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2008 Volkswagen Jetta problems

The most common problem on the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta is transmission and drivetrain, typically around 25,300 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical Jetta model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
78/100
Owner complaints
188
Recalls
4
Service bulletins
597
Worst area
Transmission
Fuel economy
24-25mpg
Typical repair
$480

The worst 2008 Volkswagen Jetta problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta

Jerking 20Airbag light 15Door locks 14Harsh shifting 7Stalling 7Check engine light 6Hesitation 6Fire or smoke 5Fuel pump 5Sudden acceleration 5Wipers 5

Recalls 4

Unknown or otherReported September 25, 2019 · 113 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Remedy
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 the federal safety agency recall number 18V‑329.

Recall number 19V679000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsReported December 10, 2010 · 228,236 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 10V621000 · Recall details

Power train: driveline: driveshaftReported May 19, 2009 · 25,594 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 09V164000 · Recall details

Exterior lighting: headlightsReported September 24, 2007 · 340,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 07V442000 · Recall details

See all 4 recalls for the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta

Defect investigations

Vehicle stall/loss motive powerOpened July 17, 2009, closed November 19, 2009

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 limp home mode, and some that store a dtc and cause an interruption of motive power (I.e., open clutch).the driver is alerted to the latter two modes by the dash gear position indicator (prnds) flashing. One of the conditions that results in interruption of motive power is excess gearbox temperature.the system initially responds to increased gearbox temperature by ramping down engine torque.if the temperature keeps rising the mechatronic unit responds by opening the clutch.in a defect information report submitted to the federal safety agency on august 20, 2009, volkswagen described a potential defect in the wiring harnesses of the dsg gearbox temperature sensors used in approximately 16,000 model year (my) 2009 and 2010 volkswagen (eos, jetta and gti) and audi (a3 and tt/tt roadster) vehicles equipped with dsg transmissions and built from september 2008 through august 2009 (the federal safety agency recall no. 09v‑333, volkswagen recall no. 37e3/s7 and audi recall no 37e4/j7). Volkswagen provided this description of the defect, the wiring harness of a temperature sensor in the dsg may have connector wires that were insufficiently crimped by the connector supplier during a limited production period.with insufficiently crimped connector wires, a temperature sensor has the potential to falsely detect a high gearbox oil temperature, causing the transmission to abruptly shift to neutral.if this happens, the selector lever position indicator within the instrument panel will flash.in addition, the depress brake pedal indicator light will be illuminated, alerting the driver to apply the brakes.in heavy traffic, the abrupt shift to neutral could lead to a crash without warning.volkswagen estimated that less than one percent of the recalled vehicles may contain the defect condition. Odi identified 40 complaints that appear to be related to the temperature sensor defect condition described by volkswagen.volkswagen received 139 complaints related to the condition, with 7 involving vehicles reported to odi, resulting a 172 total complaints to odi and volkswagen.all of these complaints involve the my 2009 an 2010 vehicles subject to recall 09v‑333. Odi also identified complaints of harsh/jerky shifting in some volkswagen vehicles with dsg.volkswagen attributed this condition, which typically occurs at very low speeds, to excessive wear in the bushings of the two solenoid valves in the mechatronic unit that control clutch operation.volkswagen does not believe that the this condition is a safety defect because the changes in shift quality develop gradually over time, do not cause a loss of motive power and have not resulted in any fatalities, injuries or serious crashes (there were three reported property damage incidents resulting in minor body damage in very low speed, parking maneuvers).volkswagen addressed this problem in the field with a customer service program that includes the replacement of potentially affected mechatronic units as well

PE09035

Technical service bulletins for the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta 597

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 597 bulletins for the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta

2008 Volkswagen Jetta fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.0L 4‑cylFWD20-222924-25
2.5L 5‑cylFWD212924

What 2008 Volkswagen Jetta owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 3, 2026 · Electrical · MN

Ignition key is stuck in the vehicle with the ignition on will not come out

Filed Mar 14, 2026 · Electrical, Lights · NE

Sometimes I feel as if my car is possessed I own a 2008 Volkswagen Jetta and sometimes the passenger headlight works sometimes it doesn't I've replaced the bulbs doesn't matter. My sunroof All of a sudden stopped working. My turn signals on the right side don't work when the headlight is not on. I have no sound from my stereo cuz my speakers automatically went out. It has a lot of electrical issues not sure why.

Filed Dec 20, 2024 · Electrical · NC

The ignition switch gets stuck sometimes and I can't crank my car nor turn it off I'm just dating that because that's what's going on on my end. Therefore, I've had times where I can't crank my car or I can't turn it off when I need to. So you may tell me if there was a recall on ignition switch or whatever

Filed Nov 7, 2024 · Airbags · 253,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 253,000.

Filed Jul 23, 2024 · Airbags · AL

Airbag warning light is on.

Filed Aug 7, 2023 · Airbags, Electrical · CA

Passenger airbag is always off. I saw reports on youtube wiring connectors under the seat are the reason. There’s a home remedy solution. Important air bag issues should be freely be done by manufacturer or dealer. Also steering issues are more common than reported. The electrical devise fails too often rendering driving the vehicle difficult.

Filed Dec 8, 2022 · Electrical · TX

The contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed during the daytime, the speedometer failed to illuminate adequately, causing her to be unable to see the speed she was driving. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jun 2, 2022 · Locks · VA

I would like to report driver door lock actuator goes bad over time, and could become an issue of getting out of the driver side of the door in a safely manner. I had to get door fixed a mechanic.

Filed May 24, 2022 · Transmission · 106,349 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering and swaying in the rear of the vehicle. The contact slowed down and proceeded to drive. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,349.

Filed May 13, 2022 · Electrical · VA

car go into a safe mode take to dealer they said car is no reparable because the part they need is no longer made by VW and is no a substitution part for it. so basically they talk me to send it to a junk lot or I can buy a new car and they will gime some money for it also at the end they recommend a shop that maybe be they can fixit so I think why ???? ia safety advised for a dealer.????

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2008 Volkswagen Jetta before you buy

Compare the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta

Jetta vs Ford FocusJetta vs Honda CivicJetta vs Toyota CorollaJetta vs Hyundai ElantraJetta vs Nissan SentraJetta vs Chevrolet CruzeJetta vs Mazda MAZDA3Jetta vs Subaru Impreza

Other model years

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Questions about the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta

Is the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?

Owners have filed 188 complaints about the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta, fewer than a typical Jetta model year.

What is the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta year score?

The 2008 Volkswagen Jetta scores 78 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Volkswagen Jetta: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta?

Transmission and drivetrain, with 53 complaints, typically around 25,300 miles. Next is electrical (42).

How many recalls does the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta have?

4 recalls, covering unknown or other, fuel system, gasoline and power train.

Was there a recall on the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta transmission?

Yes, 1 recall: 09V164000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Volkswagen Jetta have bad transmission?

The Volkswagen Jetta model years with the most transmission complaints are 2006 (245 complaints), 2019 (163 complaints) and 2009 (141 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta get?

Official estimates for the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta range from 24 to 25 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 20-22 city and 29 highway.

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