Model year
2008 Volkswagen Passat
NHTSA lists 4 recalls and 168 complaints for the 2008 Volkswagen Passat (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 2 recalls and 6 complaints under PASSAT WAGON. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (44), ENGINE (43), AIR BAGS (32). NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 19–24 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,400–$4,350, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 507 complaints
- 2001 430 complaints
- 2002 636 complaints
- 2003 628 complaints
- 2004 279 complaints
- 2005 148 complaints
- 2006 576 complaints
- 2007 262 complaints
- 2008 168 complaints
- 2009 146 complaints
- 2010 163 complaints
- 2012 484 complaints
- 2013 749 complaints
- 2014 594 complaints
- 2015 243 complaints
- 2016 106 complaints
- 2017 110 complaints
- 2018 46 complaints
- 2019 12 complaints
- 2020 18 complaints
- 2021 18 complaints
- 2022 13 complaints
Recalls
18V148000 · Mar 6, 2018
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Volkswagen CC, 2010-2014 Golf, 2010-2014 Eos, 2007-2010 Passat Sedan and Wagon, and 2012-2014 Passat vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause…
17V509000 · Aug 16, 2017
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2016 Volkswagen CC, 2006-2010 Passat and Passat Wagon vehicles. Interruption of electrical power to the fuel pump control module may cause the fuel pump to fail.
16V078000 · Feb 10, 2016
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of…
08V235000 · May 28, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 4,079 MY 2008 PASSAT AND 2,500 MY 2009 TIGUAN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.0T FSI ULEV II ENGINES. THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) CONTAINING SOFTWARE THAT MAY NOT PROPERLY CONTROL ENGINE IDLE WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING TURNED ON.…
Complaints
168 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 3, fire flag on 6, injury field 2, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| PASSAT WAGON | 2 | 6 |
Investigations
No investigations are matched to this name.
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passat · 2L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 20 | 29 | 24 | — | — | $3,400 |
| Passat · 2L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 19 | 28 | 22 | — | — | $3,750 |
| Passat · 3.6L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 26 | 20 | — | — | $4,100 |
| Passat 4motion · 3.6L · Automatic (S6) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 16 | 24 | 19 | — | — | $4,350 |
| Passat Wagon · 2L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 20 | 29 | 24 | — | — | $3,400 |
| Passat Wagon · 2L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 20 | 28 | 23 | — | — | $3,550 |
| Passat Wagon 4motion · 3.6L · Automatic (S6) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 16 | 24 | 19 | — | — | $4,350 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2008 Volkswagen Passat at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.