2008 Volkswagen Jetta

● Typical for this model

2008 Volkswagen Jetta
RENDERED 2026-08-02T12:59:57.403Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2008: 188 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1980	0
1981	0
1982	0
1983	0
1984	1
1985	13
1986	14
1987	18
1988	19
1989	28
1990	22
1991	31
1992	30
1993	17
1994	117
1995	220
1996	31
1997	54
1998	192
1999	349
2000	439
2001	668
2002	702
2003	455
2004	231
2005	248
2006	580
2007	201
2008	188
2009	888
2010	852
2011	606
2012	499
2013	515
2014	386
2015	193
2016	160
2017	158
2018	30
2019	537
2020	51
2021	65
2022	41
2023	41
2024	36
2025	21
2026	3

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 20%

20% of complaints: electrical system — 37 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

I UTILIZED MY SEAT WARMER ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND ONLY HAD THE SETTING ON 2 (OUT OF 5). AFTER APPROXIMATELY AN HOUR OF MY TRIP HOME FOR CHRISTMAS, I STARTED TO FEEL MY LOWER BACK (ON MY RIGHT) BURN BECAUSE THE SEAT WAS EXCESSIVELY HOT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20181225

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ONE MORNING AND IT STARTED TO SMELL LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING. I THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS JUST A WEIRD SMELL IN MY VENTS BUT WITHIN 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING A CLOUD OF SMOKE FILED THE DRIVER SIDE OF MY CAR.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130227

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20241220

POWER TRAIN 14%

14% of complaints: power train — 26 distinct reports on file.

POWER TRAIN 13%

13% of complaints: power train — 24 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

ENGINE 11%

11% of complaints: engine — 20 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190530

AIR BAGS 11%

11% of complaints: air bags — 20 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer.

NHTSA ODI report, 20241107

Airbag warning light is on.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240723

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20071031 — exterior lighting

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 REQUIRE

Remedy: 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 AIM

Campaign 07V442000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090630 — power train

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 FACTOR

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 09V164000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20090717 — PE (closed 20091119)

VEHICLE STALL/LOSS MOTIVE POWER

R 20110131 — fuel system, gasoline

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. T

Remedy: 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 RESERV

Campaign 10V621000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140501 — engine and engine cooling

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...

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 14E007000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20191106 — unknown or other

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Remedy: 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 this recall is 01D7.

Campaign 19V679000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20201030 — service brakes, hydraulic

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.

Remedy: 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 cylinder (part number 072-9990), free of charge.

Campaign 20E064000 — check if this car was fixed