Volkswagen / Passat / 2008
2008 Volkswagen Passat problems
Owners have filed 240 complaints about the 2008 Volkswagen Passat with NHTSA. Fuel/propulsion system accounts for 18.3% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of engine at 17.9%.
Complaints240
Crashes3
Fires9
Injuries3
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Fuel/propulsion system 18.3% · 44
Engine 17.9% · 43
Air bags 13.8% · 33
Electrical system 8.8% · 21
Fuel system, gasoline 7.9% · 19
Power train 5.4% · 13
Unknown or other 5.4% · 13
Steering 5.0% · 12
Severity
Of those complaints, 3 describe a crash, 9 describe a fire and 3 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 22 model years of the Volkswagen Passat in this data, 2008 sits 14th by complaint volume. 2013 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 8 in the last three years against 26 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 92,000 miles.
In owners' own words
Engine seized while driving on roadway due to metal shavings from "cam follower" for high pressure fuel pump. A poor camshaft lobe design caused metal shavings from cam follower to gouge into camshaft journals guides of cylinder head. A known vw issue, yet they have not looked to help consumers. The fsi 2.0L engines are in millions of cars that still may be on the road today. Multiple vw and audi popular models. Fuel/propulsion system · reported at 104,000 miles
Driving normally on the highway and the vehicle suddenly stopped running. Vehicle would not restart. Aaa advised and vehicle delivered to my local vw mechanic. I advised vw and they never heard of that problem. Fuel pump needed to be replaced. Car has 35000 miles. Vw customer service advised me that the 2008 Passat is not included in any campaign, such as a recall or warranty extension. Fuel pump was replaced. Fuel/propulsion system · reported at 95,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that fuel was leaking onto the rear seats of the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact scheduled an appointment for diagnostic testing and repairs at gebhardt Volkswagen (2470 49th st, boulder, co 80301, (303) 444-1644). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000. Fuel/propulsion system · reported at 120,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…