Headlights and AC intermittently went off completely and parking brake light didn't go away on dashboard; mechanic determined a faulty ignition switch was the cause.
The worst 1998 Volkswagen Golf problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Electrical5
- Transmission4
- Engine3
- Brakes2
- Lights2
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical5
- Transmission4
- Engine3
- Brakes2
- Lights2
- Visibility2
- Airbags1
- Seats1
- Tires1
- Wheels1
Recalls 1
Equipment: other: labels
- What is wrong
- Certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.8l vr6 engines fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." the recommended cold tire inflation pressure published on the label for tires of the size 205/50 r15 86h is 0.1 bar (1.45 psi) too low. It should be 2.5 bar (36.3 psi). The label recommends 2.4 bar (34.8 psi = 35 psi).
- Risk
- Under inflated tires can affect vehicle handling, and driving with substantially under inflated tires puts the consumer at risk for a crash.
- Remedy
- Owners will be provided with corrected labels, or a dealer can install the label if the owner wishes. Owner notification began september 29, 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 vw at 1‑800‑893‑5298.
Recall number 03V155000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 1998 Volkswagen Golf 70
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards
- Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
- Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
- Update model year applicability to include 2023.
- Battery testing and charging using special tools VAS6161 & GRX3000VAS Charger
- Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)
- Tool number added to table
- Updated to include additional models and model year applicability.
- The part number listed in the document is to be returned if it meets the criteria provided.
- Alternative method for radio code retrieval.
1998 Volkswagen Golf fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 19-21 | 26-28 | 22-24 |
What 1998 Volkswagen Golf owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The vehicle's transmission would not shift from 2nd to 3rd gear. As a result the vehicle could not be driven more than 40 MPH. Please provide any additional information.
Electrical defect: when turning ignition on and engine running, I experience a total loss of headlights, A/C fan motor, defroster, drl, fog lamps, rear-window defogger, and heater. (all other electrical systems continue functioning.) sometimes the problem is intermittent where everything functions; most of the time none of these units function electrically. Additional note: the "brake" lamp glows on in the dash when this electrical problem occurs. (emergency brake is not engaged.) cannot drive at night. Volkswagon will not pay for repair.
Ignition switch failure causes switched devices to loose power while driving. The devices I have personally identified that loose power are: headlights, drl, ABS, windshield wipers, interior fan, fog lights. With the ignition switch in the on position, it is posible to rotate it slightly to the left and turn the above mentioned devices off while the car continues to run. This can easily happen (and does happen) while driving. Searching your database of other complaints of this and other similar models which probably use the same ignition switch reveals 15 switch failures (865957, 897162, 876280, 899086, 608861, 609016, 758101, 888070, 8014837, 733016, 607392, 8021547, 869601, 750653, 743422) and 5 possible switch failures (733430, 9002207, 861456, 754763, 750545). This failure has been identified as recurrant enough by members of www.vr6.org for one member to issue a step-by-step procedure for replacing the ignition switch. I feel this is a severe safety hazard as headlights and fog lights turn completely off while driving (including drl's) rendering the driver blind at night. If failure occurs durring daylight, the failure is not as obvious but renders the ABS system disabled and could cause the driver to loose control if required to stop quickly while thinking the car is equipted with an ABS system. Volkswagon USA has been informed of this via their website and I am waiting for a reply. Other members of www.vr6.org and similar sites are beign encouraged to file similar complaints.
Headlights go out intermittently while driving. Mechanic determined a faulty ignition switch was the cause.
Wheels were bonded due to rust and corrosion. Dealer notified. Feel free to provide any further information.
Failure of breather valve and mass air flow sensor, repaired by private mechanic that got a kit to replace poorly designed unit wich has a dealer buy back # 0444294 , volkswagen said there was no such kit to their knowledge and no recall I have had many problems with this car and have recieved no aid from volkswagen
When the vehicle is driven over water on road water goes into air intake and engine, causing the engine to hydro seal. Please further details.
Light on her dashboard came on for frontal air bags. Dealership informed consumer that frontal air bag (driver and passenger) unit had to be replaced - reason unknown. Please provide any additional information/attachments.
Sometimes when turning on air conditioner it does not come on, and sometimes windshield wipers do not work. Took to dealer, and they said it was binding. Lock cylinder needed to be replaced.
Compare the 1998 Volkswagen Golf
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Questions about the 1998 Volkswagen Golf
Is the 1998 Volkswagen Golf reliable?
Owners have filed 17 complaints about the 1998 Volkswagen Golf, fewer than a typical Golf model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Volkswagen Golf?
Electrical system, with 5 complaints. Next is transmission (4).
How many recalls does the 1998 Volkswagen Golf have?
1 recall, covering equipment.
What year does the Volkswagen Golf have the most electrical problems?
The Volkswagen Golf model years with the most electrical complaints are 2011 (18 complaints), 2015 (18 complaints) and 2001 (15 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1998 Volkswagen Golf get?
Official estimates for the 1998 Volkswagen Golf range from 22 to 24 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 19-21 city and 26-28 highway.
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