NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 330 owner complaints for the 1998 Volkswagen Passat. Most complaints involve suspension (90) and service brakes, hydraulic (65). The EPA rates it 18–37 mpg combined.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK FILLER NECK CAN SUFFER ABRASION DAMAGE IF THE REAR TIRE GOES FLAT AND THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN UNTIL THE TIRE DISINTEGRATES.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TIE RODS OF THE STEERING ASSEMBLY ARE PROTECTED ON EACH SIDE BY A SEAL TO PREVENT MOISTURE AND DUST PARTICLES FROM ENTERING THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT SOME TIE ROD SEALS MAY NOT SEAL PROPERLY.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Passat model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 151 |
| 1997 | 76 |
| 1998 | 330 |
| 1999 | 664 |
| 2000 | 518 |
| 2001 | 441 |
| 2002 | 650 |
| 2003 | 641 |
| 2004 | 283 |
| 2005 | 148 |
| 2006 | 576 |
| 2007 | 273 |
| 2008 | 174 |
| 2009 | 152 |
| 2010 | 172 |
| 2012 | 484 |
| 2013 | 749 |
| 2014 | 594 |
| 2015 | 244 |
| 2016 | 106 |
| 2017 | 110 |
| 2018 | 46 |
| 2019 | 12 |
| 2020 | 18 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 13 |
“THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS ON MY 1998 VW PASSAT ARE DEFECTIVE AND DANGEROUS ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC. VW REFUSES TO REPLACE THEM EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THESE PARTS. THE REASONING IS THAT: - I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR THE RECALL AT THEIR DEALER IN 2005 AND AT THE TIME THE PARTS SEEMED OK. - AT THIS TIME, THEIR DEALER HAS REINSPECTED THE CAR. THE VW DEALER THINKS THAT BOTH LOWER FRONT CONTROL ARMS ON THE CAR NEED REPLACEMENT. HOWEVER THE PARTS ARE NOT ABOUT TO FAIL AND THE CAR IS STILL DRIVABLE AND THUS VW WILL NOT PAY FOR THEIR REPLACEMENT. MY MECHANIC STATES THAT THE CAR NEED TO BE REPLACED AND THE CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION. PLEASE ADVISE WHETHER VW IS RESPONSIBLE UNDER THE "REVISED-VM (40G3) - DECEMBER 2004" RECALL CAMPAIGN TO FIX THESE. THANKS *TR”
“ABS MODULE APPEARS TO BE FAULTY. ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT REMAIN ON/FLASHING. LOSS OF ABS COULD CAUSE COLLISION, DEALER WANTS $1000+ FOR THE PART AND DOES NOT GUARANTEE IT WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR”
“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 !!!!!”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passat Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, Diesel, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 32 | 45 | 37 | $2,550 | 275 |
| Passat Wagon Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, Diesel, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 32 | 45 | 37 | $2,550 | 275 |
| Passat Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, Diesel, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 27 | 39 | 31 | $3,050 | 328 |
| Passat Wagon Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, Diesel, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 27 | 39 | 31 | $3,050 | 328 |
| Passat Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 29 | 24 | $3,200 | 370 |
| Passat Wagon Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 29 | 24 | $3,200 | 370 |
| Passat Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 28 | 22 | $3,500 | 404 |
| Passat Wagon Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 28 | 22 | $3,500 | 404 |
| Passat Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,700 | 423 |
| Passat Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 26 | 19 | $4,050 | 468 |
| Passat Syncro Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 24 | 18 | $4,300 | 494 |
| Passat Wagon Syncro Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 24 | 18 | $4,300 | 494 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
5 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 330 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (90), service brakes, hydraulic (65), steering (47). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1998 Volkswagen Passat at 18–37 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (12 versions rated).