The vehicle dossier US · 2008

2008 Volkswagen
JETTAProblems & recalls

188 distinct owner reports in the NHTSA snapshot. Transmission & drivetrain appears in 53 of them. Explore what was reported—and which official actions are on file.

Snapshot Sep 28, 2026Live NHTSA complaint API How this dossier is compiled

01 / Owner-reported evidence

What owners reported.

Categories attached to 188 distinct reports. A report can mention more than one component, so category totals can overlap.

Transmission & drivetrain53 reports
Other components52 reports
Electrical system42 reports
Engine26 reports
Brakes22 reports
Air bags20 reports
Fuel system10 reports
Visibility8 reports
Body & structure4 reports
Steering3 reports
Suspension2 reports
See original component labels
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM37
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION26
POWER TRAIN24
AIR BAGS20
ENGINE20
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC15
UNKNOWN OR OTHER11
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES9
VISIBILITY8
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL6
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING6
SEATS6
EXTERIOR LIGHTING5
STRUCTURE:BODY4
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM4
TIRES3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION3
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)3
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE3
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM3
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC3
SERVICE BRAKES3
STEERING3
PARKING BRAKE2
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION2
SUSPENSION2
WHEELS2
SEAT BELTS2
EQUIPMENT1
STRUCTURE1
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR1
WHEELS:RIM1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL1
INTERIOR LIGHTING1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SEAT HEATER:MAT1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LOCK1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER1

These are reports made to NHTSA, not verified diagnoses. More reports can reflect more vehicles, more time on the road, or greater reporting activity.

The reporting timeline

When reports arrived.

Reports by year filed, not by the year a problem occurred. Showing the latest 15 years with reports.

Year filed (last two digits)Latest report: Jul 3, 2026
Mileage, where supplied

59,500 miles is the median among 160 reports with usable mileage. The middle half spans 19,000–105,000 miles.

This describes the submitted reports. It does not predict when a vehicle will fail.

02 / Official safety campaigns

6 recall campaigns on file.

A campaign can cover only certain production dates or configurations. The count does not tell you whether an individual car has an open recall.

Sep 23, 2020 Safety recallSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDERCampaign 20E064000

Reported concern

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.

Manufacturer’s stated response

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.

Read campaign 20E064000 at NHTSA
Sep 25, 2019 Safety recallUNKNOWN OR OTHERCampaign 19V679000

Reported concern

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.

Manufacturer’s stated response

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.

Manufacturer campaign: 01D7

Read campaign 19V679000 at NHTSA
Mar 7, 2014 Safety recallENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINECampaign 14E007000

Reported concern

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.

Manufacturer’s stated response

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.

Read campaign 14E007000 at NHTSA
Dec 10, 2010 Safety recallFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGSCampaign 10V621000

Reported concern

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.

Manufacturer’s stated response

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.

Manufacturer campaign: 20I4/U1

Read campaign 10V621000 at NHTSA
May 19, 2009 Safety recallPOWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFTCampaign 09V164000

Reported concern

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.

Manufacturer’s stated response

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.

Manufacturer campaign: 40J2/S4

Read campaign 09V164000 at NHTSA
Sep 24, 2007 Safety recallEXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTSCampaign 07V442000

Reported concern

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.

Manufacturer’s stated response

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.

Manufacturer campaign: Q8

Read campaign 07V442000 at NHTSA
Check this car’s VIN at NHTSA

03 / The manufacturer’s record

Instructions. Updates. Responses.

596 distinct communications list this model-year. Showing the latest 12. A matching model-year does not establish that every engine, trim or reported symptom is covered.

