10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
20,579 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1998 Volkswagen Jetta electrical problems

electrical problem

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1998 Volkswagen Jetta Owner Comments

problem #7

May 132004

Jetta 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 75,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Battery exploded while starting the engine. Hood damaged, battery acid released.

- Ellington, CT, USA

problem #6

Jan 252002

Jetta 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 69,050 miles
I own a 1998 volkwagen Jetta gl. The car battery exploded while in operation. I have digital photos of the battery if requested. It didn't seem normal and so I figured I'd file a report.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #5

May 152001

Jetta

  • miles
Battery acid leaked on reservoir causing reservoir to leak fluid, which could cause loss of steering.dealer contacted.

- Littleriver, SC, USA

problem #4

Jul 142001

Jetta Diesel

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Battery exploded while starting the engine. After researching on line, I've determined that this may be a larger problem.

- Birmingham, AL, USA

problem #3

Feb 272001

Jetta Diesel

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Battery failed to have an acid release hose. Acid had dripped onto power steering reservoir & ate through it. This caused a loss of steering fluid, power steering, and control of vehicle.

- Emmans, PA, USA

problem #2

Nov 022000

(reported on)

Jetta

  • miles
The battery exploded. Nlm

- Unk, UN, USA

problem #1

Feb 251999

Jetta Diesel

  • miles
If battery is overfilled or leaks and drips onto the power steering reservoir the resevoir will fail. This failure is catastrophic in nature and can cause the loss of power steering, vehicle control and extensive damage to the power steering pump. The loss of fluid occured on my vehicle with only 9 months of service. Fortunately the car was parked and the power steering pump was not impacted. The dealer support at randy hiley Volkswagen in arlington Texas was immediate and thorough. After discussion, Volkswagen refunded all but the towing charges for this repair through randy hiley Volkswagen in arlington, Texas. On the 1999 model the part has been moved from underneath the battery. Dealership service department personnel indicated that this was not the 1st time this failure had to be repaired at their franchise. My concern is that this repair cured the immediate symptom but what happens if acid contacts this component again during routine maintenance, later life battery changeout etc. The part is still located beneath the battery. The material of construction is unchanged. Can this part be replaced in a recall with a material that is better suited for contact by acid?

- Arlington, TX, USA

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