Recalls (1)
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1998 Volkswagen Golf. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗VW/FMVSS 110/TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE INCORRECT
- Summary
- 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).
- Consequence
- UNDER INFLATED TIRES CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING, AND DRIVING WITH SUBSTANTIALLY UNDER INFLATED TIRES PUTS THE CONSUMER AT RISK FOR A CRASH.
- Remedy
- OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECTED LABELS, OR A DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL IF THE OWNER WISHES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 29, 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 VW AT 1-800-893-5298.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (18)
18 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 18 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 5 | 27.8% |
| Power train | 4 | 22.2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 16.7% |
| Equipment | 2 | 11.1% |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 11.1% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 11.1% |
| Visibility | 2 | 11.1% |
| Air bags | 1 | 5.6% |
| Seats | 1 | 5.6% |
| Tires | 1 | 5.6% |
How 1998 compares with other Golf years
Best and worst Golf years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 41 | 4 |
| 1995 | 43 | 4 |
| 1996 | 3 | 1 |
| 1997 | 7 | 0 |
| 1998 | 18 | 1 |
| 1999 | 64 | 4 |
| 2000 | 88 | 5 |
| 2001 | 116 | 5 |
| 2002 | 74 | 3 |
| 2003 | 26 | 2 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Looking at a 1998 Golf for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1998 Volkswagen Golf FAQ
How many recalls does the 1998 Volkswagen Golf have?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 03V155000 (equipment). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1998 Volkswagen Golf problems?
Owners filed 18 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (5), Power train (4), Engine and engine cooling (3) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
How does the 1998 Golf compare with other years?
Among the 1994–2003 Volkswagen Golf model years at least five years old, the 1996 drew the fewest complaints (3) and the 2001 the most (116). The 1998 drew 18. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.