Model year guide

1998 Volkswagen Cabrio

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

1998 Volkswagen Cabrio — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1998 Volkswagen Cabrio at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints25
Combined22–24 mpg

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1998 Volkswagen Cabrio recalls 1

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap NHTSA Campaign #02V026000 · 25/01/2002

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.

Fix: 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 W…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1998 Volkswagen Cabrio common problems

Owners have filed 25 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — and what to check before you buy.

Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Visibility
Test wipers, washers, defrosters and all mirrors. Check the windshield for cracks and any camera/sensor for fogging or faults.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.

1998 Volkswagen Cabrio MPG & running costs

Combined22–24 mpg
City20 mpg
Highway27 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,925
EPA size classSubcompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd
Passenger volume82 cu ft
Cargo volume8 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$2,625 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$14,625
Fuel only$14,625
Per mile$0.20

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

1998 Volkswagen Cabrio trims & engines on record

Trims
GLS
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl 115 hp

1998 Volkswagen Cabrio vehicles on record

1998 Volkswagen Cabrio 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio GLS3VWBA81E7WM805141

Other Volkswagen Cabrio model years

2002 2001 2000 1999

1998 Volkswagen Cabrio — frequently asked questions

Does the 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio?

Owners have filed 25 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are structure, visibility, engine and engine cooling.

What gas mileage does the 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio get?

The 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio has U.S. EPA estimates of 22–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.