2008 Volkswagen Passat

168 federal complaints (240 component records) · 4 recall campaigns on file · 559 service bulletins · 4 Canadian recalls
See all 33 model years of the Volkswagen Passat →
Engine
2.0L 4-cyl
Fuel
Premium
Drive
FWD
EPA economy
20 city / 29 hwy
Federal complaints
168
Recall campaigns
4
Specifications show one example EPA configuration for this model year; other engines, drivetrains, and trims exist and the records below cover all of them.
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.

Fault profile

Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.

Fuel system
63
Engine & cooling
53
Air bags
33
Electrical system
21
Power train
13
Other
13
Steering
12
Glass & wipers
6
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.

When it fails

The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.

Vehicle age when the failure occurred

0 years old: 7 complaints01 years old: 6 complaints2 years old: 12 complaints3 years old: 4 complaints4 years old: 5 complaints5 years old: 7 complaints56 years old: 10 complaints7 years old: 8 complaints8 years old: 25 complaints9 years old: 42 complaints10 years old: 23 complaints1011 years old: 9 complaints12 years old: 4 complaints13 years old: 0 complaints14 years old: 2 complaints15 years old: 1 complaints1516 years old: 1 complaints17 years old: 2 complaints18 years old: 0 complaints19 years old: 0 complaints20+ years old: 0 complaints20+
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 168 of 168 complaints with a usable failure date.

Odometer when the failure occurred

0,000 - 20,000 miles: 7 complaints020,000 - 40,000 miles: 13 complaints40,000 - 60,000 miles: 10 complaints40k60,000 - 80,000 miles: 15 complaints80,000 - 100,000 miles: 27 complaints80k100,000 - 120,000 miles: 20 complaints120,000 - 140,000 miles: 15 complaints120k140,000 - 160,000 miles: 8 complaints160,000 - 180,000 miles: 4 complaints160k180,000 - 200,000 miles: 0 complaints200,000+ miles: 4 complaints200k+
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 123 of 168 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).

Known issues

The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.

Fuel system

63 complaint records
"There is a recall with the fuel pump and the manufacturer is claiming that I need to replace certain parts to be able to do the recall...."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse fuel system parts in the directory →

Engine & cooling

53 complaint records4 fire reports1 crash report
"WHILE PARKED IN THE LOT, THE ENGINE AREA CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED THE FRONT HALF OF THE CAR BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT IT OUT. *TR..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse engine & cooling parts in the directory →

Air bags

33 complaint records1 crash report
"THESE PARTS HAVE BEEN OUTSTANDING SINCE APRIL AND VOLKSWAGON DOES NOT HAVE ANY ETA FOR THE TAKATA PARTS FOR AIR BAG RUPTURES...."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse air bags parts in the directory →

Recall campaigns

Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.

CampaignComponentSummaryRemedy
18V148000Air BagsVolkswagen 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.Normally free
17V509000Fuel System, GasolineVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2016 Volkswagen CC, 2006-2010 Passat and Passat Wagon vehicles.Normally free
16V078000Air BagsVolkswagen 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...Normally free
08V235000Engine And Engine CoolingVOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 4,079 MY 2008 PASSAT AND 2,500 MY 2009 TIGUAN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.0T FSI ULEV II ENGINES.Normally free

Transport Canada recalls

Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.

RecallSystemUnits (CA)Summary
2018111
2018-03-06
Airbag37,197On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, could eventually degrade the propellant contained in the driver frontal airbag.
2017398
2017-08-16
Fuel System19,508On certain vehicles, there could be an interruption in electrical power to the fuel pump control module. This could result in the fuel pump running continuously, resulting in a drained battery and/or a no start condition, or cause a loss...
2016064
2016-02-09
Airbag64,660On certain vehicles, the driver frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment.
2008183
2008-05-23
Engine141On certain Passat and Passat wagon, the Engine Control Module (ECM) contains software that may not properly control engine speed with the air conditioning turned on. The ECM may briefly increase engine RPM and vehicle speed.

Service bulletins and warranty extensions

Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.

