1998 Volkswagen NEW Beetle Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 7%of 30 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 71,966miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the air bags of the 1998 Volkswagen NEW Beetle, 7% of the 30 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 71,966 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.
“Some type of 'control module' needs to be replaced, without it the air-bag system doesn't work. This is a safety feature which helped in the decision to buy the car, and after 5 years it fails rendering the system useless and requiring over $700 to replace. This is wrong!”
NHTSA complaint #10097977, filed 2004-10, 85,000 milesAir bags: other model years
Other parts of the 1998 Volkswagen NEW Beetle
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Volkswagen NEW Beetle
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