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1998 Volkswagen Jetta - First Year Worries?
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DrBoost on August 14, 2008 | Has worked on a 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
Many people will not buy a car during the first model year for fear of “teething problems.” I have to admit, I’ve shared this same view most times. But the 1997 and 1998 VW Jetta really doesn’t seem to fall into this category. There are issues I have seen, but I really haven’t noticed any trends per se. I would have to say the biggest issue with the VW family is with electrical issues. Unfortunately, these are often very frustrating for the owner and tech alike. I can point you to a few common areas and maybe help a little bit.
The HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) system can suffer from a failed air conditioner thermo switch or a fresh air blower resistor. Either one can leave you with no A/C or even heat. The thermo switch will set you back about $65 or so and the blower resistor will set you back about a hundred bucks. The power windows could provide nice fresh air or get you hot under the collar when they refuse to work. Again, because of the nature of electrical repairs, this can get expensive so get a tech that is experienced in electrical work. If you have to replace a window regulator (the part that physically raises and lowers the window) expect that to set you back at least $250 per door. The power window switches do fail, but at a much lower rate but not for that much less money I’m sorry to tell.
The Jetta is a very good looking car and the design ages very well. Maybe that’s why customers get so ticked off when the door trim falls off the car, one door at a time marring an otherwise handsome car. The fix? If you still have the door trim, use a heat gun to remove the trim from the car the rest of the way, use a razor blade and head to remove the adhesive tape from the trim. Go to a auto paint supply shop and get the best 3M tape they have and clean the door as well as you possibly can, then clean it even better a second time. Simply peel and stick the tape to the trim and stick it on. If you have to buy a new trim piece, buy VW touch-up paint at the same time, don’t bother having a body shop do it.
All in all, it’s a very nice car that does have some flaws. Most of these flaws will be alleviated by the time you are shopping for a 1st generation car.
1998 Volkswagen Jetta
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Anonymous on May 24, 2009
I have a 98 jetta tdi with 250k miles on it. It gets about 650 miles to the tankful highway and 600 or so in combined driving ...I drive at 80 on hwy and coast a lot in city traffic, not racing to red lights etc. My diesel engine leaks a little and I have used about a gallon of sealant over the years to keep it from gushing oil when sitting. Both of the left doors windows motors have gone bad and cost me 400 to replace. now both rights are bad and they will cost about the same...rear brakes never wear out but the fronts do and the brake dust makes the allow wheels look black. the A/C and cooling system has been totally replaced about 1500 and all of the hoses as well. The car rides tight and I have only replaced the rear struts. My switch for the AC is now on the blink and I am troubleshooting that now. The parking brake does not work and that was never a problem until I moved the car from FL to NJ where they require inspection. All in all the car looks ok and runs great. Electrical could have been better designed. Did I mention that the trunk of this car is deceptivly large for a sub compact car? I fear going to biodeisel upgrade kit because I am now in a cold weather State. This car was energy efficient before it was fashionable and it is a great ride for the miserly.
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