1998 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
37
Owner Complaints
1
Recall
37
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1998 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE
The 1998 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE has received a total of 37 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There has been 1 recall campaign affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH. 37 technical service bulletins have been issued by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Exterior Lightingheadlights (10 complaints), Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls (6 complaints), and Seats (3 complaints).
Recalls for the 1998 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE
NHTSA has recorded 1 recall for the 1998 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE, potentially affecting up to 295,136 vehicles.
Recall 03V265000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
| 295,136 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION.
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LAMPS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE; OR THE LAMPS COULD COME ON AND STAY ON, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCHES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 26, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VWOA AT 1-800-822-8987.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1998 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE
37 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1998 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior Lightingheadlights | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Air Bagsfrontalsensorcontrol Module | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bagssidewindow | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical System12v24v48v Battery | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical Systemwiringfront Underhood | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical Systemwiringinteriorunder Dash | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingengine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipmentapplianceair Conditioner | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasolinecarburetor System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasolinedelivery | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Latcheslockslinkages | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Traindriveline | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebodydoor | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilityrearview Mirrorsdevicesexterior | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
1998 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE SEVERELY OVERHEATED, CHECKING OUT CAUSE FOUND THE FUSE BOX ON TOP OF THE BATTERY HOUSING HAD MELTED. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT! VWOA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS A PROBLEM ALTHOUGHT INTERNET SURVEYS SHOW 26% FAILURE IN NEW BEETLES. PLACEMENT OF THE FUSE BOX ON THE BATTERY HOUSING DOES NOT SOUND LIKE A VERY SAFE IDEA!*AK
SOME TYPE OF 'CONTROL MODULE' NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, WITHOUT IT THE AIR-BAG SYSTEM DOESN'T WORK. THIS IS A SAFETY FEATURE WHICH HELPED IN THE DECISION TO BUY THE CAR, AND AFTER 5 YEARS IT FAILS RENDERING THE SYSTEM USELESS AND REQUIRING OVER $700 TO REPLACE. THIS IS WRONG!
TODAY, JULY 27,2004, THE OUTPUT CONNECTION ON MY FUEL PUMP CAME APART (DISCONNECTED) AND WHEN I TRIED TO START MY CAR DUMPED ABOUT A QUART OF GASOLINE ON THE GROUND UNDER THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR. I WAS IN A CROWDED POST OFFICE PARKING LOT AND IT WAS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE FIRE DEPT CAME AND RECONNECTED THE LINE AND I WAS ABLE TO PROCEED TO THE VW DEALORSHIP AND HAVE IT CHECKED AND CERTIFIED SAFE TO CONTINUE OPERATING. THE CAR IS VW NEW BEETLE, 1998 YEAR OF MANUFACTURING. THE DEALORSHIP VW MECHANIC SAID HE HAD HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING SPONTANEOUSLY ON ONE OTHER OCASSION.*AK
PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOW AND DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW MALFUNCTIONED AND DRIVER SIDE PLASTIC SWITCH BROKE OFF.*AK
HEADLIGHTS CONSTANTLY GO OUT WHILE DRIVING, HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE MANY TIMES DUE TO NO LIGHTS OR HAVING TO DRIVE WITH HIGH BEAMS ON. THIS PAST TIME HAD TO PARK THE CAR AND HAVE SOMEONE TAKE US HOME, COULD NOT DRIVE CAR UNTIL THE NEXT MORNING. REPAIR BILLS ARE BECOMING REDICULOUS.*AK
Safety Rating for the 1998 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1998 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1998 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. has issued 37 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1998 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
0205 — INTERIOR LIGHTING
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC) P0410, P0411, OR P1423 STORED IN DTC MEMORY. *TT
0101 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
TECHNICAL INFORMATION ON REPLACING / ADJUSTING THE BRAKE SWITCH. *TT
800101 — VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR
EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE NOISE AND / OR VIBRATION ORIGINATING FROM THE FRESH AIR BLOWER MOTOR ASSEMBLY. *TT
20 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
INFORMATION CONTAINING WIRING DIAGRAM FOR THE COMFORT SYSTEM, WITH ANTI-THEFT ALARM SYSTEM (VEHICLES WITH POWER WINDOWS). *TT
14 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SERVICE INFORMATION REGARDING ELECTRICAL WIRING DIAGRAMS, TROUBLESHOOTING AND COMPONENT LOCATIONS EDITION 01.98. *TT
47 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
SUBJECT REGARDING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WIRING DIAGRAM. *TT
15 — SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
SUBJECT REGARDING HEATED SEAT WIRING DIAGRAM. *TT
16 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SUBJECT REGARDING WIRING DIAGRAM FOR CENTRAL CONTROL MODULE FOR COMFORT SYSTEM, SWITCH FOR REMOTE UNLOCK, REAR LID, CONTROL MODULE FOR COMFORT SYSTEM. *TT
24 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SUBJECT REGARDING WIRING DIAGRAM FOR THE HEAT OXYGEN SENSOR (H02S), SECONDARY AIR INJECTION (AIR) PUMP RELAY / MOTOR, MOTRONIC ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM). *TT
29 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SUBJECT REGARDING WIRING DIAGRAM FOR THE DFI ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM), KICK DOWN SWITCH, CLOSED THROTTLE POSITION (CTP) SENSOR, CLOSED THOTTLE POSITION (CTP) SWITCH, GLOW PLUG RELAY, GLOW PLUGS (ENGINE). *TT
Showing 10 of 37 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1998 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE
- 1998 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE (current)
- 1999 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE — 40 complaints
- 2000 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE — 45 complaints
- 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE — 56 complaints
- 2002 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE — 35 complaints
- 2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE — 30 complaints
Other VOLKSWAGEN Models
- VOLKSWAGEN JETTA — 13,715 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 10,288 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE — 3,613 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