Volkswagen

Passat (2008)

2008 · Midsize Sedan ยท 3 engines
Best Engine โœ… Recommended (3.9)
174 NHTSA Complaints
4 Recalls
6 Fire Reports
3 Crash Reports
View all 8 generations of the Volkswagen Passat → ๐Ÿ“‹ Inspection checklist

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (11.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (11.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No

Engine Reliability Ratings

EA390 VR6

3.6L 6-cyl / 280 hp
โœ… Recommended (3.9)
11 complaints 11.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
4
fuel system
2
other
2
cooling
2
interior
1

Known Issues

Engine Issues (4 complaints)
Fuel System Issues (2 complaints)
Cooling System Issues (2 complaints)

Volkswagen Passat Unidentified Engine

โš ๏ธ Caution (2.2)
16 complaints 16.0 per year
1 fire report
View details

Complaint Breakdown

fuel system
5
engine
5
other
3
safety systems
1
electrical
1

Known Issues

Fuel System Issues (5 complaints)
Engine Issues (5 complaints)
Safety Systems Issues (1 complaints)
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints and aren't included in the main ratings above. Low counts can mean a genuinely clean record, but they can also reflect VIN-decode anomalies in NHTSA data. Treat as informational, not as a confident rating.

EA888 Gen1/2

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo / 200 hp
โœ… Recommended (4.8)
2 complaints 2.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
1
fuel system
1

Known Issues

Transmission Issues (1 complaints)
Fuel System Issues (1 complaints)

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Volkswagen Passat regardless of engine variant.

Fuel System Issues (67 complaints)
fuel_system critical
Engine Issues (53 complaints)
engine critical
Safety Systems Issues (31 complaints)
safety_systems serious
Electrical System Issues (21 complaints)
electrical serious
Steering Issues (11 complaints)
steering cosmetic

Recalls (4)

18V148000Jun 2, 2018critical
Air Bags

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.

17V509000Aug 15, 2017serious
Fuel System

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.

16V078000Oct 1, 2016critical
Air Bags

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

08V235000May 27, 2008serious
Engine & Cooling

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 4,079 MY 2008 PASSAT AND 2,500 MY 2009 TIGUAN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.0T FSI ULEV II ENGINES. THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) CONTAINING SOFTWARE THAT MAY NOT PROPERLY CONTROL ENGINE IDLE WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING TURNED ON. IN RARE CASES, THE ECM MAY UNEXPECTEDLY INCREASE ENGINE RPM.

Alternatives in Midsize Sedan

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2008-2008 Volkswagen Passat problems?

The 2008-2008 Volkswagen Passat has accumulated 174 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Fuel System, Engine, Safety Systems. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Volkswagen Passat engine is most reliable?

The 2008-2008 Volkswagen Passat was offered with 4 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 3.6L 6-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2008-2008 Volkswagen Passat a good used car?

The 2008-2008 Volkswagen Passat can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 174 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008-2008 Volkswagen Passat have?

The 2008-2008 Volkswagen Passat has 174 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2008-2008 Volkswagen Passat?

There are 4 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2008-2008 Volkswagen Passat vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN โ€” check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Volkswagen Passat?

Before buying a used Volkswagen Passat, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Fuel System, Engine, Safety Systems, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Passat?

The 2008 Volkswagen Passat received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: 4 stars (11.8% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 174 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-07-12.

© 2026 The Weekly Driver