Oct 30, 2023 Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsV171901201285567VW Engine oil quality standardsNHTSA ID 10244545

VW Engine oil quality standards

Components: ENGINE. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 10244545 at NHTSA
Sep 28, 2023 Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsV171905201285566VW Engine oil quality standardsNHTSA ID 10243299

VW Engine oil quality standards

Components: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 10243299 at NHTSA
Sep 7, 2023 Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsV271901201189425Battery Testing and Charging Using Midtronics VAS6161 and or GRX3000VAS Charger. Update Tool terminologyNHTSA ID 10242897

Battery Testing and Charging Using Midtronics VAS6161 and or GRX3000VAS Charger. Update Tool terminology

Components: EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 10242897 at NHTSA
Sep 5, 2023 Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsV0018092053065_4Safety Related Inquiry and ReportingNHTSA ID 10242894

Safety Related Inquiry and Reporting

Components: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 10242894 at NHTSA
Aug 21, 2023 Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsV171901201285565Update to Volkswagen engine oil standardsNHTSA ID 10241177

Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards

Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 10241177 at NHTSA
Jul 13, 2023 Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsV271503201607612Diagnostic assistance for excessive static current drawNHTSA ID 10239654

Diagnostic assistance for excessive static current draw

Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 10239654 at NHTSA
Jul 10, 2023 Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsV171901201285564Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.NHTSA ID 10239653

Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.

Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 10239653 at NHTSA
Jun 28, 2023 Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsV271901201189424Battery Testing and Charging using Midtronics VAS6161 and or GRX3000 Vas ChargerNHTSA ID 10239655

Battery Testing and Charging using Midtronics VAS6161 and or GRX3000 Vas Charger

Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 10239655 at NHTSA
Jun 28, 2023 Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsV2719012011894_2Battery Testing and Charging using Midtronics VAS6161 and or GRX3000 Vas ChargerNHTSA ID 10238308

Battery Testing and Charging using Midtronics VAS6161 and or GRX3000 Vas Charger

Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 10238308 at NHTSA
Jun 27, 2023 Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsV011812201460319Software Version Management (SVM) instruction.NHTSA ID 10238301

Software Version Management (SVM) instruction.

Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 10238301 at NHTSA
Jun 20, 2023 Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsV171901201285563Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards, updated to include model year 2024.NHTSA ID 10238307

Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards, updated to include model year 2024.

Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING · EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 10238307 at NHTSA
Jun 20, 2023 Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsV171806201781318Engine Oil Consumption Measurement Instruction and Work sheet.NHTSA ID 10238306

Engine Oil Consumption Measurement Instruction and Work sheet.

Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING · EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 10238306 at NHTSA
Browse all manufacturer records by page

Records below contain the NHTSA bulk summary unless a document-reviewed explainer is linked. A service bulletin is not a safety recall or a promise of a free repair. Records may be revised or superseded; verify the current document with the manufacturer.

04 / Agency investigations

Official inquiries.

An investigation is an inquiry into a potential concern. Its presence does not establish a defect, and a closed case does not certify a car’s condition.

