Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Volkswagen Passat owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Fire in rubber boot housing between left rear door and car frame. Preceding events, left rear door speaker was not functioning, left rear window functioned sometimes. Door was closed after returning home and parking garage. Arcing was heard and smoke came from door. Owner removed many fuses from drivers side fuse panel and then removed connections to main battery. Door panel cover was removed and boot removed to find housing on 5 of the 8 wires burnt and most of the wire burnt through the wire. Pictures are available.
My ABS light intermittently comes on followed by the brake light flashing> upon researching this on several various forums on the net. This appears to be a commonly defective part on several model years from 98-01. The oldest posting I found was done in 2000 and the vehicle was a 99. From researching this it appears even vw dealers are unable to get correct problem codes on this issue. I saw postings from many owners stating they were told everything from ABS modules needing replaced to instrument clusters to wiring issues. It appears no one is absolutely sure what the issue is as some owners after the dealer recommend replacements did not fix the issue. In the short time I looked into this I feel that vw should be well aware of this issue and have taken steps to resolve it. I saw literally years worth of postings a on this issue on bentley publishers website. …
ABS and brake light intermittently light up and sound an emergency. I've taken the car to two garages, and neither place can determine the problem. Sometimes I cani feel my ABS system lock up if I am turning (not in any wet conditions); and in those occasions, I was fortunate that no cars had been coming toward me b/c I was unable to gain control. Neither mechanic saw any fault in my brakes, brake pads, shoes, etc., so there is something electrical to blame; and this is a complaint heard often with 1998-1999 vw passats. Either way, nothing has been done to correct the failure, only 300.00 in diagnostics.
1) on early model Volkswagen passats with the 4cyl. 1.8 litre turbo motors, the ignition control unit will fail with no warnings at all. 2)the car does not run properly. The owner is left with constant misfiring, and if driven can lead to serious emission troubles down the road. Since the failure is completely random and shows no signs of a problem, this can and usually will leave the driver and passengers stranded. 3)the unit must be replaced or the car will not run properly. I purchased a unit of the brand huco, because the OEM unit (Bosch) lists for nearly $400.
The ABS light comes on,followed by the brake light blinking the engine oil light comes on and the tachometer goes to 0 and stops working even though I am accelerating. There are many others with this same issue it can be researched on http://tech.bentleypublishers.com/thread.jspa?threadid=2447&tstart=0.
Oil pump failure, faulty cd player, inoperative cruise control, ignition module. Many failures for such a new car. Warranty is good for 10 years 100,000 miles for original owner, 5 york 50,000 for second. Car was placed in service 2/19/98 we there fore missed the 5 year coverage by 4 months.
While pulling out of a parking lot vehicle shook violently. Also, vehicle lost power. Simultaneously, check engine light illuminated on the dashboard. A mechanic examined the vehicle, and determined that an electrical problem was apparent in the engine compartment.
While driving saw smoke coming out from under the hood. Pulled over, opened hood and saw vehicle was on fire. Vehicle suffered extensive damage. Also, throttle body and cv joints needed to be replaced. Vehicle stalles, misfired, and idle fluctuated from low to high.
Owner was driving vehicle for approximately 5 minutes, parked it, and then noticed smoke coming from the heater and also noticed the hood light going on and off. Fire burned throughout the passenger compartment and part of the undercarriage. Cause undetermined.
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.
Electrical complaints in other Passat years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1998 Volkswagen Passat?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the electrical system of the 1998 Volkswagen Passat, 8% of the model year's 331 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Volkswagen Passat electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 1998 Volkswagen Passat, though it has 4 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 Passat electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 3 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.