Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
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?
This "certified pre-owned" vehicle has consistently performed dangerously and unreliably since it was purchased. The car would not start on so many occasions that we lost count. When the car would start, it would cut off without warning in the middle of driving it down the road, coming off of exit ramps, and on busy highways, not even giving the driver an opportunity to pull over. The engine would rev at unexpected times, causing the car to want to move forward even when the brake was being depressed. The car would want to move forward at stop lights, in traffic, and in parking garages. The engine would also run loudly and at a very high RPM any time the air conditioner was on. These concerns were reported to the dealer on numerous occasions. We have emails from the service manager saying that there is nothing wrong with the car. …
Started the car/engine in the morning and MIL came on rough start with rattling in engine bay. Brought to vw dealership. They indicated the oil screen in front of the check valve in the cam shaft positioner bridge "has come apart lodging itself between the camshaft adjuster [valve] and intake camshaft adjuster." it appears this is a recognized problem for 2009 Audi a3, a4, tt per TSB 15-11-21. However, the issue is not recognized for other (vw) vehicles with same engine group. Though I understand the other complaints below are anecdotal with repairs ranging from $700 to $4,000 depending on the extent of internal damage, I could not find anyone researching this issue regarding causes and occurrences that May elevate this problem to a recall: http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?7118356-misfire-and-cam-crank-correlation-error …
Warned by other owners of 2006-08 passats, I inspected the high pressure fuel pump, cam, and cam follower for abnormal wear. The high pressure fuel pump (hpfp) cam follower has been recognized as a flaw requiring warranty extension to 120,000 miles on the 2006-2007 models. This fault causes failure of the cam follower and the fuel pump shaft wears into the camshaft causing loss of fuel/speed, acceleration, or engine power upon failure. My vehicle exhibits identical early wear and failure as 2006-07 models, though vw refuses to extend warranty coverage for 2008 cars. Further consideration of 2008 vehicles with the identical problem should be considered. …
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.
1. Slowing to stop at red light. 15 feet behind another car that was stopped, and with my foot firmly on the brake, the engine revved to top speed and the brake did not stop the car. I bumped the stopped car, put the car in park and turned off the engine. 2. No damage to either car. Police were called and came out until tow truck arrived. Car towed to dealer where the car (9 months old and 11000 miles) was purchased. 3. One week later, the dealer said they could find nothing wrong. They paid for a rental car for the week. I refuse to drive the car so they offered to trade it in on a new one and that it had depreciated 50% in 9 months. Vw corporate offered a $1000 rebate on a new car. 4. I called vw corporate to register a complaint, but they said that the dealer was "empowered" to made decisions. They would do nothing.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a complete loss of power while being driven approximately 50 MPH. Also, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V509000 (fuel system, gasoline); however, 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 dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact was guaranteed compensation, but only if the mechanic used Volkswagen manufactured parts. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
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
I was driving on the highway and noticed a loss of power with the engine light on. When I completed the trip, I found that the camshaft follower had worn all the way through, leaving metal fragments inside the engine. The camshaft had worn away at the high pressure fuel pump, with damage occurring to both parts. What was addressed in technical bulletin 2015153 happened to my car as well. The issue is that vw denied to help because my car was a 2008 model year, with a production date in January of 2008. The recall and warranty extension applied to model year 2006-2007, but because the same exact failure happened on my car it should be covered also.
Related recalls
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.
Engine complaints in other Passat years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2008 Volkswagen Passat?
NHTSA has 53 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2008 Volkswagen Passat, 30% of the model year's 174 complaints. The component named most often is engine › engine control module (ecu/ecm) (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Volkswagen Passat engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 08V-235 (engine and engine cooling, May 28, 2008). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Volkswagen Passat engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 4 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.