IllustrationMY CAR IS EXHIBITING SEVERAL OF THE SYMPTOMS LISTED WITH REGARDS TO THE FUEL PUMP RECALL. VW HAS CONTACTED ME WITH NO ETA ON WHEN THE ISSUE CAN BE RESOLVED. VEHICLE IS EXHIBITING NO CRANK (STATIONARY) AND HAS LOST POWER (WHILE DRIVING) AND THE BATTERY WHICH WAS LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD HAD TO RECENTLY BE REPLACED.
2008 Volkswagen Passat
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2008 Volkswagen Passat do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 110.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Passat 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
120–25K
1825–50K
1450–75K
3175–100K
36100–150K
15150K+
126 reports with mileage · 42 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.
- Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports6 fire reports2 injury reports
Fuel/propulsion System complaints
44 reportsENGINE STALLS SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING--JUST A MOMENTARY HICKUP
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE STARTED RUNNING ROUGH. THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL SENSOR FAILED RUINING THE CAMSHAFT AND ASSOCIATED PARTS. THE DEALER SAID THERE IS METAL IN THE OIL. ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH RECALL FOR 2007 VW 2.0T ENGINES BUT NO RECALL ON 2008S.
THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE SINCE AUGUST 16, 2017 ON THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE AND AND IT IS GETTING WORSE AND WORSE ON MY VEHICLE AND MY VW DEALERSHIP SAID THEY CANT GET THE PRODUCT TO REPLACE IT AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHEN IT WILL BE IN. I AM GETTING TERRIBLE GAS MILEAGE AND IT CUTS OUT, WHICH IS DANGEROUS.
MY 2008 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT HAS CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. THERE IS NO WARNING LIGHT, IT SIMPLY TURNS OFF AND FLASHES THE BATTERY SIGNAL AND TURNS OFF. THE OTHER TIMES NO OTHER LIGHT IS PRESENT. DUE TO THIS ISSUE, CHANGED OUT FUEL PUMP,CRANK POSITION SENSOR, ENGINE HARNESS, SPARK PLUGS, O2 SENSOR, AND OIL CHANGE. ISSUE STILL PERSISTS.…
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MY 2008 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT HAS CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. THERE IS NO WARNING LIGHT, IT SIMPLY TURNS OFF AND FLASHES THE BATTERY SIGNAL AND TURNS OFF. THE OTHER TIMES NO OTHER LIGHT IS PRESENT. DUE TO THIS ISSUE, CHANGED OUT FUEL PUMP,CRANK POSITION SENSOR, ENGINE HARNESS, SPARK PLUGS, O2 SENSOR, AND OIL CHANGE. ISSUE STILL PERSISTS. I ALMOST GOT HIT BY A SEMI TRUCK WHEN IT CUT OFF. THERE IS NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PRESENT AT ALL. THE BATTERY IS GOOD. IT'S AS IF I'M DRIVING AND THE FUEL CUTS OFF. I ALREADY CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP AND ENGINE HARNESS, DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE COULD CAUSE THIS. BIG SAFETY ISSUE AS CAR GIVES NO WARNING AND JUST TURNS OFF WHILE ON HIGHWAY OR WHEN COMING TO A STOP SIGN WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION.
SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE CAR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT IT FAILED TO REMAIN ON. THE CONTACT WAS CLOSE TO HOME AND PUSHED THE VEHICLE BACK INTO HER DRIVEWAY. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP MODULE FAILED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT IT FAILED TO REMAIN ON. THE CONTACT WAS CLOSE TO HOME AND PUSHED THE VEHICLE BACK INTO HER DRIVEWAY. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED SINCE IT WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V509000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL A DEALER. THE LOW COUNTRY VOLKSWAGEN DEALER (1001 JOHNNIE DODDS BLVD, MT PLEASANT, SC 29464 (843) 881-8555) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL DECEMBER OR JANUARY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
SOMETIMES VEHICLE STALLS UPON STARTING AND THEN WILL RESTART. THE VEHICLE SOMETIMES SHAKES AND SPUTTERS AND THEN STALLS WHILE STOPPED. ALSO, MANY TIMES CAR WILL STALL WHEN VEHICLE IS MOVING SOMETIMES AT HIGH SPEEDS WITH NO WARNING AND HAS ALMOST RESULTED IN NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS DUE TO STALLING IN MIDDLE OF ROAD OR HIGHWAY. THIS HA…
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SOMETIMES VEHICLE STALLS UPON STARTING AND THEN WILL RESTART. THE VEHICLE SOMETIMES SHAKES AND SPUTTERS AND THEN STALLS WHILE STOPPED. ALSO, MANY TIMES CAR WILL STALL WHEN VEHICLE IS MOVING SOMETIMES AT HIGH SPEEDS WITH NO WARNING AND HAS ALMOST RESULTED IN NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS DUE TO STALLING IN MIDDLE OF ROAD OR HIGHWAY. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING WELL OVER A YEAR.
