DRIVER SIDE FRONT AND REAR DOORS DON'T LOCK. THERE IS NO OPTION TO MANUALLY LOCK IT, THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION HAS MALFUNCTIONED AND THERE IS NO WAY TO LOCK THESE DOORS. THERE IS RISK OF THE DOORS FLINGING OPEN IN CASE OF ACCIDENT ESPECIALLY WITH A CHILD SITTING IN THE REAR SEAT. *TR
2008 Volkswagen Jetta
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Jetta years
Owner complaints for the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta are substantially higher than the model-year median of 68.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Jetta years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
160 reports with mileage · 28 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Power Train. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Structure complaints
4 reportsSUNROOF WOULD OPEN AND CLOSE AT RANDOM, HAD THAT FIXED WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. NOW THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT LOCK AND THE ALARM WILL NOT TURN ON. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS WELL AS A THEFT ISSUE AND APPEARS ITS PRETTY COMMON DUE TO PREVIOUS VW THREADS. AT $400 REPAIR COSTS AND VW KNOWING THIS IS AN ISSUE, I FEEL THIS SHOU…
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SUNROOF WOULD OPEN AND CLOSE AT RANDOM, HAD THAT FIXED WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. NOW THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT LOCK AND THE ALARM WILL NOT TURN ON. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS WELL AS A THEFT ISSUE AND APPEARS ITS PRETTY COMMON DUE TO PREVIOUS VW THREADS. AT $400 REPAIR COSTS AND VW KNOWING THIS IS AN ISSUE, I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE ELEVATED TO A RECALL STATUS AND NOT CHARGEABLE TO OWNERS. PLEASE HELP ME/US, I CANT AFFORD THE REPAIR!!! *TR
APPARENTLY THIS CAR WAS IN A SERIOUS FRONT END ACCIDENT THAT WAS NOT REPAIRED PROPERLY. I PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM CARMAX. I WAS UNAWARE OF THE PREVIOUS ACCIDENT. IT WAS ONLY UNTIL I HAD MY WINDSHIELD REPLACED AFTER TAKING A STONE TO IT THAT MANY PROBLEMS WERE SHOWN TO ME INCLUDING PARTS MISSING, BENT RIM, FRAUDULENT REPRESENTATI…
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APPARENTLY THIS CAR WAS IN A SERIOUS FRONT END ACCIDENT THAT WAS NOT REPAIRED PROPERLY. I PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM CARMAX. I WAS UNAWARE OF THE PREVIOUS ACCIDENT. IT WAS ONLY UNTIL I HAD MY WINDSHIELD REPLACED AFTER TAKING A STONE TO IT THAT MANY PROBLEMS WERE SHOWN TO ME INCLUDING PARTS MISSING, BENT RIM, FRAUDULENT REPRESENTATION BY CAR MAX. *TR
TOXIC MOLD: THANK YOU FOR THIS MESSAGE. FOR THE RECORD, WE DID NOT REQUEST FINANCIAL RELIEF FOR THE MOLD PROBLEM WITH OUR 2008 LEASED VOLKSWAGEN (VW) JETTA. WE REQUESTED RECEIPT OF A NEW, MOLD-FREE VEHICLE FOR THE COMPLETION OF OUR LEASE. THIS REQUEST WAS MADE BECAUSE OF THE RECURRENT MOLD PROBLEM THAT RESULTED FROM A MANUFA…
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TOXIC MOLD: THANK YOU FOR THIS MESSAGE. FOR THE RECORD, WE DID NOT REQUEST FINANCIAL RELIEF FOR THE MOLD PROBLEM WITH OUR 2008 LEASED VOLKSWAGEN (VW) JETTA. WE REQUESTED RECEIPT OF A NEW, MOLD-FREE VEHICLE FOR THE COMPLETION OF OUR LEASE. THIS REQUEST WAS MADE BECAUSE OF THE RECURRENT MOLD PROBLEM THAT RESULTED FROM A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECTIVE GASKET SEAL ON THE CAR'S TRUNK. WE ALSO MUST ITERATE THAT THE MOLD IS A SERIOUS TOXIC HEALTH HAZARD FOR WHICH WE WILL HOLD VOLKWAGEN RESPONSIBLE IF HEALTH, I.E., BREATHING OR OTHER MOLD RELATED PROBLEMS RESULT FROM THIS HAZARDOUS CONDITION FOR WHICH VW REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY BY EITHER FULLY ABATING THE MOLD IN THIS VEHICLE OR REPLACING THE VEHICLE WITH A HEALTHY, I.E., MOLD-FREE, VEHICLE. IT IS OUR DESIRE TO RECEIVE FULL-SERVICE FROM THE VEHICLE THAT I AM CURRENTLY LEASING, HOWEVER, IF IT IS DETERMINED BY CERTIFIED MOLD INSPECTORS, THAT THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE DUE TO A TOXIC MOLD INFESTATION, WE WILL PURSUE THIS MATTER TO THE FULL-EXTENT OF THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA, AND THOSE OF THE U.S. FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. VOLKSWAGEN'S CALLOUS DETERMINATION THAT THE HEALTH OF THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS OF THIS LEASED VW VEHICLE ARE NOT WORTHY OF THE CONCERN AND RESOLUTION OF THIS PROBLEM, IS AN UNFORTUNATE SITUATION THAT MUST BE MADE KNOWN TO ALL VW OWNERS/DRIVERS/PASSENGERS, AND PARTICULARLY TO THE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES THAT REGULATE THE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY, AND THE CONSUMER HEALTH AGENCIES OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA AN THE UNITED STATES. TO ALL THOSE IN RECEIPT OF THIS MESSAGE, PLEASE PASS THIS ALONG TO ALL PEOPLE YOU KNOW WHO DRIVE CARS, RIDE IN CARS, OR WHO ARE IN THE MARKET TO PURCHASE OR LEASE A CAR. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION OF THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF ALL VEHICLE OWNERS, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO OWN OR LEASE VOLKSWAGEN VEHICLES. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PLEASE CONTACT ME BY RESPONSE TO THIS E-MAIL. *TR
Official recalls
419V679000 · Unknown Or Other
Sep 25, 2019
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015 Golf Sportwagen, 2013 Golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and Beetle Convertible vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01D7. Note: This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 18V-329.