BulletinTypeComponentSummary
SM 39-2026
Sep 2026
Unknown Or OtherThis special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
V171901201285567
Oct 2023
EngineVW Engine oil quality standards
V171905201285566
Sep 2023
EquipmentVW Engine oil quality standards
V271901201189425
Sep 2023
EquipmentBattery Testing and Charging Using Midtronics VAS6161 and or GRX3000VAS Charger. Update Tool terminology
V0018092053065_4
Sep 2023
EquipmentSafety Related Inquiry and Reporting
Show 55 more bulletins
BulletinTypeComponentSummary
V171901201285565
Aug 2023
Engine And Engine CoolingUpdate to Volkswagen engine oil standards
V271503201607612
Jul 2023
Electrical SystemDiagnostic assistance for excessive static current draw
V171901201285564
Jul 2023
Engine And Engine CoolingVolkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
V2719012011894_2
Jun 2023
Electrical SystemBattery Testing and Charging using Midtronics VAS6161 and or GRX3000 Vas Charger
V271901201189424
Jun 2023
Electrical SystemBattery Testing and Charging using Midtronics VAS6161 and or GRX3000 Vas Charger
V011812201460319
Jun 2023
Electrical SystemSoftware Version Management (SVM) instruction.
V171806201781318
Jun 2023
EquipmentEngine Oil Consumption Measurement Instruction and Work sheet.
V171901201285563
Jun 2023
Engine And Engine CoolingVolkswagen Engine Oil Standards, updated to include model year 2024.
V0116132033805_8
Jun 2023
Engine And Engine CoolingDiagnostic Aid for engine misfire.
V001713203384619
Jun 2023
Fuel SystemGasoline fuel additive
V011615201481517
Jun 2023
Engine And Engine CoolingGasoline quality information in regards to gasoline engine performance.
V171901201285562
May 2023
Engine And Engine CoolingVolkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
V191701202254810
May 2023
Engine And Engine CoolingIntroduce new engine coolant compatible with all models and all model years.
V171901201285560
Apr 2023
Engine And Engine CoolingEngine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
V171901201285559
Mar 2023
Engine And Engine CoolingVolkswagen Engine Oil Quality Standards
TRMDMV_MA_VW
Mar 2023
Air BagsIn conjunction with the Massachusetts DMV, Volkswagen will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 1,498 Volkswagen owners in the State of Massachusetts on March 13, 2023.
TRMDMV_NM_VW
Mar 2023
Air BagsIn conjunction with the New Mexico DMV, Volkswagen will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 363 Volkswagen owners in the State of New Mexico on March 13, 2023.
SM 13-2023
Mar 2023
EquipmentThis special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed only order the successor parts going forward.
V4016012043146_2
Feb 2023
StructureStrut or Shock leak assessment.
TRMDMV_CO_VW
Feb 2023
Air BagsIn conjunction with the Colorado DMV, Volkswagen will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 1,414 Volkswagen owners in the State of Colorado on February 13, 2023.
V171901201285558
Feb 2023
Engine And Engine CoolingEngine Oil Quality Standards updated to include the latest Engine Oil attachments (excludes Routan & ID.4).
VWP-23-01
Feb 2023
EquipmentThis Document informs dealers on VWP-23-01
V691901201047915
Feb 2023
Air BagsVW contact when reporting a Airbag or Pyrotechnic safety belt deployment. Update to model year applicability.
V171901201285557
Jan 2023
Engine And Engine CoolingEngine Oil Quality Standards updated to include the latest Engine Oil attachments (excludes Routan & ID.4).
V171901201285556
Dec 2022
Engine And Engine CoolingEngine Oil Quality Standards updated to include the latest Engine Oil attachments (excludes Routan & ID.4).
V941901201152119
Dec 2022
EquipmentUpdate model year applicability to include 2023.
V271901201189422
Dec 2022
Electrical SystemBattery testing and charging using special tools VAS6161 & GRX3000VAS Charger. Updated to include additional model year applicability.
WLA-22-15
Nov 2022
Forward Collision AvoidanceACC Calibration Process
V171901201285555
Nov 2022
Engine And Engine CoolingEngine Oil Quality Standards updated to include the latest Engine Oil attachments (excludes Routan & ID.4).
V171901201285554
Oct 2022
Engine And Engine CoolingEngine Oil Quality Standards updated to include the latest Engine Oil ) excluding Routan & ID.4attachments. (excludes Routan & ID.4)
TRMDMV_NY_VW
Oct 2022
Air BagsIn conjunction with the New York DMV, Volkswagen will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 2,743 Volkswagen owners in the State of New York on October 17, 2022.
