Volkswagen Passat Complaints (2008)

174 consumer complaints on file.

#11671276July 4, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES
My car stalled on me while I was driving and would not start. I was told I need a new feul pump module. I took it to the dealership to get it replace and the feul pump but the car will not start.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11661420May 16, 2025
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated while her husband was reversing out of the garage, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart. The dealer was notified of the failure. The contact stated that the insurance company later informed the contact that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V509000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11611736August 30, 2024
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My son bought this used car. The STOP ENGINE light came on, got an oil change but the light did not go away. Were told that the oil pressure might be the issue so took it to the mechanic. We were told it was most likely the oil pressure switch. There were multiple codes(cones) and were cleared. The switch was replaced but the engine light's still on & the STOP ENGINE comes on but goes off. It appears it is a gas pump issue that it might be manufacture fault. Is there a recall for this issue on this 2008 Passat? It's my [XXX] 's first car, he saved & bought it but it's dangerous...he got it diagnosed & was told it's a $5,000 job. If it's an oil/gas pump manufacturer issue, is Volkswagen responsible? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11499676January 1, 2023
STEERING
Steering Lock Warning Light flashes yellow and car takes two to three attempts to start. Periodically light changes to red with audible. Car occasionally shuts down while driving but recovers before stopping completely. This has been happening for over a year and is now getting significantly worse. Dealer serviced about 4 weeks ago and key fob replaced but no other notations. Full dealer inspection but no mention about this issue. There seems to be a lot of comments about this issue. Please research as it is definitely not a "one-off".
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11488339October 7, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
There is a recall with the fuel pump and the manufacturer is claiming that I need to replace certain parts to be able to do the recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11481994August 30, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM), ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen Passat. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V509000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that on multiple occasions while driving, the steering became difficult to maneuver. The contact stated that the RPM increased rapidly and the engine revved without the accelerator pedal being depressed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that she was able to maneuver the vehicle and turned the vehicle off. The contact stated that she was able to restart the vehicle without a failure. The contact then stated that a week later while driving the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ECM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11383507December 15, 2020
POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION WENT INTO NEUTRAL WHILE ACCELERATING AT HIGHWAY SPEED LAST NIGHT. FALSE NEUTRAL? NO NOTICEABLE LIGHTS CAME ON AND FINALLY PUT ITSELF BACK IN GEAR AFTER WE CAME TO A STOP. GEAR SELECTOR WAS NEVER MOVED. I'VE READ MANY PEOPLE HAVING THIS ISSUE AND SEEMS TO BE A TEMP OR SPEED SENSOR IN THE TRANS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11350147August 18, 2020
SEATS
DRIVER SEAT MOVES BACK AND FORTH ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING. ALL LUMBAR AND SEAT SUPPORTS ALSO MOVE WITHOUT WARNING WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE IN MOTION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11341691July 27, 2020
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER SON WAS DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. RECENTLY, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE CONTACT'S SON HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE OR PROVIDE A CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY TAKEN TO TEAM VOLKSWAGEN (3990 E LINCOLN HWY, MERRILLVILLE, IN 46410) HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS ALSO UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE OR PROVIDED A CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V509000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11324358May 13, 2020
AIR BAGS
I RECEIVED THE CALL SO I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW I CAN CONTACT YOU OR WHEN I COULD MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO TAKE MY CAR THANK YOU VERY MUCH MY CAR HAS LIGHTS ON AIR BAGS BRAND I WOULD LOVE TO BRING MY CAR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE THANK YOU VERY MUCH! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11316418March 5, 2020
ENGINE, STEERING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHEN I TURN ON AC THE CAR LOSES POWER AND THE BATTER ICON AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP. AFTER I TURNED OFF AC AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART CAR AFTER A FEW TRYS IT STARTED BACK UP AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF.. THIS HAD NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11288611December 12, 2019
AIR BAGS, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I BOUGHT THE CAR AROUND MID-SEPTEMBER 2019. I'VE BEEN DRIVING IT SINCE AND JUST RECENTLY, I'D SAY DECEMBER 9TH, 2019 TO BE EXACT, GOT A LETTER IN THE MAIL SAYING MY VEHICLE HAD A RECALL FOR THE AIRBAG. I WENT ONLINE TO THE CAR BRANDS WEBSITE AND LOOKED UP MY EXACT CAR TO VERIFY. UPON DOING THIS, I DISCOVERED IT HAD A SECOND RECALL FOR THE FUEL PUMP. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR THE FREE REPAIRS, ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THEY CAN'T FIX THE FUEL FUMP ISSUE AS MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. FROM WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD BY A MECHANIC I WENT TO, THE LIGHT IS ON DUE TO A LEAK IN MY VACUUM PUMP. HE SAID IT'D COST ABOUT $600 FOR PART AND LABOR, BUT THAT THIS FIX ISN'T EXTREMELY IMPORTANT AND THAT MY CAR SHOULD RUN WELL ENOUGH WITHOUT THIS FIX. ME BEING BROKE, I DIDN'T GET IT FIXED. WELL, NOW THAT I'M HERE TO GET MY RECALL PARTS FIXED, I'M BEING TOLD I CAN'T GET ONE OF THEM FIXED, AND I'D HAVE TO PAY AROUND $124 FOR A DIAGNOSIS OF WHY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, OR PAY THE ESTIMATED COST TO FIX WHAT'S CASUING IT (WHICH I'D ONLY KNOW IF I ALLOWED THE DIAGNOSIS). SO NO MATTER WHAT, I'D HAVE TO PAY MONEY, OR JUST NOT GET MY FUEL PUMP, WHICH WAS RECALLED, FIXED. IS THIS SOMETHING THEY CAN DO? SEEMS UNLIKELY THEY'D HAVE TO CLEAR THE LIGHT TO FIX THE FUEL PUMP...
