The 1998 Volkswagen Golf has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 4,243 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 28 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
EQUIPMENT03V1550002003-04-224,243 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
UNDER INFLATED TIRES CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING, AND DRIVING WITH SUBSTANTIALLY UNDER INFLATED TIRES PUTS THE CONSUMER AT RISK FOR A CRASH.
Remedy
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECTED LABELS, OR A DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL IF THE OWNER WISHES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 29, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VW AT…
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
3
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
2
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
1
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
1
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
1
Total complaints28
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Headlights and ac intermittently went off completely and parking brake light didn't go away on dashboard; mechanic determined a faulty ignition switch was the cause. *jb”
“Electrical defect: when turning ignition on and engine running, I experience a total loss of headlights, a/c fan motor, defroster, drl, fog lamps, rear-window defogger, and heater. (all other electrical systems continue functioning.) sometimes the problem is intermittent where everything…”
“Ignition switch failure causes switched devices to loose power while driving. The devices I have personally identified that loose power are: headlights, drl, abs, windshield wipers, interior fan, fog lights. With the ignition switch in the on position, it is posible to rotate it slightly to the…”
“Headlights go out intermittently while driving. Mechanic determined a faulty ignition switch was the cause. *ak”
“Headlights go out intermittently while driving. Mechanic determined a faulty ignition switch was the cause. *ak”
“Wheels were bonded due to rust and corrosion. Dealer notified. Feel free to provide any further information.*ak”
“Failure of breather valve and mass air flow sensor, repaired by private mechanic that got a kit to replace poorly designed unit wich has a dealer buy back # 0444294 , volkswagen said there was no such kit to their knowledge and no recall I have had many problems with this car and have recieved no…”
“Failure of breather valve and mass air flow sensor, repaired by private mechanic that got a kit to replace poorly designed unit wich has a dealer buy back # 0444294 , volkswagen said there was no such kit to their knowledge and no recall I have had many problems with this car and have recieved no…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1998 Volkswagen Golf as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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