crashtest

1998 / Volkswagen

1998 Volkswagen Jetta

Safety ratings

1998 Volkswagen Jetta III 4-DR. w/SAB

Not ratedOverall
Not ratedFrontal crash
Not ratedSide crash
Not ratedSide pole
Not ratedRollover
Side, driver: 3★Side, rear passenger: 2★Rollover risk: 0.0%
  • Lane departure warningNo
  • Forward collision warningNo
  • Electronic stability controlNo

Crash test videos & photos

Crash test #1NHTSA test 2745

Full test report (PDF) ↗

Recalls (3)

  • FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAPCampaign 02V026000 · 25/01/2002

    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.

    Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

    Fix: 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.

  • EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELSCampaign 03V156000 · 23/04/2003

    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).

    Risk: UNDER INFLATED TIRES CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING, AND DRIVING WITH SUBSTANTIALY UNDER INFLATED TIRES PUTS THE CONSUMER AT A RISK FOR A CRASH.

    Fix: 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.

  • EXTERIOR LIGHTINGCampaign 09E012000 · 07/04/2009

    SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

    Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

    Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Owner complaints

194
Complaints
11
Crashes reported
8
Fires reported
10
Injuries
0
Deaths

Most-reported areas

  • VISIBILITY41
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM39
  • TIRES18
  • ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING15
  • POWER TRAIN14
  • EQUIPMENT13
  • STRUCTURE13
  • STEERING12
Read individual complaints (50 most recent)

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

  • 12/30/2010· EQUIPMENT

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH THE VEHICLE HIT A POT HOLE AND SUSTAINED A FLAT TIRE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO REPLACE THE TIRE WITH THE SPARE AND THE JACK BROKE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE JACK WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND IT WOULD BE THE CONTACTS RESPONSIBILITY TO REPLACE IT. THE JACK WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.

  • 12/27/2009· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    I OWN A 1998 VW JETTA GL AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION TWICE NOW BECAUSE, I AM TOLD, VW INCREASED THE TORQUE ON JETTAS OF THIS YEAR BY ADDING A 5TH GEAR, WHICH RESULTS IN EXCESSIVE WEAR TO THE REVERSE GEAR AND RESULTS IN SEVERAL REVERSE GEAR TEETH CHIPPING, THUS RENDERING REVERSE INOPERABLE. AS I SAID BEFORE I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION TWICE NOW DUE TO THE FAULTY REVERSE GEAR. *TR

  • 12/15/1998· STRUCTURE

    ROOF RACK SEPARATES AT TIMES. IN FEBRUARY 98, CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50-55MPH WITH SNOW BOARDS TIED DOWN TO ROOF RACKS, WHEN THE RACKS DISCONECTED. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE RACKS AND THE SNOW BOARDS, THIS HAPPENED A SECOND TIME, DEC. 13-98 SNOW BOARDS WERE ON THE ROOF OF VEHICLE AND FLEW OFF WHEN THE ROOF RACKS DISCONNECTED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP (503-656-2924, ALBERTO MECHANIC AND SERVICE MANAGER LARRY LINDSEY TOLD CONSUMER THAT THE RACKS WERE INSTALLED INCORECTLY, BUT THEY WILL NOT REPLACE. *AK

  • 12/11/2002· VISIBILITY,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    NO SUMMARY. DT

  • 12/07/1999· STRUCTURECrash

    VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION AND THE PART ON THE LEFT SIDE RAIL THAT WAS NEEDED THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT MANUFACTURE. *AK

  • 12/02/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

    WHILE DRIVING HEADLIGHTS WERE DIM. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. CONSUMER FOUND THERE WERE ALOT OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE HEADLIGHTS. CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE BULB WITH HIGHER WALTAGE. THERE WAS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSAT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM WAS ELECTRICAL. *AK

