"How reliable is the 1998 Volkswagen Golf?"

"Based on 28 NHTSA complaints, the 1998 Volkswagen Golf has a median complaint mileage of 0 miles. The most common issue is Switch."

"What are common problems with the 1998 Volkswagen Golf?"

"The most frequently reported component in NHTSA complaints for the 1998 Volkswagen Golf is Switch, accounting for a significant portion of the 28 total complaints filed."

1998 Volkswagen Golf: Reliability Data

Source: NHTSA — 28 complaints

Total Complaints

Switch

Top Issue

Crash Reports

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

Switch

Exhaust System

Automatic Transmission

Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip

Head Restraint

Flasher Unit

Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System

Clutch Assembly

Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.

Severity Assessment

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"WHEN PULLING OUT THE RPMS REACHED UP TO 40,000 BEFORE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTED TO THE NEXT GEAR AND THIS IS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK"

"THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH HEAD RESTRAINTS. HEAD REST DROPS DOWN WITH A HEAVY IMPACT. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK"

"ABS BRAKE PROBLEMS; INTERMITTENTLY WHEN APPLYING BRAKES ON REGULAR ROAD CONDITIONS, BRAKE PEDAL BECAME VERY HARD AND THERE WAS NO BRAKING ABILITY. DEALER COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE WEATHER WAS COLD. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK"

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

When Were Complaints Filed?

Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.

Where Are Complaints Coming From?

Top states by complaint count.

CA: 6 OH: 5 PA: 5 FL: 5 MA: 3 NJ: 2 OK: 1 ME: 1

Who Files Complaints?

67.9%

Original Owners

32.099999999999994%

Second+ Owners

Volkswagen Golf — Other Years

See how this model compares across different model years.

Year	Complaints	Median Mileage	Top Issue	Crashes
1994	57	-	Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift	3
1995	84	-	Frontal	5
1999	76	72,000	Gasoline	3
2000	118	52,028	Power Window Devices And Controls	4
2001	152	70,896	Air Bags	5
2002	98	51,000	Side/Window	5
2003	32	77,044	Air Bags	0
2004	33	35,000	Electrical System	3
2005	27	55,000	Air Bags	1
2010	97	39,793	Fuel System, Diesel	3
2011	151	28,000	Fuel/Propulsion System	6
2012	66	14,386	Engine	6
2013	67	50,000	Engine	3
2015	181	20,750	Engine	15
2016	113	32,000	Fuel/Propulsion System	0
2017	143	21,000	Fuel/Propulsion System	4
2018	33	3,050	Fuel/Propulsion System	0
2019	88	572	Engine	2
2022	132	-	Power Train	0
2023	22	-	Electrical System	0

Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28