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2008 Volkswagen Jetta Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 188 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta, most often about the transmission (28% of complaints, typically around 25,500 miles). It is 17th of 27 Jetta model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2008 Volkswagen Jetta problems
Transmission
53 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 25,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, manual transmission.
2008 vw Jetta 2.5 with 5 speed manual and 25,300 miles. Unable to shift into reverse and shifting into first gear was difficult. Dealer stated that clutch was bad from wear and tear.
The following relates to a 2008 Jetta 2.0l wolfsburg edition sedan. Three times in the last month the vehicle has suddenly lost motive power, with the engine quickly dropping to 0 RPM, with all 3 incidents occurring during busy traffic conditions. After the first incident, the car was able to restart, and was brought…
Electrical
42 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, seat heater, instrument panel.
Tl * the contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen Jetta. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact steered the vehicle to the side of the road and was able to restart the vehicle. The failure recurred four times in five days. The dealer stated that the electronic computer machine needed to be…
While the vehicle was in motion on a highway, the turn signals began to act erratically. Initially only the left turn signaling appeared to be affected, and would fail to make any indication on the dash or illuminate the lights. Shortly after this, attempting to signal a right turn would actually result in the left…
Engine
26 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 93,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system.
The cam follower failed resulting in severe engine hesitation upon acceleration making the car unsafe to operate. The metal the part it is made from is not strong enough. This causes it to wear through and break, which in turn causes severe damage to the camshaft and fuel pump. As a result, all three parts must be…
The problem is the intake manifold and the intake valves stuck from excessive carbon buildup. It was replaced in feb 2011 and now needs replacing again. Problem is, now I'm out of the warranty period and the dealer is saying I would have to pay for this myself. They also added that there was only a 1 year warranty for…
Brakes
20 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 26,000 miles.
We own a 2008 vw Jetta. 2.5 l the Jetta has 25,000 miles and less than year of ownership (purchased at 8000 as program car) rear brakes are completely gone & ruined one rotor -no warning prior? (per dealer) front brakes are fine told rear pads and rotors must be replaced.
Rear brake pads on my 2008 Volkswagen Jetta are worn down to nothing and my front brake pads are just about perfect. Have noticed many online forums have mentioned this problem as well.
Air bags
20 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 84,500 miles.
I am getting a warning light on my dash indicating that there is an airbag fault in my 2008 Volkswagen Jetta. I have called the dealer where I purchased the vehicle, and after speaking with them, the dealer gave me a number to what he said was the Volkswagen corporate office in michigan. I was told by both the dealer…
Yellow airbag light would stay on when car was on. I checked with vw dealer to see if there was a recall and was advised no. This is the same problem that the 2010 thru 2016 vw are having. Dealer advised to replace the clockspring and harness due to build up of dust in the steering hub. Cost of repair $678.74 plus a…
Other or unspecified
11 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 115,000 miles.
Ignition lock, I cannot not turn the key to turn on the car. It was working and once I parked the car, I came back to the car and the key will not turn at all. I tried turning the wheel and jiggling the key lock and it still won't budge.
Key was stuck in n the ignition in the on position. Could not turn the key either way. After several hours of the car running I was forced to head to my local vw dealership for repair. The cost to replace the inside of the ignition plus labor was $1,000.
Fuel system
10 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle became hesitant to acceleration attempts. The failure recurred intermittently at speeds between 10 and 50 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis where the technician stated that the…
The contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen Jetta. While driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the engine warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart, but would only accelerate up to 30 MPH. The contact stated that this was a recurring failure. The vehicle was towed to an independent…
Doors and locks
10 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 68,000 miles. Parts named most often: doors.
I have a 2008 Jetta and I started experiencing problems with 1 door. My car was still under warranty and the lock was replaced at the dealership. Then only months later I started having similar problems randomly (the lock would work some times but not others). Everytime I stopped at the dealership to have it fixed the…
2008 wolfsburg edition Jetta: started experiencing issues with one door lock and the dealer told me that the locks can go bad and need to be replaced, costing $450 for the replacement. After having this fixed, only two months later, another lock started having an issue. I have not yet replaced this lock, but now a…
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 Jetta recalls
Other: unknown or other
Risk: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began november 6, 2019. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01d7. Note: this recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 18v-329.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 volkswagen passat, 2018 tiguan lwb, 2007-2009 jetta sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 jetta, 2013 jetta hybrid, 2008-2009 jetta sportwagen, 2015 golf sportwagen, 2013 golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 beetle and beetle convertible, 2008-2010 beetle, and beetle convertible vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.
Fuel system: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk: If chafing occurs, there is the potential for a fuel leak to develop. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the underhood fuel line. Additionally, depending on the vehicle model, dealers will either remove the plastic tab from the windshield washer fluid reservoir, or inspect the position of the fastening clamp and adjust the related fastening clamp into the correct position. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before january 31, 2011. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 jetta, new beetle, new beetle convertible, model year 2009 jetta sportwagen and model year 2007-2009 rabbit vehicles equipped with 2.5l engines. The jetta, jetta sportwagen, and rabbit vehicles may have a small plastic tab located on the windshield washer fluid reservoir that may chafe against an underhood fuel supply line. The new beetle and the new beetle convertible vehicles may have a fastening clamp on a hydraulic hose of the power steering system that may be located in an improper position which could cause chafing against an underhood fuel supply line.
Transmission: driveshaft
Risk: If the vehicle is moving when this happens, the detached driveshaft could cause damage the gearbox housing. A damage gearbox housing could leak gearbox oil onto the street and create a risk of a vehicle crash for both the driver and other motorists.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the driveshaft screws and replace the screws free of charge. The recall began on june 24, 2009. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen is recalling 25,594 my 2006-2009 jetta 5th generation equipped with 2.01 engine. The fastening screw contact surfaces on the driveshaft cover plate may not have been manufactured to factory specifications. Some screws may not have been torqued properly during assembly and could loosen over time, causing a knocking sound when the vehicle is in motion. The driveshaft screws could loosen to the point where the driveshaft detaches from the gearbox.
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 Jetta
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (53 complaints, typically around 25,500 miles); electrical (42 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles); engine (26 complaints, typically around 93,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 25, 2019 (other). 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 Jetta?
- It is 17th of 27 Jetta model years by number of complaints, with 188 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.