  • 11/30/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY

    LIKE OTHERS, I HAVE HAD THE IGNITION COIL REPLACED. THIS HAPPENED AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, OF COURSE. I HAVE ALSO HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDOWS (REGULATOR AND MOTOR) FOR ALL OF THEM. NOW, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS FLASHING AND THE CAR IS SPUTTERING. I KNOW THE SECONDARY AIR INTAKE VALVE NEEDS REPLACING BUT IT DID NOT CAUSE PROBLEMS. NOW I'M WONDERING IF SOMETHING NEW IS WRONG??? ALSO, I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH LOSING COOLANT AND HAD TO CONTINUOUSLY REPLACE ANTIFREEZE. AFTER FIXING WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A SMALL LEAK THE ENTIRE SYSTEM WILL NOT PRODUCE COOL AIR! THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS AND VW SHOULD LOOK INTO ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS. *JB

  • 11/26/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    MY 1998 VOLKSWAGEN (VW) JETTA HAS AN IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM. WHEN DRIVING, IT FALLS BACK, TURNING OFF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (INCLUDING LIGHTS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS). VW HAS IDENTIFIED THIS AS A PROBLEM IN THE 1996 AND 1997 JETTAS (AND SENT OUT A RECALL ON THE PART) BUT DOES NOT RECOGNIZE IT AS A PROBLEM FOR THE 1998 MODELS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A VW SERVICE PERSON THAT THE 1998 MODELS USE THE SAME IGNITION SWITCH AS THE 1996/1997'S. VW REPRESENTATIVES CLAIM THAT THEY DO NOT SEE A PROBLEM WITH THE 1998'S. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY VW. *LA

  • 11/26/1999· TIRES

    2ND BLOW-OUT ON RELATIVELY NEW CAR, BOTH W/GOODYEAR ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRES, ONLY ONE PRIOR BLOW-OUT IN OVER 400,000 MILES AND 42 YRS OF DRIVING( DOT NUMBER: MKHCFJDR37 TIRE SIZE: HR1956014 )

  • 11/24/2010· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    REQUEST FOR COMPLETE CONSUMER COPIES RE SAFETY REPORT ON 1998 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. *TGW

  • 11/24/2002· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

    THE ABS INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON AND THEN IT WENT OFF AGAIN BEFORE I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE IT IN FOR A CHECK. THIS HAPPENED IN NOVEMBER 2001. THEN RECENTLY THE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS, SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO BE CHECKED. THEY SAID THAT IT NEEDED AN ABS HYDRAULIC PUMP. ALTHOUGH MY BRAKES WORK FINE, APPARENTLY MY ABS SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING. THE CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION UNTIL I CARE FOR THIS MATTER, BUT AT MORE THAN $1100.00. I WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL INSPECTION TO CARE FOR THIS ITEM. I JUST THOUGHT I SHOULD REPORT THIS TO NHTSA WHILE I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY. DT

  • 11/22/2006· VISIBILITY

    I BOUGHT A USED 1998 VW JETTA FOR MY DAUGHTER. GOOD CAR FUN TO DRIVE BUT ONE DAY AS SHE WAS DRIVING THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW FELL DOWN INTO THE DOOR. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR. MOST RECENTLY DURING THE SUMMER THE DRIVER'S FRONT WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR. ALL OF THESE INCIDENTS COULD STARTLE A DRIVER OR SHATTER THE WINDOW. CURRENTLY SHE HAS THE WINDOW TAPED UP ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND IT HINDERS HER VISIBILITY. VW SAID IT WOULD COST $485 PER DOOR!!!! YOU KNOW THE DRIVER'S REAR DOOR WILL GO SOON AND IT JUST DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT THAT WE SHOULD HAVE TO INVEST ANOTHER CLOSE TO $2000 JUST TO KEEP THE WINDOWS UP! THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT WHEN I CALLED VW THEY THANKED ME FOR BEING A LOYAL VW CUSTOMER AND ASKED ME IF I NAME MY CARS...VW KNOWS THAT THE PLASTIC BOTTOM ON THE REGULATOR FAILS AND THEY REPLACE THEM WITH METAL ONES. THEY SHOULD DO THIS FOR EVERYONE THAT HAS THESE CARS. I BELIEVE IN 2001 THE REGULATORS WITH METAL BOTTOMS ARE OEM. *NM

