YearToAvoid

2008 Volkswagen Passat Fuel System Problems

NHTSA has 63 owner complaints about fuel system problems in the 2008 Volkswagen Passat, 38% of all 168 complaints for this model year. That is #3 highest fuel system complaint count among 18 Passat model years. Median mileage at failure: 100,170 miles.

Fuel System complaints
63
38% of 168
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
100,170 mi
Related recalls
1

When 2008 Volkswagen Passat fuel system complaints were filed

First complaint Jul 2, 2009, latest Jul 4, 2025.

2008 Volkswagen Passat fuel system complaints: complaints filed per month5Jul 2009Sep 2011Dec 2014Jul 2016Dec 2017May 2018Mar 2019Oct 2022
63 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2009 to Jul 2025; peak Dec 2017 (5).

Fuel System recalls for the 2008 Volkswagen Passat

  1. 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.

Fuel System complaints by Passat model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200523 (16%)
  2. 200664 (11%)
  3. 200742 (16%)
  4. 200863 (38%)
  5. 200953 (36%)
  6. 201033 (20%)
  7. 20113 (19%)
  8. 201246 (10%)
  9. 201387 (12%)
  10. 201450 (8%)
  11. 201523 (9%)
  12. 201618 (17%)
  13. 20177 (6%)
  14. 20186 (13%)
  15. 20192 (17%)
  16. 20202 (11%)
  17. 20210 (0%)
  18. 20221 (8%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Volkswagen Passat have fuel system problems?
NHTSA has 63 owner complaints about the fuel system in the 2008 Volkswagen Passat, 38% of all complaints for this model year. Median mileage at failure is 100,170 miles.
Which Volkswagen Passat year has the most fuel system complaints?
The 2013 Volkswagen Passat has the most fuel system complaints (87), compared with 63 for the 2008.
Is there a fuel system recall for the 2008 Volkswagen Passat?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for the 2008 Volkswagen Passat concerns the fuel system: 17V509000.

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.