10V621000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Dec 10, 2010
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 JETTA, NEW BEETLE, NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE, MODEL YEAR 2009 JETTA SPORTWAGEN AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 RABBIT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES. THE JETTA, JETTA SPORTWAGEN, AND RABBIT VEHICLES MAY HAVE A SMALL PLASTIC TAB LOCATED ON THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR THAT MAY CHAFE AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE. THE NEW BEETLE AND THE NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A FASTENING CLAMP ON A HYDRAULIC HOSE OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM THAT MAY BE LOCATED IN AN IMPROPER POSITION WHICH COULD CAUSE CHAFING AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF CHAFING OCCURS, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A FUEL LEAK TO DEVELOP. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE UNDERHOOD FUEL LINE. ADDITIONALLY, DEPENDING ON THE VEHICLE MODEL, DEALERS WILL EITHER REMOVE THE PLASTIC TAB FROM THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR, OR INSPECT THE POSITION OF THE FASTENING CLAMP AND ADJUST THE RELATED FASTENING CLAMP INTO THE CORRECT POSITION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
09V164000 · Power Train:driveline:driveshaft
May 19, 2009
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 25,594 MY 2006-2009 JETTA 5TH GENERATION EQUIPPED WITH 2.01 ENGINE. THE FASTENING SCREW CONTACT SURFACES ON THE DRIVESHAFT COVER PLATE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS. SOME SCREWS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TORQUED PROPERLY DURING ASSEMBLY AND COULD LOOSEN OVER TIME, CAUSING A KNOCKING SOUND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THE DRIVESHAFT SCREWS COULD LOOSEN TO THE POINT WHERE THE DRIVESHAFT DETACHES FROM THE GEARBOX.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE VEHICLE IS MOVING WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE DETACHED DRIVESHAFT COULD CAUSE DAMAGE THE GEARBOX HOUSING. A DAMAGE GEARBOX HOUSING COULD LEAK GEARBOX OIL ONTO THE STREET AND CREATE A RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH FOR BOTH THE DRIVER AND OTHER MOTORISTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DRIVESHAFT SCREWS AND REPLACE THE SCREWS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 24, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
07V442000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights
Sep 24, 2007
CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." SOME VEHICLES MAY NOT HAVE HAD A REQUIRED CAP INSTALLED WHICH DISABLES THE HEADLIGHT HORIZONTAL AIM AND SOME VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN A CAP THAT DISABLES THE VERTICAL AIMING SCREW.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: NONCOMPLIANCE CAN INHIBIT PROPER HEADLAMP AIM ADJUSTMENT FOR ROADWAY ILLUMINATION, IMPROPERLY AIMED HEADLAMPS COULD CAUSE REDUCED ROAD VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF A CAP IN THE SOCKET OF THE LOW BEAM HORIZONTAL AIMING SCREW AND INSTALL ONE IF MISSING, AND INSPECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF A CAP IN THE SOCKET OF THE VERTICAL AIMING SCREW AND IF PRESENT, THE CAP WILL BE REMOVED. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON OCTOBER 31, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE09035 · Vehicle Stall/loss Motive Power
Opened Jul 17, 2009 · Closed Nov 19, 2009
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:manual Transmission
