2008 Volkswagen Passat Engine Problems
NHTSA has 55 owner complaints about engine problems in the 2008 Volkswagen Passat, 33% of all 168 complaints for this model year. That is #8 highest engine complaint count among 18 Passat model years. These complaints report 1 crash and 4 fires. Median mileage at failure: 90,000 miles.
- Engine complaints
- 55
- 33% of 168
- Crashes reported
- 1
- Fires reported
- 4
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 90,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
When 2008 Volkswagen Passat engine complaints were filed
First complaint Jan 7, 2009, latest Jul 4, 2025.
Engine recalls for the 2008 Volkswagen Passat
- NHTSA 08V235000May 28, 2008Engine6,579 vehicles
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. In rare cases, the ECM may unexpectedly increase engine rpm.
Risk: An engine surge caused by an unexpected increase in engine rpm may surprise the vehicle operator and can result in a crash without warning.
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 by Passat model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Does the 2008 Volkswagen Passat have engine problems?
- NHTSA has 55 owner complaints about the engine in the 2008 Volkswagen Passat, 33% of all complaints for this model year, including 1 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 90,000 miles.
- Which Volkswagen Passat year has the most engine complaints?
- The 2006 Volkswagen Passat has the most engine complaints (160), compared with 55 for the 2008.
- Is there a engine recall for the 2008 Volkswagen Passat?
- Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for the 2008 Volkswagen Passat concerns the engine: 08V235000.