1998 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
289
Owner Complaints
8
Recalls
9
Service Bulletins
1
Investigation
Overview of the 1998 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
The 1998 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE has received a total of 289 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 8 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS. 9 technical service bulletins have been issued by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls (24 complaints), Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline (14 complaints), and Electrical System (13 complaints).
Recalls for the 1998 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
NHTSA has recorded 8 recalls for the 1998 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE, potentially affecting up to 849,852 vehicles.
Recall 14E007000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
| 50 vehicles affected
Defect: The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold...
Consequence: A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.
View full details →Recall 09E012000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 16,270 vehicles affected
Defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 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.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
View full details →Recall 08E050000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 1,921 vehicles affected
Defect: K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
View full details →Recall 06V183000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
| 646,246 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND CRUISE CONTROLS, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING SAFETY RECALLS 03V-265 OR 04V-096.
Consequence: THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 27, 2006. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT...
View full details →Recall 06E060000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 87,745 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH
Remedy: AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.
View full details →Recall 06E049000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 27,176 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
View full details →Recall 06E026000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 61,944 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
View full details →Recall 98V100000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
| 8,500 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ELECTRICAL WIRING LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ROUTED TOO CLOSE TO THE ENDGE OF THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY TRAY. THE WIRING CAN BECOME DAMAGED OVER TIME BY CHAFING AND THE AIR-CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR AND/OR THE FUEL PUMP CAN MALFUNCTION.
Consequence: A MALFUNCTION OF THE FUEL PUMP CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL, AND IN SOME INSTANCES, COULD ALSO RESULT IN A WIRING FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A MODIFIED BATTERY TRAY AND INSPECT, PROPERLY ROUTE, AND SECURING THE WIRING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECALL REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1998 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
289 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1998 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
Separation between belts near the sidewall Cooper cs5 grand touring 205/65 r16. I have had 4 tires that this has happened to. Replaced both front tires twice. This seems to be a recurring problem with these tires.
The driver was driving the speed limit (55 mph) and tried to slow down as they approached a red light. The brakes failed to work, and the driver rear-ended the vehicle waiting at the stoplight. The airbags did not deploy.
The driver was driving the speed limit (55 mph) and tried to slow down as they approached a red light. The brakes failed to work, and the driver rear-ended the vehicle waiting at the stoplight. The airbags did not deploy.
DON'T WORK
DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING TO SCHOOL, CAR STALLED, RESTARTED CAR THEN SAW SMOKE AND FIRE UNDER PASSENGER SIDE DASH. CAR BURNT COMPLETELY, TOTALED. HAVE BEFORE AND AFTER PICTURES. ..UPDATED 11/12/14 *BF
View all Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls complaints →
Safety Rating for the 1998 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1998 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1998 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. has issued 9 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1998 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
851401 — VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
HVAC, Temperature Output Control Cannot Be Adjusted
Edition35 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
VW Elsa Newsletter
SM-91-2012 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
AUDI/VOLKSWAGEN: A PARTS CIRCULAR IS ISSUED REGARDING THE FUEL PUMP CLAIMS PROCEDURES. NO MODEL OR MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE
TT-21-10-01 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VOLKSWAGEN: DIAGNOSIS N75 SOLENOID VALVE ON TURBOCHARGER, WITH FAULT CODES P0299 AND P0234, THAT LEADS TO TESTING ON WHICH VACUUM PORTS THAT WOULD HOLD AND WHICH ONES WILL NOT. NO MODELS WERE LISTED. MODEL YEARS 2006-2013 WITH 2.0T GASOLINE ENGINES. *PE
TT-21-10-01 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
VOLKSWAGEN: DIAGNOSIS N75 SOLENOID VALVE ON TURBOCHARGER, WITH FAULT CODES P0299 AND P0234, THAT LEADS TO TESTING ON WHICH VACUUM PORTS THAT WOULD HOLD AND WHICH ONES WILL NOT. NO MODELS WERE LISTED. MODEL YEARS 2006-2013 WITH 2.0T GASOLINE ENGINES. *PE
970102 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WIRING HARNESS, COOLANT CONTAMINATION AT INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. *KB
9901 — SUSPENSION
INFORMATION REGARDING WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS. *TT
9802 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CONDITIONS WITH VARIOUS ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS. *YC
9802 — STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
SOME VEHICLES ARE NOT PRODUCED WITH FRONT BUMPER LICENSE PLATE MOUNTS. *YC
NHTSA Investigations for the 1998 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 1998 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE.
Other Model Years of the VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
- 1998 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE (current)
- 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE — 280 complaints
- 2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE — 373 complaints
- 2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE — 291 complaints
- 2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE — 231 complaints
- 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE — 405 complaints
Other VOLKSWAGEN Models
- VOLKSWAGEN JETTA — 13,715 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 10,288 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN — 3,104 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS — 2,635 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN GOLF — 1,991 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN GTI — 1,916 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN ID.4 — 1,568 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN CC — 1,356 total complaints