2008 Volkswagen Jetta
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 190 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 17th highest complaint count among 26 Jetta model years with reports.
Of the 2008 reports, 4 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 4 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
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
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
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
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
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
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
190 reports, newest first.
Visibility, Jan 23, 2009
ON MY FIRST DRIVE IN THE RAIN I COULD NOT SEE OUT THE WINDOW. I HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE THE DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER LEAVES A STREAK RIGHT IN THE LINE OF VISION WHEN IN USE. DEALER REPLACED THE WIPER, THE STREAK IS SMALLER, BUT THE PROBLEM REMAINS. IN ADDITION, NOW THAT WINTER IS HERE, IT IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS AS THE SNOW MELTS AND SALT AND SLUSH ARE HITTING THE WINDOW. THE WIPERS WILL NOT CLEAN IT PROPERLY. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 8, 2009
REAR BRAKES ARE WEARING PREMATURELY ON 2008 VW JETTA. ONLY LASTED 20, 000 MILES. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Dec 30, 2008
DIFFICULTY FILLING GAS TANK WHILE AT PUMP. THE AUTO SHUT-OFF KICKS IN AFTER PUTTING IN A FEW CENTS WORTH OF GAS MAKING FILL-UP FRUSTRATING AND TIME CONSUMING. TOOK TO VW DEALERSHIP. THEY SPENT A DAY INVESTIGATING AND COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM SO THEY KEPT IT OVERNIGHT AND CALLED VW TO WALK THEM THROUGH TROUBLESHOOTING. VW SAYS THE FUEL TANK IS NOT VENTING PROPERLY AND THE ONLY WAY TO FIX IT IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FUEL TANK ($1500 FOR THE PARTS). VW REFUSED TO PAY BECAUSE CAR WAS 1400 MILES BEYOND ITS WARRANTY. THEY CLAIM SITUATION IS NOT DANGEROUS, JUST ANNOYING, BUT I PLAN TO CONTACT THEIR RESIDENT AGENT ANYWAY - SUSPECT A MANUFACTURING OR DESIGN DEFECT . *TR
Parking brake, Dec 19, 2008
I BOUGHT A 2008 JETTA FROM ROD EAST VW IN LATE JUNE, IN LATE JULY MY BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON, I THEN CALLED ROD EAST VW TO INFORM THEM AND THEY TOLD ME TO CALL THEIR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO HAVE THEM TOW MY CAR OVER TO THEM. ONE WEEK HAD PASSED AND THEY HAD STILL NOT LOOKED AT MY CAR SO I INFORMED THEM THAT I WOULD NEED A RENTAL CAR BECAUSE I AM A STUDENT AND I HAVE A DAUGHTER THAT HAS NUMEROUS THERAPY AND DR APPT EVERY WEEK. THEY SAID FINE AND THE MAN THAT I WAS TALKING TO SAID LET ME GO GET YOUR CHILD SEAT OUT OF THE CAR FOR YOU, HE THEN CAME BACK TO ME AND SAID HOW ABOUT YOU COME TO THE BACK AND GET IT FROM YOUR CAR, I DID AND THAT'S WHEN I NOTICED THAT MY CAR HAD A BIG DENT AND DEEP SCRATCH FROM THE REAR RIGHT FENDER TO THE BACK PASSENGER DOOR...I WAS THEN TOLD THAT THAT'S HOW THE CAR WAS WHEN THEY GOT IT AND THAT IT WAS MY FAULT. HE THEN SAID THAT HE COULD TALK TO THE MANAGER AND SEE WHAT HE WOULD SAY. I CALLED THE MANAGER, ON MY WAY HOME AND HE SAID WE WILL FIX IT, I SEE THAT ITS A NEW DENT AND SCRATCH AND WE WILL SEND IT TO A BODY SHOP TO GET FIXED. I THEN DEMANDED THAT I GET ALL OEM PARTS AND I WAS IT BRAND NEW AGAIN AND THE SERVICE MAN SAID THAT'S GOING TO BE TOO EXPENSIVE AND IT DIDN'T NEED NEW PARTS HE ALSO WANTED ME TO RETURN THE RENTAL WHEN I LEFT ON VACATION TO SAN FRANCISCO, THAT'S WHEN I SPOKE TO THE MANAGER AGAIN AND HE GUARANTEED THAT THEY WOULD BE OEM PARTS AND I WOULDN'T NEED TO RETURN THE RENTAL. WHEN I PICKED UP MY CAR AFTER 