Complaints
253
Crashes
14
Fires
8
Injuries
12
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1998 Volkswagen Jetta Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#133 complaints
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
Avg mileage:70,958 mi
#213 complaints
Tire Defects
Avg mileage:30,900 mi
#38 complaints
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
Avg mileage:69,313 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 33 | — | — | 70,958 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 13 | — | — | 30,900 mi | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 8 | — | — | 69,313 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 7 | — | 1 | 72,025 mi | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 7 | — | 1 | 96,821 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 5 | 4 | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Wiring & Fuses | 4 | — | 2 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 4 | 2 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Column Locking:Anti-Theft Device | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Tires:Sidewall | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Airbags | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Other Equipment | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs | 3 | — | — | — |
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
33
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
70,958
Tire Defects
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
30,900
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
69,313
Unintended Acceleration
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
72,025
Electrical System:Ignition
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
96,821
Automatic Transmission
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
5
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Door
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wiring & Fuses
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
4
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Column Locking:Anti-Theft Device
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tires:Sidewall
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Other Equipment
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Transmission / Drivetrain
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structural Problems
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Body Structure
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tires:Tread/Belt
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Volkswagen Jetta Years
1998 Volkswagen Jetta — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1998 Volkswagen Jetta has 253 NHTSA complaints, 14 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls with 33 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta?
Top reported problems: Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls (33 complaints, avg 70,958 mi); Tire Defects (13 complaints, avg 30,900 mi); Electrical System:Ignition:Switch (8 complaints, avg 69,313 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 65,879 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta include 14 crash-related reports, 8 fire reports, 12 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1998 Volkswagen Jetta?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Volkswagen Jetta reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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