Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

1998 vs 1999 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 335 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▲ 92.7% more reports in the equal exposure window

1998 178 complaints 1999 343 complaints

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Component share shift

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table
Component 1998 share 1999 share Share change
ENGINE 5.1% 16.6% ▲ 11.6 pts larger share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 16.9% 9.3% ▼ 7.5 pts smaller share
SEAT BELTS 1.7% 5.8% ▲ 4.1 pts larger share
TIRES 3.9% 0.6% ▼ 3.4 pts smaller share
AIR BAGS 3.9% 7.0% ▲ 3.1 pts larger share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 3.4% 6.4% ▲ 3.0 pts larger share
STEERING 3.9% 1.2% ▼ 2.8 pts smaller share
WHEELS 2.8% 0.3% ▼ 2.5 pts smaller share
SERVICE BRAKES 3.9% 5.8% ▲ 1.9 pts larger share
FUEL SYSTEM 3.9% 2.9% ▼ 1.0 pts smaller share
SUSPENSION 3.4% 2.6% ▼ 0.8 pts smaller share
STRUCTURE 5.6% 5.0% ▼ 0.7 pts smaller share
PARKING BRAKE 0.6% not reported ▼ 0.6 pts smaller share
POWER TRAIN 6.2% 6.7% ▲ 0.5 pts larger share
VISIBILITY 20.2% 19.8% ▼ 0.4 pts smaller share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 3.9% 3.8% ▼ 0.1 pts smaller share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 80.9% 78.4% ▼ 2.5 pts smaller share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

1998 3

Campaign components: EQUIPMENT and FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1999 7

Campaign components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, EQUIPMENT, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, and STRUCTURE

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
8 → 7
◆ Injuries
7 → 28