Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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 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?
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. …
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. 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 vw Passat is under recall for the fuel pump module. They do not have a fix yet and this has been since August. I have been with a car that does not run. When this first started the dealership kept sending me away not knowing what the problem was, then we learned about this recall and it is exactly what is happening to our car. The car will not run for more than 5 min. It stalls out. The car will start okay and as soon as you begin to drive you cannot pump the gas the entire car turns off, this happened twice in the middle of the street trying to get to a mechanic. This part (fule pump module) causes our battery to drain which has also caused our alternator to go out. We have replaced the alternator but we put in a new battery and as soon as we did this the fuel pump module drained it again and it continues to stall every 5 min, at a point it will not even start. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that the oil pressure and check engine indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to findlay north Volkswagen (7500 w azure dr, las vegas, nv 89130, [phone]) where the oil was changed; however, the failure recurred and the vehicle stalled. The check engine and oil pressure indicators illuminated again. The vehicle was taken back to findlay north Volkswagen where no diagnostic failure codes were found and the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. 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 notified of the failure and did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 101,000. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that the vehicle was not operable after being started. The failure occurred without warning. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V509000 (fuel system, gasoline); however, the contact was unable to get the recall remedy repaired for free because the dealer stated that the repair had not been finalized. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was towed to schumacher Volkswagen of north palm beach (3720 northlake blvd, suite b, lake park, fl 33403) where the fuel pump was replaced. The manufacturer was notified and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The manufacturer provided case number: [redacted]. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
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.
Related recalls
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.
Fuel System complaints in other Passat years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2008 Volkswagen Passat?
NHTSA has 67 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2008 Volkswagen Passat, 39% of the model year's 174 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › fuel pump (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Volkswagen Passat fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 17V-509 (fuel pump, Aug 16, 2017). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Volkswagen Passat fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 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.