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.

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.
What owners describe
- Fuel & propulsion (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Other / unknown (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Electrical (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Fuel system (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
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)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 29 | 24 | Premium |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 28 | 23 | Premium |
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.
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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.