Newest first. Many cover only part of a model year, so check your VIN with Volkswagen before booking a repair.
Transport Canada · listed for this model year
On certain vehicles, the steering assembly tie rod seals do not seal properly. If moisture and/or dust particles enter the swivel bearing mechanism, the swivel bearing may wear over time to a point where the steering begins to feel "loose" and could diminish the steering control of the vehicle with the potential for a vehicle crash. Correction: Tie rods will be replaced on affected vehicles.
1999195 · 4,900 units in campaign · Transport Canada
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorised dealer
On certain vehicles, a control valve in the vacuum hose connecting the brake booster to the intake manifold may not open or close fully at temperatures below -4 degrees F. This condition could cause insufficient vacuum to be provided to the brake booster resulting in possible loss of power brake assist. Correction: A vacuum by-pass system will be installed on affected vehicles.
1999095 · 9,000 units in campaign · Transport Canada
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorised dealer
IN THE EVENT OF AN ENGINE BACKFIRE DURING COLD START, AN AIR SCREEN WHICH IS LOOSELY SEATED IN THE AIR FLOW METER COULD BECOME DAMAGED. SHOULD THIS HAPPEN, SCREEN PIECES COULD ENTER THE INTAKE AIR FLOW SYSTEM AND COULD PREVENT THE THROTTLE PLATE FROM RETURNING TO ITS FULL IDLE POSITION. CORRECTION: A SCREEN RETAINING RING WILL BE INSTALLED AND DAMAGED SCREENS WILL BE REPLACED.
1998126 · 1,437 units in campaign · Transport Canada
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorised dealer
United States records (NHTSA) · 5
These are NHTSA campaigns for 1998 Volkswagen Passat vehicles sold in the United States. They are not Canadian recalls: NHTSA's VIN lookup has no Canadian data, and a US campaign may have no Canadian counterpart, or one under a different number covering different vehicles. For a vehicle sold in Canada, go by the Transport Canada listing above and Volkswagen's Canadian VIN lookup.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
09E025000 · 42,540 units in campaign · NHTSA
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorised dealer
ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK FILLER NECK CAN SUFFER ABRASION DAMAGE IF THE REAR TIRE GOES FLAT AND THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN UNTIL THE TIRE DISINTEGRATES.
FUEL LEAKAGE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL FIT PASSAT VEHICLES WITH A NEW WHEEL HOUSE LINER THAT WILL BETTER PROTECT THE CAR'S FILLER NECK. JETTA VEHICLES WILL BE FITTED WITH A DIFFERENT METAL SHIELD DESIGNED TO ENHANCE ABRASION PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF TIRE DISINTEGRATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 13, 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 VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
02V026000 · 4,87,284 units in campaign · NHTSA
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorised dealer
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TIE RODS OF THE STEERING ASSEMBLY ARE PROTECTED ON EACH SIDE BY A SEAL TO PREVENT MOISTURE AND DUST PARTICLES FROM ENTERING THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT SOME TIE ROD SEALS MAY NOT SEAL PROPERLY.
IF MOISTURE AND/OR DUST PARTICLES ENTER THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM, THE SWIVEL BEARING COULD WEAR OVER TIME DIMINISHING THE STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE RODS.
99V248000 · 51,900 units in campaign · NHTSA
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorised dealer
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. A CONTROL VALVE IN THE VACUUM HOSE CONNECTING THE BRAKE BOOSTER TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD MAY NOT OPEN OR CLOSE FULLY AT TEMPERATURES BELOW -4 F UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS.
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE INSUFFICIENT VACUUM TO BE PROVIDED TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A VACUUM BY-PASS SYSTEM INTO VEHICLES OPERATED IN THESE STATES WHICH IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT VACUUM FOR FULL BRAKE ASSIST UNDER ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS.
99V131001 · 88,121 units in campaign · NHTSA
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorised dealer
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE BACKFIRES DURING A COLD-START, AN AIR SCREEN WHICH IS LOOSELY SEATED IN THE AIR FLOW METER CAN BECOME DAMAGED.
SCREEN PIECES COULD ENTER THE INTAKE AIR FLOW SYSTEM AND PREVENT THE THROTTLE PLATE FROM RETURNING TO ITS FULL IDLE POSITION.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RETAINING RING TO HOLD THE AIR SCREEN IN PLACE.
98V134000 · 19,800 units in campaign · NHTSA
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorised dealer
1998 Volkswagen Passat recall questions
Transport Canada lists 3 recalls for the 1998 Volkswagen Passat model year. That counts campaigns naming this model year, not recalls on your vehicle: many cover only a VIN range or production window, and some only vehicles found on inspection. NHTSA lists 5 United States campaigns for the US-market model, shown separately; a US campaign may have no Canadian equivalent.
Enter your VIN in Volkswagen's Canadian recall lookup, or call a Volkswagen dealer with your VIN. In Canada the manufacturer is responsible for showing recall and repair status for each VIN, so its lookup is the authoritative answer. Cardog uses your VIN only to find the model year; the recalls shown here are listed for that model year and are not matched to your VIN.
Not necessarily. NHTSA campaigns cover vehicles sold in the United States, and NHTSA's VIN lookup has no Canadian data. When a defect also affects Canadian vehicles, the manufacturer files a separate notice with Transport Canada, often under a different number and sometimes covering a different set of vehicles. For a Canadian vehicle, go by the Transport Canada listing and Volkswagen's Canadian lookup.
Safety recall repairs are normally done at no charge by an authorised Volkswagen dealer. The manufacturer's notice for each campaign sets out the remedy and any conditions, so confirm with the dealer when you book.
Once Volkswagen's lookup or a dealer confirms a recall applies, book the repair with an authorised Volkswagen dealer and bring your VIN. If the manufacturer's notice says not to drive the vehicle or to park it outside, follow that instruction. Parts can take time, so book early.
Follow the manufacturer's notice for that recall. Most allow normal driving until the repair; some tell owners to stop driving or to park outside until it is fixed. Cardog does not grade recalls by severity: the manufacturer's notice and your dealer are the source.
Manufacturers must notify owners they have on record. If you bought the vehicle used or have moved, update your details with Volkswagen Canada so notices reach you, and check the manufacturer's lookup from time to time.
Related recall checks
Compare recall listings with alternatives to the 1998 Volkswagen Passat.