1998 Volkswagen Jetta Equipment Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 6%of 192 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the equipment of the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta, 6% of the 192 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“I purchased a used 1998 Volkswagen Jetta glx several years ago. Within a year of purchase, the front driver side window failed to opperate properly. I had the regulator replaced. A year later the front passenger window failed. That regulator was replaced. A year later the front driver side failed again. Before I could get it fixed, the rear diver side window failed as well. Both regulators are being replaced. The total cost of these repairs will be over $2000. I find it appalling that the same problem can occur multiple times in the same vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10154541, filed 2006-04, 100,000 miles“The power windows on my 1998 vw Jetta iii failed. I've experienced this occasion 4 times since I've had my car. Currently both passenger and driver side windows are not functioning. The powers windows would not roll up or down. I have not had them repaired since its a very expensive rapair. I've searched the internet and it seems that a lot of 1998 volkswagon Jetta owners experience the same problems I have. I brought my car to the volkswagon dealer and they said that this was a common problem with the type of car I have.”
NHTSA complaint #10098262, filed 2004-11, 50,000 miles“The car has a reocurring problem with a mildew smell in the A/C system. The dealer has sprayed disinfectant in the vents and was going to disassemble and clean the unit. The regional vw rep. Had said that spraying was all they were going to do. However, there is a flyer at the dealer, published by vw offering an optional service to acrylic coat the exaporator. I feel that vw knows this is a problem, and while I am under warrantee, I feel it should be done free of charge to me. Vw does not agree. …”
NHTSA complaint #711793, filed 1999-09“The contact owns a 1998 Volkswagen Jetta. While driving approximately 15 MPH the vehicle hit a pot hole and sustained a flat tire. The contact pulled over to the side of the road to replace the tire with the spare and the jack broke. The dealer was contacted and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The manufacturer stated that the jack was not covered under warranty and it would be the contacts responsibility to replace it. The jack was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 47,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10373468, filed 2010-12, 47,000 miles“Late in april, 2013 I installed a passenger side control arm on a 1998 vw Jetta tdi. The control arm was purchased from autozone ( their part # 520-782) as an assembly with the ball joint installed. The car ran fine for about 2 weeks. Then while driving it began pulling to the right. On examination, 2 of the 3 bolts which hold the ball joint on the control arm were missing, and the third was easily removed by finger. When it was installed all 3 were in place. …”
NHTSA complaint #10511820, filed 2013-05Related recalls
- 03V156000Apr 23, 2003Certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.8l vr6 engines fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire…Covers: Volkswagen Jetta 1998–1999
Related service bulletins
- 10228180Dec 12, 2022Update model year applicability to include 2023.
- 10175799May 12, 2020Tool number added to table. Removal of Behr Flush Kit. VAS 6337/1A
- 10174476Apr 21, 2020Updated to include additional models and model year applicability.
- 10159010Mar 27, 2019The part number listed in the document is to be returned if it meets the criteria provided.
- 10159014Mar 22, 2019Alternative method for radio code retrieval.
- 10157302Sep 14, 2017Updated to include model year 2014 thru 2018 applicability.
- 10125661Aug 18, 2017Update to existing tip for fuel quality checking.
- 10155644Jun 28, 2017This special notice is to inform dealers to return all part numbers listed in the document and order the superseded part numbers going forward.
- 10157383Jun 22, 2017VAS 6154 Replacement Part Setup Guide
- 10128055Feb 1, 2017This communication is to update our ProFi dealers of the current status of the latest inbound and outbound ProFi requests.
Equipment: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 2 | 1% |
| 2015 | 1 | 1% |
| 2014 | 1 | 0% |
| 2013 | 1 | 0% |
| 2012 | 2 | 0% |
| 2011 | 8 | 1% |
| 2010 | 23 | 3% |
| 2009 | 2 | 0% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 3 | 1% |
| 2006 | 7 | 1% |
| 2005 | 3 | 1% |
| 2004 | 6 | 3% |
| 2003 | 9 | 2% |
| 2002 | 17 | 2% |
| 2001 | 19 | 3% |
| 2000 | 22 | 5% |
| 1999 | 7 | 2% |
| 1998 | 12 | 6% |
| 1997 | 4 | 7% |
| 1995 | 18 | 8% |
| 1994 | 26 | 22% |
| 1993 | 1 | 6% |
| 1989 | 1 | 4% |
Other parts of the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
42 complaintsElectrical system
41 complaintsTires
19 complaintsEngine cooling
15 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
14 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsOther or unknown
10 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsSuspension
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
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