Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Volkswagen Passat owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
Takata inflators I had received a notice from vw auto company in the month of March that there is a problem with the driver side safety air bag. Here is what it said "akata has reported that the driver frontal airbag inflator could potentially rupture if the vehicle is involved in a crash where the frontal airbags are designed to deploy. In the event of an inflator rupture, metal fragments could pass through the airbag cushion material, which May result in serious injury or death to vehicle occupants." it clearly says that this issue might result in serious injury or even death in case of an accident. I drive my vw with my kids in it and god forbid, if something were to happen, is vw taking the responsibility for any losses incur? I am surprised no action has been taken as yet to fix this problem. I am scared to drive this car around now. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen Passat. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was pushed to an independent mechanic auto shop and it was diagnosed that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign numbers: 17V509000 (fuel system, gasoline) and 18V148000 (air bags). The contact called ganley westside Volkswagen at [phone] (located at 25580 lorain rd, north olmsted, oh 44070) and was informed that the parts were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 165,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available and parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* Takata recall. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The vehicle was coasted over to the side of the road and then towed to the owner's residence. The contact was not notified, but the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V509000 (fuel system, gasoline). The contact stated that the vehicle experienced the same failure listed in the recall. In addition, the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 18V148000 (air bags). Joe holland Volkswagen (150 maccorkle ave sw a, south charleston, wv 25303, [phone]) was contacted, but did not respond within a reasonable timeframe to address the two recall repairs. The vehicle was unable to be driven due to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000.
It has been over a year since this recall was expanded to include vw, yet neither the dealers, nor the manufacturer have parts to support the recall; yet parts are clearly available as vehicles are still being produced. Volkswagen's failure to provide replacement parts for a safety related recall with the potential to inflict serious bodily injury or death is unconscionable and reckless. Over a year since the recall began and they still do not have a timeline of when parts May be available, this clearly seems to be an issue of motivation. Instead they just sent letters that a recall exists, not very helpful in correcting a safety issue with life threatening potential; yet other vehicles have completed nearly 13 million corrections.
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.
When the car is started it immediately shuts itself off and says steering column lock defective. I took it to the dealer today and they told me this could cause more serious problems while driving, especially the airbag system. This seems like a very common issue with these cars and could potentially lead to life threatening situations while driving. A simple google search reveals hoards of people who experience the same issue with this model Passat.
Hello NHTSA I have a 2008 Volkswagen Passat that was recalled about an airbag this to me was unsafe I tried to get it fixed a soon as possible,getting to the Volkswagen dealership I leave my Passat to them to fix it like the letter I received in the mail said I would pay anything out of pocket, I get my car in less than an our supposedly fixed my air bag but bit only did they change my air bag but they tampered with a few other things one of them being the fuel pump control moduel because according to them the cars parts where all recalled,now I'm getting to my complain I took my car in in good condition now my car turns off at random time being in the street or in the freeway driving when I fill it up with gas I have to strip on my engine for it to turn on or it won't start,also the car keeps marking tire pressure every day I used this car before I took it into Volkswagen , my car was …
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen Passat. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V078000 (air bags). 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 contact called a local dealer (bommarito Volkswagen of hazelwood located at 400 brookes drive hazlewood, mo [phone]) and was informed that the recall remedy parts were on backorder. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. Updated 08/04/17 the consumer stated the vehicle was repaired. Updated 08/15/2017
Related recalls
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.
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…
Airbag complaints in other Passat years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2008 Volkswagen Passat?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Volkswagen Passat, 18% of the model year's 174 complaints. The component named most often is frontal › driver side › inflator module (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Volkswagen Passat airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 18V-148 (inflator module, Mar 6, 2018); NHTSA recall 16V-078 (inflator module, Feb 10, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Volkswagen Passat airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 114,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.