1998 Volkswagen Jetta Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 5%of 192 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the fuel system of the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta, 5% of the 192 complaints for this model year. 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.
“Clear fuel line was rubbing on corner of air cleaner. The rubbing caused a hole to wear through the fuel line. Diesel fuel was sprayed onto the engine (no fire). The car stalled in traffic, in the middle of making a left hand turn. The vehicle was almost rear-ended and broad-sided, when the vehicle stalled in traffic.”
NHTSA complaint #740915, filed 2001-02“Request for reimbursement for recall repairs that were performed on a 1998 Volkswagen Jetta. The manufacturer stated they would only reimburse the consumer $380.00 dollars. The consumer stated a representative stated the entire amount would be refunded for the gas tank and the replacement tire. The consumer traveling 70 MPH when the incident occurred. (father nathan downey on behalf of his daughter maura downey who owns the vehicle)”
NHTSA complaint #10046630, filed 2003-11“While driving 40 MPH driver noticed that the front left tire was flat. Suddenly, the vehicle stalled. Driver was not able to restart vehicle, and noticed fluid leaking from underneath. Vehicle was towed home.”
NHTSA complaint #10111335, filed 2005-02“Engine lost power when outside temperature was high (greater than 95 degrees fahrenheit). On the first occurrence (july 30, 1999, in des plaines, il) the car was towed to a vw dealer in mt. Prospect, il, where they detected a faulty air-gas ratio and said.”
NHTSA complaint #750492, filed 2001-08“Right rear tire blew out at freeway speed. Before coming to a stop the tire rubbed against the fuel tank that is made of plastic and wore a large hole in the tank. This could have caused a fire/explosion and loss of life. Poor design of the putting the plastic fuel tank so close to the tire. Volkswagen contacted and refused to acknowledge the poor design. New model vw Jetta does not have same design. ( DOT number: mkhc tire size: 195/60hr14 )”
NHTSA complaint #725735, filed 2000-07Related recalls
- 02V026000Jan 25, 2002On some passenger vehicles, the fuel tank filler neck can suffer abrasion damage if the rear tire goes flat and the vehicle is driven until the tire…Covers: Volkswagen Jetta 1997–1999, Passat 1998–2003, Cabrio 1998
Related service bulletins
- 10238572May 9, 2014Fault code P1297 may be set and fuel mixtures may go lean if the vehicle is driven under load or revved up and then returned to idle.
- 10241265Jan 27, 2014Fuel Additive to Help Prevent Sporadic Misfire Faults
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 13% |
| 2024 | 4 | 9% |
| 2023 | 3 | 7% |
| 2022 | 3 | 7% |
| 2021 | 11 | 15% |
| 2020 | 5 | 9% |
| 2019 | 29 | 5% |
| 2018 | 9 | 28% |
| 2017 | 42 | 26% |
| 2016 | 35 | 22% |
| 2015 | 20 | 10% |
| 2014 | 42 | 11% |
| 2013 | 43 | 8% |
| 2012 | 80 | 16% |
| 2011 | 166 | 27% |
| 2010 | 303 | 36% |
| 2009 | 307 | 35% |
| 2008 | 10 | 5% |
| 2007 | 8 | 4% |
| 2006 | 23 | 4% |
| 2005 | 21 | 8% |
| 2004 | 37 | 16% |
| 2003 | 17 | 4% |
| 2002 | 22 | 3% |
| 2001 | 28 | 4% |
| 2000 | 22 | 5% |
| 1999 | 13 | 4% |
| 1998 | 10 | 5% |
| 1997 | 4 | 7% |
| 1995 | 11 | 5% |
| 1994 | 7 | 6% |
| 1992 | 2 | 7% |
| 1991 | 1 | 3% |
| 1990 | 2 | 9% |
| 1989 | 4 | 14% |
| 1988 | 1 | 5% |
| 1987 | 2 | 11% |
| 1986 | 5 | 36% |
Other parts of the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
42 complaintsElectrical system
41 complaintsTires
19 complaintsEngine cooling
15 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
14 complaintsEquipment
12 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsBrakes
11 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