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
What owners actually said
168 reports
35,605 miles · Dec 18, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY REFERRED HIM TO A DEALER DUE TO A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SCHUMACHER VOLKSWAGEN OF NORTH PALM BEACH (3720 NORTHLAKE BLVD, SUITE B, LAKE PARK, FL) WHERE IT WAS DIA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY REFERRED HIM TO A DEALER DUE TO A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SCHUMACHER VOLKSWAGEN OF NORTH PALM BEACH (3720 NORTHLAKE BLVD, SUITE B, LAKE PARK, FL) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE CONTACT COVERED THE EXPENSE FOR THE FUEL PUMP. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V509000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST WITH REIMBURSEMENT DUE TO A REMEDY NOT BEING MADE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED WITH CASE NUMBER: 171531952. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,605. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #11055285
100,000 miles · Dec 12, 2017
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AND ALL POWER WAS LOST. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED BEFORE OR AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AND ALL POWER WAS LOST. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED BEFORE OR AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #11054119
250,000 miles · Dec 4, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System
MY 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.
NHTSA ODI #11052265
99,500 miles · Dec 2, 2017
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
ENGINE STALLS SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING--JUST A MOMENTARY HICKUP
NHTSA ODI #11051885
116,517 miles · Nov 30, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System
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.
NHTSA ODI #11051519
120,000 miles · Nov 21, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System
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.
NHTSA ODI #11047867
Mileage unknown · Nov 20, 2017
Service Brakes
ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND FLASHING BRAKE LIGHT WHOE DRIVING. THERE WAS ALSO A BEEP
NHTSA ODI #11047617
133,000 miles · Nov 19, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
MY CAR WON'T START BUT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. I NEED MY CAR FIXED. IT SHOWS THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS ON MY VEHICLE. IT SAYS REMEDY NOT YET FOUND. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? I'M NOT GOING TO RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THIS. THIS LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. ONCE I STOPPED THE CAR IT WOULDN'T RESTART
NHTSA ODI #11047253
225,000 miles · Nov 17, 2017
Engine
WHILE I WAS DRIVING 50MPH, THE INTERNAL TIMING BELT BELT AND TENSIONER BROKE IN THE ENGINE AND I LOST ALL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HAD TO PULL OVER DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THE TIMING BELT SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE MOTOR ACCORDING TO VW WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY NOT TRUE. SEVERE SAFETY HAZZARD. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO VW DEALERSHIP…
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WHILE I WAS DRIVING 50MPH, THE INTERNAL TIMING BELT BELT AND TENSIONER BROKE IN THE ENGINE AND I LOST ALL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HAD TO PULL OVER DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THE TIMING BELT SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE MOTOR ACCORDING TO VW WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY NOT TRUE. SEVERE SAFETY HAZZARD. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO VW DEALERSHIP AND AFTER TAKING THE ENGINE APART THAT IS THE DIAGNOSIS THEY GAVE ME.
NHTSA ODI #11046995
Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 2017
Air Bags
GOT RECALL NOTICE TOOK TO DEALERSHIP NOV. FIRST SHOWED RECALL CARD SERVICE MANAGER SAID I WOULD GET SOMETHING ELSE IN MAIL AND THEN TO COME BACK. DEADLINE TO FILE CLAIM DEC. 17 2017.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2008 Volkswagen Passat Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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