1998 Volkswagen Golf: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1998 Volkswagen Golf: 1 recall, 18 owner complaints and up to 24 mpg combined.
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Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Equipment Vehicle recall #03V155000 · 2003 · 4,243 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.8l vr6 engines fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." the recommended cold tire inflation pressure published on the label for tires of the size 205/50 r15 86h is 0.1 bar (1.45 psi) too low. It should be 2.5 bar (36.3 psi). The label recommends 2.4 bar (34.8 psi = 35 psi).
Why it matters: Under inflated tires can affect vehicle handling, and driving with substantially under inflated tires puts the consumer at risk for a crash.
The fix: Owners will be provided with corrected labels, or a dealer can install the label if the owner wishes. Owner notification began September 29, 2003.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (5): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Transmission & drivetrain (4): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (2).
- Engine & cooling (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Brakes (hydraulic) (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 1998 Volkswagen Golf has 18 owner complaints, ranking #22 of 34 Golf model years for complaints (well below the 42 average). Complaints peaked in 2001 (5 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 2 years old, at a median of 66,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1997 (23 complaints, 0 recalls), 1999 (64 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 28 | 24 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 22 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1998 Volkswagen Golf.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 1998 Volkswagen Golf have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 1998 Volkswagen Golf. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1998 Volkswagen Golf problems?
Owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (5), transmission & drivetrain (4), engine & cooling (3).
What gas mileage does the 1998 Volkswagen Golf get?
EPA ratings run up to 24 mpg combined (2.0 L, Manual 5-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1998 Volkswagen Golf repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.