KnownCarProblemsHome › Volkswagen › R32 › 2008
2008 Volkswagen R32 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 115 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Volkswagen R32, most often about the transmission (71% of complaints, typically around 15,000 miles). It is the most complained-about R32 model year since 2000 and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2008 Volkswagen R32 problems
Transmission
82 complaints · 71%Half of these problems showed up before 15,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission.
My 2008 vw R32 with the dsg transmission surges forward as soon as I take my foot off the brakes in traffic or stop lights. It will surge forward and then rock like someone dumped the clutch even though there is no manual clutch. The car also is very clunky in reverse, and rocks alot. These problems occur about every…
The car was purchased with ~2000 miles on it. When coming to a near stop, and then trying to accelerate hard around a corner, on 4 occasions there was a loud backfire, and the car would stall completely. The car had to be stopped and restarted each time. At ~25000 miles, a vw technician and friend performed a "basic…
Fuel system
25 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 7,500 miles. Parts named most often: storage.
My vehicle has stalled twice on me when it had 6647 miles. It occurred twice in a span of two hours. I was driving and the car started to "hiccup". It jumps between shifts, this occurs mostly when it is humid outside. The vehicle also emits a loud ticking sound from the gas tank, and in extremely cold weather the gas…
The car loses power (I.e. Hiccups or hesitates) at highway speeds, most noticeable on even the slightest acceleration - even with cruise control on. At times it will idle in a similar staggered way. When city driving the same problem occurs on acceleration. It happens randomly but once it starts, it persists until the…
Electrical
6 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 36,000 miles.
Suspect clock spring failed. Airbag indicator light is illuminated. Lost all functions to steering wheel mounted controls. Vw would not pay for the repair.
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 keep going out. They also tell me that…
Lights
6 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 63,500 miles.
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 keep going out. They also tell me that…
Both headlights failed. Headlight wiring is deteriorated. Wire insulation is brittle, cracked and separated, leaving the wiring exposed causing electrical shortages, bulb and ballast failure. Local Volkswagen dealer performed diagnoses during the 60000 mile maintenance upon my request. "found internal headlight wire…
Engine
4 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: engine.
This is the second time I am bringing this to the dealer. While driving the engine dies and cant start it again. Had to get it towed to dealer in the middle of nowhere. Dealer asked what was wrong I said it felt as if the battery died and the engine just died. They tried fixing it and it happened again. This time…
I have had several issues with some corrected but the hesitation of power and shifting issues with dsg continue to persist. Several times I have tried to accelerate and the car does not respond immediately, this has happened on the expressway several times. There is also some jerking in the car as it tries to go…
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 R32 recalls
Fuel system: tank assembly
Risk: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, could lead to a vehicle fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
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 R32
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Volkswagen R32?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (82 complaints, typically around 15,000 miles); fuel system (25 complaints, typically around 7,500 miles); electrical (6 complaints, typically around 36,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Volkswagen R32 have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from March 20, 2009 (fuel system). 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 R32?
- It is the most complained-about R32 model year since 2000, with 115 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.
Other Volkswagen R32 years
- 2008