2008 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    transmission automatic

    18 unsafe, 1 broken, 1 annoyance

    20
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=23, median 98,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IT HAS BEEN EXHIBITING ERRATIC BEHAVIOR. FOR EXAMPLE WHEN I PRESS ON THE GAS THERE IS A DELAY OF A SECOND OR TWO BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGES AND PROVIDE POWER TO THE WHEELS. EVERYTIME I STOP AND THEN START AGAIN THERE IS A SUDDE…"~1,000 mi, complaint #733108
    • "WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE AND TAKING FOOT OFF THE BRAKES, VEHICLE LAUNCHES BACKWARD. I HAVE TO WAIT A FEW SECONDS AFTER SHIFTING INTO REVERSE BEFORE TAKING FOOT OFF THE BRAKES TO AVOID LAUNCHING. NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS IN ANOTHER VEHICLE. *TR"~21,400 mi, complaint #733083
    • "WHILE MERGING ONTO THE FREEWAY, AS I REACHED 60MPH THE CAR LUNGED AND THE ENGINE BEGAN REVVING OVER 6000RPM. IT FELT LIKE THE CAR WAS STUCK IN 3RD GEAR. THE GEAR/DRIVE MODE DISPLAY LED BEGAN FLASHING CONSTANTLY. THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT UP TO A HIGHER GEAR SO I…"~96,007 mi, complaint #1043604
    • "WHILE MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING DOWN A CITY ROAD, GOING ABOUT 30MPH, THE CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING. SHE THEN NOTICED PRNDS WAS FLASHING ON THE DASH. LUCKILY, SHE WAS NOT FAR FROM HOME, SHE WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING IT HOME. WE PARKED THE CAR UNTIL…"~114,000 mi, complaint #1428179
    • "JUST AFTER I PURCHASED THE USED VEHICLE FROM A PRIVATE PARTY, I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MILES PER HOUR, WHEN THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING SLAMMED INTO SECOND GEAR, SENDING MY FACE INTO THE STEERING WHEEL, WHILE THE CARS TRAVELLING BEHI…"~183,219 mi, complaint #1740419
  2. #2

    transmission cvt

    19 unsafe

    19
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=24, median 11,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I DRIVE A 2008 VW JETTA WOLFSBURG EDITION EQUIPPED WITH THE DSG (DIRECT SHIFT GEARBOX) TRANSMISSION. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR ABOUT 1000 MILES I STARTED TO NOTICED VERY HARSH 2 TO 1 DOWNSHIFTS AND SURGING WHILE IN DRIVE. BY THE HARSH DOWNSHIFT I MEAN WHEN S…"~5,000 mi, complaint #726274
    • "MY JETTA WOLFSBURG IS CURRENTLY IN SHOP DUE TO A DSG MECHATRONIC UNIT FAILURE. PRIOR TO BRINGING IT IN THE CAR WAS 'JERKY' AND 'JUMPY' AS THOUGH I WAS DRIVING A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND RELEASING THE CLUTCH TOO FAST. THIS HAPPENED IN BOTH DRIVE AND REVERSE.…"~10,000 mi, complaint #728540
    • "PURCHASED A 2008 VW JETTA WITH DSG TRANSMISSION. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES SINCE PURCHASING FOR SAME PROBLEM. THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS "CLUNKS" HARD IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC PRIMARILY 2ND TO 1ST TO NEUTRAL. THIS IS WORSE THE LONGER AND HOTTER TRANSMISSI…"~14,155 mi, complaint #728726
    • "2008 VW JETTA WOLFSBURG WITH 2.0T & DSG TRANSMISSION 21K MILES. TRANSMISSION CONSISTENTLY LURCHES FORWARD AT A STOP ESPECIALLY AFTER DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS IS MAGNIFIED WHEN THE A/C IS ON. RPM'S WILL FLUCTUATE +/- 200 AS YOU FEEL THE GEAR ENGAGE. S…"~23,000 mi, complaint #728392
    • "VEHICLE HAS STARTED TO DISPLAY SOME OF THE CHARACTERISTIC SLIPPING AND LURCHING DSG ISSUES THAT VW KNOWS ABOUT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WHEN THE TECH TOOK IT OUT FOR A TEST DRIVE, HE ACTUALLY EXPERIENCED THE ISSUE HIMSELF. UNFORTUNATELY, THE COMPUTERS…"~62,000 mi, complaint #1292355
  3. #3

