Is This A Lemon?

Year · Make · Model

1998 Volkswagen Passat

What the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration knows about this vehicle: every recall, every consumer complaint, every defect investigation, every NCAP crash test. Sourced directly from NHTSA data feeds.

5
Open recalls
331
NHTSA complaints
6
Defect investigations
116
Service bulletins

Consumer complaints

331 filed
6
Crashes
4
Fires
12
Injuries reported
1
Fatalities reported

What people complain about

  • SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
    29
  • Service BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC Limited Slip
    28
  • SUSPENSION:FRONT
    27
  • STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD Assembly
    24
  • Engine AND Engine COOLING:ENGINE
    22
  • Service BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC Limited SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
    22
  • SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
    21
  • VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON Roof Assembly
    11

Recalls

5 campaigns
09E025000·EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS2009-05-11

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.

RiskDECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

FixDOPE, 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.

02V026000·FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP2002-01-25

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.

RiskFUEL LEAKAGE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

FixDEALERS 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.

99V248000·STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING1999-09-13

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.

RiskIF MOISTURE AND/OR DUST PARTICLES ENTER THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM, THE SWIVEL BEARING COULD WEAR OVER TIME DIMINISHING THE STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

FixDEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE RODS.

99V131001·SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS1999-05-21

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.

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

FixDEALERS 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.

98V134000·ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM1998-06-22

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.

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

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

NHTSA investigations

7 actions
EA04017·FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM2004-06-30 → 2005-02-10

STUCK-OPEN THROTTLE

Led to recall04V495000

EA03020·AIR BAGS:FRONTAL2003-10-07 → 2004-04-23

PASSENGER AIR BAG LID FAILURE

EA03020·AIR BAGS2003-10-07 → 2004-04-23

PASSENGER AIR BAG LID FAILURE

PE03021·AIR BAGS:FRONTAL2003-05-23 → 2003-10-07

PASSENGER SIR DOOR MOUNTING STUD FAILURE

EA00028·VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES2000-12-28 → 2002-01-29

FUEL TANK PUNCTURE

Led to recall02V026000

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