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2008 Volkswagen Jetta electrical problems

42 complaints (22% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 90,000.

owner complaints
42
of this car's complaints
22%
typical mileage
90,000
crashes
0
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Ignition
    3
  • Seat heater: mat
    1
  • Instrument panel: speedometer/odometer
    1
  • Ignition: switch
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Volkswagen Jetta electrical problems in other years

19901995200020052010201520202027

Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta electrical

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Fire or smoke 5

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

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 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 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.????

Filed Dec 27, 2021 · Electrical · 140,000 miles · WI

The contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated the front driver’s side seat heaters would overheat when choosing option 1 or 2 and failed to turn off. The contact stated that the heat was overwhelming for her and would feel like it was burning her back. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

Filed Apr 12, 2021 · Acceleration, Electrical · 183,219 miles · MO

Just after I purchased the used vehicle from a private party, I was driving on the interstate at approximately 70 miles per hour, when the vehicle without warning slammed into second gear, sending my face into the steering wheel, while the cars travelling behind me had to brake to avoid collision. I pulled over, and turned the car off to assess the reason, to no avail. When I re-started the car and put it in gear, it drove fine until the next time I drove it. Then it did a repeat of the previous action, sending the transmission into safe made without any notice or provocation, and again, when I restarted the vehicle it drove perfectly normal while I drove it directly home. When I performed an obdii scan, it generated p0746 as the problem, with no other problems being reported. I am reporting this problem because the first time it happened, it could have have ended very badly had someone else been behind the wheel, such as a mother who may be distracted by her children at the time, and I feel this matter should be addressed before someone is killed on the highway. Prior experience has taught me that highway accidents seldom only happen to one vehicle at a time, and almost anyone that experiences this problem on a highway could cause serious injury to multiple cars and needs to be addressed.

Filed Oct 27, 2020 · Electrical, Steering · 170,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Jun 30, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 167,000 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 volkswagen jetta. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the safety anti-lock warning light illuminated and the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that after several attempts, the vehicle started however, the contact was then unable to turn off the vehicle or remove the key from the ignition. The contact stated that with extra effort she was able to remove the key from the ignition. Suntrup volkswagen located at 6000 s lindbergh blvd, st. Louis, mo 63123, (314) 892-8200, was contacted and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of failure. The failure mileage was 167,000.

Questions about the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta electrical

Does the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta have electrical problems?

Owners have filed 42 complaints about the electrical of the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta, 22% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2008 Volkswagen Jetta electrical problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 90,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta electrical?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Volkswagen Jetta have the most electrical problems?

The Volkswagen Jetta model years with the most electrical complaints are 2010 (233 complaints), 2011 (186 complaints) and 2019 (154 complaints).

Other 2008 Volkswagen Jetta problems

Transmission 53Engine 26Brakes 23Airbags 20Fuel system 10Locks 10Visibility 8Acceleration 6Seats 6Driver assistance 5Lights 5Body 4Steering 3Tires 3Wheels 3Seat belts 2Suspension 2

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