    airbag system

    18 unsafe

    18
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=19, median 75,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "THIS VEHICLE (2008 VW GLI) SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER SB-69-11-01 AS WELL. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAS COME UP. VW JETTA GLI IS A SPECIAL MODEL BASED ON THE VW JETTA 2008. I THINK THERE IS AN OVERSIGHT FOR NOT PLACING THIS SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE UND…"~9,125 mi, complaint #912025
    • "AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. VOLKSWAGEN INDICATES THAT AIRBAGS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING. NO INCIDENT CONTRIBUTED TO THIS. *TR"~58,000 mi, complaint #1147742
    • "I AM GETTING A WARNING LIGHT ON MY DASH INDICATING THAT THERE IS AN AIRBAG FAULT IN MY 2008 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, AND AFTER SPEAKING WITH THEM, THE DEALER GAVE ME A NUMBER TO WHAT HE SAID WAS THE VOLKSWAGEN…"~74,900 mi, complaint #1169189
    • "HORN STOPPED WORKING AND AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. TOOK CAR TO VW DEALERSHIP AND THEY ADVISED I NEED AN AIR BAG SPRING. CHECKED ONLINE AND VW ISSUED RECALL NOTICES FOR SIMILAR ISSUE FOR NEWER MODELS, BUT NOT THIS MODEL. VW DEALERSHIP OFFERED ESTIMAT…"~130,000 mi, complaint #1597139
    • "BELIEVE IT IS THE AIRBAG SENSOR THAT IS MALFUNCTIONING. HAVE HAD IT RESET ABOUT FIVE TIMES AND WITHIN A FIVE TO SIX WEEKS, THE AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON AGAIN. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THE VW HAS HAD ISSUES WITH ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. OF COURSE, THE WARRANTY IS…"~600,000 mi, complaint #891415
  4. #4

    power windows and locks

    14 unsafe

    14
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=20, median 65,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "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 EXPERIENCIN…"~25,559 mi, complaint #910383
    • "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…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1116125
    • "DRIVER SIDE FRONT AND REAR DOORS DON'T LOCK. THERE IS NO OPTION TO MANUALLY LOCK IT, THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION HAS MALFUNCTIONED AND THERE IS NO WAY TO LOCK THESE DOORS. THERE IS RISK OF THE DOORS FLINGING OPEN IN CASE OF ACCIDENT ESPECIALLY WITH A CHILD SITTING…"~78,000 mi, complaint #1163397
    • "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 A…"~93,000 mi, complaint #968514
    • "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 MODE…"~844,000 mi, complaint #1030031
  5. #5

    brake pads and rotors

    8 unsafe, 4 broken, 1 annoyance

    13
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=14, median 28,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "2008 JETTA SE HAS HAD RECURRING SQUEALING BACK BRAKES SINCE DAY 1. MURRIETA VW IN CA SAYS IT IS NORMAL. THEY CHECKED AND SPRAYED. GOOD TO GO, BUT NOW AT 14K MILES, NOISE HAS RETURNED. ONLY HAPPENS AT SLOW SPEED (BACKING UP/PARKING). IS THERE A DEFECT ON T…"~900 mi, complaint #720777
    • "PRE-MATURE REAR-BRAKE WEAR. THE REAR BRAKE PADS COMPLETELY WORE OUT AT ABOUT 17,000 MILES CAUSING METAL TO METAL CONTACT WITH THE REAR ROTORS. MOST OF THE MILES ARE HIGHWAY. MANY FORUMS REPORT SIMILAR PROBLEMS FOR OTHER YEARS OF THE VEHICLE AND IT SEEMS THA…"~17,000 mi, complaint #779544
    • "WE OWN A 2008 VW JETTA. 2.5 L THE JETTA HAS 25,000 MILES AND LESS THAN YEAR OF OWNERSHIP (PURCHASED AT 8000 AS PROGRAM CAR) REAR BRAKES ARE COMPLETELY GONE & RUINED ONE ROTOR -NO WARNING PRIOR? (PER DEALER) FRONT BRAKES ARE FINE TOLD REAR PADS AND ROTORS MU…"~26,000 mi, complaint #731819
    • "2008 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA S MY CAR HAS 36000 MILES ON IT AND I HAVE CHANGED THE REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS TWICE ON THIS VEHICLE. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH MANY JETTAS AROUND THAT YEAR. I HAVE LUCKILY AVOIDED MANY WRECKS THAT I WO…"~36,000 mi, complaint #810761
    • "I HAVE A 2008 VW JETTA AND I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE BRAKE PADS, ROTORS AND CALIPERS REPLACED NOW FOR A 3RD TIME. THE FIRST 2 TIMES HAPPENED WITHIN THE FIRST 12 MONTHS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE. *TR"~83,950 mi, complaint #825068
  6. #6

