1998 Volkswagen Passat Engine And Engine Cooling:engine Problems
NHTSA component category: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How engine and engine cooling:engine ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 331 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 1998 Volkswagen Passat overview page.
What owners report
“BEARING FAILED IN WATER PUMP CAUSED TIMING CHAIN TO LOOSEN. THIS RESULTED IN A VALVE BENDING WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THERE WERE NO…”NHTSA complaint 740611 — filed 02/08/2001
“WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH THE ENGINE DUST COVER FLEW OFF, THIS HAPPENS RIGHT AFTER THE OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED, THE ENGINE DUST COVER HAS…”NHTSA complaint 559074 — filed 01/22/2001
“I HAVE THIS PROBLEM OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOING ON/OFF FOR 3 MONTHS, & I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, HE IS ALWAYS…”NHTSA complaint 721838 — filed 04/23/2000
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 1998 Volkswagen Passat have engine and engine cooling:engine problems?
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine is the #5 most-reported problem area on the 1998 Volkswagen Passat: 22 of 331 complaints on file (6.6%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 1998 Volkswagen Passat have in total?
331 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 6 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, 12 reported injuries, and 1 reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's engine and engine cooling:engine category include?
NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.
