Complaints
476
Crashes
7
Fires
6
Injuries
12
Fatalities
1
Recalls
0
Worst 1998 Volkswagen Passat Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#129 complaints
Suspension:Front:Control Arm
Avg mileage:95,818 mi
#228 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Avg mileage:83,451 mi
#328 complaints
Suspension:Front
Avg mileage:84,658 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 Volkswagen Passat.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm | 29 | — | — | 95,818 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 28 | — | — | 83,451 mi | |
| Suspension:Front | 28 | — | — | 84,658 mi | |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 24 | — | — | 58,889 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 22 | — | 1 | 78,868 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module | 22 | 1 | — | 85,470 mi | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm | 21 | — | — | 244,803 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Air:Antilock:Abs Warning Light | 11 | — | — | 76,847 mi | |
| Sunroof/Moonroof | 11 | — | — | 75,533 mi | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 9 | — | — | 88,010 mi | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 8 | 1 | — | 107,714 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield | 8 | — | — | 75,000 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 7 | — | 1 | 74,500 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Air:Antilock:Control Unit/Module | 7 | — | — | 75,014 mi | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Arm | 7 | 1 | — | 72,938 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 5 | — | — | 68,000 mi | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 5 | — | — | 72,583 mi | |
| Steering:Linkages:Rod:Relay:Connecting | 5 | — | — | 66,879 mi | |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion:Rack | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 4 | 3 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 4 | — | — | — |
Suspension:Front:Control Arm
29
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
95,818
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
28
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
83,451
Suspension:Front
28
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
84,658
Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly
24
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
58,889
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
22
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
78,868
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module
22
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
85,470
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm
21
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
244,803
Service Brakes, Air:Antilock:Abs Warning Light
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
76,847
Sunroof/Moonroof
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
75,533
Seat-Related Issues
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
88,010
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
107,714
Visibility:Windshield
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
75,000
Electrical Faults
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
74,500
Automatic Transmission
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Air:Antilock:Control Unit/Module
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
75,014
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Arm
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
72,938
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Rack And Pinion
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
68,000
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
72,583
Steering:Linkages:Rod:Relay:Connecting
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
66,879
Steering:Rack And Pinion:Rack
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
4
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 Volkswagen Passat. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Volkswagen Passat Years
1998 Volkswagen Passat — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1998 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1998 Volkswagen Passat has 476 NHTSA complaints, 7 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Suspension:Front:Control Arm with 29 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1998 Volkswagen Passat?
Top reported problems: Suspension:Front:Control Arm (29 complaints, avg 95,818 mi); Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (28 complaints, avg 83,451 mi); Suspension:Front (28 complaints, avg 84,658 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 Passat?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 94,085 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 Passat?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 Volkswagen Passat include 7 crash-related reports, 6 fire reports, 12 injuries, and 1 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 Passat have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1998 Volkswagen Passat 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 Passat?
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 Passat reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1998 Volkswagen Passat
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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