2008 Volkswagen Jetta Problems, Recalls & Reliability
251 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta, alongside 6 recall campaigns and 1 defect investigation. It scores 20/100 on the trouble index — one of this model's quieter years. Transmission & drivetrain leads the reports, typically around 25,300 miles.
One of the quieter years. Relative to its siblings, the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta has drawn well-below-average complaint volume with at least four years on the road.
Better year
Where 2008 sits among all Jetta years
What owners report
“Vehicle will not shift properly and goes into lompode. Cannot accelerate. It has happened while driving on highways, in stop and go traffic, and while backing out of parking spots. The cause of the problem is the mechatronics unit .”— owner report to NHTSA, 2008 Jetta
“The ignition key gets stuck in keylock and you are unable to turn off engine. Went online and there are tons of complaints on forums.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2008 Jetta
“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.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2008 Jetta
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 207 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 65,078 miles. Half of those reports fall between 23,000 and 106,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (6)
Tenneco Automotive (Tenneco) is recalling certain Beck/Arnley Master Cylinders, part number 072-9831, sold as aftermarket or replacement parts for 2004-2018 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2012-2019 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles. The fluid seal crimp on the master…
Fix: Beck/Arnley will notify the distributors that sold the master cylinders and will work with the distributors to notify the end users. Affected master cylinders will be exchanged for a new master…
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…
Fix: 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…
The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October…
Fix: Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.
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…
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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.
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…
Fix: 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…
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 09V333000.
Technical service bulletins
596 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on engine and electrical — are on file for the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?
The 2008 Volkswagen Jetta drew 251 complaints in federal safety records — one of this model's quieter years. Its trouble index is 20/100, scored against the model's worst year (2002).
What are the most common 2008 Volkswagen Jetta problems?
The top reported problems for the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta are transmission & drivetrain (55 complaints), electrical (49), and engine (27).
At what mileage do 2008 Volkswagen Jetta problems show up?
Owners most often report 2008 Volkswagen Jetta problems around 65,078 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 23,000 and 106,000 miles.
Does the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta have recalls?
6 recall campaigns apply to the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.