1998 Volkswagen Jetta Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 7%of 192 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 18,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the body and structure of the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta, 7% of the 192 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 18,000 miles. 1 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.
“I have been trapped inside the front seat of this vehicle. Both front doors will occasionally not open from inside or outside the car, even with the doors unlocked. This is an intermittent and unpredictable problem that I feel is quite dangerous. These vehicles should have been recalled and had the door locking mechanism replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10484666, filed 2012-11“Body trim has fallen off of left side doors. I think the problem may be heat related, and exaserbated by the car being black. However , I keep the car in my garage.”
NHTSA complaint #752793, filed 2001-10“Left rocker panel and the left rear frame rail retains water (approximately 1 gallon), water drains from the frame, consumer is concerned that the frame/rocker panel will rot from the inside out, weakening the structure in the winter when salt is applied to the road, salt water passing through vehicles frame will settle in inside and activate whenever it rains/snows or car is washed.”
NHTSA complaint #544823, filed 1999-04“Front right side door molding fell off at 30000 and again at 36000. The other three are in the process of falling off or have fallen off of the other doors. Car has 60000, and the dealer says it is a problem but corporate Volkswagen does not.”
NHTSA complaint #763288, filed 2002-06“Three outside door handles were replaced between 40,000 - 70,000 miles. At 80,000 miles, the outside door handle had to be replaced on the passenger's side. Dealer not notified at this time.”
NHTSA complaint #8004044, filed 2002-02Related service bulletins
- 10242996Dec 8, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 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…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 3% |
| 2023 | 1 | 2% |
| 2022 | 1 | 2% |
| 2020 | 2 | 4% |
| 2019 | 23 | 4% |
| 2017 | 3 | 2% |
| 2016 | 4 | 2% |
| 2015 | 5 | 3% |
| 2014 | 7 | 2% |
| 2013 | 15 | 3% |
| 2012 | 7 | 1% |
| 2011 | 20 | 3% |
| 2010 | 19 | 2% |
| 2009 | 16 | 2% |
| 2008 | 4 | 2% |
| 2007 | 11 | 5% |
| 2006 | 23 | 4% |
| 2005 | 12 | 5% |
| 2004 | 8 | 3% |
| 2003 | 11 | 2% |
| 2002 | 19 | 3% |
| 2001 | 43 | 6% |
| 2000 | 20 | 5% |
| 1999 | 25 | 7% |
| 1998 | 14 | 7% |
| 1997 | 7 | 13% |
| 1996 | 1 | 3% |
| 1995 | 10 | 5% |
| 1994 | 8 | 7% |
| 1993 | 1 | 6% |
| 1991 | 2 | 6% |
| 1989 | 1 | 4% |
| 1988 | 3 | 16% |
| 1987 | 1 | 6% |
| 1986 | 3 | 21% |
| 1985 | 1 | 8% |
Other parts of the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
42 complaintsElectrical system
41 complaintsTires
19 complaintsEngine cooling
15 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
14 complaintsEquipment
12 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 29, 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