Engine
3.2L 6-cyl
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.
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
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 115 of 115 complaints with a usable failure date.
Odometer when the failure occurred
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 100 of 115 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.
Power train
83 complaint records
"THERE IS A DELAY WHEN PRESSING ACCELERATOR FROM A STOP. SEVERAL TIME THE CAR BEHIND ME ALMOST HIT ME BECAUSE OF THE DELAY. *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 power train parts in the directory →
Fuel system
25 complaint records
"FUEL LEAK CAUSES THE CAR TO LOSE FUEL. THE FUEL LEAKS OUT EXTERNALLY. THE CAR WILL SOMETIMES JERK AND STALL OR LOSE POWER. *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 fuel system parts in the directory →
Lighting
6 complaint records
"FRONT RIGHT LIGHT BULB WENT OUT, WENT TO DEALER, THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM, REPLACED BULB $256.00. 1 WEEK LATER THE BULB GOES OUT AGAIN AND THE DEALER TELLS ME THAT WATER LEAKED INTO THE CONTROL UNIT AND THAT THE UNIT COSTING $600.00 HAS TO BE REPLACED OTHERWISE THE LIGHT WILL......"- 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 lighting parts in the directory →
Federal defect investigations
Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.
| Investigation | Status | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE09035 opened Jul 2009 | closed Nov 2009 | Power Train | VEHICLE STALL/LOSS MOTIVE POWER - led to recall 09V333000 THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH DIRECT SHIFT GEARBOX (DSG) TRANSMISSIONS, WHICH FEATURE A 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC GEARBOX WITH TWO WET RUNNING CLUTCHES (DUAL CLUTCH) IN WHICH THE CLUTCH MECHANISM AND GEAR CHANGES ARE ELECTROHYDRAULICALLY OPERATED BY A... |
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.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09V093000 | Fuel System, Gasoline | 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... | Normally free |
| 07V442000 | Exterior Lighting | 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... | Normally free |
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.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| V171901201285567 Oct 2023 | Engine | VW Engine oil quality standards | |
| V171901201285565 Aug 2023 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards | |
| V171901201285562 May 2023 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments. | |
| V191701202254810 May 2023 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Introduce new engine coolant compatible with all models and all model years. | |
| V171901201285560 Apr 2023 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments. |
Show 55 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| V171901201285559 Mar 2023 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Volkswagen Engine Oil Quality Standards | |
| V4016012043146_2 Feb 2023 | Structure | Strut or Shock leak assessment. | |
| V171901201285558 Feb 2023 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Engine Oil Quality Standards updated to include the latest Engine Oil attachments (excludes Routan & ID.4). | |
| VWP-23-01 Feb 2023 | Equipment | This Document informs dealers on VWP-23-01 | |
| V691901201047915 Feb 2023 | Seat Belts | VW contact when reporting a Airbag or Pyrotechnic safety belt deployment. Update to model year applicability. | |
| V171901201285557 Jan 2023 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Engine Oil Quality Standards updated to include the latest Engine Oil attachments (excludes Routan & ID.4). | |
| V171901201285556 Dec 2022 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Engine Oil Quality Standards updated to include the latest Engine Oil attachments (excludes Routan & ID.4). | |
| V941901201152119 Dec 2022 | Equipment | Update model year applicability to include 2023. | |
| V271901201189422 Dec 2022 | Electrical System | Battery testing and charging using special tools VAS6161 & GRX3000VAS Charger. Updated to include additional model year applicability. | |
| WLA-22-15 Nov 2022 | Forward Collision Avoidance | ACC Calibration Process | |
| V171901201285554 Oct 2022 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Engine Oil Quality Standards updated to include the latest Engine Oil ) excluding Routan & ID.4attachments. (excludes Routan & ID.4) | |
| V171901201285553 Aug 2022 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Engine Oil Quality Standards updated to include the latest Engine Oil attachments. (excludes Routan & ID.4) | |
| CT_batt_charger Aug 2022 | Electrical System | Minimum battery charger requirements during software updates | |
| V171901201285551 Aug 2022 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Engine Oil Quality Standards updated to include the latest Engine Oil attachments. (excludes Routan & ID.4) | |
| V171806201781317 Jun 2022 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Engine oil consumption measurement. | |
| V171901201285550 Jun 2022 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Engine Oil Quality Standards updated to include model year 2023 and the latest Engine Oil attachments. (excludes Routan & ID.4) | |
