Owners have filed 28 complaints
about the 1998 Volkswagen Golf with NHTSA between 1998 and 2004.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 23 of 25 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 19
Against the median year of the Volkswagen Golf. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
How 1998 compares with every other Volkswagen Golf
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1998 Volkswagen Golf
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
621.4%
Electrical System
517.9%
Median failure at 75,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
414.3%
Median failure at 24,000 miles
Equipment & Accessories
27.1%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
27.1%
Lights
27.1%
Brakes
27.1%
Seats
13.6%
Wheels
13.6%
Tires
13.6%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
13.6%
Airbags
13.6%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
125.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
125.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
125.0%
150,000+ miles
125.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Oct 1998peak 5Dec 2004
Recalls on the 1998 Volkswagen Golf
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
03V155000
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.8L VR6 ENGINES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE RECOMMENDED COLD TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE PUBLISHED ON THE LABEL FOR TIRES OF THE SIZE 205/50 R15 86H IS 0.1 BAR (1.45 PSI) TOO LOW. IT SHOULD BE 2.5 BAR (36.3 PSI). THE LABEL RECOMMENDS 2.4 BAR (34.8 PSI = 35 PSI).
Risk: UNDER INFLATED TIRES CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING, AND DRIVING WITH SUBSTANTIALLY UNDER INFLATED TIRES PUTS THE CONSUMER AT RISK FOR A CRASH.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 75,000 milesPalm Springs, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
HEADLIGHTS AND AC INTERMITTENTLY WENT OFF COMPLETELY AND PARKING BRAKE LIGHT DIDN'T GO AWAY ON DASHBOARD; MECHANIC DETERMINED A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH WAS THE CAUSE.
NHTSA complaint #10104658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 24,000 milesBoston, MA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN MORE THAN 40 MPH. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10055852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 153,000 milesSacramento, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
ELECTRICAL DEFECT: WHEN TURNING IGNITION ON AND ENGINE RUNNING, I EXPERIENCE A TOTAL LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS, A/C FAN MOTOR, DEFROSTER, DRL, FOG LAMPS, REAR-WINDOW DEFOGGER, AND HEATER. (ALL OTHER ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS CONTINUE FUNCTIONING.) SOMETIMES THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT WHERE EVERYTHING FUNCTIONS; MOST OF THE TIME NONE OF THESE UNITS FUNCTION ELECTRICALLY. ADDITIONAL NOTE: THE "BRAKE" LAMP GLOWS ON IN THE DASH WHEN THIS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM OCCURS. (EMERGENCY BRAKE IS NOT ENGAGED.) CANNOT DRIVE AT NIGHT. VOLKSWAGON WILL NOT PAY FOR REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10050617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 57,000 milesMechanicsburg, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE CAUSES SWITCHED DEVICES TO LOOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING. THE DEVICES I HAVE PERSONALLY IDENTIFIED THAT LOOSE POWER ARE: HEADLIGHTS, DRL, ABS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, INTERIOR FAN, FOG LIGHTS. WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH IN THE ON POSITION, IT IS POSIBLE TO ROTATE IT SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT AND TURN THE ABOVE MENTIONED DEVICES OFF WHILE THE CAR CONTINUES TO RUN. THIS CAN EASILY HAPPEN (AND DOES HAPPEN) WHILE DRIVING. SEARCHING YOUR DATABASE OF OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS AND OTHER SIMILAR MODELS WHICH PROBABLY USE THE SAME IGNITION SWITCH REVEALS 15 SWITCH FAILURES (865957, 897162, 876280, 899086, 608861, 609016, 758101, 888070, 8014837, 733016, 607392, 8021547, 869601, 750653, 743422) AND 5 POSSIBLE SWITCH FAILURES (733430, 9002207, 861456, 754763, 750545). THIS FAILURE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS RECURRANT ENOUGH BY MEMBERS OF WWW.VR6.ORG FOR ONE MEMBER TO ISSUE A STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE FOR REPLACING THE IGNITION SWITCH. I FEEL THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD AS HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS TURN COMPLETELY OFF WHILE DRIVING (INCLUDING DRL'S) RENDERING THE DRIVER BLIND AT NIGHT. IF FAILURE OCCURS DURRING DAYLIGHT, THE FAILURE IS NOT AS OBVIOUS BUT RENDERS THE ABS SYSTEM DISABLED AND COULD CAUSE THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL IF REQUIRED TO STOP QUICKLY WHILE THINKING THE CAR IS EQUIPTED WITH AN ABS SYSTEM. VOLKSWAGON USA HAS BEEN INFORMED OF THIS VIA THEIR WEBSITE AND I AM WAITING FOR A REPLY. OTHER MEMBERS OF WWW.VR6.ORG AND SIMILAR SITES ARE BEIGN ENCOURAGED TO FILE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS.
NHTSA complaint #10002788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Smithville, NJ
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TWICE DUE TO A THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #566129 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort, FL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLIGHTS GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. MECHANIC DETERMINED A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH WAS THE CAUSE.
NHTSA complaint #899086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
HEADLIGHTS GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. MECHANIC DETERMINED A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH WAS THE CAUSE.
