2008 Volkswagen Jetta

What owners report most often

1. Power train53
2. Electrical system42
3. Service brakes22
4. Air bags21
5. Engine20
6. Hydraulic15
7. Other or unspecified12
8. Latches/locks/linkages10

Recalls and investigations

1. Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, master cylinderSep 23, 2020

   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 cylinder may be insufficient, causing brake fluid to leak or the cylinder to come apart.

   If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.

   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. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact Tenneco customer service at 1-800-625-9319.

   Campaign 20E064000 on NHTSA.gov

2. Other or unspecifiedSep 25, 2019

   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 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and Beetle Convertible vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.

   If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.

   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. Note: This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 18V-329.

   Campaign 19V679000 on NHTSA.gov

3. Engine and engine cooling, engineMar 7, 2014

   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 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.

   A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

   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 on NHTSA.gov

4. Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsDec 10, 2010

   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 SMALL PLASTIC TAB LOCATED ON THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR THAT MAY CHAFE AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE. THE NEW BEETLE AND THE NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A FASTENING CLAMP ON A HYDRAULIC HOSE OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM THAT MAY BE LOCATED IN AN IMPROPER POSITION WHICH COULD CAUSE CHAFING AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE.

   IF CHAFING OCCURS, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A FUEL LEAK TO DEVELOP. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

   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 RESERVOIR, OR INSPECT THE POSITION OF THE FASTENING CLAMP AND ADJUST THE RELATED FASTENING CLAMP INTO THE CORRECT POSITION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

   Campaign 10V621000 on NHTSA.gov

5. Power train, driveline, driveshaftMay 19, 2009

   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 PROPERLY DURING ASSEMBLY AND COULD LOOSEN OVER TIME, CAUSING A KNOCKING SOUND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THE DRIVESHAFT SCREWS COULD LOOSEN TO THE POINT WHERE THE DRIVESHAFT DETACHES FROM THE GEARBOX.

   IF THE VEHICLE IS MOVING WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE DETACHED DRIVESHAFT COULD CAUSE DAMAGE THE GEARBOX HOUSING. A DAMAGE GEARBOX HOUSING COULD LEAK GEARBOX OIL ONTO THE STREET AND CREATE A RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH FOR BOTH THE DRIVER AND OTHER MOTORISTS.

   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 on NHTSA.gov

6. Exterior lighting, headlightsSep 24, 2007

   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 AIM AND SOME VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN A CAP THAT DISABLES THE VERTICAL AIMING SCREW.

   NONCOMPLIANCE CAN INHIBIT PROPER HEADLAMP AIM ADJUSTMENT FOR ROADWAY ILLUMINATION, IMPROPERLY AIMED HEADLAMPS COULD CAUSE REDUCED ROAD VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

   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 AIMING SCREW AND IF PRESENT, THE CAP WILL BE REMOVED. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON OCTOBER 31, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.

   Campaign 07V442000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: latches/locks/linkages

10 reports, newest first. Show all

1. Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 2, 2022

   I would like to report driver door lock actuator goes bad over time, and could become an issue of getting out of the driver side of the door in a safely manner. I had to get door fixed a mechanic.

2. Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 25, 2015

   THE DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM STOPS WORKING AND THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE IN A LOT OF VW FORUMS ONLINE. THEY CALL IT THE ACTUATOR AND WHEN IT STOPS WORKING THE CHILD LOCKS DO NOT WORK AND THE VEHICLE THEN HAS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WHICH RELATES TO "CHILD SAFETY SEATS THAT CONTAIN DEFECTIVE SAFETY BELTS, BUCKLES, OR COMPONENTS THAT CREATE A RISK OF INJURY, NOT ONLY IN A VEHICLE CRASH BUT ALSO IN NON-OPERATIONAL SAFETY OF A MOTOR VEHICLE." A DOOR THAT CAN BE OPENED BY A CHILD WHEN IN MOVEMENT OR PARKED IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE. THE DOOR CAN BE EASILY PUSHED OPEN FROM THE INSIDE WHEN THE LOCKS DON'T WORK. ALSO, THE ALARM ON THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ARM BECAUSE THE DOORS WILL NOT LOCK SO IF SOMEONE WENT DOOR CHECKING IN A PARKING LOT, MY CAR WOULD BE BROKEN INTO - IF NOT STOLEN ALTOGETHER DUE TO THIS. IN DECEMBER I PAID $450+ TO HAVE THE REAR DOOR LOCK REPLACED AND NOW, 3 MONTHS LATER, THE FRONT TWO DOOR LOCKS HAVE STOPPED WORKING. ANOTHER HAZARD FOR SAFETY HAPPENS WHEN YOU CANNOT LOCK YOUR DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. IF SOMEONE WANTED TO CARJACK ME AT A STOP LIGHT - I AM UNABLE TO LOCK MY DOORS! I CALLED VW CARE AND THEY HAVE DECLINED TO EVEN HELP ME WITH THIS COST AND I AM SLO FILING A CLAIM WITH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU. IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE IN THE FORUMS ONLINE, SOMETHING MUST BE DONE ABOUT THIS. *TR

3. Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 2, 2014

   IN 2011, THE RIGHT REAR DOOR STOPPED LOCKING. WHEN I WOULD TRY TO LOCK THE DOOR BOTH WITH THE INTERNAL LOCK SWITCH AND THE FOB, THE DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK. IT ALSO WOULD NOT CHIRP TO LET ME KNOW THAT ALL THE DOORS WERE LOCKED AND THE ALARM WAS SET. LOCKING THE DOOR WITH THE FOB DOES SET THE ALARM, HOWEVER YOU CAN OPEN THE REAR DOOR AND THE ALARM GOES OFF. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2014 THE LEFT REAR DOOR STOPPED LOCKING AS WELL...IT HAS THE EXACT SAME ISSUES AS THE RIGHT REAR DOOR NOT LOCKING...HOWEVER, IT IS SO FAR SOMEWHAT INTERMITTENT AND SOMETIMES WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL! *TR

4. Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, May 4, 2014

   I GOT LOCKED INSIDE THE CAR ON A HOT DAY WITH MY KID! I SAT IN THE BACK TO PLAY WITH HIM AND KEEP HIM COMPANY. THE DOOR CLOSED AND IT WOULD NOT UNLOCK NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I WOULD PULL ON THE LEVER. I WAS PINCHED BETWEEN THE CHILD SEAT, THE DRIVER'S SEAT (I KEEP IT PULLED BACK QUITE A BIT) AND THE DOOR. I COULD BARELY MOVE. MY WIFE HAD TO UNLOCK THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE DOOR LOCK/LATCH MECHANISM HAS (SINCE THIS INCIDENT) FAILED ON BOTH REAR DOORS. BOTH!!! WE CAN NO LONGER LOCK THE CAR WITHOUT SPENDING 10-15 MINUTES OPENING, CLOSING, WORKING THE REMOTE ETC, UNTIL IT FINALLY PRODUCES THE DESIRED BEEP WITH THE CAR BEING ACTUALLY LOCKED. THE DOOR WOULD CLOSE, THE ALARM WOULD BE ACTIVATED BUT THE REAR DOOR (PASSENGER SIDE) WOULD REMAIN UNLOCKED. I PULL ON THE HANDLE, THE DOOR OPENS AND THE ALARM GOES OFF. WE ARE ALMOST AT THE POINT WHERE WE MIGHT HAVE TO TAKE THE CHILD OUT OF THE CAR VIA THE FRONT DOORS. I AM NOT EVEN TALKING ABOUT THE CAR PROBABLY GETTING STOLEN OVER THIS. THIS IS A SERIOUS CHILD HAZARD! THERE ARE DOZENS OF THREADS ON VW FORUMS ABOUT THESE MECHANISMS FAILING EITHER ON: 1. ELECTRICAL HARNESS BEING DAMAGED. OR 2. DOOR LOCK/LATCH NOT ACTIVATING OR DEACTIVATING. OR BOTH HOW LONG IS VW GOING TO IGNORE THIS MASSIVE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS $450 IN PARTS AND LABOR FOR 1 DOOR. THAT'S ALMOST A $1000 FOR A PROBLEM THAT IS VERY COMMON. VERY. *TR

5. Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 2, 2014

   THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCK QUIT WORKING AND THE DOOR WON'T LOCK AT ALL. ANYBODY CAN OPEN THE DOOR AND HURT YOUR CHILD OR STILL THE CAR. I CALLED THE DEALER HERE IN AUSTIN, TX TODAY, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEMS WITH THE JETTA MODEL AND IT HAS HAPPENED TO HUNDREDS OF COSTUMERS. THE ELECTRIC LOCKS QUIT WORKING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND CLEARLY A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR

6. Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 22, 2013

   DOORS DO NOT LOCK, OR UNLOCK, RANDOM OPENING OF SUNROOF AND DOOR LOCK MECHANISM. *TR

7. Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 15, 2013

   DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILED TO LOCK OR UNLOCK THE DOOR, ALARM HORN FAILS TO SOUND WHEN ALARM IS ACTIVATED. REAR DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILED TO LOCK OR UNLOCK THE DOOR. THE REAR DRIVERS DOOR DOESN'T HAVE AN EXTERNAL KEY HOLE TO UNLOCK DOOR AND THE ONLY WAY TO OPEN THE DOOR IS FROM THE INSIDE. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT WITH A CHILD IN A CHILD SAFETY SEAT, THIS COULD RESULT IN A DELAY OF REMOVING THE CHILD FROM A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE VOLKSWAGEN MANUFACTURER/DEALERSHIP CHARGES BETWEEN $450 TO $550 PER ACTUATOR. AFTER AN EXTENSIVE SEARCH OF THE INTERNET AND NUMEROUS FORUMS, THIS ACTUATOR REPAIR IS MORE COMMON THAN VOLKSWAGEN WOULD LIKE ANYONE TO BELIEVE. THIS PART IS KEPT IN STOCK AT DEALERSHIPS AND THEY ARE VAGUE WHEN QUESTIONED ABOUT THE FREQUENCY OF REPAIR. THIS APPEARS TO BE MORE A PROBLEM WITH NEWER MODELS. I'VE OWNED A USED 2003 VW JETTA FOR OVER 5 YEARS NOW AND HAVEN'T NEEDED AN ACTUATOR YET. *TR

8. Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 18, 2012

   I HAVE A 2008 JETTA AND I STARTED EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH 1 DOOR. MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THE LOCK WAS REPLACED AT THE DEALERSHIP. THEN ONLY MONTHS LATER I STARTED HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS RANDOMLY (THE LOCK WOULD WORK SOME TIMES BUT NOT OTHERS). EVERYTIME I STOPPED AT THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT FIXED THE LOCK WORKED- THEREFORE THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE WHICH DOOR HAD A PROBLEM. THE LOCK FAILED EVERYTIME AND WHEN I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE LOCKS CAN GO BAD AND QUOTED ME A COST OF $400 TO REPAIR. AFTER HAVING ONE DOOR "FIXED" ONLY TO HAVE ANOTHER LOCK FAIL AFTER MONTHS LATER SEEMS EXCESSIVE. AT THIS POINT I HAVE NOT REPLACED THE SECOND LOCK. IT IS FRUSTRATING TO SEE A CAR WITH FOUR DOORS HAVE PROBLEM WITH TWO OF THE DOORS! AT A COST OF $400 TO REPLACE I FELT THERE MUST BE A LARGER ISSUE THAT NEEDS ATTENTION. WE KEEP OUR CAR IN THE GARAGE, THE DOOR THAT IS NOW IN NEED OF REPAIR IS RARELY USED. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AS THE LOCKS SERVE AS THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE IN PERSONAL PROTECTION AND ANTI-THEFT. AFTER SEARCHING ON LINE AND SEEING OTHERS WITH SIMILAR ISSUES, I FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO REPORT THIS. I TRUST YOU WILL PROMPTLY FOLLOW UP AND ASSIST ME IN RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. *TR

9. Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 10, 2012

   2008 WOLFSBURG EDITION JETTA: STARTED EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH ONE DOOR LOCK AND THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE LOCKS CAN GO BAD AND NEED TO BE REPLACED, COSTING $450 FOR THE REPLACEMENT. AFTER HAVING THIS FIXED, ONLY TWO MONTHS LATER, ANOTHER LOCK STARTED HAVING AN ISSUE. I HAVE NOT YET REPLACED THIS LOCK, BUT NOW A THIRD LOCK IS STARTING TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS ON THE SAME VEHICLE. AT THIS RATE, I EXPECT THE FOURTH AND FINAL LOCK TO START HAVING ISSUES. AT $450 FOR EACH LOCK REPLACEMENT, THIS SEEMS EXCESSIVE. ON A SINGLE CAR THAT IS KEPT IN A GARAGE, WITH ONLY TWO ADULTS (NO CHILDREN) USING THE FRONT DOORS, IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE HOW THREE DOORS CAN EXPERIENCE LOCK ISSUES, UNLESS THERE WAS SOME LARGER ISSUE WITH THE LOCKS. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AS THE LOCKS SERVE AS THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE IN ANTI-THEFT. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE AND SEEING OTHERS WITH SIMILAR ISSUES, I DECIDED TO REPORT THIS. *TR

10. Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 18, 2012

    THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED APPROXIMATELY SEPTEMBER 2008, AND TO DATE HAS EXPERIENCED FIVE (5) FAILURES OF THE ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCKING/UNLOCKING MECHANISMS OF THREE OF THE FOUR DOORS OF THE VEHICLE AND IN SOME CASE MULTIPLE FAILURES. I AM CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING FAILURE NUMBER SIX (6). THE FAILURE OF THE LOCKING/UNLOCKING MECHANISMS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THESE FAILURE HAVE AT TIME PREVENTED BEING ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY IT IS A SERIOUS THREAT TO MY SAFETY. ADDITIONALLY, I'M UNABLE TO LOCK THE VEHICLE WHENEVER I GO ANYWHERE THUS PUTTING ANYTHING IN THE VEHICLE AT RISK OF LOSS FROM THEFT. THE DEALER'S SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE THE LOCKING MECHANISMS AS THEY FAIL AND AS THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY IT'S COST ROUGHLY $370.00 PER INCIDENT. BELOW IS A SUMMARY OF THE FAILURES EXPERIENCED THUS FAR. I HAVE COPIES OF THE SERVICE RECORDS AVAILABLE. 2008 JETTA DOOR LOCK FAILURES: DATE RO # ITEM RESPONSIBLE PARTYCOST 11/16/09 116190DRIVERS SIDE FRONT DOOR LOCK REPLACED WARRANTY 03/02/10 118212LEFT REAR DOOR LOCK REPLACED WARRANTY 08/03/10 121525RIGHT REAR DOOR LOCK DIAGNOSED WARRANTY 08/06/10 121609RIGHT REAR DOOR LOCK REPLACED WARRANTY 06/01/11 129079LEFT REAR DOOR LOCK DIAGNOSIS CUSTOMER PAID $69.00 06/01/11 129247LEFT REAR DOOR LOCK REPLACED CUSTOMER PAID $303.09 10/18/11 132986DRIVERS SIDE FRONT DOOR LOCK REPLACED CUSTOMER PAID $367.25 03/15/12 RIGHT REAR DOOR LOCK BEGINNING TO FAIL. DOOR LOCK FAILUREOCCURANCES DRIVERS SIDE FRONT 2 LEFT REAR 2 RIGHT REAR 2 *TR