Model year record

1998 Volkswagen Passat recalls & problems

The 1998 Volkswagen Passat has 5 safety recalls and 331 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is suspension (99 complaints).

Recalls5safety recalls

Complaints331filed by owners

Crashes · fires6 · 4reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths12 · 1reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingMay 11, 2009

Headlights

Recall 09E02500042,540 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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 STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.

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.

SteeringSep 13, 1999

Linkages › Rod › Relay › Connecting

Recall 99V24800051,900 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE RODS.

Service brakes, hydraulicMay 21, 1999

Power assist › Vacuum › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 99V13100188,121 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE INSUFFICIENT VACUUM TO BE PROVIDED TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
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.

Engine and engine coolingJun 22, 1998

Cooling system

Recall 98V13400019,800 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: SCREEN PIECES COULD ENTER THE INTAKE AIR FLOW SYSTEM AND PREVENT THE THROTTLE PLATE FROM RETURNING TO ITS FULL IDLE POSITION.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RETAINING RING TO HOLD THE AIR SCREEN IN PLACE.

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

Passat Diesel

37mpg combined

City / highway	32 / 45 mpg
Fuel	Diesel

1.9 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

Passat Wagon Diesel

37mpg combined

City / highway	32 / 45 mpg
Fuel	Diesel

1.9 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

Passat Diesel

31mpg combined

City / highway	27 / 39 mpg
Fuel	Diesel

1.9 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,100/year to fuel

Passat Wagon Diesel

31mpg combined

City / highway	27 / 39 mpg
Fuel	Diesel

1.9 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,100/year to fuel

Passat

24mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 29 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,400/year to fuel

Passat Wagon

24mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 29 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,400/year to fuel

Passat

22mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,750/year to fuel

Passat Wagon

22mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,750/year to fuel

Passat

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.8 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel

Passat

19mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel

Passat Syncro

18mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel

Passat Wagon Syncro

18mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/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	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
SuspensionFront › Control arm; Front	99	1	0	0	72,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module	79	2	0	0	90,000 mi
SteeringLinkages › Tie rod assembly; Rack and pinion	59	1	0	2	58,500 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline	45	0	1	0	87,000 mi
VisibilitySun/moon roof assembly; Windshield	32	0	0	2	73,000 mi
Electrical systemIgnition; Wiring › Interior/under dash	29	0	3	0	83,730 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Manual transmission	20	0	1	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly; Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap	19	0	0	0	—
Service brakes, airAntilock › Abs warning light; Antilock › Control unit/module	19	0	0	0	80,000 mi
SeatsFront assembly › Seat heater/cooler	12	0	0	1	91,000 mi
EquipmentElectrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.; Appliance › Air conditioner	9	0	0	0	96,000 mi
StructureBody; Body › Door	8	0	0	0	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Engine
THE TIMING CHAIN SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE AND THEY KNOW IT. WHY DIDN'T THEY INFORM ME OF THIS.MAYBE BECAUSE THEY HAVE HANDS FULL WITH THE EMISSION CHEATING SCANDAL. OR IF THEY DID THEM THEY WOULD BE LIABLE FOR ALL THE COMPLAINTS BEFORE. PLEASE PUTVOUTCA RECALL. THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS !!!!!
Oct 4, 2017 · 105,090 miles
Fuel/propulsion system
DRIVING BACK HOME FROM STORE AND CAR JUST DIED OUT THAN SMELT LIKE GAS.
Oct 1, 2017 · 12,800 miles
Fuel system, gasoline
CABIN SMELLS LIKE FUMES FOR STARTERS AN GAS GAUGE IS OFF CAR SAYS IT HAS QUARTER OF A TANK AN THAN I RUN OUT OF GAS ALMOST HAD A ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS ! ALSO CAR HAS TONS OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS IF IT SITS FOR MORE THAN THREE DAYS BATTERY DIES BUT MY MAIN CONCERN IS MY FUEL GAUGE. *TR
Jul 10, 2014 · 223,434 miles
Service brakes, hydraulic
ABS MODULE APPEARS TO BE FAULTY. ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT REMAIN ON/FLASHING. LOSS OF ABS COULD CAUSE COLLISION, DEALER WANTS $1000+ FOR THE PART AND DOES NOT GUARANTEE IT WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
Oct 1, 2010 · 110,000 miles
Electrical systemFire
FIRE IN RUBBER BOOT HOUSING BETWEEN LEFT REAR DOOR AND CAR FRAME. PRECEDING EVENTS, LEFT REAR DOOR SPEAKER WAS NOT FUNCTIONING, LEFT REAR WINDOW FUNCTIONED SOMETIMES. DOOR WAS CLOSED AFTER RETURNING HOME AND PARKING GARAGE. ARCING WAS HEARD AND SMOKE CAME FROM DOOR. OWNER REMOVED MANY FUSES FROM DRIVERS SIDE FUSE PANEL AND THEN REMOVED CONNECTIONS TO MAIN BATTERY. DOOR PANEL COVER WAS REMOVED AND BOOT REMOVED TO FIND HOUSING ON 5 OF THE 8 WIRES BURNT AND MOST OF THE WIRE BURNT THROUGH THE WIRE. PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE. *TR
Sep 13, 2010 · 81,000 miles
Service brakes, hydraulic
THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON,FOLLOWED BY THE BRAKE LIGHT BLINKING THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT COMES ON AND THE TACHOMETER GOES TO 0 AND STOPS WORKING EVEN THOUGH I AM ACCELERATING. THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE IT CAN BE RESEARCHED ON HTTP://TECH.BENTLEYPUBLISHERS.COM/THREAD.JSPA?THREADID=2447&TSTART=0. *TR
Dec 9, 2008 · 68,000 miles
Service brakes, electric
THE ABS LIGHT STAYS ON, THE BRAKE LIGHT FLASHES, THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT COMES ON AND THE TACHOMETER GOES TO 0 AND STOPS WORKING EVEN THOUGH I AM ACCELERATING. THE CONTROL MODULE WAS THE CULPRIT AND IT WOULD COST $1450.00 AND THERE WAS NO USED PART AVAILABLE AND IT IS A DEALER ONLY PART. *TR
Dec 7, 2008 · 68,000 miles
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
ABS MODULE FAILURE. WAS DRIVING SHORTLY AFTER HAVING FRONT END WORK DONE AND LIGHT WHEN ON. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. BRAKING IS AFFECTED. *TR
Aug 1, 2008 · 115,000 miles

