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1998 Volkswagen Passat

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1998 Passat.

The 1998 Volkswagen Passat is a model whose engine is specified to use 3.7 qt of oil meeting 5W‑30, 5W‑40 or 10W‑30 viscosity grades. Over its production life it has generated 376 owner complaints, with suspension problems accounting for the largest share, and five recall campaigns have been issued. Its complaint history from 1990 to 2022 shows a peak of 747 complaints in 2013 and a low of 11 in 2022, placing the 1998 model near the lower end of its historical complaint range. Consequently, the 1998 Passat is generally regarded as having modest reliability relative to later years of the nameplate.

Model year2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 1998

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity3.7 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 / 5W-40 / 10W-30OEM · verified

Lug nut torque81 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 · 540 CCA battery, OE oil filter 078115561J. Note the factory front wiper blades and serpentine belt are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 48 · 540 CCAOEM · verified

Tire size195-65HR15OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	078115561J alt 06A115561B
Engine air filter	058133843
Fuel filter	1H0201511A
Spark plug	101000035HJ alt 101000051AA
Battery	000915105AF alt 000915105AG
Front wiper blades	3A1955427A discontinued · alt 3A1955425A
Serpentine belt	06B260849B discontinued · alt 058145271
Thermostat	050121113C alt 078121113F
Cabin air filter	8A0819439A alt 8D0819165B

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	184.3 in
Overall width	68.5 in
Overall height	57.5 in
Wheelbase	106.3 in
Curb weight	3120 lb
Track (front / rear)	59.1 / 59.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	61/39

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Passat of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.8–8.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.80 sec — 1998 GLS 1.8T Sedan

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1998	GLS 1.8T Sedan 1.8L Turbo I-4	7.80 sec	16.20 sec	150 hp	FWD
1998	GLS 1.8T Sedan 1.8L Turbo I-4	7.90 sec	16.10 sec	150 hp	FWD
1998	GLS 1.8T Sedan 1.8L Turbo I-4	8.00 sec	16.30 sec	150 hp	FWD
1999	GLS 1.8T Wagon 1.8L Turbo I-4	8.50 sec	16.60 sec	150 hp	FWD
1999	GLX V6 4Motion Syncro Wagon 2.8L V6	9.80 sec	17.30 sec	190 hp	AWD
1996	TDI Sedan 1.9L Turbo Diesel I-4	11.00 sec	18.10 sec	90 hp	FWD
2000	GLX V6 4Motion Sedan 2.8L V6	8.60 sec	16.60 sec	190 hp	AWD
2001	GLX V6 Sedan 2.8L V6	7.30 sec	15.60 sec	190 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 3.7 qt of 5W-30 / 5W-40 / 10W-30 engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 81 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 22.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-3-6-2-5. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 4
Engine Coolant	USE G012ABG-A1 COOLANT
Engine Oil	5W-30 · 5W-40 · 10W-30 · 10W-40 · 5W-50 · 10W-50 · 10W-60
Engine Oil Capacity	3.7 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · 5W-40 · 10W-30 · 10W-40 · 5W-50 · 10W-50 · 10W-60
Engine Oil Capacity	6.3 qt
Power Steering Fluid	USE VW. PART NO. G002000

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	7 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	18 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	22.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	22.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	7 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts

81 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order	1-4-3-6-2-5
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	870 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	800 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	60 rpm

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.43 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	100
Oil Capacity	8.45 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	540 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	48

Service checks

Injector Primary Resistance	13.5-14.5 Siemens ohms
Engine Oil Pressure	17.4-23.2 psi @ idle, 39.1-65.2 psi @ 2000
Intake Valve Lash	Hydraulic in
Exhaust Valve Lash	Hydraulic in

Brakes

Brake Application	LUCAS
Torque Caliper to Bracket	11 ft-lbs / 92 ft-lbs / 22 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	92 ft-lbs / 89 ft-lbs / 70 ft-lbs
Other	TEVES
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.276; Rear: 0.276 specification
Brake Application	LUCAS
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.012 in / 0.02 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

74 ft. lbs., step 2: 90

74 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

1	30 ft. lbs.	30 ft. lbs
2	44 ft. lbs.	44 ft. lbs
3	90 degrees.	90 degrees
4	90 degrees.	90 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	44 ft. lbs.	44 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees.	90 degrees
3	90 degrees.	90 degrees

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

44 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

44 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi.

Every 5,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
At 7,500 mi	Clutch Assembly (inspect)
Every 10,000 mi	Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Neutral Safety Switch (test) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Windshield Washer System (inspect fluid level)
Every 15,000 mi	Clutch Assembly (inspect)
Every 20,000 mi	Battery (inspect electrolyte level) · Door Stop (lubricate) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Transmission Assembly (inspect) · Universal Vehicle Operation (read dtcs) · Vacuum Line (inspect)
Every 40,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Timing Belt (inspect)
At 105,000 mi	Timing Belt Tensioner (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1998 Passat sits at the peak of the 1990‑2004 trend, with 376 complaints, 5 recalls, and 4 investigations, far exceeding the modest figures of 1997 (80 complaints) and the even higher 1999 (675 complaints) that follow. Recall activity climbed from a single recall in 1995 to five in 1998, indicating a sharp uptick in safety‑related issues during this generation. The top complaint categories—Suspension (73), Service Brakes (65), Steering (35), and Engine & Cooling (25)—highlight the most frequent mechanical concerns for that year. Given the spike in complaints and recalls relative to adjacent years, a 1998 model is less desirable than earlier or later years in this cohort, and prospective buyers should seek thorough pre‑purchase inspections.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

112

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

376

Owner complaints

6 involved a crash · 4 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97’98’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’22

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 376 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Suspension73

Service Brakes, Hydraulic65

Steering35

Engine & Engine Cooling25

Visibility22

Electrical System18

Power Train16

Fuel System, Gasoline13

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09E025000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 11/05/2009

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… Remedy: 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…

99V248000Steering:Linkages:Rod:Relay:ConnectingReported 13/09/1999

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… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE RODS.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 112 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
V171901201285565	2023-08-21	Engine And Engine Cooling	Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards
V171901201285562	2023-05-30	Engine And Engine Cooling	Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
V171901201285560	2023-04-24	Engine And Engine Cooling	Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
V941901201152119	2022-12-12	Equipment	Update model year applicability to include 2023.
V271901201189422	2022-12-06	Electrical System	Battery testing and charging using special tools VAS6161 & GRX3000VAS Charger. Updated to…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Passat. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 48 battery Vehicles taking 3.7 qt Engine oil filter 078115561J Engine air filter 058133843 Fuel filter 1H0201511A Spark plug 101000035HJ

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1998 Passat take?

3.7 qt of ENERGY CONSERVING OILS: 5W-30, 5W-40, 10W-30 OR 10W-40 MEETING VW SPECIFICATION VW50200, EXCEPT ENGERGY CONSERVING OILS: 5W-50, 10W-50, OR 10W-60 MEETING VW SPECIFICATION VW50200, per the factory manual.

Does the 1998 Passat have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.