018 | 4 | 24% |
| 2017 | 5 | 33% |
| 2016 | 5 | 10% |
| 2015 | 13 | 16% |
| 2014 | 4 | 8% |
| 2013 | 12 | 13% |
| 2012 | 6 | 9% |
| 2010 | 5 | 17% |
| 2009 | 4 | 12% |
| 2008 | 8 | 13% |
| 2007 | 5 | 9% |
| 2006 | 6 | 5% |
| 2005 | 8 | 3% |
| 2004 | 12 | 3% |
| 2003 | 7 | 2% |
| 2002 | 6 | 4% |
| 2001 | 5 | 2% |
| 2000 | 4 | 2% |
| 1999 | 6 | 3% |
| 1998 | 8 | 5% |
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 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