1998 Volkswagen Jetta steering problems
12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the steering on the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta — 6% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 volkswagen jetta. The contact stated that the control arm bushing needed to be replaced because it made a noise and caused the vehicle to lunge forward when stopping. A mechanic stated that the replacement would cost nearly $500. In addition, the steering rack would make…”
filed Nov 17, 2008
“It was raining. My windshield wipers were on. White smoke came up from my steering column for a couple seconds. What makes this particularly frustrating, this happened on a 94 jetta I once owned. This happened on a 96 jetta my sister owned. Eventually, something in the steering column burned out…”
filed Sep 7, 2005
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Steering problems in other Jetta years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Jetta | 1 | 4% |
| 2024 Jetta | 1 | 3% |
| 2023 Jetta | 1 | 2% |
| 2022 Jetta | 6 | 15% |
| 2021 Jetta | 3 | 5% |
| 2020 Jetta | 3 | 6% |
| 2019 Jetta | 12 | 2% |
| 2017 Jetta | 14 | 9% |
| 2016 Jetta | 11 | 7% |
| 2015 Jetta | 15 | 8% |
| 2014 Jetta | 17 | 4% |
| 2013 Jetta | 37 | 7% |
Other reported problem areas on the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
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.