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11269173October 17, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
REFERENCE NTSA VEHICLE SAFETY RECALL NUMBER 08V235000. IT IDENTIFIES A ENGINE SURGE AND RESULTANT VEHICLE SURGE FOR VW PASSATS IN THE YEAR 2008. I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2008 VW PASSAT LUX WAGON AND HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ME AT LEAST 6 TIMES SINCE THE END OF JUNE WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR. MOST RECENTLY, A LADY WAS WALKING IN FRONT OF MY CAR IN A CROSSWALK, I HAD STOPPED FOR. AS I BEGAN TO LET OFF THE BRAKE, THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD ABOUT A FOOT, BEFORE I STOPPED IT AGAIN. WE WERE BOTH NOTICEABLY SHAKEN BY WHAT HAD JUST HAPPENED. I TRIED REPORTING THIS INCIDENT AND THE RECALL TO MY LOCAL DEALER, VW OF OLYMPIA< WA> ONLY TO BE TOLD IT DID NOT APPLY TO MY SPECIFIC VIN. I WENT ON TO CONTACT VW CARES ONLY TO BE TOLD THE SAME THING. I DID FILE A REPORT WITH THEIR CASE NUMBER 190810111. THIS SITUATION MAY NOT HAVE BEEN APPARENT TO MY SPECIFIC VIN WHEN THE CAR WAS NEW AND THE RECALL WAS ISSUED. NOW 12 YEARS AND 137K MILES LATER, THERE IT IS. PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GET HURT OR EVEN KILLED IF THIS IS NOT DEALT WITH.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11221154June 19, 2019
ENGINE
2008 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON TIMING CHAIN BROKE WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE, 160K MILES. VERY SCARY!!!!!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11217861June 4, 2019
AIR BAGS, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* TAKATA RECALL. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THEN TOWED TO THE OWNER'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT NOTIFIED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V509000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V148000 (AIR BAGS). JOE HOLLAND VOLKSWAGEN (150 MACCORKLE AVE SW A, SOUTH CHARLESTON, WV 25303, (304) 744-1561) WAS CONTACTED, BUT DID NOT RESPOND WITHIN A REASONABLE TIMEFRAME TO ADDRESS THE TWO RECALL REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11196090April 14, 2019
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
HAD FUEL MODULE RECALL FIXED AT DEALERSHIP AND 5 MONTHS LATER THE PROBLEM IS BACK THE FIX FOR THE RECALL DOES NOT WORK OR LAST NEEDS TO HAVE ANOTHER RECALL PUT OUT ON THE 2008 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11192463March 29, 2019
STEERING
"STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEFECTIVE" WARNING DISPLAYS ON THE OBD PANEL REGULARLY, YET RANDOMLY SINCE PURCHASING VEHICLE. BOUGHT IN 2011 ODOMETER 5,989, NOW IN 2019 60,000 MI. HAVE REPORTED THIS TO VW DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES DURING SERVICE MAINTENANCE. ALWAYS TOLD THAT NO CODE POPS, AND NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. YET IT OCCURS REGULARLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE NOT TO START. ON ONE OCCASION, VEHICLE DID START WHILE WARNING WAS ON DISPLAY, ATTEMPTED TO EXIT PARKING LOT, AND WHILE MOVING FORWARD STEERING WAS UNRESPONSIVE. SHUT OFF VEHICLE AND RESTARTED. WARNING DID NOT REAPPEAR. IF YOU REFERENCE - SAFERCAR.GOV - THERE ARE HUNDREDS TO THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS THAT DISCUSS THIS SAME FACTORY DESIGN FLAW; SOME CONSUMERS REPORT VEHICLE SHUTTING DOWN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH THIS DEFECT. ALL HAVE THE SAME QUANTRY: VW WILL NOT ADDRESS. A VOLUNTARY RECALL WAS ISSUED WITHOUT NOTIFICATION TO OWNERS IN USA. IT LIMITED MODEL/YEARS AND IMPOSED AN EXPIRATION DATE, EVEN THOUGH IT MAY AFFECT ALL B6 PASSATS MADE DURING 2005-2010. APPARENTLY, AN OPEN RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR UK OWNERS. