2008 Volkswagen R32 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
No verdict The 2008 Volkswagen R32 has the highest complaint index (100) among its 3 model years, ranking worst out of them, with 115 complaints led by Transmission & Powertrain issues (71% share) and Fuel System problems (22% share). It carries 2 recalls covering the fuel system and electrical lamps.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 3 R32 years
- Verdict
- No verdict
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 115
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- Best nearby year
- —
- no alternative with data
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 18 city / 23 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2008 Volkswagen R32 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain82 (71%)
- Fuel System25 (22%)
- Electrical System10 (9%)
- Engine5 (4%)
- Airbags1 (1%)
- Other1 (1%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine loses power suddenly during moderate acceleration in hot weather, then recovers after a short period.
- Vehicle stalls or dies unexpectedly at idle, at stop lights, or at highway speed, sometimes with a fuel odor afterward.
- Car hesitates or hiccups under acceleration with no check-engine light or diagnostic code present.
- Transmission jerks or lurches when starting from a stop and slams hard into first gear when slowing down.
- Third brake light develops condensation and flickers, requiring removal of the rear spoiler to access the assembly.
- Original-equipment tires failed multiple times within a few thousand miles after hitting potholes.
2008 Volkswagen R32 recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 09V093000Mar 20, 2009Fuel System5,000 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly
Volkswagen is recalling approximately 5,000 my 2008 r32 (5th generation) vehicles. When certain driving conditions are accompanied by high ambient temperatures, the fuel tank ventilation valve may not remain fully closed. If this happens, liquid fuel may enter the fuel tank venting system and migrate into the evaporative system, saturating the carbon canister. Should this occur while driving, the vehicle may experience performance issues (i.e., vehicle jerking) and the malfunction indicator lamp (mil) in the instrument cluster could illuminate. Fuel could leak from the evaporative system leak detection pump filter.
Risk: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, could lead to a vehicle fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel tank ventilation valve with an improved valve free of charge. The recall began on june 2, 2009. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
- NHTSA 07V442000Sep 24, 2007Electrical System340,000 vehicles
Exterior lighting:headlights
Certain vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." some vehicles may not have had a required cap installed which disables the headlight horizontal aim and some vehicles may contain a cap that disables the vertical aiming screw.
Risk: Noncompliance can inhibit proper headlamp aim adjustment for roadway illumination, improperly aimed headlamps could cause reduced road visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect for the presence of a cap in the socket of the low beam horizontal aiming screw and install one if missing, and inspect for the presence of a cap in the socket of the vertical aiming screw and if present, the cap will be removed. The recall will begin on october 31, 2007. Owners may contact vw at 1-800-822-8987.
2008 Volkswagen R32 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 23 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,000
- 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 R32 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Volkswagen R32 reliable?
- Among the 3 R32 model years with data, 2008 has the highest complaint index (100) and ranks worst first, driven mainly by transmission and fuel system complaints.
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 R32?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues account for 71% of complaints (82 of 115), with a median failure mileage of 15,000 miles. Fuel System problems make up another 22% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 7,323.5 miles.
- Does the 2008 Volkswagen R32 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls: one for a fuel tank ventilation valve that may not stay closed in certain conditions, and one for a missing cap on the low-beam headlight aiming screw.
- How does the 2008 R32 compare to other R32 years?
- The 2006 model shows 0 complaints and a complaint index of 0, while 2007 shows 1 complaint and an index of 50. The 2008 model's index of 100 is the highest of the three years.
- What mileage do transmission problems show up at on the 2008 R32?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 15,000 miles for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on the 2008 R32.