    key fob and immobilizer

    1 stranded, 10 unsafe

    11
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=13, median 70,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "ON A COLD MARCH MORNING, WAS NOT ABLE TO PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF UNSUCCESSFULLY TRYING TO FORCE THE KEY IN, VW ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS CALLED. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER. WHEN DEALER LOOKED AT THE PROBLEM, IT WAS DET…"~14,900 mi, complaint #713536
    • "THE CAR'S OWN KEYS COULD NOT BE INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION. THE DUST CAP INSIDE THE IGNITION CYLINDER/ SWITCH WAS BLOCKING THE KEY FROM ENTERING. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED BECAUSE OF THE IGNITION KEY NOT ABLE TO ENTER THE IGNITION SWITCH. ALSO THE TRANSMI…"~47,000 mi, complaint #924988
    • "MY VEHICLE PASSENGER DOOR(S) WILL NOT RESPOND TO THE KEYLESS ENTRY LOCK OR UNLOCK COMMANDS. THEY CAN ONLY CLOSE AND OPEN MANUALLY. I HAVE READ SEVERAL DIFFERENT FORUMS AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A STANDARD DEFAULT IN MODEL YEARS RANGING FROM 2007 AND ONWARD. THE SUN…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1012512
    • "IGNITION LOCK, I CANNOT NOT TURN THE KEY TO TURN ON THE CAR. IT WAS WORKING AND ONCE I PARKED THE CAR, I CAME BACK TO THE CAR AND THE KEY WILL NOT TURN AT ALL. I TRIED TURNING THE WHEEL AND JIGGLING THE KEY LOCK AND IT STILL WON'T BUDGE."~148,000 mi, complaint #1575563
    • "IGNITION SWITCH WAS STUCK IN THE ON POSITION WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. THE CAR WAS STOPPED AND IN PARK IN A DRIVEWAY. BUT THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE EASILY OCCURRED INSIDE A GARAGE. THE CAR WAS SUCCESSFULLY TURNED OFF AFTER BREAKING THE PLASTIC KEY TRANSMITTER…"~330,800 mi, complaint #1584392
  7. #7

