1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
476
Owner Complaints
5
Recalls
14
Service Bulletins
2
Investigations
Overview of the 1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
The 1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT has received a total of 476 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 5 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. 14 technical service bulletins have been issued by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Suspensionfrontcontrol Arm (29 complaints), Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip (28 complaints), and Suspensionfront (28 complaints).
Recalls for the 1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
NHTSA has recorded 5 recalls for the 1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT, potentially affecting up to 689,645 vehicles.
Recall 09E025000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 42,540 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 02V026000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
| 487,284 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
Remedy: 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....
View full details →Recall 99V131001 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
| 88,121 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE INSUFFICIENT VACUUM TO BE PROVIDED TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 99V248000 — STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING
| 51,900 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE RODS.
View full details →Recall 98V134000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
| 19,800 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: SCREEN PIECES COULD ENTER THE INTAKE AIR FLOW SYSTEM AND PREVENT THE THROTTLE PLATE FROM RETURNING TO ITS FULL IDLE POSITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RETAINING RING TO HOLD THE AIR SCREEN IN PLACE.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
476 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
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 !!!!!
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 !!!!!
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 !!!!!
DRIVING BACK HOME FROM STORE AND CAR JUST DIED OUT THAN SMELT LIKE GAS.
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
Safety Rating for the 1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. has issued 14 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
910102 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
A CONDITION MAY EXIST WHERE THE RADIO DOES NOT REGAIN VOLUME CONTROL AND / OR THE SINGLE CD PLAYER LED BLINKS WHEN INTERIOR LIGHTS ARE AT THE LOWEST SETTING. *TT
15 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SERVICE INFORMATION BINDER CONTAINING ELECTRICAL WIRING DIAGRAMS, TROUBLESHOOTING AND COMPONENT LOCATIONS EDITION 09.97. *TT
V0002 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
THIS BULLETIN CONTAINS NEW AND REVISED WIRING DIAGRAM INFORMATION. *TT
9907 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
SUBJECT REGARING ENGINE MISFIRE. *TT
8 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
NEW INFORMATION IN THIS TECHNICAL BULLETIN SUPPLEMENTS AND UPDATES PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED WIRING DIAGRAM, TROUBLESHOOTING AND COMPONENT LOCATION INFORMATION. *YC
9812 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SUBJECT ON COMFORT SYSTEM ECM, UNNECESSARY REPLACEMENT. *YC
9810 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SUBJECT PERTAINING TO INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, ODOMETER ADAPTATION. *YC
9802 — POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)
VEHICLE WILL NOT START UNLESS CLUTCH PEDAL IS DEPRESSED EXTREMELY HARD. *YC
9802 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SUBJECT ON SIDEWINDER KEY AND LOCKS. *YC
9802 — POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
REPLACEMENT OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID (ATF) NO LONGER REQUIRED. *YC
Showing 10 of 14 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
NHTSA has opened 2 investigations into potential safety defects in the 1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT.
Investigation EA04017 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM Closed
Opened:
STUCK-OPEN THROTTLE
Other Model Years of the VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
- 1993 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 90 complaints
- 1994 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 36 complaints
- 1995 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 142 complaints
- 1996 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 48 complaints
- 1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 57 complaints
- 1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT (current)
- 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 854 complaints
- 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 625 complaints
- 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 557 complaints
- 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 772 complaints
- 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 816 complaints
Other VOLKSWAGEN Models
- VOLKSWAGEN JETTA — 13,715 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
- VOLKSWAGEN CC — 1,356 total complaints