Recalls (4)
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1998 Volkswagen Passat. 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/FILLER NECK/TIRE ABRASION
- Summary
- 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. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 13, 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 VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
VW/TIE RODS
- Summary
- 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.
VW/BRAKE BOOSTER
- Summary
- 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.
VW/INTAKE AIR SCREEN
- Summary
- 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.
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 (331)
331 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The service brakes is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 331 |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 90 | 27.2% |
| Suspension | 90 | 27.2% |
| Steering | 52 | 15.7% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 39 | 11.8% |
| Electrical system | 28 | 8.5% |
| Visibility | 27 | 8.2% |
| Fuel system | 16 | 4.8% |
| Power train | 16 | 4.8% |
| Seats | 11 | 3.3% |
| Air bags | 8 | 2.4% |
How 1998 compares with other Passat years
Best and worst Passat years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 25 | 1 |
| 1995 | 93 | 1 |
| 1996 | 40 | 1 |
| 1997 | 37 | 0 |
| 1998 | 331 | 4 |
| 1999 | 664 | 5 |
| 2000 | 507 | 3 |
| 2001 | 432 | 3 |
| 2002 | 643 | 3 |
| 2003 | 631 | 6 |
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.
Fuel economy: up to 37 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,600
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 275 g/mi
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 37 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 32 / 45 / 37 | $2,600 | 275 |
| 1.9 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 32 / 45 / 37 | $2,600 | 275 |
| 1.9 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 / 39 / 31 | $3,100 | 328 |
| 1.9 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 / 39 / 31 | $3,100 | 328 |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 29 / 24 | $3,400 | 370 |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 29 / 24 | $3,400 | 370 |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 28 / 22 | $3,750 | 404 |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 28 / 22 | $3,750 | 404 |
| 2.8 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 26 / 21 | $3,900 | 423 |
| 2.8 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 / 26 / 19 | $4,350 | 468 |
| 2.8 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 24 / 18 | $4,550 | 494 |
| 2.8 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 24 / 18 | $4,550 | 494 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1998 Passat 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 Passat FAQ
How many recalls does the 1998 Volkswagen Passat have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 02V026000 (fuel system), 99V248000 (steering), 99V131001 (brake), 98V134000 (engine). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1998 Volkswagen Passat problems?
Owners filed 331 complaints with NHTSA. Service brakes (90), Suspension (90), Steering (52) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1998 Volkswagen Passat get?
EPA rates the 1.9 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 32 city, 45 highway and 37 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 1998 Passat compare with other years?
Among the 1994–2003 Volkswagen Passat model years at least five years old, the 1994 drew the fewest complaints (25) and the 1999 the most (664). The 1998 drew 331. 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.