    engine internal

    2 stranded, 7 unsafe

    9
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=14, median 96,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "KNOCKING SOUND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. *TR"~62,000 mi, complaint #819341
    • "I TOOK MY CAR IN TO HAVE OIL CHANGED AND TO HAVE MY AC LOOKED AT DUE TO STRANGE SMELL COMING FROM VENTS. PER DEALERSHIP REQUEST THEY STATED I SHOULD HAVE THE AC FLUSHED. I LEFT MY CAR THERE WITHIN 30 MINUTES OF DROPPING IT OFF THE DEALERSHIP CALLED ME TO TEL…"~89,000 mi, complaint #1107246
    • "THE CAM FOLLOWER FAILED RESULTING IN SEVERE ENGINE HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION MAKING THE CAR UNSAFE TO OPERATE. THE METAL THE PART IT IS MADE FROM IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH. THIS CAUSES IT TO WEAR THROUGH AND BREAK, WHICH IN TURN CAUSES SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE CAMS…"~93,000 mi, complaint #992815
    • "FUEL CUT-OFF/SURGING WHEN ACCELERATING AND TAPPING NOISE FROM ENGINE. ENGINE IS THROWING ENGINE CODES; A LOSS OF POWER IS PRESENT WHEN ACCELERATING. THIS OCCURS EVERY TIME I TRY TO ACCELERATE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE CAM FOLLOWER AND HIGH PRESSURE F…"~104,346 mi, complaint #1027128
    • "I TURNED MY CAR COMPLETELY OFF AND THE CAR WAS PARKED WHEN I GOT OUT OF MY CAR TO MEET WITH A FRIEND TO GO SWIMMING AT THIS NEIGHBORHOOD POOL. I HAD MY KEYS IN MY HAND (STILL DO HAVE THE KEY AS WELL) AND I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, SO I TURNED AROUND AND THER…"~174,000 mi, complaint #1570704
  8. #8

    engine stall or no start

    8 unsafe

    8
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=14, median 85,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "MY 2008 VW JETTA WAS GIVING BURNT SMELL/FUMES. LOSS OF POWER IN GEAR WITH IN 1 MILE RADIUS WAS DIFFICULT TO MOVE. HAD TO TOW TO VW DEALERSHIP"~24,689 mi, complaint #777356
    • "THE 08 JETTA SE STALL W/O ANY WARNING, USUALLY AFTER 30 MINUTES OF DRIVING AND SOMETIME AT STOPLIGHTS. *TR"~39,410 mi, complaint #937119
    • "2008 VW JETTA 2.5L ENGINE STALLS AND EPC LIGHT ILLUMINATES. *TR"~52,539 mi, complaint #828425
    • "CAR WHILE DRIVING IMMEDIATELY SLOWS LIKE IT WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. WHEN YOU PRESS THE GAS CAR RACES BUT DOES NOT MOVE. THE PRNDS FLASHES AND THE CAR HAD TO BE SHUT DOWN AND RESTARTED. I HEARD THERE WAS A RECALL BUT IT NEVER SHOWED FOR MY CAR NOR WILL THEY…"~101,230 mi, complaint #1566246
    • "THE CAR INITIALLY HAD TROUBLES WHEN IT WOULD BE HOT OUTSIDE IT WOULD AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WOULD GO HIGH IN TEMPERATURE ALSO IF IT WAS COLD OUTSIDE AND YOU WERE DRIVING SLOW TEMPERATURE GAUGE DOWN BELOW SAFE TEMPERATURE. AFTER APPLYING 2-5 BOTTLES IN A MO…"~200,000 mi, complaint #1523057
  9. #9

    wiper and washer

    5 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "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. *T…"~1,000 mi, complaint #699944
    • "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 OBV…"~2,800 mi, complaint #691474
    • "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…"~3,500 mi, complaint #705294
    • "THE WIPER BLADES LEAVE A UNBEARABLE STREAK RIGHT IN MY LINE OF SIGHT WHILE DRIVING MY 2008 JETTA WOLFSBURG. THE WINDSHIELD IS OUT OF CONTOUR FOR THE FACTORY WIPER BLADES. BOTH SIDES LEAVE STREAKS THAT ARE A DISTRACTION TO MY DRIVING ESPECIALLY IN RAINY WEATH…"~20,000 mi, complaint #812326
  10. #10

    door latch and hinge

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "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…"~68,000 mi, complaint #928948
    • "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 (…"~94,500 mi, complaint #1062051
    • "DOORS DO NOT LOCK, OR UNLOCK, RANDOM OPENING OF SUNROOF AND DOOR LOCK MECHANISM. *TR"~735,000 mi, complaint #1023318
  11. #11

