1998 Volkswagen Jetta Tires Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 10%of 192 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 18,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the tires of the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta, 10% 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.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“To yo proxies four inner im assuming tire bands? Failed causing a bulge on the iner part of my passenger side front tire. Never struck any object I was just driving and started to notice a wobble I thought it was a front end issue so didn't check tire but had front end looked at and tire still wasn't noticed because of the placement of failure was difficult to see however now is very apparent. Had to replace front shocks on 98 vw Jetta as well as front end bushings and passenger a arm”
NHTSA complaint #10870589, filed 2016-05, 1 miles“Tire had a sidewall seperation on the highway resulting in accident; this has happened now twice, on the stock tires, first time I thought it was just bad luck, however two times seems to be fishy. The tires have plenty of tread left. I am interested to find out if this has happened to other people.( DOT number: mkhcfjdr19 tire size: 195/60r14 )”
NHTSA complaint #704402, filed 1999-03“My mother took her 1998'Jetta to the dover vw dealership for the last warranty service at 24,000 miles. As she was leaving (getting into her car) they said they were ordering 4-new tires for her (I guess they forgot about the full size spare in the trunk) they told her that good year (not vw was doing a recall on these tires) and to allow 3 months, yes 3 months for the new ones. They told her they were not wearing correctly, but htere was no immediate danger - they were ok to drive, and they would be covered at 100 %. …”
NHTSA complaint #749400, filed 2001-07“Blowout of left rear and right front. First occurred 0800 21 apr 01 on interstata 64 west near richmond va. Second later that same day on interstate 95 south north of richmond. In both cases belt separation occurred. No puncture. Holes in sidewall. I took the one tire I saved to a goodyear dealer and he determined that the tire had a defect resulting in belt separation. Wear on the tire even tho it had 50000 miles was over 20% tread left. I would never have expected two blowouts in one day particularly with the tread as good as it appeared. The tires were state inspected in late january. …”
NHTSA complaint #744438, filed 2001-04“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 2005-02Tires: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 2% |
| 2020 | 1 | 2% |
| 2019 | 3 | 1% |
| 2018 | 1 | 3% |
| 2017 | 2 | 1% |
| 2016 | 3 | 2% |
| 2015 | 3 | 2% |
| 2014 | 4 | 1% |
| 2013 | 9 | 2% |
| 2012 | 9 | 2% |
| 2011 | 14 | 2% |
| 2010 | 8 | 1% |
| 2009 | 6 | 1% |
| 2008 | 3 | 2% |
| 2007 | 4 | 2% |
| 2006 | 8 | 1% |
| 2005 | 3 | 1% |
| 2004 | 4 | 2% |
| 2003 | 5 | 1% |
| 2002 | 15 | 2% |
| 2001 | 4 | 1% |
| 2000 | 6 | 1% |
| 1999 | 4 | 1% |
| 1998 | 19 | 10% |
| 1997 | 2 | 4% |
| 1995 | 5 | 2% |
| 1994 | 1 | 1% |
| 1991 | 1 | 3% |
| 1990 | 1 | 5% |
| 1988 | 1 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
42 complaintsElectrical system
41 complaintsEngine cooling
15 complaintsBody and structure
14 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 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