3 AND A HALF WEEKS THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH MY BRAKES AND THE LIGHT WAS OUT. I NOTICED THE NEXT DAY THAT MY 12 VOLT LIGHTERS WERE NOT WORKING AND I CALLED THE MANGER AND HE TOLD ME TO COME IN. I NEVER DID BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT THEM TO WORK ON MY CAR AGAIN. TODAY I TOOK IT TO ANCIRA VW AND THEY SAID I HAD SOME WIRES MIXED UP, I STARTED TO DRIVE OFF THE LOT AND MY BRAKE LIGHT CAME BACK ON! THAT CAN NOT BE A COINCIDENCE AND IT TELLS ME THAT SOME WIRES WERE CHANGED TO HIDE THE FACT THAT NOTHING WAS EVER DONE BY ROD EAST. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 15, 2008
2008 VW JETTA WOLFSBURG (LESS THAN 5000 MILES AT FIRST OCCURRENCE) BRAKE ISSUE 1ST OCCURRENCE - COMING UP TO A STOP, AND BRAKE PEDAL LOST PRESSURE BUT RE-ENGAGED AFTER TRAVELING 2-3 INCHES BEYOND NORMAL BRAKING PRESSURE. VERY INTERMITTENT ISSUE. AFTER BOTH OF MY TEENAGE SONS REPORTED THE SAME ISSUE, I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE VW DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THELEN (BAY CITY, MI) BLED THE BRAKES AND RETURNED THE CAR. WITHIN A FEW DAYS, I WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE WITH MORE FREQUENCY, BUT COULD NOT REPRODUCE CONSISTENTLY. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP A SECOND TIME - THIS TIME TOLD THAT VW SAID THIS WAS A "NORMAL" BRAKE FUNCTION. SERVICE TECHNICIAN DROVE VEHICLE HOME AND BACK IN THE NEXT MORNING. HE EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM TWICE AND (AS DESCRIBED TO HIS SERVICE MANAGER) "HIS HEART WENT INTO HIS THROAT." STILL - VW MAINTAINED THAT THIS WAS "NORMAL". RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM DEALERSHIP OWNER STATING SAME. AFTER CONTINUED PRESSURE, VW TECHNICAL REP CAME TO DEALERSHIP AND FINALLY DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE POWER BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED (OVER A TWO WEEK SPAN). RECEIVED CAR BACK, AND WITHIN THREE DAYS, THE PROBLEM RETURNED - AS I NEARLY RAN THROUGH AN INTERSECTION WHEN THE BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR BEFORE ENGAGING (WITH ABS). TOOK BACK TO DEALER (3RD TIME) - DEALER NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE - STATED THAT THEY CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM IF THEY CAN'T IDENTIFY/REPLICATE - CAR STILL AT DEALERSHIP (5 DAYS LATER). MET WITH DEALERSHIP OWNER TO EXPRESS CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE AND MY FAMILY. I REFUSED TO TAKE VEHICLE UNTIL THEY CAME UP WITH A SOLUTION FOR THE PROBLEM. SCHEDULED MEETING WITH VW REP AT THE DEALERSHIP ON 12/16 TO DISCUSS ISSUE. *TR
Visibility, Dec 14, 2008
THE DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER LEAVES A 2 OR 3 INCH STREAK RIGHT IN THE CRITICAL VIEW OF THE DRIVER WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE USED. VW ENGINEERING RESPONSE WAS THAT THEY DON'T SEE A PROBLEM WITH IT. WIPERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND ISSUE STILL REMAINED. *TR
Equipment, Nov 12, 2008
BRAND NEW VW JETTA OFF THE FLOOR ROOM. BOTH THE DRIVERSIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS LEAK AIR BADLY AND WATER DRIPS IN.. DEALER TOLD ME THAT THIS IS THEY WAY IT IS AND REFUSED TO FIX IT FOR ME... *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 23, 2008
EXCESSIVE REAR BRAKE WEAR. BRAKE NEEDED REPLACING AT 12K. CAR IS A 5-SPEED MANUAL AND BRAKES ARE USED VERY LITTLE. *TR
Visibility, Oct 8, 2008
THIS ISSUES INVOLVES THE FAILURE OF WINDSHIELD WIPERS SET ON THE HIGHEST SETTING TO REMAIN AT THAT SPEED. VW HAS CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM AT A DEALERSHIP BUT OFFERS NO FIX TO THE PROBLEM. ESCALATION WITHIN VW HAS YET TO PRODUCE A SATISFACTORY ANSWER TO THIS OBVIOUS PROBLEM. IN HEAVY RAIN, DRIVING IS UNSAFE BECAUSE THE WIPERS VARY IN SPEED AND TO KEEP A CONSTANT WIPER RATE REQUIRES REPEATED CHANGING OF THE SETTINGS. *TR
