Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
120–25K
1825–50K
1450–75K
3175–100K
36100–150K
15150K+
126 reports with mileage · 42 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports6 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
168 reports
157,000 miles · Nov 3, 2017
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control
MY 2008 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT HAS CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. THERE IS NO WARNING LIGHT, IT SIMPLY TURNS OFF AND FLASHES THE BATTERY SIGNAL AND TURNS OFF. THE OTHER TIMES NO OTHER LIGHT IS PRESENT. DUE TO THIS ISSUE, CHANGED OUT FUEL PUMP,CRANK POSITION SENSOR, ENGINE HARNESS, SPARK PLUGS, O2 SENSOR, AND OIL CHANGE. ISSUE STILL PERSISTS.…
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MY 2008 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT HAS CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. THERE IS NO WARNING LIGHT, IT SIMPLY TURNS OFF AND FLASHES THE BATTERY SIGNAL AND TURNS OFF. THE OTHER TIMES NO OTHER LIGHT IS PRESENT. DUE TO THIS ISSUE, CHANGED OUT FUEL PUMP,CRANK POSITION SENSOR, ENGINE HARNESS, SPARK PLUGS, O2 SENSOR, AND OIL CHANGE. ISSUE STILL PERSISTS. I ALMOST GOT HIT BY A SEMI TRUCK WHEN IT CUT OFF. THERE IS NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PRESENT AT ALL. THE BATTERY IS GOOD. IT'S AS IF I'M DRIVING AND THE FUEL CUTS OFF. I ALREADY CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP AND ENGINE HARNESS, DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE COULD CAUSE THIS. BIG SAFETY ISSUE AS CAR GIVES NO WARNING AND JUST TURNS OFF WHILE ON HIGHWAY OR WHEN COMING TO A STOP SIGN WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION.
NHTSA ODI #11043132
117,000 miles · Oct 31, 2017
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other
SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE CAR
NHTSA ODI #11041731
Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2017
EngineFuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT IT FAILED TO REMAIN ON. THE CONTACT WAS CLOSE TO HOME AND PUSHED THE VEHICLE BACK INTO HER DRIVEWAY. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP MODULE FAILED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT IT FAILED TO REMAIN ON. THE CONTACT WAS CLOSE TO HOME AND PUSHED THE VEHICLE BACK INTO HER DRIVEWAY. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED SINCE IT WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V509000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL A DEALER. THE LOW COUNTRY VOLKSWAGEN DEALER (1001 JOHNNIE DODDS BLVD, MT PLEASANT, SC 29464 (843) 881-8555) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL DECEMBER OR JANUARY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #11035719
117,000 miles · Oct 20, 2017
Engine
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND NOTICED A LOSS OF POWER WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT ON. WHEN I COMPLETED THE TRIP, I FOUND THAT THE CAMSHAFT FOLLOWER HAD WORN ALL THE WAY THROUGH, LEAVING METAL FRAGMENTS INSIDE THE ENGINE. THE CAMSHAFT HAD WORN AWAY AT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, WITH DAMAGE OCCURRING TO BOTH PARTS. WHAT WAS ADDRE…
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND NOTICED A LOSS OF POWER WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT ON. WHEN I COMPLETED THE TRIP, I FOUND THAT THE CAMSHAFT FOLLOWER HAD WORN ALL THE WAY THROUGH, LEAVING METAL FRAGMENTS INSIDE THE ENGINE. THE CAMSHAFT HAD WORN AWAY AT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, WITH DAMAGE OCCURRING TO BOTH PARTS. WHAT WAS ADDRESSED IN TECHNICAL BULLETIN 2015153 HAPPENED TO MY CAR AS WELL. THE ISSUE IS THAT VW DENIED TO HELP BECAUSE MY CAR WAS A 2008 MODEL YEAR, WITH A PRODUCTION DATE IN JANUARY OF 2008. THE RECALL AND WARRANTY EXTENSION APPLIED TO MODEL YEAR 2006-2007, BUT BECAUSE THE SAME EXACT FAILURE HAPPENED ON MY CAR IT SHOULD BE COVERED ALSO.
NHTSA ODI #11034776
95,000 miles · Oct 18, 2017
Steering
DASHBOARD WARNING STATES " STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEFECTIVE"
NHTSA ODI #11034219
81,304 miles · Sep 20, 2017
Unknown Or Other
ON 9/19/2017 WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY COMING HOME FROM SOCCER PRACTICE THE HEADLINER CAME APART FROM THE ROOF CAUSING REAR VISIBILITY ISSUES. WE CONTACTED VW CUSTOMER CARE AND THEY WILL NOT REPAIR DESPITE THERE BEING MANY OTHER VW OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS (PASSATWORLD FORUM). WE HAVE OWNED EIGHT DIFFERENT CARS, HON…
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ON 9/19/2017 WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY COMING HOME FROM SOCCER PRACTICE THE HEADLINER CAME APART FROM THE ROOF CAUSING REAR VISIBILITY ISSUES. WE CONTACTED VW CUSTOMER CARE AND THEY WILL NOT REPAIR DESPITE THERE BEING MANY OTHER VW OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS (PASSATWORLD FORUM). WE HAVE OWNED EIGHT DIFFERENT CARS, HONDA, TOYOTA, ETC. AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN SO THIS IS CLEARLY A VW DEFECT.
NHTSA ODI #11024571
61,000 miles · Sep 7, 2017
Unknown Or Other
TOO MANY RECALLS!!!
NHTSA ODI #11022041
60,000 miles · Sep 7, 2017
Air Bags
NOTHING.
NHTSA ODI #11022040
Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2017
Air Bags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO HANSEL VOLKSWAGEN (2…
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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO HANSEL VOLKSWAGEN (2951 CORBY AVE, SANTA ROSA, CA 95407) WHO STATED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND DID NOT KNOW WHEN THEY WOULD ARRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA ODI #11003702
90,000 miles · Jul 7, 2017
Engine
ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO CAM SHAFT, HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, OIL PUMP, CAM SHAFT FOLLOWER. LOUD NOISE AND ROUGH SOUNDING ENGINE. CONSTANT WARNING LIGHT OF "STOP! LOW OIL PRESSURE" PROBLEMS SIMILAR OR IDENTICAL TO THE 07 ENGINE THAT WAS RECALLED.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 4,079 MY 2008 PASSAT AND 2,500 MY 2009 TIGUAN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.0T FSI ULEV II ENGINES. THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) CONTAINING SOFTWARE THAT MAY NOT PROPERLY CONTROL ENGINE IDLE WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING TURNED ON. IN RARE CASES, THE ECM MAY UNEXPECTEDLY INCREASE ENGINE RPM.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AN ENGINE SURGE CAUSED BY AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN ENGINE RPM MAY SURPRISE THE VEHICLE OPERATOR AND CAN RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND UPDATE THE ECM SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 30, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-893-5298.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2008 Volkswagen Passat Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year