2008 Volkswagen Passat Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2008 Volkswagen Passat has a Complaint Index of 53 and ranks 9th worst of 18 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Owners logged 168 complaints led by fuel system issues (38%) and engine problems (33%), plus 4 recalls including one for a fuel pump control module.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 53/100
- #9 of 18 Passat years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 168
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 6
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Fuel System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 19 city / 28 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2008 Volkswagen Passat problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Fuel System63 (38%)
- Engine55 (33%)
- Airbags32 (19%)
- Electrical System23 (14%)
- Other14 (8%)
- Steering12 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain12 (7%)
- Brakes8 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers6 (4%)
- Structure & Body5 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine has revved unexpectedly to top speed while braking, preventing the car from stopping.
- Engine compartment fires have started while the vehicle was parked or shortly after being turned off, in some cases producing smoke and later an explosion.
- Electrical wiring and coil components have melted and smoked near the front grille while the car sat parked.
- The electronic parking brake has reportedly engaged on its own at highway speed.
- Airbags have failed to deploy in a low-speed rear-end crash.
- Wipers have stopped functioning mid-drive in freezing, salty conditions, and windshields have shown distortion that some owners say caused headaches.
2008 Volkswagen Passat recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V148000Mar 6, 2018Airbags363,713 vehicles
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.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
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. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q9. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
- NHTSA 17V509000Aug 16, 2017Fuel System280,915 vehicles
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.
Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20AE.
- NHTSA 16V078000Feb 10, 2016Airbags659,493 vehicles
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. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
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 when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
2008 Volkswagen Passat fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 28 MPG
- Combined
- 22 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,650
- 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 Passat years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
- It ranks 9th worst out of 18 Passat model years with a Complaint Index of 53 and a Caution verdict, meaning it is more problematic than several other Passat years but not among the worst.
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Passat?
- NHTSA complaints are led by the Fuel System (38% of complaints, median mileage 100,170) and Engine (33% of complaints, median mileage 90,000), followed by Airbags at 19%.
- Does the 2008 Passat have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2008 Passat, covering airbags, the fuel pump control module, and an engine control module software update.
- How does the 2008 Passat compare to other years?
- Its Complaint Index of 53 is better than 2006, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015, which are all rated Avoid, but worse than 2011, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022, which rate Good or Best.
- Are there engine fires reported in the 2008 Passat?
- Yes, NHTSA complaint samples describe engine compartment fires occurring both while parked and after short drives, with the Engine problem area showing 4 fire reports among its 55 complaints.