ENGINE WOULD SHUT OFF WITHIN 1-90 SECONDS AFTER STARTING, THEREBY DISABLING ALL ACCESSORIES INCLUDING POWER STEERING & BRAKES, CAUSING LOSS O CONTROL OF VEHICLE, SOMETIMES WHILE AT HIGH SPEED ON HIGHWAY. DIAGNOSED BY LOCAL SHOP AS A FAILURE OF THE CAM FOLLOWER, WHICH WORE THROUGH, IN TURN CAUSING FAILURE OF THE HIGH PRESSURE…
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ENGINE WOULD SHUT OFF WITHIN 1-90 SECONDS AFTER STARTING, THEREBY DISABLING ALL ACCESSORIES INCLUDING POWER STEERING & BRAKES, CAUSING LOSS O CONTROL OF VEHICLE, SOMETIMES WHILE AT HIGH SPEED ON HIGHWAY. DIAGNOSED BY LOCAL SHOP AS A FAILURE OF THE CAM FOLLOWER, WHICH WORE THROUGH, IN TURN CAUSING FAILURE OF THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, AS WELL AS SCORING OF THE INTAKE CAMSHAFT, NECESSITATING REPLACEMENT OF ALL THREE COMPONENTS.
DRIVING NORMALLY ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED RUNNING. VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. AAA ADVISED AND VEHICLE DELIVERED TO MY LOCAL VW MECHANIC. I ADVISED VW AND THEY NEVER HEARD OF THAT PROBLEM. FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CAR HAS 35000 MILES. VW CUSTOMER SERVICE ADVISED ME THAT THE 2008 PASSAT IS NOT INCLUD…
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DRIVING NORMALLY ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED RUNNING. VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. AAA ADVISED AND VEHICLE DELIVERED TO MY LOCAL VW MECHANIC. I ADVISED VW AND THEY NEVER HEARD OF THAT PROBLEM. FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CAR HAS 35000 MILES. VW CUSTOMER SERVICE ADVISED ME THAT THE 2008 PASSAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY CAMPAIGN, SUCH AS A RECALL OR WARRANTY EXTENSION. FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED.
Official recalls
418V148000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Mar 6, 2018
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Volkswagen CC, 2010-2014 Golf, 2010-2014 Eos, 2007-2010 Passat Sedan and Wagon, and 2012-2014 Passat vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 16, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q9. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
17V509000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
Aug 16, 2017
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2016 Volkswagen CC, 2006-2010 Passat and Passat Wagon vehicles. Interruption of electrical power to the fuel pump control module may cause the fuel pump to fail.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump control module, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20AE.
16V078000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Feb 10, 2016
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
08V235000 · Engine And Engine Cooling
May 28, 2008
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 4,079 MY 2008 PASSAT AND 2,500 MY 2009 TIGUAN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.0T FSI ULEV II ENGINES. THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) CONTAINING SOFTWARE THAT MAY NOT PROPERLY CONTROL ENGINE IDLE WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING TURNED ON. IN RARE CASES, THE ECM MAY UNEXPECTEDLY INCREASE ENGINE RPM.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AN ENGINE SURGE CAUSED BY AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN ENGINE RPM MAY SURPRISE THE VEHICLE OPERATOR AND CAN RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND UPDATE THE ECM SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 30, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-893-5298.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.