1998 Volkswagen GOLF: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
66,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 12 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 25.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 16.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 8.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 4 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 1 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 1 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 4; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Electrical System:Wiring: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 1; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 8 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 2 |
2000: 2; 2001: 5; 2002: 1; 2003: 2; 2004: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10002788 · 2003-01-16 (January 16, 2003)
IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE CAUSES SWITCHED DEVICES TO LOOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING. THE DEVICES I HAVE PERSONALLY IDENTIFIED THAT LOOSE POWER ARE: HEADLIGHTS, DRL, ABS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, INTERIOR FAN, FOG LIGHTS. WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH IN THE ON POSITION, IT IS POSIBLE TO ROTATE IT SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT AND TURN THE ABOVE MENTIONED DEVICES OFF WHILE THE CAR CONTINUES TO RUN. THIS CAN EASILY HAPPEN (AND DOES HAPPEN) WHILE DRIVING. SEARCHING YOUR DATABASE OF OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS AND OTHER SIMILAR MODELS WHICH PROBABLY USE THE SAME IGNITION SW…
Owner-reported narrative. 57,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002788 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10050617 · 2003-12-16 (December 16, 2003)
ELECTRICAL DEFECT: WHEN TURNING IGNITION ON AND ENGINE RUNNING, I EXPERIENCE A TOTAL LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS, A/C FAN MOTOR, DEFROSTER, DRL, FOG LAMPS, REAR-WINDOW DEFOGGER, AND HEATER. (ALL OTHER ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS CONTINUE FUNCTIONING.) SOMETIMES THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT WHERE EVERYTHING FUNCTIONS; MOST OF THE TIME NONE OF THESE UNITS FUNCTION ELECTRICALLY. ADDITIONAL NOTE: THE "BRAKE" LAMP GLOWS ON IN THE DASH WHEN THIS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM OCCURS. (EMERGENCY BRAKE IS NOT ENGAGED.) CANNOT DRIVE AT NIGHT. VOLKSWAGON WILL NOT PAY FOR REPAIR.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 153,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10050617 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10055852 · 2004-01-26 (January 26, 2004)
THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN MORE THAN 40 MPH. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10055852 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10104658 · 2004-12-28 (December 28, 2004)
HEADLIGHTS AND AC INTERMITTENTLY WENT OFF COMPLETELY AND PARKING BRAKE LIGHT DIDN'T GO AWAY ON DASHBOARD; MECHANIC DETERMINED A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH WAS THE CAUSE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10104658 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 566129 · 2002-06-18 (June 18, 2002)
THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TWICE DUE TO A THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 566129 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 728690 · 2000-08-22 (August 22, 2000)
TRANSMISSION HAS LOCKED INTO 3RD GEAR WITH OUT WARNING. THIS HAS CAUSED A LACK PERFORMANCE. ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE CAR NOT ACELERATING AS EXPECTED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 728690 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 750192 · 2001-08-10 (August 10, 2001)
FAILURE OF BREATHER VALVE AND MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, REPAIRED BY PRIVATE MECHANIC THAT GOT A KIT TO REPLACE POORLY DESIGNED UNIT WICH HAS A DEALER BUY BACK # 0444294 , VOLKSWAGEN SAID THERE WAS NO SUCH KIT TO THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND NO RECALL I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AND HAVE RECIEVED NO AID FROM VOLKSWAGEN
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 750192 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 876280 · 2000-12-11 (December 11, 2000)
SOMETIMES WHEN TURNING ON AIR CONDITIONER IT DOES NOT COME ON, AND SOMETIMES WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT WORK. TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID IT WAS BINDING. LOCK CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 876280 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
03V155000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 2003-04-22 (April 22, 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).
Consequence: UNDER INFLATED TIRES CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING, AND DRIVING WITH SUBSTANTIALLY UNDER INFLATED TIRES PUTS THE CONSUMER AT RISK FOR A CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