One problem related to battery dead has been reported for the 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Car stalled on busy interstate due to air intake failure, battery failure prompted me to purchase a replacement from my ase certified mechanic. Once the replacement was installed, we discovered the diagnostic connector was vw specific, not obd ii compliant as required by law. In order to reset the computer codes, I had to tow the car to a vw dealer, the only party who has the vw compliant connector. Multiple electrical system problems and the way the car just dies at speed and without warning make it a very unsafe vehicle.