Visibility, Sep 30, 2008
THE FRONT WINDSHIELD FOGS UP, AND YOU CANT SEE ANYTHING THROUGH IT. YOU NEED TO TURN ON THE AIR-CONDITIONING, SO THAT IT HEATS THE FRONT WINDSHIELD UP. IF YOU DON'T DO THAT, YOU WILL CRASH BECAUSE OF 0% VISIBILITY. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Sep 22, 2008
EXCESSIVE DRIVE BY WIRE THROTTLE DELAY. THROTTLE RESPONSE DELAYED APROX. 1-2 OR MORE SECONDS AFTER DEPRESSING THROTTLE PEDAL. THROTTLE DELAY CAUSING HAZARDOUS DRIVING SITUATIONS WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC ETC. THIS "DELAY" IS PROGRAMMED INTO THE CAR'S SOFTWARE BY DESIGN. UNSAFE, CAUSED NEAR MISS ACCIDENT. *TR
Visibility, Jul 16, 2008
WINDSHIELD WIPER STREAKING PROBLEM: I PURCHASED A NEW 2008 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SE ON MAY 6, 2008. THE FIRST RAIN THE CAR WAS DRIVEN IN (WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF PURCHASE) THE DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER WAS LEAVING A STREAK APPROXIMATELY THREE INCHES WIDE AT EYE LEVEL OF THE DRIVER. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RETURNED FOR DEALERSHIP SERVICE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE WIPER BLADE TWICE AND THE WIPER ARM. THIS HAS NOT CORRECTED THE STREAK ISSUE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT INDICATES THE STREAK IS INDICATIVE OF ALL 2008 JETTAS AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. I HAVE CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER CARE. THEY ADVISED ME THEY ACCEPT THE DEALERSHIPS ASSESSMENT OF THE STREAKING PROBLEM AND I WILL HAVE TO LIVE WITH THE PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN, LIGHT OR HEAVY, THE STREAK IS PRESENT AND PRESENTS A VISION OBSTRUCTION FOR THE DRIVER. I BELIEVE THIS IS A VALID SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED FURTHER BY VOLKSWAGEN. THANKS FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION IN THIS MATTER. *TR
Visibility, Jul 9, 2008
THE FRONT DEFROST SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK. THERE APPEARS TO BE A SECRET FORMULA NEED TO GET THE DEFROST SYSTEM TO DEFROST THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. I HAVE MADE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT ONLY 1 OTHER PERSON HAD COMPLAINED OF THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS DEFECT. NORMALLY I'M DRIVING THROUGH A STORM, THE WINDSHIELD FOGS UP AND I CAN'T SEE. I END UP PULLING OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHEREVER I CAN. *TR
Tires, Mar 17, 2008
TL*CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. TWO AND A HALF MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, HE OBSERVED A BLISTER ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM THAT HE HAS TO PURCHASE A NEW TIRE SINCE THERE WAS NO WARRANTY ON THE TIRE AND TO CONTACT BRIDGESTONE FOR ASSISTANCE. THEY ALSO INFORMED HIM THAT THEY DO NOT GUARANTEE THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. THE DOT, TIRE PRESSURE AND SIZE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 1800. UPDATED 4/29/08 *CN
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 5, 2008, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE BRAKES JERKED WHEN THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE DRIVER'S FOOT WAS KNOCKED OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED A SECOND TIME TO APPLY THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP AND CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 7,300.