Home / Volkswagen / Passat / 1998
Model Year Problem Record
The complete public record for the 1998 Volkswagen Passat: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.
Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.
The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.
101 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 99V131001.
98 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
58 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 99V248000.
46 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 98V134000.
32 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
29 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
19 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 02V026000.
18 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.
Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on January 25, 2002. The campaign covers an estimated 487,284 vehicles across all affected models.
Engine. Recall covering the engine system, reported to NHTSA on June 22, 1998. The campaign covers an estimated 19,800 vehicles across all affected models.
Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on May 21, 1999. The campaign covers an estimated 88,121 vehicles across all affected models.
Steering. Recall covering the steering system, reported to NHTSA on September 13, 1999. The campaign covers an estimated 51,900 vehicles across all affected models.
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.
FUEL TANK PUNCTURE. Resulted in recall campaign 02V026000.
PASSENGER AIR BAG LID FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
PASSENGER AIR BAG LID FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
STUCK-OPEN THROTTLE. Resulted in recall campaign 04V495000.
FUEL TANK PUNCTURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
PASSENGER SIR DOOR MOUNTING STUD FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
POWER BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM BY-PASS. Resulted in recall campaign 99V131001.
When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.
Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.