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Model Year Problem Record

Volkswagen Jetta 1998 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

192Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
2Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
2Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
22Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Visibility44 complaints

44 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System42 complaints

42 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires19 complaints

19 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine17 complaints

17 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train15 complaints

15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure14 complaints

14 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment12 complaints

12 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 03V156000.

Steering12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System10 complaints

10 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 02V026000.

Air Bags9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

02V026000Reported January 25, 2002 - 487,284 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on January 25, 2002. The campaign covers an estimated 487,284 vehicles across all affected models.

03V156000Reported April 23, 2003 - 9,811 vehicles potentially affected

Equipment. Recall covering the equipment system, reported to NHTSA on April 23, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 9,811 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

EA00028Opened December 28, 2000 - Closed January 29, 2002

FUEL TANK PUNCTURE. Resulted in recall campaign 02V026000.

PE00033Opened August 10, 2000 - Closed December 28, 2000

FUEL TANK PUNCTURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

19987
199940
200027
200128
200218
200323
200421
20058
20066
20072
20082
20091
20102
20112
20121
20131
20161
20171
20231
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.