Most common 2008 Volkswagen Passat problems
Share of the 174 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Volkswagen Passat complaints by model year
Best Passat years: 2011, 2019, 2020. Years to avoid: 2013, 2014, 2012, 1999, 2002. Compare all years →
2008 Volkswagen Passat recalls (4)
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
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.
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.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
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.
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.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
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.
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…
Engine and engine cooling
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.
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.
What 2008 Volkswagen Passat owners say
Fuel & propulsion system all 67 →
The contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated while her husband was reversing out of the garage, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart. The dealer was notified of the failure. The contact stated that the insurance company later informed the contact that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V509000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.
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 [redacted] '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?
Engine & cooling all 53 →
The contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen Passat. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V509000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that on multiple occasions while driving, the steering became difficult to maneuver. The contact stated that the RPM increased rapidly and the engine revved without the accelerator pedal being depressed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that she was able to maneuver the vehicle and turned the vehicle off. The contact stated that she was able to restart the vehicle without a failure. The contact then stated that a week later while driving the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ECM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. …
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 [redacted] '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?
Air bags all 32 →
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 Volkswagen Passat. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the contact's vehicle crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot and deemed a total loss. The dealer was not called. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.
I bought the car around mid-September 2019. I've been driving it since and just recently, I'd say December 9th, 2019 to be exact, got a letter in the mail saying my vehicle had a recall for the airbag. I went online to the car brands website and looked up my exact car to verify. Upon doing this, I discovered it had a second recall for the fuel pump. I took the car in for the free repairs, only to be told that they can't fix the fuel fump issue as my check engine light is on. From what I've been told by a mechanic I went to, the light is on due to a leak in my vacuum pump. He said it'd cost about $600 for part and labor, but that this fix isn't extremely important and that my car should run well enough without this fix. Me being broke, I didn't get it fixed. …
2008 Volkswagen Passat engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed manual | FWD | 20 / 29 / 24 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 20 / 28 / 23 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 26 / 20 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 16 / 24 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Volkswagen Passat a good car?
Based on 174 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Passat rates better than average: 59% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Passat at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Volkswagen Passat?
The fuel & propulsion system — 67 complaints, 39% of all complaints for this model year, most often about delivery › fuel pump. Next are the engine & cooling (53) and air bags (32).
How many recalls does the 2008 Volkswagen Passat have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2008 Volkswagen Passat, the most recent from March 6, 2018 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Volkswagen Passat?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2011, 2019 and 2020. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2013, 2014, 2012, 1999 and 2002. See the full Volkswagen Passat years comparison.
At what mileage do 2008 Volkswagen Passat problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 90,000 miles; 23% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.