1998 Volkswagen CABRIO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
17 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
85,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 17 complaints (23.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 11.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 5.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars | 4 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Back Over Prevention:Warnings:External/Pedestrian Alert | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 |
Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars: 4; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Back Over Prevention:Warnings:External/Pedestrian Alert: 1; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 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 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 12 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 | 3 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
2000: 3; 2001: 1; 2002: 3; 2003: 2; 2004: 5; 2005: 2; 2009: 1
Pattern summary
Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting 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.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 566623 · 2002-07-10 (July 10, 2002)
VEHICLE WOULD NOT CRANK, DEALER STATED THE BATTERY HAD FAILED. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 566623 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 897162 · 2001-10-02 (October 2, 2001)
IGNITION SWITCH OPERATES INTERMITTENTLY, CAUSING FAILURE OF ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS. A PRIVATE MECHANIC HAS DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM, AND WAS MAKING REPAIRS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 897162 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10116479 · 2005-04-06 (April 6, 2005)
MANUFACTURER TOLD ME THAT THE CAR CAN LURCH FORWARD, FROM 1ST GEAR TO 3RD GEAR, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT DUE TO A BAD TRANSMISSION (CAR HAS ONLY 46,100 MILES, WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS FAULTY AND DEFECTIVE, AND SHOULD BE WARRANTY, AND REPLACED BY THE MANUFACTURER, EVEN IF THE CAR IS 7 YEARS OLD).*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 46,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10116479 at NHTSA ↗