1998 Volkswagen Cabrio Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 24%of 21 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the visibility of the 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio, 24% of the 21 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“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“Clutch inhibitor relay was faulty--car would not start and had it towed to dealership to fix, passenger seatbelt has been replaced 3 times already, ABS light came on 4 days before accident took car into chapman's to be fixed but when I went to stop at a light I pressed on breaks and it slowed a little bit, and it didn't seem to very much so I then pressed harder and the car did not stop resulting in hitting the vehicle in front of me, passenger side mirror defroster inop, lack of power when shifting into 1, 2, and 3rd gear, finally get power when going about 60mph, e-brake would stick and…”
NHTSA complaint #706080, filed 1999-04“After one year, the top started developing black marks, the marks do not come off with soap and water, the top also started turning orange and became sticky, the dealer stated the problem was sun damage, however the vehicle was mostly kept in a garage, the top is now ripping near the back window, vw stated they will pay for half of the repair costs, consumer feels they should be for 100 percent.”
NHTSA complaint #566623, filed 2002-07“Convertible top shredding. Huge rips all over it. Class action suit filed in california. The manufacturer would like me to obtain an attorney or pay for half the repair costs. However, those included in the class action will be able to get theirs replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10093640, filed 2004-10Related service bulletins
- 10123011Jul 22, 2015Technical Bulletin (Windshield Wipers Streak or Smear): Windshield or rear window is streaked, has a snakeskin appearance, or the surface feels rough. To avoid unnecessary…
- 10122956May 8, 2015Tech Tips (Heated Rear Window, One or More Lines Inoperative): To detect which line(s) is inoperative, utilize a volt meter to check for 0 V, which will be present after the open…
- 10242996Dec 8, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10239541Sep 24, 2014Air Conditioning, Cleaning of the Refrigerant Circuit (U.S.Only)
- 10243011May 19, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10242349May 19, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 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…
- 10122240Jan 24, 2014Tech Tips (Heated Rear Window, One or More Lines Inoperative): To detect which line(s) is inoperative, utilize a volt meter to check for 0 V, which will be present after the open…
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
Other parts of the 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio
7 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsTires
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio
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