1998 Volkswagen Beetle air bags problems
14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the air bags on the 1998 Volkswagen Beetle — 8% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“The driver was driving the speed limit (55 mph) and tried to slow down as they approached a red light. The brakes failed to work, and the driver rear-ended the vehicle waiting at the stoplight. The airbags did not deploy.”
filed Oct 26, 2021
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 volkswagen beetle. The contact was not the driver at the time of the incident. While driving approximately 55 mph on a snow covered road, the driver noticed an 18-wheeler heading towards the vehicle. The driver applied pressure to the brakes in order to avoid a crash. The…”
filed Dec 31, 2008
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Air Bags problems in other Beetle years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 Beetle | 34 | 72% |
| 2015 Beetle | 42 | 51% |
| 2014 Beetle | 15 | 30% |
| 2013 Beetle | 32 | 36% |
| 2012 Beetle | 12 | 18% |
| 2009 Beetle | 5 | 15% |
| 2008 Beetle | 7 | 12% |
| 2007 Beetle | 15 | 27% |
| 2006 Beetle | 10 | 8% |
| 2005 Beetle | 31 | 12% |
| 2004 Beetle | 73 | 21% |
| 2003 Beetle | 60 | 19% |
Other reported problem areas on the 1998 Volkswagen Beetle
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.