Volkswagen · 1998

1998 Volkswagen Passat

Official EPA fuel economy and NHTSA recall record, best combined figure 37 MPG.

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Fuel economy (EPA)

Engine	Transmission	Fuel	City	Highway	Combined	CO2 g/mi
1.8L 4-cyl	Automatic 5-spd	Premium	18	28	22	404
1.8L 4-cyl	Manual 5-spd	Premium	20	29	24	370
1.9L 4-cyl	Automatic 4-spd	Diesel	27	39	31	328
1.9L 4-cyl	Manual 5-spd	Diesel	32	45	37	275
2.8L 6-cyl	Automatic 5-spd	Premium	16	26	19	468
2.8L 6-cyl	Manual 5-spd	Premium	18	26	21	423

Safety recalls (NHTSA)

5 campaigns on record for this model year. Recall repairs are free at dealers; check your exact vehicle by VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Campaign 98V134000

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.

Campaign 99V248000

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.

Campaign 99V131001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. A CONTROL VALVE IN THE VACUUM HOSE CONNECTING THE BRAKE BOOSTER TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD MAY NOT OPEN OR CLOSE FULLY AT TEMPERATURES BELOW -4 F UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS.

Campaign 02V026000

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.

Campaign 09E025000

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.

Owner complaints (NHTSA)

476 complaints filed by owners for this model year (7 involving a crash, 6 a fire). Complaints are owner reports, not confirmed defects - browse them in full on nhtsa.gov.

Suspension 99 Service Brakes, Hydraulic 79 Steering 59

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fuel economy of a 1998 Volkswagen Passat?

EPA figures for the 1998 Volkswagen Passat reach 37 MPG combined depending on configuration; the table on this page lists every tested engine and transmission combination.

Are there recalls on the 1998 Volkswagen Passat?

NHTSA lists 5 safety recall campaigns for the 1998 Volkswagen Passat. Check your specific vehicle by VIN on the official NHTSA site, recalls are fixed free of charge by dealers.

What are common problems with the 1998 Volkswagen Passat?

Owners have filed 476 complaints with NHTSA for the 1998 Volkswagen Passat, most often about: Suspension, Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Steering. Complaint counts reflect what owners report, not confirmed defects.

Sources: EPA fueleconomy.gov, the NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings databases (all US public data), refreshed monthly. Recall texts are quoted from the official record. Details on About & Data Sources.