| V011812201460318 Jun 2022 | Electrical System | Software Version Management (SVM) instruction. Update to require 70amp minimum battery charger during procedure. | |
| V0116132033805_6 Jun 2022 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Engine misfire diagnostic aid. | |
| V011615201481514 Jun 2022 | Fuel System | Gasoline quality. | |
| V171901201285548 Jun 2022 | Equipment | VW engine oil specifications. Update to model year applicability. | |
| V001713203384615 Jun 2022 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Recommended fuel additive to avoid engine misfires. | |
| V3718022033975_8 Jun 2022 | Power Train | Auto Trans fluid requirements. | |
| V271901201189420 Jun 2022 | Unknown Or Other | Battery Testing and Charging using VAS6161 and or GRX3000VAS | |
| V171901201285547 Jun 2022 | Equipment | VW engine oil specifications. Update to attachments. | |
| TT 13 20 01_2 May 2022 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Engine oil pressure priming. | |
| V871812200556627 May 2022 | Visibility | Cleaning of Heating and Ventilation system, Updated to include additional model year applicability and cost of cleaning solution in warranty table. | |
| V271901201189419 May 2022 | Electrical System | Battery Testing and Charging using recommended VW test equipment. | |
| TT 27-10-02_4 May 2022 | Electrical System | Battery Tester VAS 6161 introduction. | |
| V171901201285546 Apr 2022 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments) | |
| V941901201152118 Apr 2022 | Exterior Lighting | Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation. Update model year applicability to include 2022. | |
| V171901201285545 Mar 2022 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments) | |
| V171806201781316 Mar 2022 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Engine oil consumption measurement. Update procedure and work sheet. | |
| V271503201607611 Mar 2022 | Electrical System | Discharged Battery, Diagnosis for excessive current draw. | |
| V1917012022548_9 Feb 2022 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Update model and model year applicability, introduce new coolant G12Evo. | |
| V171901201285544 Feb 2022 | Engine | Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments) | |
| V171901201285543 Jan 2022 | Engine | Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments) | |
| A002155201173212 Dec 2021 | Electrical System | This bulletin contains general instructions for software updates. | |
| V171901201285542 Dec 2021 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments) | |
| V271901201189417 Dec 2021 | Electrical System | Battery testing using VW special tools, updated to include additional model year applicability and include I.D.4. | |
| TT 01 21 03 Dec 2021 | Equipment | Explanation of error message received from scan tool when erasing diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) in Control Module -623- after repair. | |
| V171901201285541 Dec 2021 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments) | |
| V691901201047914 Nov 2021 | Electrical System | Update to model year applicability. | |
| V171901201285540 Oct 2021 | Engine | Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments) | |
| V0018092053065_3 Oct 2021 | Equipment | Additional safety related Inquiry and Reporting instruction. | |
| V171901201285539 Sep 2021 | Equipment | Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments) | |
| V171901201285537 Jul 2021 | Equipment | Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments) | |
| V171901201285536 Jun 2021 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments) | |
| V001713203384614 Jun 2021 | Engine | Fuel Additive to Help Prevent Sporadic Misfire Faults | |
| V171806201781315 Jun 2021 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Engine oil consumption measurement. | |
| V0116132033805_5 Jun 2021 | Equipment | Engine Misfire Diagnostic Aid. Updated to include additional model and model year applicability. | |
| V011615201481513 Jun 2021 | Engine | VW approved gasoline fuel additive, update to include additional models and model year applicability. | |
| V011812201460317 Jun 2021 | Electrical System | Software Version Management (SVM) | |
| V171901201285535 Jun 2021 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments) | |
| V871812200556626 May 2021 | Equipment | Removing musty odor from A/C system. Updated to include additional model and model year applicability. | |
| V171901201285534 May 2021 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments) |
Showing 60 of 228 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.
- Drive it from a dead stop, twice, on a hill if you can.Shudder, hesitation, or a lurch under light throttle is how this vehicle's largest complaint cluster shows itself. Then ask for the transmission service history in writing; repeat repairs are a pattern, not a fluke.
- 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.
- Do a full walk-around with every light on.Condensation inside a lens, a dim side, or a flickering tail light match this vehicle's lighting cluster.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 2 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.
- 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 R32 →