  • 11/18/2003· STEERING

    98 VOLKSWAGEN (VW) PASSAT GLS. MY MECHANIC ASKED ME TO FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT ABOUT THE FRONT-END TIE RODS OF THE 98 PASSAT. THEY HAVE ALREADY BEEN REPLACED TWICE ON MY CAR AND ARE READY FOR THE THIRD REPLACEMENT. ACCORDING TO HIM IT IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE CAR. VW HAS FINALLY REDESIGNED THE REPLACEMENT, SO I THINK I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS THIRD SET SINCE THE FAULT LIES WITH THE VW'S ORIGINAL DESIGN. *LA

  • 11/17/2008· STEERING,SUSPENSION

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONTROL ARM BUSHING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT MADE A NOISE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD WHEN STOPPING. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REPLACEMENT WOULD COST NEARLY $500. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING RACK WOULD MAKE A NOISE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. THE MECHANIC ADDED STEERING FLUID AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A SUBSTANTIAL LEAK, WHICH WAS WORSENING. THE ESTIMATE TO REPAIR THE LEAK WAS $1,084.84. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 86,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 84,000.

  • 11/15/2017· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    THE VEHICLES' ANTI THEFT HAD WENT HAYWIRE. WENT TO START, BEEP SOUND WENT OFF. THEN WAS LOCKED INSIDE CAR. WITH THE ALARM GOING OFF. WAS ONLY ABLE TO EXIT VEHICLE BY HAVING PASSERBY UNHOOK BATTERY, WHILE I HELD THE UNLOCK BUTTON. THIS WAS OVER 2 WEEKS AGO. WHEN HOOKING BATTERY BACK UP, THE ALARM STILL GOES OFF. I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE. THE BATTERY WAS PURCHASED NEW IN JUNE. NOTHING HAS BEEN ADDED TO VEHICLE. PLEASE ADVISE TO HOW THIS MATTER WILL BE RESOLVED & IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM.

  • 11/14/2012· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE

    I HAVE BEEN TRAPPED INSIDE THE FRONT SEAT OF THIS VEHICLE. BOTH FRONT DOORS WILL OCCASIONALLY NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE CAR, EVEN WITH THE DOORS UNLOCKED. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT AND UNPREDICTABLE PROBLEM THAT I FEEL IS QUITE DANGEROUS. THESE VEHICLES SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND HAD THE DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM REPLACED. *TR

  • 11/12/1999· TIRES

    TIRE SIDEWALLS CONTINUALLY LOOSING AIR DUE TO CRACKING. MJS

  • 11/06/1998· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

    WATER GOT INTO THE AIR INTAKE SYSTEM WHILE DRIVING DAMAGING THE ENGINE.

  • 11/05/2003· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

    REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR RECALL REPAIRS THAT WERE PERFORMED ON A 1998 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA.*MR THE MANUFACTURER STATED THEY WOULD ONLY REIMBURSE THE CONSUMER $380.00 DOLLARS. THE CONSUMER STATED A REPRESENTATIVE STATED THE ENTIRE AMOUNT WOULD BE REFUNDED FOR THE GAS TANK AND THE REPLACEMENT TIRE. THE CONSUMER TRAVELING 70 MPH WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. (FATHER NATHAN DOWNEY ON BEHALF OF HIS DAUGHTER MAURA DOWNEY WHO OWNS THE VEHICLE) *JB

  • 11/04/2004· VISIBILITY,EQUIPMENT

    THE POWER WINDOWS ON MY 1998 VW JETTA III FAILED. I'VE EXPERIENCED THIS OCCASION 4 TIMES SINCE I'VE HAD MY CAR. CURRENTLY BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE WINDOWS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING. THE POWERS WINDOWS WOULD NOT ROLL UP OR DOWN. I HAVE NOT HAD THEM REPAIRED SINCE ITS A VERY EXPENSIVE RAPAIR. I'VE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND IT SEEMS THAT A LOT OF 1998 VOLKSWAGON JETTA OWNERS EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEMS I HAVE. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE VOLKSWAGON DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE TYPE OF CAR I HAVE.*AK

