1998 Volkswagen PASSAT: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
295 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
80,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 127 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension:Front:Control Arm is the most frequently named component, appearing in 29 of 295 complaints (9.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 86 | 29.2% |
| Steering behavior | 30 | 10.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 18 | 6.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 7 | 2.4% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 2.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 1.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm | 29 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 27 |
| Suspension:Front | 27 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module | 22 |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 22 |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm | 21 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 19 |
| Service Brakes, Air:Antilock:Abs Warning Light | 11 |
Suspension:Front:Control Arm: 29; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 27; Suspension:Front: 27; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module: 22; Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly: 22; Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm: 21; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 19; Service Brakes, Air:Antilock:Abs Warning Light: 11
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 10 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 35 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 47 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 22 |
| 150,000 and above | 8 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 10; 50,000 to 74,999: 35; 75,000 to 99,999: 47; 100,000 to 149,999: 22; 150,000 and above: 8
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (47). 168 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 | 41 |
| 2001 | 43 |
| 2002 | 41 |
| 2003 | 28 |
| 2004 | 49 |
| 2005 | 47 |
| 2006 | 18 |
| 2007 | 9 |
| 2008 | 12 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
2000: 41; 2001: 43; 2002: 41; 2003: 28; 2004: 49; 2005: 47; 2006: 18; 2007: 9; 2008: 12; 2009: 2; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2014: 1; 2017: 2
Pattern summary
Suspension:Front:Control Arm leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 86 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 30 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 18 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 10001169 · 2002-12-18 (December 18, 2002)
CAR STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES AT ANY SPEED DUE TO A FAULTY IGNITION COIL SWITCH. ENGINE WORK VERY SLOWLY. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001169 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002615 · 2003-01-13 (January 13, 2003)
STARTER COIL FAILURE - FOR OVER A MONTH THE PROBLEM WOULD APPEAR AND DISAPPEAR. SOUNDED ALMOST LIKE THE MUFFLER FELL OFF, BUT WOULD BE ACCOMPANIED BY LOSS OF POWER TO THE VEHICLE. UNEXPLAINABLE AS TO WHY THIS HAPPENED.
Owner-reported narrative. 62,520 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002615 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004605 · 2003-01-24 (January 24, 2003)
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRE ROD ENDS BEING DEFECTIVE. ALSO STATED THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE NOW BUT THE RECALL DID NOT AFFECT HIS VIN #. MANUFACTURE WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004605 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007671 · 2003-02-17 (February 17, 2003)
DEFECTIVE TIE ROD ASSEMBLY AND LOWER INK ARM-N AND LOWER CONTROL ARM-N CAUSED POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS STEERING CONDITION AND MADE LOUD GRINDING NOISES.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007671 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009373 · 2002-06-13 (June 13, 2002)
MY NAME IS [XXX], I AM IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY STATION IN STUTTGART, GERMANY. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF PURCHASING A 1998 VW PASSAT FROM MILITARY SALES, IN MANNAHEIM, GERMANY. I HAVE ADVISED THEM OF RECALL LIST BEFORE PURCHASING TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST VW DEALERSHIP TO FIX THE PROBLEM. FROM READING INFORMATION FROM THE PAST OWNERS, THEY EXPERIENCED MANY PROBLEMS. SINCE, I AM STATIONED IN GERMANY COULD I TAKE MY 1998 PASSAT TO GERMANY VW DEALERSHIP IN STUTTGART TO REPLACE ALL RECALL PARTS? I DO BELIEVE REPLACEMENT OF RECALLED PART. I S…
Owner-reported narrative. 41,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10009373 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009880 · 2003-03-24 (March 24, 2003)
THE SEAT BROKE FROM THE BASE. THE CONSUMER HAD LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR ALL OF THE MONIES SPENT ON REPAIRS/OTHER CHARGES FOR THE INCIDENT. SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009880 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010044 · 2003-03-06 (March 6, 2003)
THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS DID NOT CLOSE.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10010044 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010427 · 2003-03-13 (March 13, 2003)
MY CAR DIED SUDDENLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON ROUTE 9. MY CAR STARTED TO LOSE ACCELERATION, BUT I WAS UNABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD BEFORE THE ENGINE DIED. THE PROBLEM TURNED OUT TO BE RELATED TO THE TIMING BELT. APPARENTLY THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER FAILED, CAUSING THE TIMING BELT TO GO INTO THE ENGINE AND DAMAGE CYLINDER HEADS. MY LOCAL MECHANIC HAS INFORMED ME THE MANUFACTURER HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN THAT RECOMMENDS REPLACING THE PART. I HAD THE PART INSPECTED AT 55,000 MILES BY MY LOCAL DEALER AND WAS NOT TOLD OF THE PROBLEM OR ADVISED TO …
Owner-reported narrative. 66,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010427 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
02V026000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap
Reported: 2002-01-25 (January 25, 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.
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗98V134000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
Reported: 1998-06-22 (June 22, 1998)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE BACKFIRES DURING A COLD-START, AN AIR SCREEN WHICH IS LOOSELY SEATED IN THE AIR FLOW METER CAN BECOME DAMAGED.
Consequence: SCREEN PIECES COULD ENTER THE INTAKE AIR FLOW SYSTEM AND PREVENT THE THROTTLE PLATE FROM RETURNING TO ITS FULL IDLE POSITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RETAINING RING TO HOLD THE AIR SCREEN IN PLACE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V131001 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 1999-05-21 (May 21, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. A CONTROL VALVE IN THE VACUUM HOSE CONNECTING THE BRAKE BOOSTER TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD MAY NOT OPEN OR CLOSE FULLY AT TEMPERATURES BELOW -4 F UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE INSUFFICIENT VACUUM TO BE PROVIDED TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A VACUUM BY-PASS SYSTEM INTO VEHICLES OPERATED IN THESE STATES WHICH IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT VACUUM FOR FULL BRAKE ASSIST UNDER ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V248000 · Steering:Linkages:Rod:Relay:Connecting
Reported: 1999-09-13 (September 13, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TIE RODS OF THE STEERING ASSEMBLY ARE PROTECTED ON EACH SIDE BY A SEAL TO PREVENT MOISTURE AND DUST PARTICLES FROM ENTERING THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT SOME TIE ROD SEALS MAY NOT SEAL PROPERLY.
Consequence: IF MOISTURE AND/OR DUST PARTICLES ENTER THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM, THE SWIVEL BEARING COULD WEAR OVER TIME DIMINISHING THE STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE RODS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