What's New for 1998 Volkswagen GTI
Knowing how much a vehicle has changed from previous model years can help provide additional context when reviewing reliability ratings. Our Editors give you the bottom-line on what's new, the pros, the cons and more.
What's New for 1998
The GTI VR6 receives several cosmetic upgrades taken from the 1997 Driver's Edition. Among them are a chrome-tipped exhaust pipe, silver/white-faced instruments, embossed sill covers, leather-wrapped steering wheel, shift boot and hand brake lever, new Sport-Jacquard seat fabric and the aluminum ball shift knob. Exclusive to the VR6 for 1998 are the Speedline 15-inch alloys from the Driver's Edition and one-touch up power windows with pinch protection. All GTIs get standard remote keyless entry, and side-impact airbags are optional. Read More
Long-Term Reliability Ratings by Identifix
Portions © 2008 by Identifix, Inc. All rights reserved
Ratings Key
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Minimal Problems |
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Moderate Problems |
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Significant Problems |
1998 Volkswagen GTI Reliability Rating
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Rating |
Comments |
| Engine |
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Occasional problems on this vehicle, 4-cylinder engines only, are failures of the Timing Belt and Mass Air Flow Sensor. A periodic problem on this vehicle is failure of the Vacuum Hoses. The cost to repair the Timing Belt is $28.00 for parts and $117.00 for labor on gasoline engines and $63.00 for parts and $227.00 for labor on diesel engines. The cost to repair the Mass Air Flow Sensor is $380.00 for parts and $65.00 for labor. Volkswagen has issued a warranty extension due to the high number of Mass Air Flow failures. Mass Air Flow sensors are now warranted for 7 years, 70,000 miles on 1999 through 2001 Volkswagen vehicles. The cost to repair the Vacuum Hoses is $25.00 for parts and $65.00 for labor. All prices are estimates based on $65 per flat rate hour and do not include diagnostic time or any applicable sales tax. |
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A periodic problem on this vehicle is failure of the Ignition Switch. This failure will prevent the vehicle from starting. The cost to repair the Ignition Switch is estimated at $27.50 for parts and $136.50 for labor. All prices are estimates based on $65 per flat rate hour and do not include diagnostic time or any applicable sales tax. |
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| Overall |
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4 out of 5 |
Reliability ratings displayed above reflect style specific standard features and may vary from aggregated values displayed for the same year in the historical model overview below.
Reliability History for Volkswagen GTI
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Reliability History for Volkswagen
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