1998 Volkswagen Jetta Volkswagen Jetta 1998

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1998 Volkswagen Jetta repairs by problem area

Engine (51%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (3%)

Brakes and Traction Control (6%)

Suspension and Steering (17%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (17%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (3%)

Other (3%)

Chart based on 35 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta.

1998 Volkswagen Jetta repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (4%)

$500 - $999 (8%)

$100 - $499 (50%)

< $100 (38%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 24 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

1998 Volkswagen Jetta

Engine not specified

Volkswagen in California, United States
Feb 2014 - Sep 2014
Sep 2014

258000 mi
egr value check engine light would not clear ever though the egr valve was cleaned. 
Volkswagen in Washington, United States
Jul 2017 - Aug 2018
Aug 2018

100000 mi

US $650
5 speed manual, differential exploded - put two holes in the case, soaked and ruined the clutch. After I bought the car I learned these transmissions are weak! Replaced with used transmission ($350.00), put in new clutch, pressure plate, flywheel, TO bearing, misc parts ($300.00). 
Volkswagen in Washington, United States
Oct 2012 - Mar 2013
Nov 2012

250200 mi

US $300
injection pump timing advance solenoid wires where bad, and repaired. 

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1998 Volkswagen Jetta 4-door

turbocharged 4-cylinder diesel manual 2WD

Volkswagen in Alabama, United States
Jun 2017 - Jul 2018
Aug 2017

451000 mi

US $40
Interior blower fan quit working. Replaced fan 
Jan 2018

454000 mi

US $5
Starter making noise and turning engine over slowly 
Volkswagen in British Columbia, Canada
Jan 2010 - Dec 2010
Apr 2010

226300 mi

C $635
Replaced right front wheel bearing. Replaced valve cover gasket. Replaced tail pipe. 
Aug 2010

230020 mi

C $450
Hose to intercooler split Valve cover gasket replaced (leaking) 
Nov 2010

232500 mi

C $1400
Heater core replaced. Entire dash had to come out to replace the part. Very time consuming and therefore expensive. 
Dec 2010

232500 mi
Radiator seam 'let go'. Enough was more than enough. I had the car towed to a wrecking yard. The diesel engine still ran well but the rest of the car was junk after 13 years. 
Volkswagen in Minnesota, United States
Jun 2008 - Mar 2010
Sep 2008

160000 mi

US $15
Brake line failure. 
Dec 2008

167000 mi

US $490
Strut failure. 
Volkswagen in Ohio, United States
Jun 2008 - Apr 2010
Dec 2008

177000 mi

US $15
Intake hose vacuum line dry rotted and needed replaced - took 15 minutes. 
Feb 2009

180000 mi

US $260
Failed turbo caused reduced performance. Turbo replaced. 
Jun 2009

187000 mi

US $450
Replaced struts, tires, and aligned car. Rides like new. 
Apr 2010

199000 mi
Engine threw a rod and damaged all cylinders, valves, injectors, glow plugs, and the crank. Replacing the engine is too expensive on a diesel. 
Volkswagen in Alabama, United States
Jun 2008 - Jul 2014
May 2010

378000 mi

US $280
Replaced squealing harmonic balancer. ($80) Replaced Timing belt ($160) 
Oct 2011

391000 mi

US $175
Condenser fan motor (radiator fan motor) not spinning. A/C not working, high eng temp 
Nov 2012

398600 mi

US $250
Changed Motor mount Changed ignition switch Changed A-arms 
Volkswagen in South Dakota, United States
Dec 2008 - Aug 2010
Sep 2009

178000 mi

US $645
oil pan leaking oil, changed oil strut mounts worn on top, replaced struts.  

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1998 Volkswagen Jetta 4-door

4-cylinder manual 2WD

Volkswagen in New Hampshire, United States
Apr 2012 - Jun 2018
May 2012

128300 mi

US $100
The speedometer would go to 0 intermittently setting MIL going out when the problem resolved itself (speedo working again) Speedo cable teeth were worn causing problem 5speedw/tach so to save $$$ I decided to live with it. 
Oct 2012

130000 mi

US $21
One headlight burned out. I replaced the pair myself. 
Apr 2013

131000 mi

US $100
Both brake lines end to end. Problem caused inspection failure. Fist sized hole under car. 
Volkswagen in Maryland, United States
Feb 2010 - Mar 2011
Mar 2010

189000 mi

US $250
Ignition coil, on my 3rd in (11 years) 

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1998 Volkswagen Jetta 4-door

4-cylinder automatic 2WD

Volkswagen in Washington, United States
Oct 2009 - Dec 2011
Jan 2010

106900 mi

US $300
Car would not start. Had to replaced ignition coil. 

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1997.5 Volkswagen Jetta 4-door

4-cylinder manual 2WD

Volkswagen in South Africa
Aug 2008 - Mar 2010
Sep 2008

152520 mi
I had gas filled in the aircon compressor it leaked out while at the workshop. They repaired the leak, only to find out that the refrigerant leaked out the next morning while on long a trip to Cape Town. 
Dec 2008

153140 mi

R 70
There was another leak in the aircon system. It was fixed, however, another problem surfaced, i.e. perhaps electrically related; the aircon compressor would sometimes switch on, and other times not. Still trying to detect the problem. 
Jan 2009

153760 mi

R 950
After fixing aircon leak, we discovered that the aircon relay switch was faulty. After replacing it, the aircon is now working fine. 

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1998 Volkswagen Jetta Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 1998 Volkswagen Jetta problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.