While driving 70 MPH timing belt failed. Vehicle lost power and it vehicle was towed. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
1998 Volkswagen Passat: sudden loss of power
6 of the 331 complaints about the 1998 Volkswagen Passat describe sudden loss of power.
- owner complaints
- 6
- of this car's complaints
- 2%
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 19 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Sudden loss of power by model year
What owners say
Vehicle lost all power on freeway traveling at 65 MPH. Would not turn over. Linkage to timing belt malfunctioned @ 100,710 miles. Found out that both timing belt and linkage are not due to be changed until 105,000. Faulty prior to vw's specifications.
Car continues to lose power steering fluid. Prior to realization to check it with every gas fill up car became difficult to steer, almost causing a servere accident.
Starter coil failure - for over a month the problem would appear and disappear. Sounded almost like the muffler fell off, but would be accompanied by loss of power to the vehicle. Unexplainable as to why this happened.
Sudden loss of engine power/electrical systems while vehicle is moving. Loss of vehicle control with no engine systems and no power steering assist. Saftey concern from rear end accidents from other vehicles and no avoidance control. Also, regular loss of power steering fluid requires constant monitoring.
Vehicle was stalling at highway speeds, and a loss of power steering occurred. Also. There was a short in the fuel pump because of faulty wiring.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards
- Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
- Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
- Engine Oils Which Meet Volkswagen Oil Quality Standards
- Engine replacement tip
- 17 17 01
- Technical Bulletin (Engine Oils Which Meet Volkswagen Oil Quality Standard):
- Engine Oils Which Meet Volkswagen Oil Quality Standard VW 502 00/505 00/505 01 and VW 504 00/507 00
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 98V134000 · Recall details
Questions about the 1998 Volkswagen Passat loss of power
Is sudden loss of power a common problem on the 1998 Volkswagen Passat?
6 of 331 owner complaints about the 1998 Volkswagen Passat (2%) mention sudden loss of power. The model year with the most reports is 2002.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1998 Volkswagen Passat?
There is 1 recall and 19 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1998 Volkswagen Passat
Ball joint 82ABS 75Grinding brakes 14Engine failure 6Power steering loss 6Stalling 6Door locks 5Fire or smoke 5
VIN decoder
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