    other

    3 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "DRIVER SIDE FRONT AND REAR WINDOW AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AND REAR WINDOW LEAK WATER. *TR"~8,000 mi, complaint #723727
    • "TOXIC MOLD: THANK YOU FOR THIS MESSAGE. FOR THE RECORD, WE DID NOT REQUEST FINANCIAL RELIEF FOR THE MOLD PROBLEM WITH OUR 2008 LEASED VOLKSWAGEN (VW) JETTA. WE REQUESTED RECEIPT OF A NEW, MOLD-FREE VEHICLE FOR THE COMPLETION OF OUR LEASE. THIS REQUEST WAS…"~12,900 mi, complaint #742110
    • "KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN TURNING OFF THE ENGINE."~92,000 mi, complaint #1328414
  12. #12

    wiring harness

    3 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY, THE TURN SIGNALS BEGAN TO ACT ERRATICALLY. INITIALLY ONLY THE LEFT TURN SIGNALING APPEARED TO BE AFFECTED, AND WOULD FAIL TO MAKE ANY INDICATION ON THE DASH OR ILLUMINATE THE LIGHTS. SHORTLY AFTER THIS, ATTEMPTIN…"~90,000 mi, complaint #1316800
    • "THE LED MIRROR TURN SIGNAL AND THE FRONT BUMPER ORANGE ILLUMINATED SAFETY REFLECTOR BOTH ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE SIMULTANEOUSLY STOPPED WORKING. I'M UNSURE IF THIS IS DUE TO FUSE ISSUES OR COMPUTER RELATED ELECTRICAL ISSUES. A SAFETY PROBLEM IS POS…"~95,000 mi, complaint #1020851
    • "CLUSTER..IINTERAL WIRING CLOCK ALWAYS RESETS AT 12:00 WINDSHIELD WASHER PUMP STOPPED WORKING AIR CONDITIONING POPS FUSES POWER SUPPLY PORTS HAVE NO POWER."~126,876 mi, complaint #1495313
  13. #13

    brake hydraulics

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "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…"~7,300 mi, complaint #660293
    • "I HAVE A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. I PURCHASED IT NEW IN AUGUST 2008. THE REAR BRAKES WORE INTO THE ROTORS AT 12,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIR SHOP HAD JUST INFORMED ME THAT THE BRAKES WERE FINE AT 10,000 MILES. THE ROTORS AND BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED AT…"~22,900 mi, complaint #764152
  14. #14

    engine oil consumption

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "ON 10 FEBRUARY 2012, AT APPROXIMATELY 7:45 AM, I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 395 NORTH , WASHINGTON, DC. IN THE HIGH OCCUPANCY VEHICLE (HOV) LANE WHEN I HEARD NOISE FROM THE ENGINE AND I SAW WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF THE ENGINE. I CHECKED…"~53,000 mi, complaint #904913
    • "WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR STARTED SHAKING AND WHEN I CHECKED THE OIL THERE WAS NO OIL ON THE DIPSTICK.NO OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND WHEN I BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC HE STATED THAT THE REAR SEAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS CAR HAS ONLY 120,000 MILES ON IT WHE…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1300803
  15. #15

    interior trim

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "TURNED SEAT WARMER ON WHILE DRIVING. THIRTY MINUTES LATER AFTER ARRIVING AT DESTINATION, FELT LIKE MY LOWER BACK WAS BURNED. HAD MY WIFE LOOK AT MY BACK. I HAD WHAT APPEARED TO BE A SECOND TO THIRD DEGREE BURN. THROUGHOUT THE AFTERNOON, THE BURN BEGAN BLIS…"~106,000 mi, complaint #1034616
    • "I UTILIZED MY SEAT WARMER ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND ONLY HAD THE SETTING ON 2 (OUT OF 5). AFTER APPROXIMATELY AN HOUR OF MY TRIP HOME FOR CHRISTMAS, I STARTED TO FEEL MY LOWER BACK (ON MY RIGHT) BURN BECAUSE THE SEAT WAS EXCESSIVELY HOT. WHEN I REACHED MY HAND…"~119,600 mi, complaint #1526226
  16. #16

    tire failure

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "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 B…"~1,800 mi, complaint #662027
    • "SIDEWALL TEARING APART IN TWO SECTIONS AS WELL AS CENTER TREADS CONTAIN SEVERE CRACKING. *TR"~15,862 mi, complaint #949541
  17. #17

    abs module

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "FRONT PASSENGER ABS WIRE CAME OUT OF BRACKET AND RUBBED ON THE AXLE. ABS LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON...ABS IS INOPERABLE. DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS CAUSED BY SNOW AND ICE. WE LIVE IN ILLINOIS WHERE THERE IS SNOW AND ICE 6 MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR. WHY…"~31,010 mi, complaint #835965
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND ABS WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND A BEEPING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT…"~110,000 mi, complaint #1386737
  18. #18