Opened Jul 17, 2009 ClosedVEHICLE STALL/LOSS MOTIVE POWERPE09035

THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH DIRECT SHIFT GEARBOX (DSG) TRANSMISSIONS, WHICH FEATURE A 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC GEARBOX WITH TWO WET RUNNING CLUTCHES (DUAL CLUTCH) IN WHICH THE CLUTCH MECHANISM AND GEAR CHANGES ARE ELECTROHYDRAULICALLY OPERATED BY A MECHATRONIC CONTROL UNIT.THE DSG MECHATRONIC CONTROLLER INCLUDES EXTENSIVE SELF DIAGNOSTIC FUNCTIONS AND STRATEGIES TO ENSURE SAFE OPERATION AND PREVENT SYSTEM/COMPONENT DAMAGE IN THE EVENT OF COMPONENT FAILURES OR HARSH OPERATING CONDITIONS.THE BASIC HIERARCHY OF FAULT MODES INCLUDES SOME THAT ONLY RESULT IN THE STORAGE OF A DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) AND CAUSE NO LOSS OF FUNCTION, SOME THAT STORE A DTC AND REDUCE VEHICLE OPERATION TO A LIMP HOME MODE, AND SOME THAT STORE A DTC AND CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF MOTIVE POWER (I.E., OPEN CLUTCH).THE DRIVER IS ALERTED TO THE LATTER TWO MODES BY THE DASH GEAR POSITION INDICATOR (PRNDS) FLASHING. ONE OF THE CONDITIONS THAT RESULTS IN INTERRUPTION OF MOTIVE POWER IS EXCESS GEARBOX TEMPERATURE.THE SYSTEM INITIALLY RESPONDS TO INCREASED GEARBOX TEMPERATURE BY RAMPING DOWN ENGINE TORQUE.IF THE TEMPERATURE KEEPS RISING THE MECHATRONIC UNIT RESPONDS BY OPENING THE CLUTCH.IN A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT SUBMITTED TO NHTSA ON AUGUST 20, 2009, VOLKSWAGEN DESCRIBED A POTENTIAL DEFECT IN THE WIRING HARNESSES OF THE DSG GEARBOX TEMPERATURE SENSORS USED IN APPROXIMATELY 16,000 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2009 AND 2010 VOLKSWAGEN (EOS, JETTA AND GTI) AND AUDI (A3 AND TT/TT ROADSTER) VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DSG TRANSMISSIONS AND BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 2008 THROUGH AUGUST 2009 (NHTSA RECALL NO. 09V-333, VOLKSWAGEN RECALL NO. 37E3/S7 AND AUDI RECALL NO 37E4/J7). VOLKSWAGEN PROVIDED THIS DESCRIPTION OF THE DEFECT, THE WIRING HARNESS OF A TEMPERATURE SENSOR IN THE DSG MAY HAVE CONNECTOR WIRES THAT WERE INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED BY THE CONNECTOR SUPPLIER DURING A LIMITED PRODUCTION PERIOD.WITH INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED CONNECTOR WIRES, A TEMPERATURE SENSOR HAS THE POTENTIAL TO FALSELY DETECT A HIGH GEARBOX OIL TEMPERATURE, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO ABRUPTLY SHIFT TO NEUTRAL.IF THIS HAPPENS, THE SELECTOR LEVER POSITION INDICATOR WITHIN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL FLASH.IN ADDITION, THE DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL INDICATOR LIGHT WILL BE ILLUMINATED, ALERTING THE DRIVER TO APPLY THE BRAKES.IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, THE ABRUPT SHIFT TO NEUTRAL COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.VOLKSWAGEN ESTIMATED THAT LESS THAN ONE PERCENT OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN THE DEFECT CONDITION. ODI IDENTIFIED 40 COMPLAINTS THAT APPEAR TO BE RELATED TO THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR DEFECT CONDITION DESCRIBED BY VOLKSWAGEN.VOLKSWAGEN RECEIVED 139 COMPLAINTS RELATED TO THE CONDITION, WITH 7 INVOLVING VEHICLES REPORTED TO ODI, RESULTING A 172 TOTAL COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND VOLKSWAGEN.ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS INVOLVE THE MY 2009 AN 2010 VEHICLES SUBJECT TO RECALL 09V-333. ODI ALSO IDENTIFIED COMPLAINTS OF HARSH/JERKY SHIFTING IN SOME VOLKSWAGEN VEHICLES WITH DSG.VOLKSWAGEN ATTRIBUTED THIS CONDITION, WHICH TYPICALLY OCCURS AT VERY LOW SPEEDS, TO EXCESSIVE WEAR IN THE BUSHINGS OF THE TWO SOLENOID VALVES IN THE MECHATRONIC UNIT THAT CONTROL CLUTCH OPERATION.VOLKSWAGEN DOES NOT BELIEVE THAT THE THIS CONDITION IS A SAFETY DEFECT BECAUSE THE CHANGES IN SHIFT QUALITY DEVELOP GRADUALLY OVER TIME, DO NOT CAUSE A LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER AND HAVE NOT RESULTED IN ANY FATALITIES, INJURIES OR SERIOUS CRASHES (THERE WERE THREE REPORTED PROPERTY DAMAGE INCIDENTS RESULTING IN MINOR BODY DAMAGE IN VERY LOW SPEED, PARKING MANEUVERS).VOLKSWAGEN ADDRESSED THIS PROBLEM IN THE FIELD WITH A CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM THAT INCLUDES THE REPLACEMENT OF POTENTIALLY AFFECTED MECHATRONIC UNITS AS WELL

Recorded closure: Nov 19, 2009

Campaign reference in the source: 09V333000

Find investigation PE09035

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