Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
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).
Dt*: the contact stated the left rear wheel detached from the vehicle, crossed the highway and hit another vehicle. The other vehicle sustained minor body damage. A police report was filed. This occurred while driving 35 MPH without warning. The vehicle was pulled to the side of the highway. The vehicle was then towed to an independent repair shop. The mechanic was unable to duplicate the problem; however the left rear wheel assembly, brakes, rim and tire were replaced. The manufacturer was not alerted. Updated 7/13/2006 - the bearing on the left rear wheel was loose and worn.
To yo proxies four inner im assuming tire bands? Failed causing a bulge on the iner part of my passenger side front tire. Never struck any object I was just driving and started to notice a wobble I thought it was a front end issue so didn't check tire but had front end looked at and tire still wasn't noticed because of the placement of failure was difficult to see however now is very apparent. Had to replace front shocks on 98 vw Jetta as well as front end bushings and passenger a arm
Tl contact owns a 1998 Volkswagen Jetta. While driving 25 MPH, the ABS warning light illuminated and the passenger side rear wheel disengaged. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the wheel bearing separated. They replaced the wheel bearings, spindles, speed sensor, ring, and drum. Approximately two years later, while driving 55-60 MPH, the passenger side rear wheel disengaged. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The dealer stated that the wheel bearings failed. As of August 21, 2007, the failure has not been repaired. The contact also stated that the windows would not roll up or down. The dealer stated that the window regulators failed and that there was a recall on previous models. The NHTSA campaign id and powertrain were unavailable. The current mileage was 138,022 and failure mileage was 101,612.
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.
Tire had a sidewall seperation on the highway resulting in accident; this has happened now twice, on the stock tires, first time I thought it was just bad luck, however two times seems to be fishy. The tires have plenty of tread left. I am interested to find out if this has happened to other people.( dot number: mkhcfjdr19 tire size: 195/60r14 )
Blowout of left rear and right front. First occurred 0800 21 apr 01 on interstata 64 west near richmond va. Second later that same day on interstate 95 south north of richmond. In both cases belt separation occurred. No puncture. Holes in sidewall. I took the one tire I saved to a Goodyear dealer and he determined that the tire had a defect resulting in belt separation. Wear on the tire even tho it had 50000 miles was over 20% tread left. I would never have expected two blowouts in one day particularly with the tread as good as it appeared. The tires were state inspected in late January. (tiresize: 195/60/r14)( dot number: tire size: 195/60/r14 )
"orleans" model wheels have failed twice. Wheels appear to be soft and easily deformed. Wheels crack after bending which results in a flat tire. Volkswagen has taken the orleans wheel off of the parts list so that replacement wheels are not available. Local parts clerk has advised that a high failure rate and replacement activity were occurring prior to the vw Germany decision to no longer supply the wheels. The wheels were optional on the 97 passat and the 98 Jetta and golf. Since owners have been abandoned without spares for some reason, they are required to replace all four wheels at their own expense as the wheels fail. Wheels.
The locking lug nuts end pieces on my 98 Jetta broke off on routine tire rotations. The dealer was initially unable to remove the lugnuts until he removed the whole wheel assy and welded tools onto the lugnuts. I have the welded-on tools with the lugnuts - total cost was 600.00. If this happened while travelling I would have been in trouble to just change a tire. Why was there no recall? The dealers in Germany said they recalled the german models because of this problem.
Right rear tire blew out at freeway speed. Before coming to a stop the tire rubbed against the fuel tank that is made of plastic and wore a large hole in the tank. This could have caused a fire/explosion and loss of life. Poor design of the putting the plastic fuel tank so close to the tire. Volkswagen contacted and refused to acknowledge the poor design. New model vw Jetta does not have same design.( dot number: mkhc tire size: 195/60hr14 )
While driving about 35 MPH, there was a blowout on rear passenger's side tire. Tire size 19560r14. Original tire equipment on a 1998, Volkswagen, Jetta. Tire mileage 23,000. Vehicle experienced a second blowout, the right rear Goodyear Eagle tire failed, the dot #mkhcfjdr457.
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Jetta years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta, 13% of the model year's 192 complaints. The component named most often is sidewall (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Volkswagen Jetta wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires 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 wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 40% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to wheels & tires problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.