Most common 1998 Volkswagen Golf problems
Share of the 18 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Volkswagen Golf complaints by model year
Best Golf years: 2020, 2014, 2021. Years to avoid: 2022, 2015, 2017, 2011, 2016. Compare all years →
1998 Volkswagen Golf recalls (1)
Equipment › Other › Labels
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.
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.
What 1998 Volkswagen Golf owners say
Electrical system
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). …
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.
Transmission & drivetrain
The "Volkswagen certified" dealership was absolutely horrible. All the listed problems I brought it back to them repeatedly, and it would normally take 3-5 visits for the item to get fixed. I didn't even get to list all the problems with the speaker panel, clutch, and fenders getting flexed. I will never own another Volkswagen, or go to the dealership ever again.
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.
Engine & cooling
The "Volkswagen certified" dealership was absolutely horrible. All the listed problems I brought it back to them repeatedly, and it would normally take 3-5 visits for the item to get fixed. I didn't even get to list all the problems with the speaker panel, clutch, and fenders getting flexed. I will never own another Volkswagen, or go to the dealership ever again.
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
1998 Volkswagen Golf engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 21 / 28 / 24 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 26 / 22 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Volkswagen Golf a good car?
Based on 18 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 Golf rates better than average: 63% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Golf at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Volkswagen Golf?
The electrical system — 5 complaints, 28% of all complaints for this model year, most often about ignition › switch. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (4) and engine & cooling (3).
How many recalls does the 1998 Volkswagen Golf have?
There is 1 recall for the 1998 Volkswagen Golf, the most recent from April 22, 2003 (labels). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Volkswagen Golf?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2020, 2014 and 2021. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2022, 2015, 2017, 2011 and 2016. See the full Volkswagen Golf years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 Volkswagen Golf problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 75,000 miles; 25% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.