MYRModel Year Report

2008 Volkswagen Jetta

● Typical for this model
2008 Volkswagen Jetta
RENDERED 2026-11-01T17:10:42.293Z

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
188
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2008

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

29% of complaints

Complaints per year

1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 14 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1988: 19 complaints 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 22 complaints 1990 1991: 32 complaints 1992: 30 complaints 1993: 17 complaints 1994: 120 complaints 1995: 220 complaints 1996: 173 complaints 1996 1997: 141 complaints 1998: 192 complaints 1999: 349 complaints 2000: 439 complaints 2001: 668 complaints 2002: 702 complaints 2002 2003: 456 complaints 2004: 231 complaints 2005: 248 complaints 2006: 580 complaints 2007: 201 complaints 2008: 188 complaints 2008 188 2009: 889 complaints 2010: 852 complaints 2011: 607 complaints 2012: 500 complaints 2013: 518 complaints 2014: 387 complaints 2014 2015: 194 complaints 2016: 161 complaints 2017: 160 complaints 2018: 32 complaints 2019: 552 complaints 2020: 54 complaints 2020 2021: 71 complaints 2022: 43 complaints 2023: 43 complaints 2024: 46 complaints 2025: 31 complaints 2026: 6 complaints 2026
1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 14 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1987 1988: 19 complaints 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 22 complaints 1990 1991: 32 complaints 1992: 30 complaints 1993: 17 complaints 1993 1994: 120 complaints 1995: 220 complaints 1996: 173 complaints 1996 1997: 141 complaints 1998: 192 complaints 1999: 349 complaints 1999 2000: 439 complaints 2001: 668 complaints 2002: 702 complaints 2002 2003: 456 complaints 2004: 231 complaints 2005: 248 complaints 2005 2006: 580 complaints 2007: 201 complaints 2008: 188 complaints 2008 188 2009: 889 complaints 2010: 852 complaints 2011: 607 complaints 2011 2012: 500 complaints 2013: 518 complaints 2014: 387 complaints 2014 2015: 194 complaints 2016: 161 complaints 2017: 160 complaints 2017 2018: 32 complaints 2019: 552 complaints 2020: 54 complaints 2020 2021: 71 complaints 2022: 43 complaints 2023: 43 complaints 2023 2024: 46 complaints 2025: 31 complaints 2026: 6 complaints 2026
1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 14 complaints 1986 1987: 18 complaints 1988: 19 complaints 1988 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 22 complaints 1990 1991: 32 complaints 1992: 30 complaints 1992 1993: 17 complaints 1994: 120 complaints 1994 1995: 220 complaints 1996: 173 complaints 1996 1997: 141 complaints 1998: 192 complaints 1998 1999: 349 complaints 2000: 439 complaints 2000 2001: 668 complaints 2002: 702 complaints 2002 2003: 456 complaints 2004: 231 complaints 2004 2005: 248 complaints 2006: 580 complaints 2006 2007: 201 complaints 2008: 188 complaints 2008 188 2009: 889 complaints 2010: 852 complaints 2010 2011: 607 complaints 2012: 500 complaints 2012 2013: 518 complaints 2014: 387 complaints 2014 2015: 194 complaints 2016: 161 complaints 2016 2017: 160 complaints 2018: 32 complaints 2018 2019: 552 complaints 2020: 54 complaints 2020 2021: 71 complaints 2022: 43 complaints 2022 2023: 43 complaints 2024: 46 complaints 2024 2025: 31 complaints 2026: 6 complaints 2026

2008: 188 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19810
19820
19830
19841
198513
198614
198718
198819
198928
199022
199132
199230
199317
1994120
1995220
1996173
1997141
1998192
1999349
2000439
2001668
2002702
2003456
2004231
2005248
2006580
2007201
2008188
2009889
2010852
2011607
2012500
2013518
2014387
2015194
2016161
2017160
201832
2019552
202054
202171
202243
202343
202446
202531
20266

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

29% · 55 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and driveline.

CRASH

Electrical system

23% · 43 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and mat.

FIREINJURY
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, 2018-12-25

Also filed under Seats

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, 2013-02-27

Also filed under Seats

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, 2024-12-20

Service brakes

12% · 22 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASH

Engine

11% · 20 reports
CRASHFIRE
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, 2019-05-30

Air bags

11% · 20 reports
CRASHINJURY
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, 2024-11-07

Airbag warning light is on.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-07-23

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2007-10-31Exterior lighting07V442000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2009-06-30Power train09V164000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    2009-07-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 2009-11-19 Vehicle stall/loss motive power
  4. R
    2011-01-31Fuel system, gasoline10V621000 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.…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2014-05-01Engine and engine cooling14E007000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2019-11-06Unknown or other19V679000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2020-10-30Service brakes, hydraulic20E064000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2008 Volkswagen Jetta — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 55 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 43 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 22 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 07V442000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09V164000 · Power train
  • Recall 10V621000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 14E007000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 19V679000 · Unknown or other
  • Recall 20E064000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 29% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.