RoadVitals

1998 Volkswagen Cabrio

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
21
Latest Nov 2, 2009
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Jan 25, 2002
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
4
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 21 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio, most frequently naming the body & structure, electrical and visibility categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 53 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Body & structure719.4%
  • Electrical513.9%
  • Visibility513.9%
  • Transmission411.1%
  • Engine38.3%
  • Airbags38.3%
  • Brakes25.6%
  • Driver assistance25.6%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
02V026000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

Jan 25, 2002
487,284 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: FUEL LEAKAGE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL FIT PASSAT VEHICLES WITH A NEW WHEEL HOUSE LINER THAT WILL BETTER PROTECT THE CAR'S FILLER NECK. JETTA VEHICLES WILL BE FITTED WITH A DIFFERENT METAL SHIELD DESIGNED TO ENHANCE ABRASION PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF TIRE DISINTEGRATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 13, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INCManufacturer number WKView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE00033ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

FUEL TANK PUNCTURE

Opened Aug 10, 2000
Closed Dec 28, 2000

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION ON AUGUST 10, 2000 BASED ON 9 REPORTS REGARDING PUNCTURED FUEL TANKS INVOLVING THE JETTA, PASSAT, AND CABRIO MODELS.THE REPORTS INDICATE ADDITIONAL REPORTS IN ITS RESPONSE TO THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED FOR FURTHER STUDY.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 21
Body & structure
Filed Nov 2, 2009

1998 VOLKSWAGEN CABRIO GLS FRONT WINDSHIELD HEADER HAS RUSTED AND NO LONGER CAPABLE OF SUPPORTING THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. *NJ THE CONSUMER HAD TO INCUR THE COST OF HAVING THE FRONT WINDSHIELD REPLACED AFTER THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED BECAUSE OF THE DEFORMITIES IN THE WINDSHIELD HEADER. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND THEIR CONCLUSION WAS THAT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS NO LONGER SAFE ENOUGH TO PROTECT THE OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A ROLL OVER SINCE THE FRAME HAD RUSTED OUT. THE SUPPORT WAS A STRUCTURAL ISSUE AND A VEHICLES FRAME SHOULD NOT RUST OUT.(LAWYER WROTE IN ON BEHALF OF CLIENT) *JB

NHTSA ID
10290674
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Transmission
Filed Apr 6, 2005

MANUFACTURER TOLD ME THAT THE CAR CAN LURCH FORWARD, FROM 1ST GEAR TO 3RD GEAR, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT DUE TO A BAD TRANSMISSION (CAR HAS ONLY 46,100 MILES, WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS FAULTY AND DEFECTIVE, AND SHOULD BE WARRANTY, AND REPLACED BY THE MANUFACTURER, EVEN IF THE CAR IS 7 YEARS OLD).*AK

NHTSA ID
10116479
Incident
Mar 6, 2005
Mileage
46,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 5, 2005

WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON. CONSUMER PLACED OIL INTO THE VEHICLE, AND OIL LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT ENGINE WAS DEFECTIVE, AND NO OIL WAS IN THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE.*AK *NM

NHTSA ID
10106868
Incident
Dec 3, 2004
Mileage
85,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 22, 2004

THE CONVERTIBLE TOP RIPPED ABOVE THE REAR WINDOW. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER TOLD THE OWNER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB.....THE DEALER STATED THIS CAR OF DIFFERENT YEARS WAS RECALLED. CONSUMER FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS OF SAME TEAR/RIP IN RAG AT SAME SPOT. THE MATERIAL THE ROOF WAS MADE OFF DISTINTEGRATED A SA FEW YEARS WENT BY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOISY AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS BY NOT HAVING A SECURE ROOF. *AK

NHTSA ID
10101500
Incident
Nov 22, 2004
Visibility
Filed Oct 5, 2004

CONVERTIBLE TOP SHREDDING. HUGE RIPS ALL OVER IT. CLASS ACTION SUIT FILED IN CALIFORNIA. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD LIKE ME TO OBTAIN AN ATTORNEY OR PAY FOR HALF THE REPAIR COSTS. HOWEVER, THOSE INCLUDED IN THE CLASS ACTION WILL BE ABLE TO GET THEIRS REPLACED.*AK

NHTSA ID
10093640
Incident
Jun 1, 2002
Electrical
Filed Aug 31, 2004

1) NO KNOWN EVENT LEADING TO THIS RADIO SYSTEM FAILURE. 2) RADIO SUDDENLY AND INEXPLICABLY MOVED FROM NORMAL 'ON' TO MAXIMUM BLARING VOLUME WITH NO ONE TOUCHING IT... AND COULD NOT BE CHANGED, TURNED OFF, OR ALTERED IN ANY WAY. RADIO CONTROLS HAD NO EFFECT, EVEN TURNING OFF THE AUTO AND REMOVING THE KEYS DID NOT SHUT OFF RADIO. DRIVING SUDDENLY BECAME DANGEROUS AND NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE AS THE NOISE WAS DEAFENING AND TOTALLY DISTRACTING. I COULD NOT HEAR MY TEENAGE SON IN THE SEAT NEXT TO ME (NOT NECESSARILY A BAD THING)... BUT COULD SEE WELL ENOUGH THAT HE WAS LAUGHING HIS HEAD OFF (AN ANNOYING IRRIATATION THAT DID NOT HELP!) :) AFTER 15 - 20 MINUTES AND SOME MILES OF TORTURED DRIVING, THE RADIO WENT SILENT ON IT' S OWN. 3) NO CORRECTIVE ACTION TAKEN YET. *AK

NHTSA ID
10088869
Incident
Aug 29, 2004
Mileage
90,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 21, 2004

WITH LESS THAN 75000 MILES, MY VEHICLE HAS HAD THREE DEFECTIVE WATER PUMPS REPLACEMENTS. THE SERVICE MAN AT VW HAVE COMMENTED THAT THIS APPEARS TO BE A BAD DESIGN AND WARRANTED THE PART. HOWEVER, THIS DOES NOT PROVIDE ME WITH ANY LONG TERM SOLUTION. I HAVE LOGGED A TROUBLE TICKET WITH VW AMERICA REQUESTING THAT THEY PROVIDE A RESOLUTION OR EXTEND THE WARRANTEE BEYOND 100000 MILES. *AK

NHTSA ID
10072938
Incident
Sep 1, 2003
Fuel system
Filed Apr 14, 2004

IN REF TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 02V026000 THE VW DEALER IN INDIANAPOLIS REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE EXISTENCE OF THIS RECALL AGAINST MY 1998 VW CABRIO. I CHECKED THE SUPPLEMENTAL RECALL LIST FILED WITH NHTSA DATED JUNE 2, 2003 AND FOUND THAT MY VIN [XXX] IS INCLUDED. HOW CAN I GET VW TO HONOR THE RECALL? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10066129
Incident
Apr 13, 2004

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

V171901201285565

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards

V171901201285562

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION

Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.

V171901201285560

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION

Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.

V941901201152119

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Update model year applicability to include 2023.

V271901201189422

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Battery testing and charging using special tools VAS6161 & GRX3000VAS Charger. Updated to include additional model year applicability.

V171901201285534

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Volkswagen Cabrio by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2011000—
2010000—
2002230040.6
2001381044.8
2000161141.7
1999290145.1
1998Viewing211149.5
1997140142.0
1996601—
1995150130.8
1994000—
1993800—
1992910—
1991730—
1989100—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.