The Lemon Index2008 Volkswagen Jetta.
The 2008 Volkswagen Jetta is better than average by owner complaints: 77 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 80, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 6 recalls, and it gets 24 to 25 mpg combined. The best Volkswagen Jetta year is 2018.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 190 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Volkswagen Jetta year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 18K to 104K miles on the car (158 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 11K–98K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 56K–117K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 58K–133K miles
Recalls 6
- brakes 2020
The fluid seal crimp on the master cylinder may be insufficient, causing brake fluid to leak or the cylinder to come apart.
- unknown or other 2019
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.
- engine 2014
A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Show all 6 recalls
- fuel system, gasoline 2010
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.
- transmission & drivetrain 2009
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 25,594 MY 2006-2009 JETTA 5TH GENERATION EQUIPPED WITH 2.01 ENGINE.
- lights 2007
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…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Volkswagen told dealers about
Volkswagen sent dealers 597 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Tech Tips (Torque Converter/Flywheel/Flexplate installation): Incorrect torque converter
- Incorrect torque converter or flywheel/flexplate installation can result in transmission damage
- When diagnosing a generator charging concern, it is recommended to verify operation of the one…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedVehicle stall/loss motive power2009
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Fuel cost and engines
About $2700–3300 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 5-cyl.
In owners' words
1. This event occurs constantly under all conditions 2. The transmission will jerk from a start causing discomfort and irritation 3. Nothing has been done to prevent this issue.
2008 Volkswagen Jetta owner · NHTSA complaint 10281633
More owner reports
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.
NHTSA complaint 10307966
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
NHTSA complaint 10322502
Quick answers
Is the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 80; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Volkswagen Jetta year by this measure is 2018.
What are the most common 2008 Volkswagen Jetta problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (47%), brakes (17%) and visibility (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta have?
6 safety recalls (latest: brakes). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta get?
24 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Volkswagen Jetta problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 18,800 and 104,500 miles. The middle report was at 58,500 miles, from 158 complaints.
Does the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 47% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta cost in fuel a year?
About $2700 to $3300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 5-cyl.
What Volkswagen Jetta year is better than the 2008?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2018, 2020 and 2015.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works