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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.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Unknown Or Other complaints

13 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2024
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

My son bought this used car. The STOP ENGINE light came on, got an oil change but the light did not go away. Were told that the oil pressure might be the issue so took it to the mechanic. We were told it was most likely the oil pressure switch. There were multiple codes(cones) and were cleared. The switch was replaced but the en…

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My son bought this used car. The STOP ENGINE light came on, got an oil change but the light did not go away. Were told that the oil pressure might be the issue so took it to the mechanic. We were told it was most likely the oil pressure switch. There were multiple codes(cones) and were cleared. The switch was replaced but the engine light's still on & the STOP ENGINE comes on but goes off. It appears it is a gas pump issue that it might be manufacture fault. Is there a recall for this issue on this 2008 Passat? It's my [XXX] 's first car, he saved & bought it but it's dangerous...he got it diagnosed & was told it's a $5,000 job. If it's an oil/gas pump manufacturer issue, is Volkswagen responsible? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11611736

Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2022
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

There is a recall with the fuel pump and the manufacturer is claiming that I need to replace certain parts to be able to do the recall.

NHTSA ODI #11488339

Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2020
EngineSteeringUnknown Or Other

WHEN I TURN ON AC THE CAR LOSES POWER AND THE BATTER ICON AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP. AFTER I TURNED OFF AC AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART CAR AFTER A FEW TRYS IT STARTED BACK UP AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF.. THIS HAD NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE

NHTSA ODI #11316418

Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2019
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

HAD FUEL MODULE RECALL FIXED AT DEALERSHIP AND 5 MONTHS LATER THE PROBLEM IS BACK THE FIX FOR THE RECALL DOES NOT WORK OR LAST NEEDS TO HAVE ANOTHER RECALL PUT OUT ON THE 2008 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

NHTSA ODI #11196090

120,000 miles · Nov 12, 2018
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

I HAD THE RECALL FOR THE FUEL PUMP REPAIRED IN AUGUST 2018 BY THE WILMINGTON DEALERSHIP. I DON'T BELIEVE IT WAS EITHER DONE RIGHT OR HOWEVER THEY DID IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IN OCTOBER 2018 MY CAR IS HAVING THE RECALL PROBLEM STARTING AGAIN WHICH IS CAUSING GASOLINE TO RUN OUT IMMEDIATELY AND THIS TIME IT'S WORSE THA…

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I HAD THE RECALL FOR THE FUEL PUMP REPAIRED IN AUGUST 2018 BY THE WILMINGTON DEALERSHIP. I DON'T BELIEVE IT WAS EITHER DONE RIGHT OR HOWEVER THEY DID IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IN OCTOBER 2018 MY CAR IS HAVING THE RECALL PROBLEM STARTING AGAIN WHICH IS CAUSING GASOLINE TO RUN OUT IMMEDIATELY AND THIS TIME IT'S WORSE THAN BEFORE THE FUMES ARE NOW IN THE VEHICLE EVEN WHEN THE CAR ISN'T ON. I BELIEVE I SHOULD HAVE THIS RECALL ISSUE REPAIRED AGAIN BECAUSE IT SHOULD NOT HAVE ONLY LASTED 2 MONTHS AND NEEDING THE FUEL PUMP MODULE TO BE REPLACED/REPAIRED AGAIN BUT PROBLEM IS WORSE THE SECOND TIME AROUND. ACCELERATION AND STALLING IS BECOMING MORE OF AN ISSUE AGAIN

NHTSA ODI #11151084

118,000 miles · Aug 20, 2018
Unknown Or Other

WATER LEAKING IN FROM SUNROOF. FOOT WELLS ON PASSANGER SIDE FILLED WITH WATER. WATER DRIPS FROM SUN VISOR ATTACHMENT. AIR BAG FAULT LIGHT CAME ON SOON AFTER I NOTICED THIS.

NHTSA ODI #11121089

131,000 miles · Feb 12, 2018
Air BagsFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

I'M CONCERNED THAT THERE COULD BE AN INTERRUPTION IN ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE FUEL PUMP RUNNING CONTINUOUSLY, RESULTING IN A DRAINED BATTERY AND/OR A NO START CONDITION, OR CAUSE A LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH CAUSI…

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I'M CONCERNED THAT THERE COULD BE AN INTERRUPTION IN ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE FUEL PUMP RUNNING CONTINUOUSLY, RESULTING IN A DRAINED BATTERY AND/OR A NO START CONDITION, OR CAUSE A LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH CAUSING INJURY AND/OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. IN ADDITION, THE AIRBAG RECALL IS A GREAT CONCERN. I'M ALSO CONCERNED FOR ANY OTHER RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH MY VOLKSWAGEN. NOW THAT TAKATA HAS SETTLED THE LAWSUIT, I HOPE MY CONCERNED CAN BE RESOLVED EXPEDITIOUSLY.

NHTSA ODI #11072319

144,863 miles · Jan 20, 2018
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

RECALL #17V509 FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE 8/16/17 I HAD TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED 1/6/18 AS IT WAS CAUSING MY CAR TO SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AND NOT START. THE FOLLOWING WAS REPAIRED FUEL PUMP IN TANK WITH HIGH PRESSURE, MODULE, WASHER, FUEL PUMP CONTROL UNIT, FUEL PUMP CONTROLLER. THE VEHI

NHTSA ODI #11063879

157,000 miles · Nov 3, 2017
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

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.

NHTSA ODI #11043132

117,000 miles · Oct 31, 2017
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE CAR

NHTSA ODI #11041731

Official recalls

4

18V148000 · 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.