1998 Volkswagen Jetta Other or unknown Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 5%of 192 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the other or unknown of the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta, 5% of the 192 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 miles.
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 own a 1998 vw Jetta gl and have had to replace the transmission twice now because, I am told, vw increased the torque on jettas of this year by adding a 5th gear, which results in excessive wear to the reverse gear and results in several reverse gear teeth chipping, thus rendering reverse inoperable. As I said before I have had to replace my transmission twice now due to the faulty reverse gear.”
NHTSA complaint #10297012, filed 2009-12, 100,000 miles“98 vw Jetta tdi. The odometer, speedometer and cruise control intermittently quit working while driving. Sometimes they come back on within a mile, sometimes up to ten miles. Happens about every 150 miles. Vehicle has 111,500 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10020585, filed 2003-05, 105,000 miles“The vehicles' anti theft had went haywire. Went to start, beep sound went off. Then was locked inside car. With the alarm going off. Was only able to exit vehicle by having passerby unhook battery, while I held the unlock button. This was over 2 weeks ago. When hooking battery back up, the alarm still goes off. I am unable to drive. The battery was purchased new in june. Nothing has been added to vehicle. Please advise to how this matter will be resolved & if anyone else has had a similar problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11046171, filed 2017-11“1) when the steering failed it could hav e caused a fatal accident 2) when the brakes failed again it could have caused a fatal accident. 3) when the oil light indicated that there was no oil the motor could have locked up, causing a fatal accident. I find the above problems very serious. I bought the vw Jetta new 09/12/98 with 15 miles on the odometer. Thank you bill hamann.”
NHTSA complaint #700989, filed 1999-01“Check engine light repeatedly lights up on dash. The car does not shift properly and the tachometer exhibits very high rpms. The original transmission was finally replaced late fall of 2000 (replaced with a brand new one). This transmission completely failed in jan. 2001 and was again replaced with a completely new transmission. Now in march of 2001 engine check light is again lighting up and the car does not shift right. Vw was notified, but does not want to do anything about it while it is under warranty. We offered to take blue book value as trade in on a new Jetta. …”
NHTSA complaint #742531, filed 2001-03Related service bulletins
- 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…
Other or unknown: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 33% |
| 2025 | 6 | 19% |
| 2024 | 6 | 13% |
| 2023 | 10 | 23% |
| 2022 | 1 | 2% |
| 2021 | 11 | 15% |
| 2020 | 13 | 24% |
| 2019 | 95 | 17% |
| 2018 | 9 | 28% |
| 2017 | 25 | 16% |
| 2016 | 36 | 22% |
| 2015 | 34 | 18% |
| 2014 | 72 | 19% |
| 2013 | 98 | 19% |
| 2012 | 107 | 21% |
| 2011 | 67 | 11% |
| 2010 | 46 | 5% |
| 2009 | 35 | 4% |
| 2008 | 14 | 7% |
| 2007 | 8 | 4% |
| 2006 | 16 | 3% |
| 2005 | 8 | 3% |
| 2004 | 7 | 3% |
| 2003 | 9 | 2% |
| 2002 | 10 | 1% |
| 2001 | 14 | 2% |
| 2000 | 21 | 5% |
| 1999 | 17 | 5% |
| 1998 | 10 | 5% |
| 1997 | 2 | 4% |
| 1996 | 1 | 3% |
| 1995 | 4 | 2% |
| 1994 | 1 | 1% |
| 1989 | 2 | 7% |
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 complaintsFuel system
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