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH DIRECT SHIFT GEARBOX (DSG) TRANSMISSIONS, WHICH FEATURE A 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC GEARBOX WITH TWO WET RUNNING CLUTCHES (DUAL CLUTCH) IN WHICH THE CLUTCH MECHANISM AND GEAR CHANGES ARE ELECTROHYDRAULICALLY OPERATED BY A MECHATRONIC CONTROL UNIT.THE DSG MECHATRONIC CONTROLLER INCLUDES EXTENSIVE SELF DIAGNOSTIC FUNCTIONS AND STRATEGIES TO ENSURE SAFE OPERATION AND PREVENT SYSTEM/COMPONENT DAMAGE IN THE EVENT OF COMPONENT FAILURES OR HARSH OPERATING CONDITIONS.THE BASIC HIERARCHY OF FAULT MODES INCLUDES SOME THAT ONLY RESULT IN THE STORAGE OF A DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) AND CAUSE NO LOSS OF FUNCTION, SOME THAT STORE A DTC AND REDUCE VEHICLE OPERATION TO A LIMP HOME MODE, AND SOME THAT STORE A DTC AND CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF MOTIVE POWER (I.E., OPEN CLUTCH).THE DRIVER IS ALERTED TO THE LATTER TWO MODES BY THE DASH GEAR POSITION INDICATOR (PRNDS) FLASHING. ONE OF THE CONDITIONS THAT RESULTS IN INTERRUPTION OF MOTIVE POWER IS EXCESS GEARBOX TEMPERATURE.THE SYSTEM INITIALLY RESPONDS TO INCREASED GEARBOX TEMPERATURE BY RAMPING DOWN ENGINE TORQUE.IF THE TEMPERATURE KEEPS RISING THE MECHATRONIC UNIT RESPONDS BY OPENING THE CLUTCH.IN A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT SUBMITTED TO NHTSA ON AUGUST 20, 2009, VOLKSWAGEN DESCRIBED A POTENTIAL DEFECT IN THE WIRING HARNESSES OF THE DSG GEARBOX TEMPERATURE SENSORS USED IN APPROXIMATELY 16,000 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2009 AND 2010 VOLKSWAGEN (EOS, JETTA AND GTI) AND AUDI (A3 AND TT/TT ROADSTER) VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DSG TRANSMISSIONS AND BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 2008 THROUGH AUGUST 2009 (NHTSA RECALL NO. 09V-333, VOLKSWAGEN RECALL NO. 37E3/S7 AND AUDI RECALL NO 37E4/J7). VOLKSWAGEN PROVIDED THIS DESCRIPTION OF THE DEFECT, THE WIRING HARNESS OF A TEMPERATURE SENSOR IN THE DSG MAY HAVE CONNECTOR WIRES THAT WERE INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED BY THE CONNECTOR SUPPLIER DURING A LIMITED PRODUCTION PERIOD.WITH INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED CONNECTOR WIRES, A TEMPERATURE SENSOR HAS THE POTENTIAL TO FALSELY DETECT A HIGH GEARBOX OIL TEMPERATURE, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO ABRUPTLY SHIFT TO NEUTRAL.IF THIS HAPPENS, THE SELECTOR LEVER POSITION INDICATOR WITHIN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL FLASH.IN ADDITION, THE DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL INDICATOR LIGHT WILL BE ILLUMINATED, ALERTING THE DRIVER TO APPLY THE BRAKES.IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, THE ABRUPT SHIFT TO NEUTRAL COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.VOLKSWAGEN ESTIMATED THAT LESS THAN ONE PERCENT OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN THE DEFECT CONDITION. ODI IDENTIFIED 40 COMPLAINTS THAT APPEAR TO BE RELATED TO THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR DEFECT CONDITION DESCRIBED BY VOLKSWAGEN.VOLKSWAGEN RECEIVED 139 COMPLAINTS RELATED TO THE CONDITION, WITH 7 INVOLVING VEHICLES REPORTED TO ODI, RESULTING A 172 TOTAL COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND VOLKSWAGEN.ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS INVOLVE THE MY 2009 AN 2010 VEHICLES SUBJECT TO RECALL 09V-333. ODI ALSO IDENTIFIED COMPLAINTS OF HARSH/JERKY SHIFTING IN SOME VOLKSWAGEN VEHICLES WITH DSG.VOLKSWAGEN ATTRIBUTED THIS CONDITION, WHICH TYPICALLY OCCURS AT VERY LOW SPEEDS, TO EXCESSIVE WEAR IN THE BUSHINGS OF THE TWO SOLENOID VALVES IN THE MECHATRONIC UNIT THAT CONTROL CLUTCH OPERATION.VOLKSWAGEN DOES NOT BELIEVE THAT THE THIS CONDITION IS A SAFETY DEFECT BECAUSE THE CHANGES IN SHIFT QUALITY DEVELOP GRADUALLY OVER TIME, DO NOT CAUSE A LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER AND HAVE NOT RESULTED IN ANY FATALITIES, INJURIES OR SERIOUS CRASHES (THERE WERE THREE REPORTED PROPERTY DAMAGE INCIDENTS RESULTING IN MINOR BODY DAMAGE IN VERY LOW SPEED, PARKING MANEUVERS).VOLKSWAGEN ADDRESSED THIS PROBLEM IN THE FIELD WITH A CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM THAT INCLUDES THE REPLACEMENT OF POTENTIALLY AFFECTED MECHATRONIC UNITS AS WELL
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