Complaints
37
Crashes
13
Fires
0
Injuries
10
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#14 complaints
Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars
#22 complaints
Airbags
Crash-related:2
#32 complaints
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Airbags | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention:Warnings:External/Pedestrian Alert | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Parking Brake:Conventional | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Sunroof/Moonroof | 1 | — | — | — |
Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Clutch Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Body Structure
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Back Over Prevention:Warnings:External/Pedestrian Alert
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Parking Brake:Conventional
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Frame And Members
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Sunroof/Moonroof
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Volkswagen Cabrio Years
1998 Volkswagen Cabrio — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio has 37 NHTSA complaints, 13 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars with 4 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio?
Top reported problems: Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars (4 complaints); Airbags (2 complaints); Electrical System:Ignition:Switch (2 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
How safe is the 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio include 13 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 10 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Volkswagen Cabrio reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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