1996 Volkswagen Jetta vs 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 1996 Volkswagen Jetta | 1998 Volkswagen Jetta |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 31 | 192 |
| Recall campaigns | 0 | 2 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 44 | 74 |
| Investigations | 5 | 2 |
| Crash reports | 2 | 11 |
| Fire reports | 0 | 8 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 22–38 | 22–37 |
| Median reported mileage | — | 83,282 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Volkswagen Jetta | Volkswagen Jetta |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 13 | 42 |
| Electrical System | 4 | 41 |
| Tires | 0 | 19 |
| Power Train | 2 | 14 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 15 |
| Steering | 3 | 12 |
| Structure | 1 | 14 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | 11 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 0 | 13 |
| Airbag warning light | 0 | 5 |
1996 Volkswagen Jetta
1998 Volkswagen Jetta
Compare all Volkswagen Jetta vs Volkswagen Jetta years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.