TT 01 20 05_4
Sep 2022
Fuel SystemDTC's P053F,P0087, P0088, P1025 may set due to the high pressure fuel pump being out of time (sync).
TRMDPS_SC_VW
Sep 2022
Air BagsIn conjunction with the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, Volkswagen is sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 1,824 Volkswagen owners in the state of South Carolina on September 19, 2022.
V241801204513812
Sep 2022
EquipmentUpdate warranty table labor operation numbers due to recent Saga updates.
V171901201285553
Aug 2022
Engine And Engine CoolingEngine Oil Quality Standards updated to include the latest Engine Oil attachments. (excludes Routan & ID.4)
V241801204513811
Aug 2022
EquipmentUpdate warranty table labor operation numbers due to recent Saga updates.
CT_batt_charger
Aug 2022
Electrical SystemMinimum battery charger requirements during software updates
V171901201285551
Aug 2022
Engine And Engine CoolingEngine Oil Quality Standards updated to include the latest Engine Oil attachments. (excludes Routan & ID.4)
TRMDMV_PR_VW
Jul 2022
Air BagsIn conjunction with the Georgia Department of Revenue - Motor Vehicle Division and Department of Driver Services, Volkswagen sent Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 158 Volkswagen owners in the State of Puerto Rico on July 25, 2022.
TRMDMV_VA_VW
Jul 2022
Air BagsIn conjunction with the Virginia DMV, Audi will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 2,217 VW owners in the State of Virginia on July 21, 2022
V171806201781317
Jun 2022
Engine And Engine CoolingEngine oil consumption measurement.
V171901201285550
Jun 2022
Engine And Engine CoolingEngine Oil Quality Standards updated to include model year 2023 and the latest Engine Oil attachments. (excludes Routan & ID.4)
TRMDMV_GA_VW
Jun 2022
Air BagsIn conjunction with the Georgia Department of Revenue - Motor Vehicle Division and Department of Driver Services, Volkswagen sent Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 4,588 Volkswagen owners in the State of Georgia on June 22, 2022.
V011812201460318
Jun 2022
Electrical SystemSoftware Version Management (SVM) instruction. Update to require 70amp minimum battery charger during procedure.
V0116132033805_6
Jun 2022
Engine And Engine CoolingEngine misfire diagnostic aid.
V011615201481514
Jun 2022
Fuel SystemGasoline quality.
V171901201285548
Jun 2022
EquipmentVW engine oil specifications. Update to model year applicability.
V001713203384615
Jun 2022
Engine And Engine CoolingRecommended fuel additive to avoid engine misfires.
V3718022033975_8
Jun 2022
Power TrainAuto Trans fluid requirements.
V271901201189420
Jun 2022
Electrical SystemBattery Testing and Charging using VAS6161 and or GRX3000VAS
V171901201285547
Jun 2022
EquipmentVW engine oil specifications. Update to attachments.
TT 13 20 01_2
May 2022
Engine And Engine CoolingEngine oil pressure priming.
TT 01 20 05_3
May 2022
EquipmentDiagnostic aid for DTC P0088 & P1025.
V871812200556627
May 2022
VisibilityCleaning of Heating and Ventilation system, Updated to include additional model year applicability and cost of cleaning solution in warranty table.
V271901201189419
May 2022
Electrical SystemBattery Testing and Charging using recommended VW test equipment.

Showing 60 of 559 distinct bulletins on file for this vehicle.

Before you buy this vehicle

A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.

  1. Smell for fuel and watch the first restart when hot.Hard starting when warm, hesitation under load, or any fuel odor near the tank or engine bay match this vehicle's fuel-system cluster. Check the recall table for fuel pump campaigns.
  2. Cold-start it yourself and listen for the first thirty seconds.Knocking, ticking that fades as it warms, or blue or white smoke on startup are the sounds of this vehicle's engine cluster. Check the oil level and the coolant color, and ask whether the engine or its head gaskets have ever been out.
  3. Watch the airbag warning light through a full key cycle.It should light on start and go out within seconds. A light that stays on, or never lights at all, means the system needs attention. Run the VIN for inflator recalls specifically.
  4. Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 4 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
  5. Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.

Parts search directory

The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.

Open the parts directory for this Volkswagen Passat →