  • 11/02/2001· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

    WHILE DRIVING 60 TO 65 MPH HOOD FLEW UP AND BROKE WINDSHIELD. IT BROKE ONE SIDE OF HOOD CONNECTION WHERE HOOD IS ATTACHED. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WILL LOOK AT VEHICLE AND GET BACK WITH CONSUMER. PLEASE ADD VIN. *AK

  • 11/02/2000· VISIBILITY

    THE REMOTE LOCKING DEVICE STOPPED WORKING. NLM

  • 10/31/2000· FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

    THE GAS GAUGE DID NOT WORK AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE AND WAS REPLACED. *MJS

  • 10/30/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    IGNITION SWITCH. I HAVE A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. WITH THE CAR RUNNING, THERE HAVE BEEN OCCASIONS WHEN MY HEADLIGHTS HAVE TURNED OFF, AND THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. I HAVE SEEN APPROXIMATELY 5 POSTINGS ON DIFFERENT MESSAGE BOARDS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *LA

  • 10/29/2002· SEAT BELTS

    CONSUMER STATES THAT THE REAR SEAT BELT UNLATCHES IT SELF. TS

  • 10/28/1998· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

    BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED.

  • 10/25/1999· STEERING

    FACTORY ALARM SYSTEM HAS INTERMITTENT FAILURES. TRUNK LID CAUSES ALARM TO BE TRIGGERED; SETTING OFF ALARM HORN AND LIGHTS.

  • 10/16/2004· VISIBILITY

    WINDOW FAILURE, FALLS INTO DOOR. 1998 VW JETTA. LEAVING A FRIENDS HOME THE DRIVERS REAR WINDOW JUST DROPS INTO THE DOOR. UNABLE TO AFFORD REPAIR WINDOW STILL NON USABLE, WINDOW TIED OFF IN THE UP POSITION. I HAVE READ ITS DUE TO THE PLASTIC CLIPS. I DON'T KNOW BUT WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION. *JB

  • 10/13/1999· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY

    ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS ARE SUSPECT. THESE TWO PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN INTO THE DEALER, BUT THE WINDOW, EVEN AFTER BEING REPLACED, CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEMS

  • 10/13/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

    SHORTLY AFTER BUYING CAR I NOTICED IT WAS USING EXCESSIVE OIL, IN THE WORST INSTANCE IT USED APPROX. A QUART AND A HALF IN 1500 MILES. I NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURE AND BOTH SAID IT WAS NORMAL CONSUMPTION. I HAVE NEVER HAD OR HEARD OF NEW VEHICLES USING SUCH AN AMOUNT IN SO LITTLE MILES. ALSO HAD A PROBLEM AT 14000 MILES WITH A THROTTLE SURGE ON THE MORNING STARTUPS. TACH WOULD READ VARIOUS RPM'S WHILE THIS WAS OCCURING. THEN WHEN I WOULD START TO ACCELERATE SLOWLY THE ENGINE WOULD STILL SURGE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO "BUCK" VIOLENTLY! THIS CONDITION IS VERY UNSAFE SINCE IT IS TOTALLY UNPREDICTABLE. THIS PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURING AT 41000 MILES AND HAS TAKEN OVER 6 DAYS IN THE SHOP WITH NO DIAGNOSIS. DEALER THOUGHT THE TIMING BELT WAS THE PROBLEM SINCE IT HAD STRECHED SO FAR OUT THE TIMING COULDNT BE RESET. I WILL PAY TO HAVE THE TIMING BELT REPLACED BUT THAT DIDNT FIX THE PROBLEM. IN 1998 VOLKS WAGEN RECCOMENDED THAT ON THE DIESEL ENGINE THE TIMING BELT SHOULD BE REPLACED AT 60000 MILES BUT THE RECCOMENDATION HAS CHANGED FOR THE YEAR 2000 TO 40000. THIS CHANGE HAS TO BE DUE TO EARLY MALFUNCTION PROBLEMS WITH THE BELT BUT VOLKSWAGEN DENIES ANY PROBLEMS AND WILL NOT COVER THE BELT UNDER WARRANTIES EITHER. IF THE TIMING BELT BREAKS WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE OR HIGHWAY , IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT SINCE THERE WOULD BE NO POWER STEERING AND OR BRAKES NOT TO MENTION IF IT CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO LOCK UP. THIS ENGINE HAS BIG PROBLEMS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED... THANK YOU

