1998 Volkswagen Passat
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Suspension, Wheels & Tires leads by volume: 94 of 331 complaints (28%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Visibility & Lighting include more deaths (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 37 in 1997 to 331 in 1998.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | vs. 1998 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,550–3,450 | 2,500–3,450 | 2,400–4,300 | 3,250–4,300 | 3,250–4,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 18–35 | 18–36 | 18–37 | 18–24 | 18–24 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16–31 / 23–41 | 16–32 / 23–42 | 15–32 / 24–45 | 15–20 / 24–29 | 15–21 / 22–29 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 291–494 | 283–494 | 275–494 | 370–494 | 370–494 | |
| Complaints filed | 40 | 37 | 331 | 664 | 507 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 5 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 0 | 1 | 6 | 11 | 11 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 2 | 4 | 13 | 25 | |
| Injuries reported | 3 | 2 | 12 | 11 | 12 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 5 | 3 | 7 | 8 | 5 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1998 Volkswagen Passat have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1998 Volkswagen Passat?
Suspension, Wheels & Tires: 94 of 331 NHTSA complaints (28%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1998 Volkswagen Passat get?
EPA rates it 18–37 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1998 Volkswagen Passat?
EPA estimates $2,400–$4,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (12)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 5-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 18 mpg | 28 mpg | 22 mpg | $3,500 | 404 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 20 mpg | 29 mpg | 24 mpg | $3,250 | 370 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 1.9L | Front-Wheel Drive | Diesel | Midsize Cars | 27 mpg | 39 mpg | 31 mpg | $2,900 | 328 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.9L | Front-Wheel Drive | Diesel | Midsize Cars | 32 mpg (high) | 45 mpg (high) | 37 mpg (high) | $2,400 (low) | 275 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 2.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 16 mpg | 26 mpg | 19 mpg | $4,100 | 468 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 2.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 18 mpg | 26 mpg | 21 mpg | $3,700 | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 2.8L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 15 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | $4,300 (high) | 494 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 8 | Automatic 5-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Station Wagons | 18 mpg | 28 mpg | 22 mpg | $3,500 | 404 g/mi |
| Configuration 9 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Station Wagons | 20 mpg | 29 mpg | 24 mpg | $3,250 | 370 g/mi |
| Configuration 10 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 1.9L | Front-Wheel Drive | Diesel | Midsize Station Wagons | 27 mpg | 39 mpg | 31 mpg | $2,900 | 328 g/mi |
| Configuration 11 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.9L | Front-Wheel Drive | Diesel | Midsize Station Wagons | 32 mpg (high) | 45 mpg (high) | 37 mpg (high) | $2,400 (low) | 275 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 12 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 2.8L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Station Wagons | 15 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | $4,300 (high) | 494 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 40 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 16 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 30 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 91 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 52 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 94 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 10 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 23 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 30 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| Other | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (5)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · Campaign 09E025000 · May 11, 2009
Defect: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP · Campaign 02V026000 · Jan 26, 2002
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 VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · Campaign 99V131001 · Jan 21, 2000
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.
STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING · Campaign 99V248000 · Sep 28, 1999
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM · Campaign 98V134000 · Jun 30, 1998
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.