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "AT A STOP, WHEN ACCELERATING, THE CAR MAY JERK OR HESITATE. HARD SHIFTING FROM 2 TO 1 CAN CAUSE THE PERSON BEHIND TO REAR END OR THE CAR NEXT TO YOU TO HIT YOU WHEN YOU SUDDENLY STOP MOVING. *TR"complaint #1326243
    • "I PURCHASED MY 2008 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 2.0 IN MAY OF 08. SINCE MY PURCHASE THE CAR IS JERKY ALL THE TIME WHILE IN MOTION, ESPECIALLY DURING ACCELERATION. I BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED IT FROM AND THEY FOUND NO ISSUES EACH TIME I…"complaint #733146
  19. #19

    brake booster

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "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…"~4,800 mi, complaint #700056
  20. #20

    control module

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "I PULLED INTO A GAS STATION AND TRIED TO TURN OFF ENGINE TO FUEL THE CAR. AN IGNITION MALFUNCTION WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO TURN ENGINE OFF OR REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION."~110,500 mi, complaint #1288484
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE SAFETY ANTI-LOCK WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE STARTED HOW…"~167,000 mi, complaint #1673295
  21. #21

    engine cooling

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "MY PCV VALVE GOT CLOGGED WHICH CAUSED THE REAR MAIN SEAL TO BLOW OUT CAUSING A LOT OF DAMAGE. THIS IS NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN AT THIS MILEAGE. VOLKSWAGEN HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THEY ARE RECEIVING A LOT OF THESE VEHICLES BETWEEN 80K AND 100K, UNACCEPTABLE. THEY ARE NO…"~85,000 mi, complaint #1175711
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHEN DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED A LEAK IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COOLING FAN MALFUNCTIONED AND THE LEA…"~132,911 mi, complaint #1187513
  22. #22

    seat mechanism

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "DRIVER HEATED LEATHER SEAT CAUGHT FIRE AFTER CAR WAS TURNED ON AND THE HEATED SEAT BUTTON WAS TURNED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY."~70,000 mi, complaint #1261358
    • "I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ONE MORNING AND IT STARTED TO SMELL LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING. I THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS JUST A WEIRD SMELL IN MY VENTS BUT WITHIN 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING A CLOUD OF SMOKE FILED THE DRIVER SIDE OF MY CAR. LUCKILY I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY YET…"~112,000 mi, complaint #965571
  23. #23

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "DRIVERS SAFETY BELT FRAYING AND SHOULD BE REPLACED, POSSIBLE DEFECTIVE DESIGN OR FLAW IN THE CLIP WHERE THE BELT PASSES THROUGH, SHARP METAL IS PROTRUDING FROM PLASTIC BUCKLE CAUSING THE BELT TO FRAY. MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN."~85,000 mi, complaint #1259890
  24. #24

    starter

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "COULD NOT START VEHICLE BUT ONCE ABLE TO START WAS UNABLE TO TURN OFF VEHICLE. KEY IS STUCK IN IGNITION IN THE ON POSITION. HAD TO DISCONNECT BATTERY AND PULL FUEL PUMP RELAY TO KILL POWER. DID SOME RESEARCH AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON AND EXPENSIVE MANUFACT…"~147,000 mi, complaint #1669084
  25. #25

    suspension struts shocks

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "RECENTLY, I HEARD SOME BUMPING FROM THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO GET REPAIRED, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE COIL SPRING IN THE RIGHT REAR HAD BROKEN DUE TO CORROSION AND THAT IT NEED TO BE FIXED OR THAT SPRING COULD POP OUT WHILE D…"~105,000 mi, complaint #1054912
    • "The contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering and swaying in the rear of the vehicle. The contact slowed down and proceeded to drive. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The…"~106,349 mi, complaint #1814477
  26. #26

