1998 Volkswagen Jetta: problems, recalls and reliability

“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 volkswagen jetta. While driving approximately 15 mph the vehicle hit a pot hole and sustained a flat tire. The contact pulled over to the side of the road to replace the tire with the spare and the jack broke. The dealer was contacted and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The manufacturer stated that the jack was not covered under warranty and it would be the contacts responsibility to replace it. The jack was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 47,000.”Owner report · Equipment · Dec 2010

“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 volkswagen jetta gl. The contact stated that the gear shift lever would not release out of park because the brake sensor failed. Each time the brake pedal was depressed, the gear shift would not move out of park. The contact called the dealer who stated that she would have to repair the vehicle at her expense. The manufacturer had not been notified. The failure mileage was 130,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2010

“I own a 1998 vw jetta gl and have had to replace the transmission twice now because, I am told, vw increased the torque on jettas of this year by adding a 5th gear, which results in excessive wear to the reverse gear and results in several reverse gear teeth chipping, thus rendering reverse inoperable. As I said before I have had to replace my transmission twice now due to the faulty reverse gear. *tr”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Nov 2009

“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 volkswagen jetta. The contact stated that the control arm bushing needed to be replaced because it made a noise and caused the vehicle to lunge forward when stopping. A mechanic stated that the replacement would cost nearly $500. In addition, the steering rack would make a noise when the steering wheel was turned. The mechanic added steering fluid and informed the contact that there was a substantial leak, which was worsening. The estimate to repair the leak was $1,084.84. The vehicle has not been taken to the dealer. The current mileage was approximately 86,000 and failure mileage was approximately 84,000.”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2008

“I have 1998 vw jetta--I presently have three electric windows which do not go up or down. Two of them have previously been repaired. This appears to be a defect or needed recall. Cause of problems is motors or regulators. These should be repaired by vw. Of all the vehicles I have owned in the past 40 years with electric windows I have never had a problems except with the vw jetta. *tr”Owner report · Visibility · Sep 2007

“The windows in the doors are falling down and needing the mechanism replaced. This has happened to 3 of the doors so far. Has this been a problem-was there ever a recall for this-this seems like a weird thing to have happen. It is a safety issue because you cannot roll the window up or down, as well as the interior getting wet from the weather. Thank you. Rebecca *tr”Owner report · Visibility · Jun 2007

“Dt*: the contact stated the left rear wheel detached from the vehicle, crossed the highway and hit another vehicle. The other vehicle sustained minor body damage. A police report was filed. This occurred while driving 35 mph without warning. The vehicle was pulled to the side of the highway. The vehicle was then towed to an independent repair shop. The mechanic was unable to duplicate the problem; however the left rear wheel assembly, brakes, rim and tire were replaced. The manufacturer was not alerted.*ak updated 7/13/2006 - the bearing on the left rear wheel was loose and worn. *nm”Owner report · Wheels · Jun 2006