RecallRepo

1998 Volkswagen Passat Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1998 Volkswagen Passat has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 647,105 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 476 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the suspension. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 02V026000 2002-01-25 487,284 affected
Defect

ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK FILLER NECK CAN SUFFER ABRASION DAMAGE IF THE REAR TIRE GOES FLAT AND THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN UNTIL THE TIRE DISINTEGRATES.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL FIT PASSAT VEHICLES WITH A NEW WHEEL HOUSE LINER THAT WILL BETTER PROTECT THE CAR'S FILLER NECK. JETTA VEHICLES WILL BE FITTED WITH A DIFFERENT METAL SHIELD DESIGNED TO ENHANCE ABRASION PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF TIRE DISINTEGRATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 13, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR…

STEERING 99V248000 1999-09-13 51,900 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TIE RODS OF THE STEERING ASSEMBLY ARE PROTECTED ON EACH SIDE BY A SEAL TO PREVENT MOISTURE AND DUST PARTICLES FROM ENTERING THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT SOME TIE ROD SEALS MAY NOT SEAL PROPERLY.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE RODS.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 99V131001 1999-05-21 88,121 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. A CONTROL VALVE IN THE VACUUM HOSE CONNECTING THE BRAKE BOOSTER TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD MAY NOT OPEN OR CLOSE FULLY AT TEMPERATURES BELOW -4 F UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE INSUFFICIENT VACUUM TO BE PROVIDED TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A VACUUM BY-PASS SYSTEM INTO VEHICLES OPERATED IN THESE STATES WHICH IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT VACUUM FOR FULL BRAKE ASSIST UNDER ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 98V134000 1998-06-22 19,800 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE BACKFIRES DURING A COLD-START, AN AIR SCREEN WHICH IS LOOSELY SEATED IN THE AIR FLOW METER CAN BECOME DAMAGED.

Consequence

SCREEN PIECES COULD ENTER THE INTAKE AIR FLOW SYSTEM AND PREVENT THE THROTTLE PLATE FROM RETURNING TO ITS FULL IDLE POSITION.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RETAINING RING TO HOLD THE AIR SCREEN IN PLACE.

Complaints by component

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
29
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
28
SUSPENSION:FRONT
28
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
24
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
22
1fires
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
22
1crashes
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
21
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT
11
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
11
1deaths
SEATS
9
1injuries
Total complaints476

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“The timing chain system is defective and they know it. Why didn't they inform me of this.maybe because they have hands full with the emission cheating scandal. Or if they did them they would be liable for all the complaints before. Please putvoutca recall. This car is dangerous !!!!!”

ENGINE · reported 2017-10-04

“The timing chain system is defective and they know it. Why didn't they inform me of this.maybe because they have hands full with the emission cheating scandal. Or if they did them they would be liable for all the complaints before. Please putvoutca recall. This car is dangerous !!!!!”

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · reported 2017-10-04

“The timing chain system is defective and they know it. Why didn't they inform me of this.maybe because they have hands full with the emission cheating scandal. Or if they did them they would be liable for all the complaints before. Please putvoutca recall. This car is dangerous !!!!!”

STEERING · reported 2017-10-04

“Driving back home from store and car just died out than smelt like gas.”

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · reported 2017-10-01

“Cabin smells like fumes for starters an gas gauge is off car says it has quarter of a tank an than I run out of gas almost had a accident because of this ! Also car has tons of electrical problems if it sits for more than three days battery dies but my main concern is my fuel gauge. *tr”

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE · reported 2014-07-10

“Abs module appears to be faulty. Abs and brake light remain on/flashing. Loss of abs could cause collision, dealer wants $1000+ for the part and does not guarantee it will fix the problem. *tr”

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC · reported 2010-10-01

“Fire in rubber boot housing between left rear door and car frame. Preceding events, left rear door speaker was not functioning, left rear window functioned sometimes. Door was closed after returning home and parking garage. Arcing was heard and smoke came from door. Owner removed many fuses from…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2010-09-13

“The abs light comes on,followed by the brake light blinking the engine oil light comes on and the tachometer goes to 0 and stops working even though I am accelerating. There are many others with this same issue it can be researched on…”

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC · reported 2008-12-09

Defect investigations

Investigation EA00028 Opened 2000-12-28 · closed 2002-01-29

FUEL TANK PUNCTURE

Investigation EA03020 Opened 2003-10-07 · closed 2004-04-23

PASSENGER AIR BAG LID FAILURE

THIS INVESTIGATION INVOLVES THE VOLKSWAGEN (VW) PASSENGER SUPPLEMENTAL INFLATABLE RESTRAINT (PSIR) LID UTILIZED IN MY 1998-2002 VW PASSAT.THE PSIR LID MAY DETACH FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OF THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA)…

Investigation EA03020 Opened 2003-10-07 · closed 2004-04-23

PASSENGER AIR BAG LID FAILURE

THIS INVESTIGATION INVOLVES THE VOLKSWAGEN (VW) PASSENGER SUPPLEMENTAL INFLATABLE RESTRAINT (PSIR) LID UTILIZED IN MY 1998-2002 VW PASSAT.THE PSIR LID MAY DETACH FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OF THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA)…

Investigation EA04017 Opened 2004-06-30 · closed 2005-02-10

STUCK-OPEN THROTTLE

VWOA HAS RECALLED APPROXIMATELY 28,300 MY 1998-99 A6 VEHICLES IN COLD WEATHER STATES THAT EXPERIENCED THE HIGHEST RATE OF THROTTLE ICING INCIDENTS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES (04V-495).THE FAILURE RATE IN THE A4 AND PASSAT VEHICLES IS MUCH LOWER THAN IN THE RECALLED VEHICLES.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE EXPERIENCE IN…

Investigation PE00033 Opened 2000-08-10 · closed 2000-12-28

FUEL TANK PUNCTURE

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION ON AUGUST 10, 2000 BASED ON 9 REPORTS REGARDING PUNCTURED FUEL TANKS INVOLVING THE JETTA, PASSAT, AND CABRIO MODELS.THE REPORTS INDICATE ADDITIONAL REPORTS IN ITS RESPONSE TO THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED FOR FURTHER STUDY.

Investigation PE03021 Opened 2003-05-23 · closed 2003-10-07

PASSENGER SIR DOOR MOUNTING STUD FAILURE

ODI OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE03-021) BASED ON TWO REPORTS OF FAILED BOLT STUDS THAT ATTACH THE PASSENGER SUPPLEMENTAL INFLATABLE RESTRAINT (PSIR) DOOR COVER TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL (IP) ON THE VOLKSWAGEN (VW) PASSAT (MODEL YEARS 2000, 2002).VW HAS INDICATED TO ODI THAT IT HAS NO ADDITIONAL REPORTS.VW…

Investigation RQ99008 Opened 1999-06-01 · closed 2000-11-14

POWER BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM BY-PASS

There is no summary currently available

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1998 Volkswagen Passat as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.