MotorDeets

2008 Volkswagen Passat Wagon: Recalls, Problems & MPG

Here are the deets on the 2008 Volkswagen Passat Wagon: 2 recalls, 6 owner complaints and up to 24 mpg combined.

2vehicle recalls
6owner complaints
0mention a crash
24best combined mpg
2008 Volkswagen Passat Wagon
Photo: MrWalkr · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Recalls

2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.

Fuel system Vehicle recall #17V509000 · 2017 · 280,915 vehicles

What's wrong: 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.

Why it matters: If the fuel pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump control module, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2018.

Airbags Vehicle recall #18V148000 · 2018 · 363,713 vehicles

What's wrong: 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 the inflator to explode.

Why it matters: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 16, 2018.

Most-reported problems

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.

Fuel & propulsion3
Other / unknown1
Electrical1
Fuel system1
Engine1

What owners describe

The 2008 Volkswagen Passat Wagon has 6 owner complaints, ranking #5 of 9 Passat Wagon model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 6). Complaints peaked in 2018 (3 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 10 years old, at a median of 115,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2007 (11 complaints, 3 recalls), 2009 (6 complaints, 2 recalls).

Engines & fuel economy (EPA)

EngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyComb.Fuel
2.0 L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive202924Premium
2.0 L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive202823Premium

Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.

Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2008 Volkswagen Passat Wagon.

eManualOnline Download (PDF), keep forever

Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.

Most $25–$78, one-time
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Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yr
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ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yr
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Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
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FAQ

Does the 2008 Volkswagen Passat Wagon have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2008 Volkswagen Passat Wagon. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common 2008 Volkswagen Passat Wagon problems?

Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are fuel & propulsion (3), other / unknown (1), electrical (1).

What gas mileage does the 2008 Volkswagen Passat Wagon get?

EPA ratings run up to 24 mpg combined (2.0 L, Manual 6-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.

Where can I get a 2008 Volkswagen Passat Wagon repair manual?

eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.

Other Passat Wagon years

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