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS DEFECT HAS SERIOUS IF NOT FATAL SAFETY CONCERNS THAT VW IS BEING ALLOWED TO PASS ON AT THE BUYERS EXPENSE. (DEALER QUOTES RANGE FROM $1,500-2,000 AND ABOVE) NOW THAT VW IS MANUFACTURING IN THE US I AM URGING THIS AGENCY TO REINVESTIGATE THIS MANUFACTURE DEFECT AFFECTING SAFE OPERATION. I DO HAVE DATE/TIME STAMPED PHOTOS OF THIS OBD WARNING DISPLAY. IF VW WANTS TO ENJOY CONTINUED MANUFACTURING IN THE US THEN THEY SHOULD BE MADE ACCOUNTABLE FOR REPLACING DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN SYSTEMS THROUGH OPEN RECALL TO US BUYERS. THIS HELD TRUE FOR EMISSIONS VIOLATIONS (US STANDARDS VS UK) SHOULDN'T US BUYERS BE GIVEN THE SAME SAFETY CONSIDERATION AS UK BUYERS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11187403March 17, 2019
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE FUEL PUMP OF MY CAR STOPPED WORKING LAST MONDAY MARCH 11, 2018 FOR NO REASON.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11184876March 7, 2019
ENGINE
DURING AN UNRELATED SERVICE, MY ENGINE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A TIMING CHAIN PROBLEM. THE SERVICE PERSONNEL INDICATED THAT MY TIMING CHAIN HAS EXTENSIVE WEAR AND WILL FAIL AT SOME POINT IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THE ENGINE ONLY HAS 75,000 MILES. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING WITH THE LOW MILES ON THE VEHICLE. UPON RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT A GOOD NUMBER OF OTHER VOLKSWAGEN VEHICLES ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. VOLKSWAGEN HAS DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND A DEFECT WITH THE ENGINE. I FEEL THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE DONE BY VOLKSWAGEN TO REMEDY THE MANY VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11180474February 16, 2019
AIR BAGS, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, WHEELS
HELLO NHTSA I HAVE A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT THAT WAS RECALLED ABOUT AN AIRBAG THIS TO ME WAS UNSAFE I TRIED TO GET IT FIXED A SOON AS POSSIBLE,GETTING TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP I LEAVE MY PASSAT TO THEM TO FIX IT LIKE THE LETTER I RECEIVED IN THE MAIL SAID I WOULD PAY ANYTHING OUT OF POCKET, I GET MY CAR IN LESS THAN AN OUR SUPPOSEDLY FIXED MY AIR BAG BUT BIT ONLY DID THEY CHANGE MY AIR BAG BUT THEY TAMPERED WITH A FEW OTHER THINGS ONE OF THEM BEING THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODUEL BECAUSE ACCORDING TO THEM THE CARS PARTS WHERE ALL RECALLED,NOW I'M GETTING TO MY COMPLAIN I TOOK MY CAR IN IN GOOD CONDITION NOW MY CAR TURNS OFF AT RANDOM TIME BEING IN THE STREET OR IN THE FREEWAY DRIVING WHEN I FILL IT UP WITH GAS I HAVE TO STRIP ON MY ENGINE FOR IT TO TURN ON OR IT WON'T START,ALSO THE CAR KEEPS MARKING TIRE PRESSURE EVERY DAY I USED THIS CAR BEFORE I TOOK IT INTO VOLKSWAGEN , MY CAR WAS NOT LIKE THIS I GAVE THEM A CALL TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT BUT I DON'T REALLY TRUST THE PEOPLE WHO I BELIEVE MESSED UP MY VEHICLE IT IS IN THE BAKC NOW SITTING U CAN CONTACT ME AT (XXXX) MY NAME IS (XXXX) THANSK YOU FOR YOUR TIME PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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