Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Visibility42
- Electrical system41
- Tires19
- Engine and engine cooling15
- Structure14
- Power train14
- Equipment12
- Steering12
- Service brakes, hydraulic11
- Unknown or other10
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 10 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 4 1998 Jetta vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 3 people died inside them. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta failed the safety check 0.45% of the time — 73% less often than the average 1998 passenger car (1.71%). Median odometer at inspection: 161,782 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 4 variants: combined 10.1–12.6 L/100 km (about 19–23 mpg US), CO₂ 232–290 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jetta · Compact · Regular gasoline | 11.5 | 8.3 | 10.1 |
| Jetta · Compact · Regular gasoline | 12.2 | 8.9 | 10.7 |
| Jetta GLX · Compact · Regular gasoline | 13.8 | 9.8 | 12.0 |
| Jetta GLX · Compact · Regular gasoline | 14.5 | 10.3 | 12.6 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
1 Transport Canada recall for the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta.
| 2006122 24 May 2006 | Lights And Instruments On certain Golf, GTI, Jetta, Jetta wagon, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, Passat and Passat wagon, the brake lamp switch may malfunction. If this happens, … |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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).
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Volkswagen told its dealers about the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 621613 | SUBJECT REGARDING LATCH SYSTEM LOWER ANCHORS AND TETHERS FOR CHILDREN, INSTALLING / RETROFITTING. *TT |
| 618423 | SUBJECT REGARDING SUNROOF BINDING OR NOISY DUE TO BROKEN SLIDE(S). *TT |
| 610177 | CONCERNS WITH TRANSMISSION IN LIMP MODE WITH NO MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATED. *TT |
| 607991 | THIS BULLETIN INCLUDES NEW INFORMATION ON WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS. *TT |
| 603349 | SUBJECT ON RADIO REMOTE CONTROL LOCKING SYSTEM. *YC |
| 601889 | INFORMATION ON CHECKING AND SETTING THE READINESS CODE. *YC |
| 601874 | SUBJECT ON RADIO CODE RETRIEVAL PROCEDURES. *YC |
| 601520 | INFORMATION ON INSTALLING A CARGO NET. *YC |
| 601519 | INSTALLING AND REMOVING EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE TRANSPARENT FILM. *YC |
| 601518 | INFORMATION ON INSTALLING ANY AFTERMARKET RADIO. *YC |
| 600981 | DIFFICULTIES IN CLOSING REAR LID. *YC |
| 54060 | SUBJECT PERTAINING TO POWER SUNROOF CONVENIENCE CLOSE FEATURE, FUNCTION CHANGE. *AK |
| 54055 | PROGRAMMING/REPROGRAMMING ON REMOTE LOCKING/ALARM SYSTEM TRANSMITTERS. *YC |
| 53975 | INFORMATION CINCERNING ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD ASSEMBLY. *AK |
| 10243011 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10242996 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10242349 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10241340 | Engine Oils Which Meet Volkswagen Oil Quality Standard VW 502 00/505 00/505 01 and VW 504 00/507 00 |
| 10241266 | Squeaks, Rattles, Noise, Repair Materials |
| 10241265 | Fuel Additive to Help Prevent Sporadic Misfire Faults |
| 10241177 | Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards |
| 10240922 | Perfect Delivery Inspection (PDI) - Technician and Detailer Inspections |
| 10239831 | Battery, Testing and Charging Using Midtronics VAS6161, MCR340V, InCharge 940, or GRX3000 Charger |
| 10239789 | To detect which line(s) is inoperative, utilize a volt meter to check for 0 V, which will be present after the open in the grid line. The check must be performed with the engine running and heated rear window switched on. Switch OFF the ignition and visually locate the damage. Proceed with checking any other lines as necessary. Once the damaged line is identified, repair utilizing the Repair kit by Permatex ITEM 09117. |
| 10239592 | Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
FUEL TANK PUNCTURE
FUEL TANK PUNCTURE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation