Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
While cruising at highway speed in my 1998 Volkswagen Passat, 3 events occurred simultaneously: a 'pop' sound from the engine area, copious white smoke (not steam) from under the hood, and the engine check light activation. Immediately pulled over, and white smoke increased substantially from (closed) hood, followed within 5 minutes by open flames from the passenger front wheel well. Fire crews were on scene within 10 minutes, but the entire vehicle was engulfed and a total loss.
The timing chain system is defective and they know it. Why didn't they inform me of this.maybe because they have hands full with the emission cheating scandal. Or if they did them they would be liable for all the complaints before. Please putvoutca recall. This car is dangerous !!!!!
I am the second owner of a Passat that had been driven 72000 miles. At that time the following defects were noted and had to be repaired: 1. Outer tie rod and cv boot. 2. Cooling system: all cooling hoses, oil cooler, water pump, radiator, & associated items. Vw of America refused to reimburse for the cost of these untimely repairs that were due in part to faulty information in the owners manual, that states that the cooling system was sealed and did not need any maintenance. These enormous and costly repairs at a mileage when comparable cars of other manufacturers need little or no repairs up to and way past 100,000 miles, are excessive in my opinion. (the first owner gets a warranty of 100,000 miles and 10 years, something that for the second owner is reduced to 50,000 miles/5 years. …
My car died suddenly while I was driving on route 9. My car started to lose acceleration, but I was unable to pull off the road before the engine died. The problem turned out to be related to the timing belt. Apparently the timing belt tensioner failed, causing the timing belt to go into the engine and damage cylinder heads. My local mechanic has informed me the manufacturer has issued a service bulletin that recommends replacing the part. I had the part inspected at 55,000 miles by my local dealer and was not told of the problem or advised to replace the part. At 66,000 miles, the part failed, causing the engine failure during highway driving. The manufacturer is refusing to cover the cost of repair, stating that the car is out of warranty as I am not the original owner.
(1) while driving down the highway at 60 MPH the engine shut down and would not turn over again. I called a tow truck and had it delivered to my mechanics garage. (2) mechanic determined that it was the timing belt that went, and that Volkswagen had remanufactuered the tensioner and pulley for what ever reason. After buying new parts and rebuilding the head because the valves were destroyed upon contact with the pistons( naturally). After putting the engine back together with the new parts and rebuilt head, the cam seized up and blew the motor.
While driving on i95 (md) southbound from elkton, md to aberdeen proving grounds, md, the car suddenly stalled. Obviously, without engine power, the steering and brakes were difficult to operate. Traffic was however avoided due to aid of a highway patrol right behind me. The vehicle was picked up and towed within a couple of hours and taken to a local garage. Cause of the problem was failed timing belt. Car has less than 100,000 miles and it's onnly 7 years old. However, vw refuse to honor the 100,000 miles/10year power train warranty.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 60 MPH on the expressway, the timing chain fractured prematurely and caused the engine to stall suddenly without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealership where it was determined the timing chain should have been replaced at 105,000 miles. The vehicle only had 91,000 miles at the time the timing chain broke. The owner's manual did not indicate when to change the timing belt. Updated 09/19/06.
The timing belt on my 1998 vw Passat with the 1.8t engine failed at 75,000 miles stranding me by the side of the road. The car has been regularly maintained by vw. The vw maintenance schedule requires replacement of the belt at 105,000 miles. Vw denied my warranty claim stating that the original warranty applies only to the first owner. However, my research shows that this is a well known problem and vw refuses to do anything about it.
Oil pump failed. While driving the oil light came on. When this occurred consumer immediately pulled off the road and turned the vehicle off, preventing engine failure. Vehicle was taken to dealership. A TSB was issued for an engine performance. Deteriorate /seize because of slug built up. This failure cause the oil pump to fail without slug built up.
Nar 04/07/2003 mr. The timing belt, cylinder heads and the mass air flow had to replaced and the consumer is requesting reimbursement. In the past the consumer had to replace 2 window regulators, the sun roof opened and closed for no reason, the rear door would not lock, the windshield wipers did not work.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
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.
Remedy: Dealers will install a retaining ring to hold the air screen in place.
Engine complaints in other Passat years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1998 Volkswagen Passat?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1998 Volkswagen Passat, 12% of the model year's 331 complaints. The component named most often is engine (22 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Volkswagen Passat engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 98V-134 (cooling system, Jun 22, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Volkswagen Passat engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.