Your vehicle report
1998 Volkswagen Jetta
The problems owners report. The recalls to check. The evidence behind each.
Your vehicle at a glance
Complaint patterns and official recall records, kept distinct.
- Owner complaints
- 192
- Received Jul 1998 to Sep 2023
Owner reports
Most reported problems
- 1Power window regulator fails and window drops25 complaints · 13% of this vehicle’s complaints
- 2Tires blow out or tread separates17 complaints · 8.8% of this vehicle’s complaints
- 3Vehicle catches fire from wiring7 complaints · 3.6% of this vehicle’s complaints
Official NHTSA records
Recalls to check
- Recall #03V156000Certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.8L VR6 engines fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." the recommended cold tire inflation pressure published on the label for tires of the size 205/50 R15 86H is 0.1 bar (1.45 psi) too low. It should be 2.5 bar (36.3 psi). The label recommends 2.4 bar (34.8 psi = 35 psi).
- Recall #02V026000On some passenger vehicles, the fuel tank filler neck can suffer abrasion damage if the rear tire goes flat and the vehicle is driven until the tire disintegrates.
BrakeNews signals
Flagged complaint patterns
Unusual complaint patterns with no matched recall yet. A flag does not mean a recall will happen.
No problems currently meet BrakeNews’s flagging criteria. This is not a safety rating.
How flags are identifiedComplaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA, not failure rates or a reliability ranking. Reported in these complaints: 11 crashes, 8 fires, 10 people injured, 0 deaths.
Explore by system
Where do owners report problems?
Choose an area on the car or a system below to explore the reported problems.
Illustrative only; not this vehicle’s exact design. Areas represent complaint categories, not confirmed defective parts.
Showing all 20 listed problems by system.
Engine & powertrain
Brakes
Electrical & lights
1 more problem
Airbags, belts & seats
Steering, suspension & tires
Body, doors & glass
- Power window regulator fails and window drops
- Rear door latch fails to open or close
- Windshield wipers work intermittently or fail
1 more problem
Driver assistance
No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.
Other
No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.
Complaint history
When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.
Show as a table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 7 |
| 1999 | 40 |
| 2000 | 27 |
| 2001 | 28 |
| 2002 | 18 |
| 2003 | 23 |
| 2004 | 21 |
| 2005 | 8 |
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 0 |
| 2025 | 0 |
| 2026 (to Oct 2026) | 0 |
| Total | 192 |
Problems owners report
Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.
| Problem | Complaints | Share | Share ratio | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power window regulator fails and window drops | 25 | 13% | – | |
| Tires blow out or tread separates | 17 | 8.8% | – | |
| Vehicle catches fire from wiring | 7 | 3.6% | – | |
| Headlights dim or fail at night | 6 | 3.1% | – | |
| Rear door latch fails to open or close | 5 | 2.6% | – | |
| Airbags fail to deploy in crashes | 5 | 2.6% | – | |
| Ignition key sticks or will not turn | 5 | 2.6% | – | |
| Automatic transmission shifts unexpectedly or slips | 5 | 2.6% | – | |
| Windshield wipers work intermittently or fail | 4 | 2.1% | – | |
| Water leaks into cabin during rain | 4 | 2.1% | – | |
| Airbag warning light stays on | 4 | 2.1% | – | |
| Check engine light comes on repeatedly | 4 | 2.1% | – | |
| Seat belt fails to latch or retract | 3 | 1.6% | – | |
| Fuel gauge reads erratically or incorrectly | 3 | 1.6% | – | |
| Suspension clunking or rattling noise over bumps | 3 | 1.6% | – | |
| Head gasket leaks coolant into engine | 3 | 1.6% | – | |
| Brake lights fail or stay on | 3 | 1.6% | – | |
| Battery drains and dies when parked | 3 | 1.6% | – | |
| Brakes make grinding or squealing noise | 3 | 1.6% | – | |
| Transmission will not engage reverse gear | 3 | 1.6% | – |
AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.
Recalls
NHTSA recall #03V156000April 23, 20039,811 vehicles affected
equipment: other: labels
Certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.8L VR6 engines fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." the recommended cold tire inflation pressure published on the label for tires of the size 205/50 R15 86H is 0.1 bar (1.45 psi) too low. It should be 2.5 bar (36.3 psi). The label recommends 2.4 bar (34.8 psi = 35 psi).
Under inflated tires Can affect vehicle handling, and driving with substantialy under inflated tires puts the consumer at a risk for a crash.
Remedy
Owners will be provided with corrected labels, or a dealer Can install the label if the owner wishes. Owner notification began september 29, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact vw at 1-800-893-5298.
NHTSA recall #02V026000January 25, 2002487,284 vehicles affected
fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
On some passenger vehicles, the fuel tank filler neck Can suffer abrasion damage if the rear tire goes flat and the vehicle is driven until the tire disintegrates.
Fuel leakage Can occur increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will fit passat vehicles with a new wheel house liner that will better protect the car's filler neck. Jetta vehicles will be fitted with a different metal shield designed to enhance abrasion protection in the event of tire disintegration. Owner notification began june 13, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
Other model years
About this data
NHTSA complaints and recalls through October 2026. Complaints are counted once each, however many components they name. Original complaints are on NHTSA's page for the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta.
Problem groups are formed by AI and may be approximate. BrakeNews flags unusual complaint patterns; they are not official defect findings. Investigation reports are written and checked by AI, with no human review. Owner reports do not establish that a defect exists.
Read the methodology and track record · Check current recalls by VIN