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.
Sell your 1998 Volkswagen Passat for cash
The 1998 Volkswagen Passat is a wagon that came with a choice of 1.8L 4-cyl, 1.9L 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.
- Free offer for your 1998 Passat in about 30 seconds
- Free towing, running or not
- Paid at pickup
VolkswagenPASSAT1998
1998 Volkswagen Passat at a glance
| Body style | Midsize Cars, Midsize Station Wagons |
|---|---|
| Engines | 1.8L 4-cyl, 1.9L 4-cyl, 2.8L 6-cyl (turbocharged versions available) |
| Transmissions | Automatic 5-spd, Manual 5-spd, Automatic 4-spd |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline, Diesel |
| Fuel economy | 15–32 city / 24–45 highway / 18–37 combined MPG |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,600–$4,550 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles) |
| Tailpipe CO₂ | 275–494 grams per mile |
| Versions tested by EPA | 12 configurations: Passat, Passat Syncro, Passat Wagon, Passat Wagon Syncro |
| Age | 28 years |
Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.
What affects its junk value
- Age: at 28 years old, most of a 1998 Passat's value comes from reusable parts and scrap metal, not resale.
- Weight: as a wagon, it weighs less than a truck or SUV, so its value leans more on parts than on scrap weight. See how scrap prices by weight work.
- Catalytic converter: like all gas and diesel cars, it has a catalytic converter containing precious metals, one of the most valuable parts on a junk car. An offer assumes it's still in place. More on catalytic converters.
- Recalls: NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 1998 Passat. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking it.
- Known problems: owners reported the most issues with the suspension, typically around 84,000 miles. If that's what failed on yours, it can still be sold as-is.
1998 Volkswagen Passat recalls
NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls covering the 1998 Volkswagen Passat. 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.
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.
Risk: If moisture and/or dust particles enter the swivel bearing mechanism, the swivel bearing could wear over time diminishing the steering control of the vehicle.
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.
Risk: This condition could cause insufficient vacuum to be provided to the brake booster.
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.
Risk: Screen pieces could enter the intake air flow system and prevent the throttle plate from returning to its full idle position.
Common 1998 Passat problems
Owners have filed 331 complaints about the 1998 Volkswagen Passat with NHTSA. 6 reports involved a crash and 4 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 12 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.
Most-reported components
Typical mileage when problems were reported
- Suspension84,000 mi
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic90,000 mi
- Suspension98,000 mi
- Steering58,000 mi
- Engine and Engine Cooling91,000 mi
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic78,000 mi
1998 Volkswagen Passat service bulletins
Manufacturers have filed 116 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 1998 Volkswagen Passat. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.
Most common bulletin topics
Recent bulletins
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 defect investigations
NHTSA opened 6 defect investigations covering the 1998 Volkswagen Passat.
Stuck-open throttle
Vwoa has recalled approximately 28,300 my 1998-99 a6 vehicles in cold weather states that experienced the highest rate of throttle icing incidents in the subject vehicles (04v-495).the failure rate in the a4 and Passat vehicles is much lower than in the recalled vehicles.odi will continue to monitor the experience in t
Passenger air bag lid failure
This investigation involves the Volkswagen (vw) passenger supplemental inflatable restraint (psir) lid utilized in my 1998-2002 vw Passat.the psir lid may detach from the instrument panel during air bag deployment.the office of defects investigation (odi) of the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) op
Passenger sir door mounting stud failure
Odi opened a preliminary evaluation (pe03-021) based on two reports of failed bolt studs that attach the passenger supplemental inflatable restraint (psir) door cover to the instrument panel (ip) on the Volkswagen (vw) Passat (model years 2000, 2002).vw has indicated to odi that it has no additional reports.vw implemen
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.
Power brake booster vacuum by-pass
There is no summary currently available
Selling a 1998 Passat: questions
How much is a 1998 Volkswagen Passat worth for junk?
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.
Can I junk a 1998 Passat that doesn't run?
Yes. We buy 1998 Passats that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.
Can I sell a 1998 Passat with open recalls?
Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 1998 Volkswagen Passat; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What paperwork do I need to sell my 1998 Passat?
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.
Before you sell
Sources
- EPA fuel economy data (specs and MPG)fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA recallsnhtsa.gov
- NHTSA complaints, service bulletins and investigationsnhtsa.gov
Data retrieved October 2026.
Get cash for your 1998 Passat today
Get a free offer in minutes. Towing is always free and you get paid at pickup.