1998 Volkswagen Passat Service and Repair Manual

This factory service and repair manual for the 1998 Volkswagen Passat marks a fresh engine lineup built entirely on double overhead camshafts. The four-cylinder is a turbocharged 1.8L gasoline inline-four, and the alternative is a naturally aspirated 2.8L gasoline V6. Only two trims are listed, GLS and GLX, on four-door sedan and four-door wagon bodies. The manual provides procedures, specifications, torque values, wiring diagrams and diagnostics for the engines, fuel and ignition systems, cooling, transmission, brakes, suspension, steering and electrical system.

Engines covered

• 1.8L inline-four — DOHC, turbocharged, gasoline
• 2.8L V6 — DOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline

Body styles covered

• 4-door sedan
• 4-door wagon

Trims covered

• GLS
• GLX

Known issues on the 1998 Passat. Four times, NHTSA recorded a recall on the 1998 Passat. Tie rod seals on certain 1998 Passat vehicles might not seal properly, letting grit wear the swivel bearing and weaken steering. On certain 1998 Passat vehicles with an automatic transmission, a valve in the brake booster vacuum hose could stick in severe cold. A backfire at cold start could break a loose air screen in the air flow meter of certain 1998 Passat vehicles, letting pieces hold the throttle open; that recall covered 19800 vehicles. Owners made 331 complaints, led by suspension (90) and hydraulic brakes (70); 6 reported a crash, 4 a fire, 8 an injury and 1 a death. Steering, brake and fuel procedures, torque values and diagnostics are included.