    wheel or rim

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VW JETTA. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED SEPTEMBER 17, 2010. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR RIMS, AND THE RIGHT FRONT RIMS WERE BENT. REPORT 1003146 WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TES…"~41,000 mi, complaint #820810
  27. #27

    ac compressor and refrigerant

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE A/C WAS OPERATED, THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR EMITTED FROM THE VENTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE EVA…"~59,000 mi, complaint #1067418
  28. #28

    driveshaft axle cv

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAY SHOWED THAT THE TRANSMISSION INDEPENDENTLY SWITCHED FROM D…"~140,000 mi, complaint #1650265
  29. #29

    emissions aftertreatment

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "EMMISIONS LIGHT ON- NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECALL NOTICES FOR VW 2008 JETTA GLI/ EMMISION LIGHT ON/IGNIATION TO START HESITATION PLEASE TELL ME ALL RECALLS ON VW 2008 JETTA GLI. CAN I TAKE MY CAR TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC FOR RECALLS? THANK YOU *JS"~51,000 mi, complaint #1143697
  30. #30

    fluid leak unspecified

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "MY CAR LEAKS ON THE FRONT AND REAR CARPET ON PASSENGER SIDE ONLY. IS MY AIR CONDITIONED HOSE STOPPED UP OR SUN ROOF DRAINS STOPPED UP."complaint #1647824
  31. #31

    fuel pump

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THE FOLLOWING RELATES TO A 2008 JETTA 2.0L WOLFSBURG EDITION SEDAN. THREE TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH THE VEHICLE HAS SUDDENLY LOST MOTIVE POWER, WITH THE ENGINE QUICKLY DROPPING TO 0 RPM, WITH ALL 3 INCIDENTS OCCURRING DURING BUSY TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. AFTER THE…"~26,000 mi, complaint #840870
  32. #32

    fuel tank and lines

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "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 I…"~51,400 mi, complaint #701807
  33. #33

    heater core and blower

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "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"~600 mi, complaint #690529
  34. #34

    hv system fault reduced power

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "car go into a safe mode take to dealer they said car is no reparable because the part they need is no longer made by VW and is no a substitution part for it. so basically they talk me to send it to a junk lot or I can buy a new car and they will gime some…"complaint #1812456
  35. #35

    instrument cluster

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "The contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed during the daytime, the speedometer failed to illuminate adequately, causing her to be unable to see the speed she was driving. The vehicle was not diagnose…"complaint #1858168
  36. #36

    lighting exterior

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING, ALL THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. ALSO, WHILE THE VEHICLE'S DOORS WERE AJAR, THE INTERIOR LIGHTING FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. ALSO, THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNIN…"~118,000 mi, complaint #1389958
  37. #37

    parking brake

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, THE CONTACT ENTERED THE VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. HALF OF HER BODY WAS INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND ONE LEG WAS HANGING OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT…"~130,000 mi, complaint #1380439
  38. #38

    suspension arms and bushings

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "I FIRST TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP JUNE 1ST FOR AN OBVIOUS RATTLING NOISE IN BETWEEN MY FRONT TIRES. ON JUNE 15TH BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO REPLACE MY BUSHINGS BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTED SO THEY ORDERED PINS FOR CALIPER BRACKET. IN JULY AFTER REPLA…"~39,247 mi, complaint #898303
  39. #39

    throttle and pedal

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "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 SOFT…"~2,100 mi, complaint #689369
  40. #40

    transmission manual clutch

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "2008 VW JETTA 2.5 WITH 5 SPEED MANUAL AND 25,300 MILES. UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND SHIFTING INTO FIRST GEAR WAS DIFFICULT. DEALER STATED THAT CLUTCH WAS BAD FROM WEAR AND TEAR. *TR"~25,300 mi, complaint #760823
  41. #41

    unintended acceleration

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. UNENTENDENT ACCELERATION."~147,165 mi, complaint #1336187

NHTSA investigations

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for VOLKSWAGEN JETTA directly.