YearToAvoid

2008 Volkswagen Jetta Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

35/100

#14 most-complained of 21 Jetta years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2008 Volkswagen Jetta has 188 owner complaints and 4 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 35 out of 100 — #14 highest of 21 Jetta model years (verdict: Good). The most reported problem area is transmission & powertrain (53 complaints, 28% of the total). Complaints report 4 crashes, 4 fires, and 4 injuries.

Complaints
188
Recalls
4
Crashes / fires
4 / 4
Injuries / deaths
4 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
24
21 city / 29 hwy

Top 2008 Volkswagen Jetta problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Transmission & Powertrain53 (28%)
  2. Electrical System45 (24%)
  3. Engine31 (16%)
  4. Brakes27 (14%)
  5. Airbags20 (11%)
  6. Structure & Body20 (11%)
  7. Other12 (6%)
  8. Fuel System10 (5%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 (4%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers8 (4%)
2008 Volkswagen Jetta complaints: complaints filed per quarter262008 Q12010 Q22012 Q22014 Q22016 Q22018 Q32021 Q22026 Q3
239 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2008 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2009 Q3 (26).

2008 Volkswagen Jetta recalls

4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 19V679000Sep 25, 2019Other113 vehicles

    Unknown or other

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015 Golf Sportwagen, 2013 Golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and Beetle Convertible vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.

    Risk: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01D7. Note: This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 18V-329.

  2. NHTSA 10V621000Dec 10, 2010Fuel System228,236 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

    Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 jetta, new beetle, new beetle convertible, model year 2009 jetta sportwagen and model year 2007-2009 rabbit vehicles equipped with 2.5l engines. The jetta, jetta sportwagen, and rabbit vehicles may have a small plastic tab located on the windshield washer fluid reservoir that may chafe against an underhood fuel supply line. The new beetle and the new beetle convertible vehicles may have a fastening clamp on a hydraulic hose of the power steering system that may be located in an improper position which could cause chafing against an underhood fuel supply line.

    Risk: If chafing occurs, there is the potential for a fuel leak to develop. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the underhood fuel line. Additionally, depending on the vehicle model, dealers will either remove the plastic tab from the windshield washer fluid reservoir, or inspect the position of the fastening clamp and adjust the related fastening clamp into the correct position. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before january 31, 2011. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.

  3. NHTSA 09V164000May 19, 2009Transmission & Powertrain25,594 vehicles

    Power train:driveline:driveshaft

    Volkswagen is recalling 25,594 my 2006-2009 jetta 5th generation equipped with 2.01 engine. The fastening screw contact surfaces on the driveshaft cover plate may not have been manufactured to factory specifications. Some screws may not have been torqued properly during assembly and could loosen over time, causing a knocking sound when the vehicle is in motion. The driveshaft screws could loosen to the point where the driveshaft detaches from the gearbox.

    Risk: If the vehicle is moving when this happens, the detached driveshaft could cause damage the gearbox housing. A damage gearbox housing could leak gearbox oil onto the street and create a risk of a vehicle crash for both the driver and other motorists.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the driveshaft screws and replace the screws free of charge. The recall began on june 24, 2009. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.

See all 4 recalls for the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta →

2008 Volkswagen Jetta fuel economy and fuel cost

City
21 MPG
Highway
29 MPG
Combined
24 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,950
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2008 compared with other Jetta years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2006Caution65580424.5
2007Good45201423
2008Good35188424
2009Avoid100888625
2010Avoid95852426

All Volkswagen Jetta years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta ranks #14 of 21 among Jetta model years (Complaint Index 35/100, verdict: Good). It has 188 complaints and 4 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta?
The most reported problem areas are transmission & powertrain (53 complaints), electrical system (45 complaints), and engine (31 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 59,500 miles.
Does the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta, most recently reported 2019, covering other, fuel system, transmission & powertrain, and electrical system.
What is the fuel economy of the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta?
EPA rates the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta at 24 MPG combined (21 city / 29 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,950. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.