  • 10/12/1999· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    NO SUMMARY

  • 10/08/2003· VISIBILITY

    WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED, CAUSING DRIVER TO HAVE POOR VISIBILITY. IT WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE MECHANIC CHECK IT OUT.*AK

  • 10/05/2001· VISIBILITY

    VOLKSWAGEN NEEDS TO RECALL WINDOW PARTS ON ALL 1998 JETTAS - EVEN SERVICE TECH AGREES. *AK

  • 10/04/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

    I HAVE SPOKEN WITH VW AND THE DEALERSHIP A NUMBER OF TIMES.. NO ONE WILL HELP.

  • 10/01/2001· VISIBILITY

    POWER WINDOWS FAIL TO OPERATE. FRONT DRIVER WINDOW IS MAKING NOISES LEADING ME TO BELIEVE IT TOO WILL FAIL SOON. FIRST WINDOW WAS REPAIRED BY DEALER UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. *AK

  • 10/01/2001· STRUCTURE

    BODY TRIM HAS FALLEN OFF OF LEFT SIDE DOORS. I THINK THE PROBLEM MAY BE HEAT RELATED, AND EXASERBATED BY THE CAR BEING BLACK. HOWEVER , I KEEP THE CAR IN MY GARAGE. *AK

  • 10/01/1998· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    SECURITY REMOTE,DOOR LOCKS, AND PANIC BUTTON FAILED.

  • 09/28/2004· VISIBILITY

    WHILE DRIVING SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO PIN PINPOINT THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER DETERMINED THAT THE WIPER SWITCH INSIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WORN OUT SWITCH. *AK AN INDEPENDENT TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE SWITCH. *NM

  • 09/28/2000· WHEELS

    "ORLEANS" MODEL WHEELS HAVE FAILED TWICE. WHEELS APPEAR TO BE SOFT AND EASILY DEFORMED. WHEELS CRACK AFTER BENDING WHICH RESULTS IN A FLAT TIRE. VOLKSWAGEN HAS TAKEN THE ORLEANS WHEEL OFF OF THE PARTS LIST SO THAT REPLACEMENT WHEELS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. LOCAL PARTS CLERK HAS ADVISED THAT A HIGH FAILURE RATE AND REPLACEMENT ACTIVITY WERE OCCURRING PRIOR TO THE VW GERMANY DECISION TO NO LONGER SUPPLY THE WHEELS. THE WHEELS WERE OPTIONAL ON THE 97 PASSAT AND THE 98 JETTA AND GOLF. SINCE OWNERS HAVE BEEN ABANDONED WITHOUT SPARES FOR SOME REASON, THEY ARE REQUIRED TO REPLACE ALL FOUR WHEELS AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE AS THE WHEELS FAIL. WHEELS. *AK

  • 09/27/2000· VISIBILITY

    WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM.*AK

  • 09/26/2007· VISIBILITY

    I HAVE 1998 VW JETTA--I PRESENTLY HAVE THREE ELECTRIC WINDOWS WHICH DO NOT GO UP OR DOWN. TWO OF THEM HAVE PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPAIRED. THIS APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT OR NEEDED RECALL. CAUSE OF PROBLEMS IS MOTORS OR REGULATORS. THESE SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY VW. OF ALL THE VEHICLES I HAVE OWNED IN THE PAST 40 YEARS WITH ELECTRIC WINDOWS I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEMS EXCEPT WITH THE VW JETTA. *TR

