Representative model. Photo: IFCAR, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2008 Volkswagen Jetta recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2008 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 6
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 190
Latest campaign: Sep 23, 2020

Recall summary by component6

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Service brakes, hydraulic	1	Sep 23, 2020	20E064000
Unknown or other	1	Sep 25, 2019	19V679000
Engine and engine cooling	1	Mar 7, 2014	14E007000
Fuel system, gasoline	1	Dec 10, 2010	10V621000
Power train	1	May 19, 2009	09V164000
Exterior lighting	1	Sep 24, 2007	07V442000

Safety recalls6

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Sep 23, 2020Latest campaign


Sep 23, 202020E064000	Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components master cylinder If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 20E064000 What's wrong 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. Risk If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy 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 NHTSA 20E064000 · Sep 23, 2020
Sep 25, 201919V679000	Unknown or other If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury. DetailsHide details for campaign 19V679000 What's wrong 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. Risk If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury. Remedy 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 NHTSA 19V679000 · Sep 25, 2019
Mar 7, 201414E007000	Engine and engine cooling: engine A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 14E007000 What's wrong 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. Risk A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Remedy 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 NHTSA 14E007000 · Mar 7, 2014
Dec 10, 201010V621000	Fuel system, gasoline: delivery hoses, lines/piping, and fittings IF CHAFING OCCURS, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A FUEL LEAK TO DEVELOP. DetailsHide details for campaign 10V621000 What's wrong 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. Risk 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. Remedy 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 NHTSA 10V621000 · Dec 10, 2010
May 19, 200909V164000	Power train: driveline driveshaft IF THE VEHICLE IS MOVING WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE DETACHED DRIVESHAFT COULD CAUSE DAMAGE THE GEARBOX HOUSING. DetailsHide details for campaign 09V164000 What's wrong 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. Risk 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. Remedy 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 NHTSA 09V164000 · May 19, 2009
Sep 24, 200707V442000	Exterior lighting: headlights NONCOMPLIANCE CAN INHIBIT PROPER HEADLAMP AIM ADJUSTMENT FOR ROADWAY ILLUMINATION, IMPROPERLY AIMED HEADLAMPS COULD CAUSE REDUCED ROAD VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF… DetailsHide details for campaign 07V442000 What's wrong 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. Risk NONCOMPLIANCE CAN INHIBIT PROPER HEADLAMP AIM ADJUSTMENT FOR ROADWAY ILLUMINATION, IMPROPERLY AIMED HEADLAMPS COULD CAUSE REDUCED ROAD VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Remedy 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 NHTSA 07V442000 · Sep 24, 2007

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Volkswagen recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2008 Volkswagen Jetta? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component190

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

190Complaints filed

4Involving a crash

4Involving a fire

4Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Power train	53	28	1	0	0
Electrical system	42	22	0	1	1
Service brakes	22	12	1	0	0
Air bags	21	11	1	0	1
Engine	20	11	1	1	0
Hydraulic	15	8	1	0	0
Unknown or other	12	6	0	1	0
Latches/locks/linkages	10	5	0	0	0
Visibility	8	4	0	0	0
Engine and engine cooling	7	4	0	0	0
Vehicle speed control	6	3	0	0	0
Seats	6	3	0	3	3
Fuel system	6	3	0	0	0
Gasoline	6	3	0	0	0
Exterior lighting	5	3	0	0	0

14 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

Electrical system
“Ignition key is stuck in the vehicle with the ignition on will not come out”
Filed 07/03/2026 · ODI 11748168
Electrical system
“Sometimes I feel as if my car is possessed I own a 2008 Volkswagen Jetta and sometimes the passenger headlight works sometimes it doesn't I've replaced the bulbs doesn't matter.”
Filed 03/14/2026 · ODI 11724289
Electrical system
“The ignition switch gets stuck sometimes and I can't crank my car nor turn it off I'm just dating that because that's what's going on on my end.”
Filed 12/20/2024 · ODI 11631894

Other Volkswagen Jetta model years

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Other Volkswagen models

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2008 Volkswagen Jetta recall questions

How many recalls does the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta have?

NHTSA lists 6 safety recall campaigns for the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta. The most recent, 20E064000 (reported September 23, 2020), concerns service brakes, hydraulic. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What is the most common complaint about the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta?

Power train is the most-reported component, named in 53 complaints out of 190 filed with NHTSA (28%). Across all complaints, owners reported 4 crashs and 4 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2008 Volkswagen Jetta?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Volkswagen recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Volkswagen dealer.

Check a specific Volkswagen by VIN

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Recall summary by component6

Safety recalls6

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components master cylinder

Unknown or other

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Power train: driveline driveshaft

Exterior lighting: headlights