The 1998 Volkswagen Jetta is a compact car that came with a choice of 1.9L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl and 2.8L 6-cyl engines. At 28 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.
| Body style | Compact Cars |
|---|---|
| Engines | 1.9L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.8L 6-cyl (turbocharged versions available) |
| Transmissions | Manual 5-spd, Automatic 4-spd |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel | Diesel, Regular Gasoline |
| Fuel economy | 16–33 city / 23–44 highway / 19–37 combined MPG |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,600–$3,550 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles) |
| Tailpipe CO₂ | 275–468 grams per mile |
| Versions tested by EPA | 5 configurations: Jetta, Jetta GLX |
| Age | 28 years |
Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls covering the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.
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…
Risk: Under inflated tires can affect vehicle handling, and driving with substantialy under inflated tires puts the consumer at a risk for a crash.
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.
Risk: Fuel leakage can occur increasing the risk of a fire.
Owners have filed 192 complaints about the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta with NHTSA. 11 reports involved a crash and 8 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 10 injuries.
Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.
Manufacturers have filed 74 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.
Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards
Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
Update model year applicability to include 2023.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).
NHTSA opened 2 defect investigations covering the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta.
Fuel tank puncture
Fuel tank puncture
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.
It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. Its parts make up much of its value. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.
Yes. We buy 1998 Jettas that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.
Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.
Data retrieved October 2026.
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