1998 Volkswagen Passat Problems, Recalls & Reliability
476 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 1998 Volkswagen Passat, alongside 5 recall campaigns and 6 defect investigations. It scores 40/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Brakes & stability leads the reports, typically around 83,730 miles.
Below average
Where 1998 sits among all Passat years
What owners report
“Daily driving conditions the abs light comes on with audible warning and the brake light blinks continuously. Root problem is the abs electronic module that is malfunctioning. This is a very common problem as much web research has been conducted through online passat forums.”— owner report to NHTSA, 1998 Passat
“Control arm ball joints and tie rods faulty causing noise in the front end of the vehicle. Nlm”— owner report to NHTSA, 1998 Passat
“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 report to NHTSA, 1998 Passat
“Catalytic converter replaced early on in ownership. Water pump, oil pump, timing belt replaced two months ago. Turbo replaced twice and still defective. Electrical problems with driver's side window, heated seat, trunk light. Suspension system bushings need replacement @ only 56,000 miles. Steering…”— owner report to NHTSA, 1998 Passat
“Electrical system failures continually, unable to rectify failure which causes many component failures.”— owner report to NHTSA, 1998 Passat
“This is the second time sunroof mechanisms fractured. This time they struck the driver while driving (pulling out of the driveway). In both failures, there were fractures of the mechanism. The second occurrence resulted in pieces flying off the car and striking the driver in the right shoulder.”— owner report to NHTSA, 1998 Passat
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 154 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 80,500 miles. Half of those reports fall between 62,520 and 98,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (5)
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 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…
Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
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.
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…
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…
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE RODS.
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.
Fix: 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.
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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RETAINING RING TO HOLD THE AIR SCREEN IN PLACE.
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 04V495000.
Led to recall campaign 02V026000.
Led to recall campaign 99V131001.
Technical service bulletins
116 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 1998 Volkswagen Passat. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 1998 Passat TSB list →
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 1998 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
The 1998 Volkswagen Passat drew 476 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 40/100, scored against the model's worst year (2003).
What are the most common 1998 Volkswagen Passat problems?
The top reported problems for the 1998 Volkswagen Passat are brakes & stability (99 complaints), suspension (99), and steering (59).
At what mileage do 1998 Volkswagen Passat problems show up?
Owners most often report 1998 Volkswagen Passat problems around 80,500 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 62,520 and 98,000 miles.
Does the 1998 Volkswagen Passat have recalls?
5 recall campaigns apply to the 1998 Volkswagen Passat. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.