Model year record

1998 Volkswagen Cabrio recalls & problems

The 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio has 1 safety recall and 21 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is structure (7 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints21filed by owners

Crashes · fires4 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Fuel system, gasolineJan 25, 2002

Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap

Recall 02V026000487,284 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
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 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

Cabrio

24mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

Cabrio

22mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Injuries	Typical mileage*
StructureBody › Roof and pillars; Body	7	0	0	—
VisibilityPower window devices and controls; Defroster/defogger/hvac system	5	2	2	—
Power trainClutch assembly; Automatic transmission	4	2	2	—
Electrical systemIgnition › Switch; 12v/24v/48v battery	4	0	0	—
Air bagsFrontal	3	3	2	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Exhaust system	3	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	2	2	2	—
EquipmentElectrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.; Appliance › Air conditioner	2	0	0	—
Parking brakeConventional	1	1	1	—
Vehicle speed control	1	1	1	—
Seat beltsFront › Retractor	1	1	0	—
Tires	1	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Structure › Frame and members
1998 VOLKSWAGEN CABRIO GLS FRONT WINDSHIELD HEADER HAS RUSTED AND NO LONGER CAPABLE OF SUPPORTING THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. *NJ THE CONSUMER HAD TO INCUR THE COST OF HAVING THE FRONT WINDSHIELD REPLACED AFTER THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED BECAUSE OF THE DEFORMITIES IN THE WINDSHIELD HEADER. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND THEIR CONCLUSION WAS THAT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS NO LONGER SAFE ENOUGH TO PROTECT THE OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A ROLL OVER SINCE THE FRAME HAD RUSTED OUT. THE SUPPORT WAS A STRUCTURAL ISSUE AND A VEHICLES FRAME SHOULD NOT RUST OUT.(LAWYER WROTE IN ON BEHALF OF CLIENT) *JB
Jan 1, 1901
Power train › Automatic transmission
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
Mar 6, 2005 · 46,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON. CONSUMER PLACED OIL INTO THE VEHICLE, AND OIL LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT ENGINE WAS DEFECTIVE, AND NO OIL WAS IN THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE.*AK *NM
Dec 3, 2004 · 85,000 miles
Structure › Body › Roof and pillars
THE CONVERTIBLE TOP RIPPED ABOVE THE REAR WINDOW. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER TOLD THE OWNER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB.....THE DEALER STATED THIS CAR OF DIFFERENT YEARS WAS RECALLED. CONSUMER FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS OF SAME TEAR/RIP IN RAG AT SAME SPOT. THE MATERIAL THE ROOF WAS MADE OFF DISTINTEGRATED A SA FEW YEARS WENT BY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOISY AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS BY NOT HAVING A SECURE ROOF. *AK
Nov 22, 2004
Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
CONVERTIBLE TOP SHREDDING. HUGE RIPS ALL OVER IT. CLASS ACTION SUIT FILED IN CALIFORNIA. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD LIKE ME TO OBTAIN AN ATTORNEY OR PAY FOR HALF THE REPAIR COSTS. HOWEVER, THOSE INCLUDED IN THE CLASS ACTION WILL BE ABLE TO GET THEIRS REPLACED.*AK
Jun 1, 2002
Electrical system
1) NO KNOWN EVENT LEADING TO THIS RADIO SYSTEM FAILURE. 2) RADIO SUDDENLY AND INEXPLICABLY MOVED FROM NORMAL 'ON' TO MAXIMUM BLARING VOLUME WITH NO ONE TOUCHING IT... AND COULD NOT BE CHANGED, TURNED OFF, OR ALTERED IN ANY WAY. RADIO CONTROLS HAD NO EFFECT, EVEN TURNING OFF THE AUTO AND REMOVING THE KEYS DID NOT SHUT OFF RADIO. DRIVING SUDDENLY BECAME DANGEROUS AND NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE AS THE NOISE WAS DEAFENING AND TOTALLY DISTRACTING. I COULD NOT HEAR MY TEENAGE SON IN THE SEAT NEXT TO ME (NOT NECESSARILY A BAD THING)... BUT COULD SEE WELL ENOUGH THAT HE WAS LAUGHING HIS HEAD OFF (AN ANNOYING IRRIATATION THAT DID NOT HELP!) :) AFTER 15 - 20 MINUTES AND SOME MILES OF TORTURED DRIVING, THE…
Aug 29, 2004 · 90,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
WITH LESS THAN 75000 MILES, MY VEHICLE HAS HAD THREE DEFECTIVE WATER PUMPS REPLACEMENTS. THE SERVICE MAN AT VW HAVE COMMENTED THAT THIS APPEARS TO BE A BAD DESIGN AND WARRANTED THE PART. HOWEVER, THIS DOES NOT PROVIDE ME WITH ANY LONG TERM SOLUTION. I HAVE LOGGED A TROUBLE TICKET WITH VW AMERICA REQUESTING THAT THEY PROVIDE A RESOLUTION OR EXTEND THE WARRANTEE BEYOND 100000 MILES. *AK
Sep 1, 2003
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
IN REF TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 02V026000 THE VW DEALER IN INDIANAPOLIS REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE EXISTENCE OF THIS RECALL AGAINST MY 1998 VW CABRIO. I CHECKED THE SUPPLEMENTAL RECALL LIST FILED WITH NHTSA DATED JUNE 2, 2003 AND FOUND THAT MY VIN [XXX] IS INCLUDED. HOW CAN I GET VW TO HONOR THE RECALL? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Apr 13, 2004

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

FUEL TANK PUNCTUREClosed
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION ON AUGUST 10, 2000 BASED ON 9 REPORTS REGARDING PUNCTURED FUEL TANKS INVOLVING THE JETTA, PASSAT, AND CABRIO MODELS.THE REPORTS INDICATE ADDITIONAL REPORTS IN ITS RESPONSE TO THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED FOR FURTHER STUDY.
PE00033 · opened Aug 10, 2000 · closed Dec 28, 2000