  • 09/26/2000· TIRES

    BELTS SEPARATING TO THE EXTENT THAT THE TIRE WENT FLAT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRE STILL HAD 5/16THS TREAD DEPTH AND SO HAD LOTS OF LIFE LEFT. *AK( DOT NUMBER: MKHCFJDR TIRE SIZE: 195/60 R14 )

  • 09/22/2000· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,AIR BAGSCrash

    WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND AFTER APPLYING BRAKES REARENDED A MID-SIZED TRUCK. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED INJURIES. *AK

  • 09/22/1999· EQUIPMENT

    THE CAR HAS A REOCURRING PROBLEM WITH A MILDEW SMELL IN THE A/C SYSTEM. THE DEALER HAS SPRAYED DISINFECTANT IN THE VENTS AND WAS GOING TO DISASSEMBLE AND CLEAN THE UNIT. THE REGIONAL VW REP. HAD SAID THAT SPRAYING WAS ALL THEY WERE GOING TO DO. HOWEVER, THERE IS A FLYER AT THE DEALER, PUBLISHED BY VW OFFERING AN OPTIONAL SERVICE TO ACRYLIC COAT THE EXAPORATOR. I FEEL THAT VW KNOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM, AND WHILE I AM UNDER WARRANTEE, I FEEL IT SHOULD BE DONE FREE OF CHARGE TO ME. VW DOES NOT AGREE. I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM EXISTING WITH BACTERIA LADEN WATER (LEGIONAIRES DISEASE, ETC). I HAVE ALREADY BEEN TREATED FOR A FUNGAL INFECTION ON MY TORSO THAT CAME OUT OF NOWHERE. I AM NOT SURE IF THAT IS RELATED OR NOT, BUT I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY TYPE OF SKIN PROBLEMS IN MY 36 YEARS. THE SMELL IS HORRIBLE, AND I DON'T THINK A NEW CAR SHOULD HAVE THIS KIND OF PROBLEM.. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE

  • 09/21/2023· AIR BAGS

    Airbag Warning Light On

  • 09/19/2000· TIRES

    WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH, THERE WAS A BLOWOUT ON REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE. TIRE SIZE 19560R14. ORIGINAL TIRE EQUIPMENT ON A 1998, VOLKSWAGEN, JETTA. TIRE MILEAGE 23,000. *AK VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SECOND BLOWOUT, THE RIGHT REAR GOODYEAR EAGLE TIRE FAILED, THE DOT #MKHCFJDR457. *SLC

  • 09/17/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

    LEAKING COOLANT FROM THE COOLANT OVERFLOW BOTTLE MIGRATED UP THE ELECTRICAL LOW INDICATOR SENSOR WIRES, CAUSING DAMAGE THE RELAY CONTROL BOARD AND ALARM SENSOR MODULE. THIS PROBLEM IS KNOWN TO VOLKSWAGEN AS A "COOLANT MIGRATION" PROBLEM. *JB

  • 09/14/1999· AIR BAGSCrash

    VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 60MPH, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

  • 09/12/2000· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,EQUIPMENT

    CONTINUAL PROBLEMS, SOME UNDIAGNOSED. UNSYMPATHETIC DEALERSHIP. REOCCURING PROBLEMS. MOST PROBLEMS OCCURRING AFTER LEASE/WARRANTY WERE UP. TOO MANY PROBLEMS FOR A CAR THAT IS ONLY ABOUT 2 AND A HALF YEARS OLD. DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE WHY BRAKE LIGHT IS ON, A/C NOT WORKING, ENGINE NOT STARTING ALTHOUGH STARTER WAS REPLACED, OR WHY ENGINE BEGAN SMOKING. ALL THE PROBLEMS APPEAR RELATED. THEY ALL OCCUR AT THE SAME TIME.THE CAR IS UNSAFE AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT NOW BECAUSE NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT.*AK

  • 09/11/2000· TIRES

    GOODYEAR EAGLE TIRES EXPERIENCED THE INNER SIDE OF THE TIRE HANGING ON TO THE TREAD BY STRANDS OF STEEL. *SLC