NHTSA complaint #899086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Steep Falls, ME
WHEELS
WHEELS WERE BONDED DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #894870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oxford, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
FAILURE OF BREATHER VALVE AND MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, REPAIRED BY PRIVATE MECHANIC THAT GOT A KIT TO REPLACE POORLY DESIGNED UNIT WICH HAS A DEALER BUY BACK # 0444294 , VOLKSWAGEN SAID THERE WAS NO SUCH KIT TO THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND NO RECALL I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AND HAVE RECIEVED NO AID FROM VOLKSWAGEN
NHTSA complaint #750192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oxford, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
FAILURE OF BREATHER VALVE AND MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, REPAIRED BY PRIVATE MECHANIC THAT GOT A KIT TO REPLACE POORLY DESIGNED UNIT WICH HAS A DEALER BUY BACK # 0444294 , VOLKSWAGEN SAID THERE WAS NO SUCH KIT TO THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND NO RECALL I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AND HAVE RECIEVED NO AID FROM VOLKSWAGEN
NHTSA complaint #750192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oxford, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
FAILURE OF BREATHER VALVE AND MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, REPAIRED BY PRIVATE MECHANIC THAT GOT A KIT TO REPLACE POORLY DESIGNED UNIT WICH HAS A DEALER BUY BACK # 0444294 , VOLKSWAGEN SAID THERE WAS NO SUCH KIT TO THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND NO RECALL I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AND HAVE RECIEVED NO AID FROM VOLKSWAGEN
NHTSA complaint #750192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oxford, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
FAILURE OF BREATHER VALVE AND MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, REPAIRED BY PRIVATE MECHANIC THAT GOT A KIT TO REPLACE POORLY DESIGNED UNIT WICH HAS A DEALER BUY BACK # 0444294 , VOLKSWAGEN SAID THERE WAS NO SUCH KIT TO THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND NO RECALL I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AND HAVE RECIEVED NO AID FROM VOLKSWAGEN
NHTSA complaint #750192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Needham, MA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN OVER WATER ON ROAD WATER GOES INTO AIR INTAKE AND ENGINE, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO HYDRO SEAL. PLEASE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #890937 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Jose, CA
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
LIGHT ON HER DASHBOARD CAME ON FOR FRONTAL AIR BAGS. DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT FRONTAL AIR BAG (DRIVER AND PASSENGER) UNIT HAD TO BE REPLACED - REASON UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.
NHTSA complaint #890221 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lady Lake, FL
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
SOMETIMES WHEN TURNING ON AIR CONDITIONER IT DOES NOT COME ON, AND SOMETIMES WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT WORK. TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID IT WAS BINDING. LOCK CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #876280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lady Lake, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
SOMETIMES WHEN TURNING ON AIR CONDITIONER IT DOES NOT COME ON, AND SOMETIMES WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT WORK. TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID IT WAS BINDING. LOCK CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #876280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lady Lake, FL
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
SOMETIMES WHEN TURNING ON AIR CONDITIONER IT DOES NOT COME ON, AND SOMETIMES WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT WORK. TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID IT WAS BINDING. LOCK CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #876280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tulsa, OK
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION HAS LOCKED INTO 3RD GEAR WITH OUT WARNING. THIS HAS CAUSED A LACK PERFORMANCE. ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE CAR NOT ACELERATING AS EXPECTED.
NHTSA complaint #728690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Toledo, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE "VOLKSWAGEN CERTIFIED" DEALERSHIP WAS ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE. ALL THE LISTED PROBLEMS I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THEM REPEATEDLY, AND IT WOULD NORMALLY TAKE 3-5 VISITS FOR THE ITEM TO GET FIXED. I DIDN'T EVEN GET TO LIST ALL THE PROBLEMS WITH THE SPEAKER PANEL, CLUTCH, AND FENDERS GETTING FLEXED. I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER VOLKSWAGEN, OR GO TO THE DEALERSHIP EVER AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #714777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Toledo, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
THE "VOLKSWAGEN CERTIFIED" DEALERSHIP WAS ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE. ALL THE LISTED PROBLEMS I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THEM REPEATEDLY, AND IT WOULD NORMALLY TAKE 3-5 VISITS FOR THE ITEM TO GET FIXED. I DIDN'T EVEN GET TO LIST ALL THE PROBLEMS WITH THE SPEAKER PANEL, CLUTCH, AND FENDERS GETTING FLEXED. I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER VOLKSWAGEN, OR GO TO THE DEALERSHIP EVER AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #714777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Toledo, OH
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
THE "VOLKSWAGEN CERTIFIED" DEALERSHIP WAS ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE. ALL THE LISTED PROBLEMS I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THEM REPEATEDLY, AND IT WOULD NORMALLY TAKE 3-5 VISITS FOR THE ITEM TO GET FIXED. I DIDN'T EVEN GET TO LIST ALL THE PROBLEMS WITH THE SPEAKER PANEL, CLUTCH, AND FENDERS GETTING FLEXED. I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER VOLKSWAGEN, OR GO TO THE DEALERSHIP EVER AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #714777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Toledo, OH
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
THE "VOLKSWAGEN CERTIFIED" DEALERSHIP WAS ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE. ALL THE LISTED PROBLEMS I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THEM REPEATEDLY, AND IT WOULD NORMALLY TAKE 3-5 VISITS FOR THE ITEM TO GET FIXED. I DIDN'T EVEN GET TO LIST ALL THE PROBLEMS WITH THE SPEAKER PANEL, CLUTCH, AND FENDERS GETTING FLEXED. I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER VOLKSWAGEN, OR GO TO THE DEALERSHIP EVER AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #714777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Toledo, OH
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
THE "VOLKSWAGEN CERTIFIED" DEALERSHIP WAS ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE. ALL THE LISTED PROBLEMS I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THEM REPEATEDLY, AND IT WOULD NORMALLY TAKE 3-5 VISITS FOR THE ITEM TO GET FIXED. I DIDN'T EVEN GET TO LIST ALL THE PROBLEMS WITH THE SPEAKER PANEL, CLUTCH, AND FENDERS GETTING FLEXED. I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER VOLKSWAGEN, OR GO TO THE DEALERSHIP EVER AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #714777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.