2008 Volkswagen Passat problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Fuel/Propulsion System (32) · Air Bags (24) · Engine (23)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Volkswagen Passat model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
126 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2018-03-06 · campaign 18V148000 · 363,713 vehicles
Defect: Volkswagen 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. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 16, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q9. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump 2017-08-16 · campaign 17V509000 · 280,915 vehicles
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2016 Volkswagen CC, 2006-2010 Passat and Passat Wagon vehicles. Interruption of electrical power to the fuel pump control module may cause the fuel pump to fail.
Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump control module, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20AE.
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2016-02-10 · campaign 16V078000 · 659,493 vehicles
Defect: Volkswagen 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 and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Service bulletins (622)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-09 · SM 39-2026 · Other
this special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
Engine 2023-10-30 · V171901201285567 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vw engine oil quality standards
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2023-09-28 · V171905201285566 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vw engine oil quality standards
Equipment:electrical 2023-09-07 · V271901201189425 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
battery testing and charging using midtronics vas6161 and or grx3000vas charger. update tool terminology
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2023-09-05 · V0018092053065_4 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
safety related inquiry and reporting
Engine And Engine Cooling 2023-08-21 · V171901201285565 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
update to volkswagen engine oil standards
Showing the 6 most recent of 622 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-07-04 · Vehicle Speed Control“my car stalled on me while i was driving and would not start. i was told i need a new feul pump module. i took it to the dealership to get it replace and the feul pump but the car will not start. …”
2025-05-16 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 134,000 mi“the contact owns a 2008 volkswagen passat. the contact stated while her husband was reversing out of the garage, the vehicle stalled. there was no warning light illuminated. the contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart. the dealer was notified of the failure. the contact stated that the insurance company later informed the contact that the…”
2024-08-30 · Unknown Or Other“my son bought this used car. the stop engine light came on, got an oil change but the light did not go away. were told that the oil pressure might be the issue so took it to the mechanic. we were told it was most likely the oil pressure switch. there were multiple codes(cones) and were cleared. the switch was replaced but the engine light's still o…”
2023-01-01 · Steering“steering lock warning light flashes yellow and car takes two to three attempts to start. periodically light changes to red with audible. car occasionally shuts down while driving but recovers before stopping completely. this has been happening for over a year and is now getting significantly worse. dealer serviced about 4 weeks ago and key fob …”
2022-10-07 · Unknown Or Other“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. …”
2022-08-30 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline · 170,000 mi“the contact owns a 2008 volkswagen passat. the contact referenced nhtsa campaign number: 17v509000 (fuel system, gasoline). the contact stated that on multiple occasions while driving, the steering became difficult to maneuver. the contact stated that the rpm increased rapidly and the engine revved without the accelerator pedal being depressed. the…”
2020-12-15 · Power Train · 252,000 mi“transmission went into neutral while accelerating at highway speed last night. false neutral? no noticeable lights came on and finally put itself back in gear after we came to a stop. gear selector was never moved. i've read many people having this issue and seems to be a temp or speed sensor in the trans.…”
2020-08-18 · Seats“driver seat moves back and forth on its own while driving. all lumbar and seat supports also move without warning while operating vehicle in motion.…”
2020-07-27 · Fuel System, Gasoline“tl* the contact owns a 2008 volkswagen passat. the contact stated that while her son was driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. the vehicle restarted on several occasions. recently, the vehicle failed to restart. the contact's son had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate…”
2020-05-13 · Air Bags“ i received the call so i would like to know how i can contact you or when i could make an appointment to take my car thank you very much my car has lights on air bags brand i would love to bring my car as soon as possible thank you very much! *tr…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.