Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Volkswagen Jetta owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I bought a used 1998 vw Jetta for my daughter. Good car fun to drive but one day as she was driving the rear passenger window fell down into the door. A few weeks later the passenger side front window fell into the door. Most recently during the summer the driver's front window fell into the door. All of these incidents could startle a driver or shatter the window. Currently she has the window taped up on the driver's door and it hinders her visibility. Vw said it would cost $485 per door!!!! You know the driver's rear door will go soon and it just doesn't seem right that we should have to invest another close to $2000 just to keep the windows up! This is a common problem but when I called vw they thanked me for being a loyal vw customer and asked me if I name my cars...vw knows that the plastic bottom on the regulator fails and they replace them with metal ones. …
I purchased a used 1998 Volkswagen Jetta glx several years ago. Within a year of purchase, the front driver side window failed to opperate properly. I had the regulator replaced. A year later the front passenger window failed. That regulator was replaced. A year later the front driver side failed again. Before I could get it fixed, the rear diver side window failed as well. Both regulators are being replaced. The total cost of these repairs will be over $2000. I find it appalling that the same problem can occur multiple times in the same vehicle. I have learned that this is a common problem for vw vehicles and yet nothing is being done to correct it - be it a design flaw, manufacturing problem, etc. Failed regulators are both a safety and security problem. I hope that NHTSA takes these complaints seriously and investigates the problem.
This car has been a pain in the a-- almost since purchase. The most serious problems have involved what seems to be defective wiring with respect to the electric windows. These have been repaired 3 times since the first incidence cited above,to the tune of $250, the last time being 6 months ago. Now I am told that it needs a new motor assembly to the tune of $650 parts and labor! Other assorted door electrical problems. Other problems have been: door moldings falling off (this must be an inherent problem with '98 jettas, because I've noticed that most of those that I see on the road have missing moldings). Both front tires blew out within 2 weeks of each other after an inappropiately short usage. Much lower gas mileage that originally promised. Most of these problems started well within warranty.
Like others, I have had the ignition coil replaced. This happened after the warranty expired, of course. I have also had electrical problems with the windows (regulator and motor) for all of them. Now, my check engine light is flashing and the car is sputtering. I know the secondary air intake valve needs replacing but it did not cause problems. Now I'm wondering if something new is wrong??? Also, I was having problems with losing coolant and had to continuously replace antifreeze. After fixing what I thought was a small leak the entire system will not produce cool air! This car has been nothing but problems and vw should look into all of these complaints.
The power windows on my 1998 vw Jetta III failed. I've experienced this occasion 4 times since I've had my car. Currently both passenger and driver side windows are not functioning. The powers windows would not roll up or down. I have not had them repaired since its a very expensive rapair. I've searched the internet and it seems that a lot of 1998 volkswagon Jetta owners experience the same problems I have. I brought my car to the volkswagon dealer and they said that this was a common problem with the type of car I have.
Driving on freeway at 65mph and the right rear windowed lowered abruptly and would not raise up. 4 year old son in carseat was next to window. Had to pull off on berm and calm him down. Window would not lift up. Subsequent visit to dealer that day resulted in a charge of $500 to replace the window regulator. Vw dealer stated that they see a lot of these failures in vw's.
The windows in the doors are falling down and needing the mechanism replaced. This has happened to 3 of the doors so far. Has this been a problem-was there ever a recall for this-this seems like a weird thing to have happen. It is a safety issue because you cannot roll the window up or down, as well as the interior getting wet from the weather. Thank you. Rebecca
Window failure, falls into door. 1998 vw Jetta. Leaving a friends home the drivers rear window just drops into the door. Unable to afford repair window still non usable, window tied off in the up position. I have read its due to the plastic clips. I don't know but would like more information.
This is the third time this has happened to my same vehicle, all happened the same way. Each time a different window. The power window button will start making noise when you raise/lower the window, then the window will only close half way. If you press the power window button again the window will drop into the door. In the past it happened to my 2 back passenger windows. Each time vw told me it was the window regulator and it cost about $350 to fix it. Since they are back passenger windows the dealer told me they could just prop the window up with a piece of wood much cheaper. Today the exact same sequence of events happened to my drivers side window, since its a driver window I most likely will have to pay out the $350 to replace the faulty regulator. …
Power windows go all the way up then come back down, all windows do this intermittently. When left rear window is rolled down by button on door or on the front control panel it activates the factory alarm and locks all doors (it does not sound) you have to stop, roll down drivers window, turn off engine and reach outside and manualy disalarm car. I have filed a complaint with Volkswagen they wanted a diagnostic wich I payed $80 for from stevens creek vw, I have to send this in and they will tell me if they can help me or if I have to pay for it. I have done research and there have been numerous problems related to this in all states, have you heard of this and if vw does not help me is there anything I can do? Thank you
Window & Wiper complaints in other Jetta years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta, 21% of the model year's 192 complaints. The component named most often is power window devices and controls (33 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Volkswagen Jetta window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof recall for the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1998 Volkswagen Jetta window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 79,000 miles, and 23% before 25,000 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.