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

STUCK-OPEN THROTTLEClosedLed to recall 04V495000
VWOA HAS RECALLED APPROXIMATELY 28,300 MY 1998-99 A6 VEHICLES IN COLD WEATHER STATES THAT EXPERIENCED THE HIGHEST RATE OF THROTTLE ICING INCIDENTS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES (04V-495).THE FAILURE RATE IN THE A4 AND PASSAT VEHICLES IS MUCH LOWER THAN IN THE RECALLED VEHICLES.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE EXPERIENCE IN THE A4 AND PASSAT VEHICLES.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS FOR THE AUDI A4 OR VW PASSAT VEHICLES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY A CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES. FOR FURTHER DETAILS SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
EA04017 · opened Jun 30, 2004 · closed Feb 10, 2005
PASSENGER AIR BAG LID FAILUREClosed
THIS INVESTIGATION INVOLVES THE VOLKSWAGEN (VW) PASSENGER SUPPLEMENTAL INFLATABLE RESTRAINT (PSIR) LID UTILIZED IN MY 1998-2002 VW PASSAT.THE PSIR LID MAY DETACH FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OF THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) OPENED THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION ON MAY 23, 2003 TO DETERMINE WHETHER ALLEGED PSIR LID DETACHMENT PRESENTS AN UNREASONABLE SAFETY RISK TO PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE.ODI?S INVESTIGATION REVEALS THAT DETACHMENT OF THE PSIR LID DURING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT MAY OCCUR FOR TWO REASONS: 1) THE SHAPE OF THE PSIR LID, AND THE LENGTH OF THE ATTACHING TETHER, MAY SNAG THE AIR BAG DURING DEPLOYMENT APPLYING ADDITIONAL PRESSURE ON BOLTS THAT FASTEN THE LID TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL (IP); AND/OR 2) THE ORIGINAL PSIR LID DESIGN (SUBJECT VEHICLES) UTILIZED SIX GRADE 4.8 MM CARBON STEEL TACK WELD…
EA03020 · opened Oct 7, 2003 · closed Apr 23, 2004
PASSENGER SIR DOOR MOUNTING STUD FAILUREClosed
ODI OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE03-021) BASED ON TWO REPORTS OF FAILED BOLT STUDS THAT ATTACH THE PASSENGER SUPPLEMENTAL INFLATABLE RESTRAINT (PSIR) DOOR COVER TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL (IP) ON THE VOLKSWAGEN (VW) PASSAT (MODEL YEARS 2000, 2002).VW HAS INDICATED TO ODI THAT IT HAS NO ADDITIONAL REPORTS.VW IMPLEMENTED A PROCESS CHANGE ON MARCH 1, 2002.THIS PROCESS CHANGE CONSISTED OF CHANGING THE BOLT APPLICATION THAT FASTENS THE PSIR DOOR TO THE IP FROM A WELD ON APPLICATION TO A PRESS ON APPLICATION.VW ALSO CHANGED THE MATERIAL OF THE BOLT.VW STATED THAT THE CHANGES WERE MADE TO EASE PRODUCTION BY ELIMINATING A WELDING PROCESS.ODI HAS UPGRADED ITS INVESTIGATION TO ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA03-020).
PE03021 · opened May 23, 2003 · closed Oct 7, 2003
FUEL TANK PUNCTUREClosedLed to recall 02V026000
EA00028 · opened Dec 28, 2000 · closed Jan 29, 2002
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
POWER BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM BY-PASSClosedLed to recall 99V131001
There is no summary currently available
RQ99008 · opened Jun 1, 1999 · closed Nov 14, 2000