Check a VIN

2008 Volkswagen Jetta engine problems

26 complaints (14% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 93,000. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
26
of this car's complaints
14%
typical mileage
93,000
crashes
1
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Exhaust system: emission control
    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 engine problems in other years

19901995200020052010201520202026

Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta engine

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

Stalling 7Check engine light 6

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2008 Volkswagen Jetta owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

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.

Filed Sep 1, 2019 · Engine · NY

This vehicle will need $1500. Of work to pass nys inspection.the rear main seal has failed which causes a vacuum leak that results in an emissions failure. Cel. My research has informed that this is a very common failure.

Filed May 30, 2019 · Engine · 174,000 miles · GA · fire

I turned my car completely off and the car was parked when I got out of my car to meet with a friend to go swimming at this neighborhood pool. I had my keys in my hand (still do have the key as well) and I smelled something burning, so I turned around and there was smoke coming out of my sunroof. I looked in the car and saw that it was a fire in my backseat on the passenger side (also where the gas tank is located) and saw the fire spreading. Therefore, I ran away from the car, yelled for help and called 911. Within three minutes my car was engulfed in flames and popped a few times as well. The fire also caught the grass, a few bushes and trees on fire as well. The firefighters came to put the fire out and informed me that the fire started in my engine and traveled from there to the gas tank and spread from there.

Filed May 14, 2019 · Engine, Transmission · 101,230 miles · PA

Car while driving immediately slows like it was shifted into neutral. When you press the gas car races but does not move. The prnds flashes and the car had to be shut down and restarted. I heard there was a recall but it never showed for my car nor will they help, because my VIN was not listed. This is a serious safety hazard. Especially at 55 MPH in heavy traffic.

Filed Apr 2, 2019 · Brakes, Engine · 199,000 miles · NY

Engine light on

Filed Dec 11, 2018 · Engine, Lights · 200,000 miles · CA

The car initially had troubles when it would be hot outside it would and the temperature gauge would go high in temperature also if it was cold outside and you were driving slow temperature gauge down below safe temperature. After applying 2-5 bottles in a month the car started shuting down on its on . After an oil change in april, I experienced the most scary incident... While driving on freewaay I felt kerking a seen smoke from under the hood. I oulled in s gas station and let the car cool topk over 4hrs to do so. I had to drive back home on the streets and the car wpuld not stay at a stable heat. I had to stop my car in multiple unsafe area after'11 in the night. Now the car will not start unless give a jump for over an hour. Obly satys in for about a min the loses power all over again

Filed Mar 6, 2017 · Engine · 91,000 miles · NY

Faulty timing chain tensioner

Filed Jul 22, 2016 · Engine, Fuel system · 120,000 miles · ME

While I was driving the car started shaking and when I checked the oil there was no oil on the dipstick.no oil light came on and when I brought it to my mechanic he stated that the rear seal needed to be replaced. This car has only 120,000 miles on it when I called the vw dealer in saco maine I was told that when it is repaired I should also has the pvb valve changed that it is now made out of a better material- he stated that it is a common problem with that specific motor that when the pvb valve puts too much pressure on the seal causing it to break but stated there is no warranty coverage or recall. It is an expensive repair as they need to completely remove the transmission.

Filed Jun 2, 2015 · Engine · 132,911 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 volkswagen jetta. When driving various speeds, the check engine light illuminated. The contact also noticed a leak in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to dealer where it was diagnosed that the cooling fan malfunctioned and the leak was a caused by faulty purge pressure sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 132,911.

Filed Apr 19, 2015 · Engine · 106,867 miles · TX

Since 2012, I have had check engine lights that no mechanic has been able to diagnose, because everything was fine when they would check the knock sensor. They would reset it, and see if it came on again. However, there would be long periods where it wouldn't come on. It has not come on, since november of 2014. 4/13/2015, at approximately 1900 hours, I was traveling on a major freeway, in afternoon traffic in houston. When, my engine began to die. My control panel went dead, and my engine was gradually dying, with the radio and electricity still working. I ended up being stranded in a moving lane, at a split, with vehicles whizzing from 60-80 MPH. I called for a wrecker over a police radio, but 5 minutes later my vehicle restarted like everything was fine, died and restarted again on shoulder of freeway. I then got off the freeway and went parking lot to parking lot got home, took it to vw dealership first thing. Due to no engine light or fault code, dealership guessed ignition switch. Due to problems with dealership, took vehicle from them and paid for diagnostic. Discovered in report they listed malfunctioning camshaft, which they were going to try and have me pay. I had the ignition switch replaced, died on me again on 4/19/15. Because searching with my VIN did not reveal defects or investigations and my vehicle was serviced for the 1 recall -- I searched with the engine code "bpy", I found there had been an investigation and vw decided to not do a recall but "update", thus didn't have to give owners notice. However, their own mechanics seem to be unaware. I realized that the technician thought of the ignition switch due to gm being in the news after the deaths, due to similarities. Vw did an "update" to settle the investigation, did not give notice, and I would have had to pay even though they agreed to extend the warranty for 10 years and 120,000 miles.

Questions about the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta engine

Does the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta have engine problems?

Owners have filed 26 complaints about the engine of the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta, 14% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2008 Volkswagen Jetta engine problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 93,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta engine?

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

What year does the Volkswagen Jetta have bad engine?

The Volkswagen Jetta model years with the most engine complaints are 2010 (188 complaints), 2009 (168 complaints) and 2019 (149 complaints).

Other 2008 Volkswagen Jetta problems

Transmission 53Electrical 42Brakes 23Airbags 20Fuel system 10Locks 10Visibility 8Acceleration 6Seats 6Driver assistance 5Lights 5Body 4Steering 3Tires 3Wheels 3Seat belts 2Suspension 2

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2008 Volkswagen Jetta?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history