10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1998 Volkswagen Jetta engine problems

engine problem

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1998 Volkswagen Jetta Owner Comments

problem #4

Apr 262000

Jetta

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Continual problems, some undiagnosed. Unsympathetic dealership. Reoccuring problems. Most problems occurring after lease/warranty were up. Too many problems for a car that is only about 2 and a half years old. Dealership unable to diagnose why brake light is on, A/C not working, engine not starting although starter was replaced, or why engine began smoking. All the problems appear related. They all occur at the same time.the car is unsafe and I am afraid to drive it now because no one can figure out what is wrong with it.

- Torrance, CA, USA

problem #3

Feb 011999

(reported on)

Jetta

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Oil leaking since first day of purchase, part not installed at time of manufacturer. Nlm

- Tujunga, CA, USA

problem #2

Aug 191999

Jetta Diesel

  • miles
Shortly after buying car I noticed it was using excessive oil, in the worst instance it used approx. A quart and a half in 1500 miles. I notified the dealer and manufacture and both said it was normal consumption. I have never had or heard of new vehicles using such an amount in so little miles. Also had a problem at 14000 miles with a throttle surge on the morning startups. Tach would read various RPM's while this was occuring. Then when I would start to accelerate slowly the engine would still surge causing the vehicle to "buck" violently! this condition is very unsafe since it is totally unpredictable. This problem is still occuring at 41000 miles and has taken over 6 days in the shop with no diagnosis. Dealer thought the timing belt was the problem since it had streched so far out the timing couldnt be reset. I will pay to have the timing belt replaced but that didnt fix the problem. In 1998 volks wagen reccomended that on the diesel engine the timing belt should be replaced at 60000 miles but the reccomendation has changed for the year 2000 to 40000. This change has to be due to early malfunction problems with the belt but Volkswagen denies any problems and will not cover the belt under warranties either. If the timing belt breaks while on the interstate or highway, it could cause an accident since there would be no power steering and or brakes not to mention if it causes the transmission to lock up. This engine has big problems that need to be addressed... thank you

- Mt Vernon, WA, USA

problem #1

Mar 221999

(reported on)

Jetta

  • miles
The car was brought in for service. We were told there was water in the engine, and she must have driven it in deep water. This did not happen, there was no water damage to the interior of the car to indicate driving through deep water as volkswage states. The warranty is void due to the damage we do not agree with this.

- Middletown, CT, USA

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