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Volkswagen CabrioModel year report

1998 Volkswagen Cabrio Problems

Complaints
21filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
85,000miles, 5 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
24 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 28 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio. The part named most often is body and structure, with 7 complaints (33% of the total), followed by visibility (5) and electrical system (4). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 20% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 85,000 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 51 technical service bulletins for this model year. Body and structure complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Visibility complaints overlap with 8 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seat belts (1), Tires (1), Vehicle speed control (1).

Example complaints

Body and structure: “The top on my 1998 vw Cabrio has dried out and is cracking due to a defect in the manufacturing in the vinyl used for the top. Vw has refused to replace it even though I know 3 other owners locally with the same exact year/car/problem.”

NHTSA complaint #10028751, filed 2003-07, 85,000 miles

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “The alarm system does not activate on the drivers side door. The door also occasionally does not lock on the drivers side door either. You must go to the passenger side to compensate for this flaw. Additionally the drivers side window does not always go up. About half of the time, or more it goes up and then goes back down on its own. You must hold the up button for the window for it to go all the way up when its suppose to be an automatic up automatic down window.”

NHTSA complaint #10032947, filed 2003-08, 50,000 miles

Electrical system: “1) no known event leading to this radio system failure. 2) radio suddenly and inexplicably moved from normal 'on' to maximum blaring volume with no one touching it... And could not be changed, turned off, or altered in any way. Radio controls had no effect, even turning off the auto and removing the keys did not shut off radio. Driving suddenly became dangerous and nearly impossible as the noise was deafening and totally distracting. I could not hear my teenage son in the seat next to me (not necessarily a bad thing)... …”

NHTSA complaint #10088869, filed 2004-08, 90,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “I do not have with me now the exact date information, however, I have documentation at home that I can review and update information if needed. I have had to have this vehicle in the shop now several times for both a transmission problem (failure to accelerate) and because the entire muffler came apart. I have taken to the dealership on repeated occassions and have not to date had this problem fixed. I have contacted Volkswagen and the bbb. I would like to know if there have been similiar compliants with either this vehicle (Cabrio or golf)? Recalls? Technical bulletins?”

NHTSA complaint #712915, filed 1999-10

Mileage when problems were reported

20% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 50,000 and 85,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–2520%25–5020%50–7560%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (5 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 85,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

199920002001200220032004520052009
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Cabrio FWD2.0L 4-cyl5-speed manual212824$2,800
Cabrio FWD2.0L 4-cyl4-speed automatic192622$3,050

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 51 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 51 bulletins →

Other model years of the Volkswagen Cabrio

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20022352,4500—24—Stable
20013842,7501—24Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20001639,5001—24—Stable
19992962,5000—24Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19982185,0001—24—Stable
19971492,5000—24—Not enough data
19966200,0000—23—Not enough data
19951563,0000—24—Stable
1993810,0000—24—Not enough data
19929125,7501—25—Not enough data
1991787,0003—25—Not enough data

All Volkswagen Cabrio model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio have?

NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio is reported most often?

Body and structure is named most often, in 7 complaints (33% of the total), followed by visibility with 5.

Has the 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio get?

The EPA rates the 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio (Cabrio, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 21 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio reported?

Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 85,000 miles and the middle half falls between 50,000 and 85,000 miles; 20% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.