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2008 Volkswagen GTI Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 67 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Volkswagen GTI, most often about the transmission (60% of complaints, typically around 16,000 miles). It is 7th of 25 GTI model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2008 Volkswagen GTI problems
Transmission
40 complaints · 60%Half of these problems showed up before 16,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission, driveline.
I've noticed starting this summer my car has been really jerky, even surging forward when stopped occasionally. A few days ago it actually lost power while I was at speed on the freeway. This is extremely dangerous, especially in the winter time with icy conditions where I live. After researching the problem I've…
I own a 2008 vw GTI equipped with the dsg transmission. Recently, I have noticed problems with this transmission and its delivery of power from the engine to the wheels of my car. When the car is warmed up, the transmission does not smoothly and predictably deliver power to the car's wheels. When in reverse, the…
Lights
7 complaints · 10%I can't replace the 3rd brake light bulbs on my 2008 vw GTI. There is no way to service them and the deal states they would have to physically rip off my spoiler to do so.
The headlights for my 2008 Volkswagen GTI mkv must have some form of a hole or insufficient sealant because when it was cold outside allot of moisture built up inside the headlights and made my visibility so hard to see on the highway I almost ran into 1 car and while I was exiting and getting onto the service road I…
Engine
7 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 81,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
Recently I preformed a routine maintenance check on my vehicle and as suggested by all mark 5 GTI owners I checked the cam follower. I found the cam follower completely worn through. I contacted vw to make sure I was under the extended warranty handed out to all 2006-2007 and some 2008 owners to find out I was not…
The cam follower has prematurely warn out causing the intake camshaft to wear prematurely as well, which has in turn caused the high pressure fuel pump to fail. This is a long-term, degenerative issue. Volkswagen has extended the warranty on these parts for some 2006-2008 GTI's but not my VIN. Their warranty extension…
Fuel system
6 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles.
Shortly after purchasing my 08 GTI with the fsi motor, I was searching the internet for common issues to watch out for. The cam follower which sits between the camshaft and high pressure fuel pump was seen multiple times online as an issue due to wearing through allowing the cam shaft to interact with the pump. I…
The contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen GTI. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle started to jerk when attempting to accelerate. Also, the contact mentioned that the key had to be placed in accessory mode before the vehicle would turn on. The failure recurred numerous times. The dealer stated that the cam, high…
Air bags
3 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: frontal.
Car was involved in frontal crash, hitting another that was stopped in the road. Car was going between 20 and 30 MPH. Airbags did not deploy causing driver to hit nose on steering wheel. Not broken but severely bruised.
The contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH the driver rear ended another vehicle and the passenger side air bag did not deploy. A police report was filed. The passenger sustained bruises after hitting her head on the dashboard. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not…
Wheels and tires
3 complaints · 5%I purchased a new 2008 Volkswagen GTI in sept, 2008 which came with dunlop sp sport 01 as size 225/40r/18 tires. Within the first few months I experienced a blowout of the front left tire when at very low speed (approx 5 MPH I hit a small pothole. In the year since then, I have had three more tires get large bubbles…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 Volkswagen GTI recalls
Lights: headlights
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Vehicle stall/loss motive power
Summary
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 mechatronic control unit.the dsg mechatronic controller includes extensive self diagnostic functions and strategies to ensure safe operation and prevent system/component damage in the event of component failures or harsh operating conditions.the basic hierarchy of fault modes includes some that only result in the storage of a diagnostic trouble code (dtc) and cause no loss of function, some that store a dtc and reduce vehicle operation to a li
Questions about the 2008 Volkswagen GTI
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Volkswagen GTI?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (40 complaints, typically around 16,000 miles); lights (7 complaints); engine (7 complaints, typically around 81,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Volkswagen GTI have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 24, 2007 (lights). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the Volkswagen GTI?
- It is 7th of 25 GTI model years by number of complaints, with 67 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.