1998 volkswagen new beetle severely overheated, checking out cause found the fuse box on top of the battery housing had melted. This could have caused a major fire in the engine compartment! Vwoa refuses to acknowledge there is a problem althought internet surveys show 26% failure in new beetles. Placement of the fuse box on the battery housing does not sound like a very safe idea!
The worst 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Lights9
- Visibility7
- Electrical3
- Seats3
- Airbags2
- Body2
- Fuel system2
- Acceleration1
- Engine1
- Locks1
- Transmission1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
Recalls 1
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles, the brake lamp switch may malfunction.
- Risk
- If this happens, the brake lamps could become inoperative; or the lamps could come on and stay on, even though the vehicle is parked.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake lamp switches. Owner notification began september 26, 2003. Owners should contact vwoa at 1‑800‑822‑8987.
Recall number 03V265000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle 63
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Evaluating fuel mixture diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) - how to perform effective diagnostic related to...
- Driver and passenger door window regulator repairing
- New style brake light switch requires care during installation to prevent damage to switch
- Safety recall - wt - brake light switch
- Safety recall - wt - new beetle brake light switch
- Driver and passenger door window regulator repairs
- Malfunction indicator light on with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0410, P0411, or P1423 stored in DTC memory
- Fresh air blower motor, inoperative at ambient air temperatures near or below freezing
- Vehicles may experience a humming noise from front of vehicle during cornering
- Technical information on replacing / adjusting the brake switch
1998 Volkswagen New Beetle 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9L 4‑cyl Diesel | FWD | 29-34 | 39-43 | 33-38 |
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 19-20 | 24-27 | 21-23 |
What 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Some type of 'control module' needs to be replaced, without it the air-bag system doesn't work. This is a safety feature which helped in the decision to buy the car, and after 5 years it fails rendering the system useless and requiring over $700 to replace. This is wrong!
Today, july 27,2004, the output connection on my fuel pump came apart (disconnected) and when I tried to start my car dumped about a quart of gasoline on the ground under the right side of the car. I was in a crowded post office parking lot and it was a potentially dangerous situation. The fire dept came and reconnected the line and I was able to proceed to the vw dealorship and have it checked and certified safe to continue operating. The car is vw new beetle, 1998 year of manufacturing. The dealorship vw mechanic said he had heard of this happening spontaneously on one other ocassion.
Passenger side power window and driver side power window malfunctioned and driver side plastic switch broke off.
Headlights constantly go out while driving, have been pulled over by the police many times due to no lights or having to drive with high beams on. This past time had to park the car and have someone take us home, could not drive car until the next morning. Repair bills are becoming rediculous.
Both passanger and drive window mechinisms had to be replaced. Windows would not go up.
Trunk latch does not close properly when temperature goes below 31 degrees.
Driver-side side airbag deployed on my 1998 vw beetle for no apparent reason causing loss of vehicle control and accident.
Headlight malfunctions, burns out. Upon replacement, wiring harness melted. Car no longer under warranty.
Driver side window "fell out". I was driving the car, trying to put the window up when it became stuck. Once stopped, I again tried to put the window up when there was a cracking sound and the whole window just fell into the door. When I called the dealer the secretary was very familiar with this type of problem and was even able to tell me that the original clips to hold the window were plastic and they replace them with metal ones. If this problem is that common that the secretary knows exactly what the problem is and what the remedy is, volkswagen needs to take care of this problem.
Compare the 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
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Questions about the 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
Is the 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle reliable?
Owners have filed 30 complaints about the 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle, 2.0 times a typical New Beetle model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle?
Lights, with 9 complaints. Next is visibility (7).
How many recalls does the 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle have?
1 recall, covering exterior lighting.
Was there a recall on the 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle lights?
Yes, 1 recall: 03V265000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What gas mileage does the 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle get?
Official estimates for the 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle range from 21 to 38 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.9L 4-cyl diesel, FWD) gets 29-34 city and 39-43 highway.
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