NHTSA — Electrical System: Ignition: Switch Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
43,320 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

1998 Volkswagen Jetta Owner Comments

problem #8

Jul 042005

Jetta

  • Manual transmission
  • 12,000 miles

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

1. driving 2. lights went out, fan went out and windshield wipers stopped working.

- Rockford, IL, USA

Add Complaint
problem #7

Jan 072004

Jetta 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 82,563 miles
The ignition switch in my car is getting worse. The first time it malfunctioned was on a cold and snowy night. I was driving along and all of a sudden the lights went out, the wipers stopped, the defroster fan stopped and the ABS light went on. It was a little unsettling. The VW dealer told me it was a bad ingnition switch and it would cost about $300.oo dollars to replace. When I asked the parts department if they had the switch in stock he laughed and said "oh yeah". I am now driving my car only in the daytime while I save the money to replace the switch. I have owned over 30 cars and have never had an ignition fail.

- Prospect Heights, IL, USA

Add Complaint
problem #6

May 182003

Jetta 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 50,000 miles
My 1998 Volkswagen (VW) Jetta has an ignition switch problem. When driving, it falls back, turning off the electrical system (including lights and windshield wipers). VW has identified this as a problem in the 1996 and 1997 Jettas (and sent out a recall on the part) but does not recognize it as a problem for the 1998 models. I have been told by a VW service person that the 1998 models use the same ignition switch as the 1996/1997's. VW representatives claim that they do not see a problem with the 1998's. this is a dangerous problem and should be addressed by VW.

- Seattle, WA, USA

Add Complaint
problem #5

Oct 302003

Jetta 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 102,000 miles

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

Ignition switch. I have a faulty ignition switch. With the car running, there have been occasions when my headlights have turned off, and the brake light came on. I have seen approximately 5 postings on different message boards with the same problem.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

Add Complaint
problem #4

Apr 022003

Jetta

  • 100,000 miles
The vehicles ignition switch failed and caused the headlight to shut off while driving on a dark country road. The dealer was notified.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

Add Complaint

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

electrical defect check engine light engine light is on pontiac sunfire security passlock system anti-theft light is on car won't start engine complaint electrical issue heater complaint transmission complaint paint defect Jetta recall
problem #3

Nov 011999

Jetta

  • miles
While driving over a bump and key moved all head lights turned off because of electrical wires shorting out through ignition system. Manufacturer had been contacted, and they said just to move key and head lights will come back on.

- Kalilva-Cona, HI, USA

Add Complaint
problem #2

Jun 181998

Jetta

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Ignition switch failed.

- Santa Ana, CA, USA

Add Complaint
problem #1

Feb 011999

(reported on)

Jetta

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Ignition switch failed.

- Los Angele, CA, USA

Add Complaint

Not what you are looking for?