1998 Volkswagen NEW Beetle Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 23%of 30 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 53,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the visibility of the 1998 Volkswagen NEW Beetle, 23% of the 30 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 53,000 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.
“Driver side window fell out . I was driving the car, trying to put the window up when it became stuck. Once stopped, I again tried to put the window up when there was a cracking sound and the whole window just fell into the door. When I called the dealer the secretary was very familiar with this type of problem and was even able to tell me that the original clips to hold the window were plastic and they replace them with metal ones. If this problem is that common that the secretary knows exactly what the problem is and what the remedy is, Volkswagen needs to take care of this problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10021308, filed 2003-06“The window switches have broken twice. They were repaired under warranty the first time. I have not had them replaced a second time, as the warranty had expired due to mileage (even though the switches broke twice within a year of purchase of the vehicle). I do not plan on having the switches replaced again, as I am convinced that they will simply break again. I have seen similar complaints on this website, so I wanted to submit further evidence that there may be a problem with the switches. The air conditioner stopped working about 2 years after purchase of the vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #742739, filed 2001-03“The switches that control both the driver's and passenger's side windows have broken. The first time they broke, I took the car to the dealer and had the switch replaced under warranty. The switches soon broke for the second time within a year of purchase, but since I have a long commute to work I was outside of the 24,000 mile warranty. I have not had the switches replaced a second time, but have come to accept this inconvenience. However, after reading some other similar complaints on this website, I wanted to offer further evidence that there may be a problem with these window switches.”
NHTSA complaint #742737, filed 2001-03“The left side, outside rear view mirror in combination with the left, lower a pillar create a severe blind spot. When making a left turn with a vehicle in front of you, the view of that vehicle is completely blocked by the mirro/pillar. If the vehicle in.”
NHTSA complaint #748596, filed 2001-07“Consumer discovered that the passenser side door could not be opened from the inside of the vehicle. The latch could be pulled but the door would not open.”
NHTSA complaint #567489, filed 2002-09Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
Other parts of the 1998 Volkswagen NEW Beetle
9 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsAir bags
2 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