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2008 Volkswagen Passat electrical problems

21 complaints (13% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 85,000.

owner complaints
21
of this car's complaints
13%
typical mileage
85,000
crashes
0
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Alternator/generator/regulator
    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 Passat electrical problems in other years

1990199520002005201020152022

Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Volkswagen Passat 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 Passat owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 7, 2022 · Electrical, Fuel system · GA

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.

Filed Oct 17, 2019 · Electrical · 137 miles · WA

Reference ntsa vehicle safety recall number 08v235000. It identifies a engine surge and resultant vehicle surge for vw passats in the year 2008. I recently purchased a 2008 vw passat lux wagon and have had this happen to me at least 6 times since the end of june when I bought the car. Most recently, a lady was walking in front of my car in a crosswalk, I had stopped for. As I began to let off the brake, the car lunged forward about a foot, before I stopped it again. We were both noticeably shaken by what had just happened. I tried reporting this incident and the recall to my local dealer, vw of olympia only to be told it did not apply to my specific VIN. I went on to contact vw cares only to be told the same thing. I did file a report with their case number 190810111. This situation may not have been apparent to my specific VIN when the car was new and the recall was issued. Now 12 years and 137k miles later, there it is. People are going to get hurt or even killed if this is not dealt with.

Filed Jul 17, 2018 · Driver assistance, Electrical · NC

Takata recall the fuel pump water pump and power loss

Filed Jun 6, 2018 · Airbags, Electrical · 165,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 volkswagen passat. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was pushed to an independent mechanic auto shop and it was diagnosed that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact received a recall notification for the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 17v509000 (fuel system, gasoline) and 18v148000 (air bags). The contact called ganley westside volkswagen at (440) 734-2000 (located at 25580 lorain rd, north olmsted, oh 44070) and was informed that the parts were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 165,000. Vin tool confirms parts not available and parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Apr 10, 2018 · Electrical · 85,000 miles · UT

This vehicle has a recall for known electrical problems which may cause a loss of steering while driving. I have attempted to contact my local vw dealership to have them look into the issue but they fail to offer a solution. The vehicle also has known faulty electrical components in the steering wheel which cause airbag faults.

Filed Apr 3, 2018 · Electrical · GA

When I've been driving my car it completely shuts off, I lose power steering, acceleration, braking & need to allow the car to come to a stop & then stut if off & turn it back on. I have taken my pasta in and they are unable to find anything wrong with it. I found that there is a recall for my VIN but no available parts for a fuel pump replacement that would cause the car to suddenly shut off. What can I do to get this replaced I'm scared to keep driving it because at some point I will not be so lucky to not hit someone.

Filed Jan 29, 2018 · Electrical, Fuel system · 80,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 volkswagen passat. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced excessive electrical power consumption. The contact stated that the battery had to be replaced three times. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v509000 (fuel system, gasoline); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was not contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Jan 23, 2018 · Electrical, Lights · 100,981 miles · TX

While changing the passenger-side low-beam bulb, I found wiring to all three bulb holders missing insulation, having exposed wires. Even the intact insulation is very brittle where the minimal movement of the wires, necessary to replace any of the bulbs, causes more insulation to break away from the bulb wiring. There is no wire wrap, electrical tape, nor heat shielding on any of the wires within the headlight assembly, like what I see elsewhere within the wiring loom under the hood. Whether the damage to the wires is initially from heat build-up within the housing or abrasion against any of several stamped metal pieces internal to the housing, the result is unsafe. If each light were individually fused, then the wire gauge used would be sufficient for a 55-watt (halogen) bulb. However, the wire gauge is not enough to survive any shorting of these wires, either directly against each other or through any metal within the housing, because it would have to pass enough current to blow the common fuse. Losing a light seems pale in comparison to the risk of an electrical fire under the hood. A quick google or youtube search reveals this persistent issue over many models and years of vw, audi, and other manufacturers using similar hella or valeo lighting components. I have now experienced this on both headlights on my 08 touareg, which I completely rewired, and now on both sides of my 08 passat. Volkswagen does not have any superceded part for the headlight assemblies, which means they have not fixed it. As opposed to buying a replacement housing (~$340 each) with the exact same specifications, I will rewire these housings with larger wire, heat-resistant shielding and loom wrap tape, just as I had to do on my touareg. Any others not so mechanically inclined are trapped with a poor design that hella, valeo, and vw have not resolved.

Filed Jan 18, 2018 · Electrical · 120,000 miles · KS

Many times the car won't start. After many tries, it may start, but I have been left in very cold and unsafe places without the ability to start the car. I feel like this is an ongoing issue for these cars and vw should offer an inexpensive or free fix for this.

Filed Dec 2, 2017 · Electrical, Fuel system · 99,500 miles · OR

Engine stalls sometimes while driving--just a momentary hickup

Questions about the 2008 Volkswagen Passat electrical

Does the 2008 Volkswagen Passat have electrical problems?

Owners have filed 21 complaints about the electrical of the 2008 Volkswagen Passat, 13% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2008 Volkswagen Passat electrical problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 85,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2008 Volkswagen Passat electrical?

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

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

The Volkswagen Passat model years with the most electrical complaints are 2002 (220 complaints), 2012 (95 complaints) and 2013 (93 complaints).

Other 2008 Volkswagen Passat problems

Fuel system 63Engine 52Airbags 32Steering 12Transmission 12Brakes 6Visibility 6Acceleration 4Lights 3Seats 3Body 2Driver assistance 2Seat belts 2Tires 1Wheels 1

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