1998 Volkswagen Golf Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 17%of 18 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1998 Volkswagen Golf, 17% of the 18 complaints for this model year.
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 Volkswagen certified dealership was absolutely horrible. All the listed problems I brought it back to them repeatedly, and it would normally take 3-5 visits for the item to get fixed. I didn't even get to list all the problems with the speaker panel, clutch, and fenders getting flexed. I will never own another Volkswagen, or go to the dealership ever again.”
NHTSA complaint #714777, filed 1999-11Related service bulletins
- 10241177Aug 21, 2023Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards
- 10237427May 30, 2023Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
- 10235138Apr 24, 2023Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
- 10193577May 11, 2021Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)
- 10133344Jul 5, 201717 17 01 July 5, 2017 2012855 Supersedes Technical Bulletin 17-16-02 (V171602) dated April 29, 2016 due to updated oil standards lists to current specifications. Engine Oils…
- 10123015Jul 7, 2015Technical Bulletin (Air Conditioning, Cleaning of the Refrigerant Circuit (U.S.Only)): In cases where an air conditioning system component (such as a compressor or other system…
- 10242996Dec 8, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10241265Jan 27, 2014Fuel Additive to Help Prevent Sporadic Misfire Faults
- 10026848Aug 28, 2008Volkswagen: exhaust heat shield, replacement guidelines. Heat shields are to be inspected after completion o any type of repair to the underbody (exhaust system transmission…
- 10021315Jan 11, 2007Dtc's p1297 (17705) or p1557 (17965) stored in dtc memory. This may be caused by intake hoses leaking (during boost conditions) due to incorrect torque on clamps or improper…
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 14 | 17% |
| 2019 | 1 | 2% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 3 | 2% |
| 2011 | 11 | 10% |
| 2010 | 9 | 13% |
| 2006 | 2 | 17% |
| 2005 | 2 | 11% |
| 2004 | 4 | 14% |
| 2003 | 1 | 4% |
| 2002 | 13 | 18% |
| 2001 | 23 | 20% |
| 2000 | 13 | 15% |
| 1999 | 16 | 25% |
| 1998 | 3 | 17% |
| 1995 | 4 | 9% |
| 1994 | 2 | 5% |
| 1993 | 2 | 29% |
| 1991 | 1 | 13% |
| 1989 | 3 | 18% |
| 1988 | 1 | 11% |
| 1985 | 2 | 20% |
Other parts of the 1998 Volkswagen Golf
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Volkswagen Golf
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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