Exterior Lighting:headlights
NHTSA campaign 09E025000 · 2009 · reported 05/11/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
1998 Volkswagen Passat Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Suspension:front:control Arm — runs 3.8× the fleet median for that category across the 965 model-years tracked on this site.
331Complaints
5Recalls
6Crashes
4Fires
12Injured
1Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Suspension:front:control Arm (8.8% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.
Suspension:front:control Arm complaints here are 3.8× the median for that category across the 965 model-years tracked on this site.
4 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 2 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension:front:control Arm | 29 · 8.8% | No official action | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip | 28 · 8.5% | Recalled | Recall 99V131001 |
| Suspension:front | 28 · 8.5% | No official action | — |
| Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly | 24 · 7.3% | Recalled | Recall 99V248000 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine | 22 · 6.6% | Recalled | Recall 98V134000 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module | 22 · 6.6% | Recalled | Recall 99V131001 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 331 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls — 5 campaigns
Steering:linkages:rod:relay:connecting
NHTSA campaign 99V248000 · 1999 · reported 09/13/1999
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap
NHTSA campaign 02V026000 · 2002 · reported 01/25/2002
FUEL LEAKAGE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
NHTSA campaign 99V131001 · 1999 · reported 05/21/1999
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE INSUFFICIENT VACUUM TO BE PROVIDED TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System
NHTSA campaign 98V134000 · 1998 · reported 06/22/1998
SCREEN PIECES COULD ENTER THE INTAKE AIR FLOW SYSTEM AND PREVENT THE THROTTLE PLATE FROM RETURNING TO ITS FULL IDLE POSITION. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. ALSO, POOR STEERING CONTROL. CONSUMER CONTACTED VW, DEALER NOTED THAT TIE ROD END AND…”NHTSA complaint 861861 — filed 05/15/2000 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
“CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS AND TIE RODS FAULTY CAUSING NOISE IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. NLM”NHTSA complaint 784612 — filed 04/11/2000 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Volkswagen Passat?
Suspension:front:control arm issues are the most-reported category, cited in 29 of 331 NHTSA complaints (8.8%), followed by service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (28), suspension:front (28), steering:linkages:tie rod assembly (24). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1998 Volkswagen Passat have?
331 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 6 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, and 12 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Does the 1998 Volkswagen Passat have any recalls?
Yes — 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 09E025000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1998 Volkswagen Passat's reported problems?
4 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.
