2008 Volkswagen GTI Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 4%of 67 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 42,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Volkswagen GTI, 4% of the 67 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 42,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Car was involved in frontal crash, hitting another that was stopped in the road. Car was going between 20 and 30 MPH. Airbags did not deploy causing driver to hit nose on steering wheel. Not broken but severely bruised.”
NHTSA complaint #10256878, filed 2009-01, 12,000 miles“The contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated that the air bag light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact took the vehicle the dealer for inspection where they stated that the air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 42,000. Updated 08/28/12”
NHTSA complaint #10466726, filed 2012-07, 42,000 miles“The contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH the driver rear ended another vehicle and the passenger side air bag did not deploy. A police report was filed. The passenger sustained bruises after hitting her head on the dashboard. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 67,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10461479, filed 2012-06, 67,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10231584Feb 2, 2023VW contact when reporting a Airbag or Pyrotechnic safety belt deployment. Update to model year applicability.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 2 | 4% |
| 2016 | 5 | 7% |
| 2015 | 3 | 3% |
| 2014 | 1 | 10% |
| 2013 | 4 | 12% |
| 2012 | 5 | 13% |
| 2011 | 3 | 5% |
| 2010 | 2 | 4% |
| 2009 | 4 | 2% |
| 2008 | 3 | 4% |
| 2007 | 11 | 14% |
| 2006 | 7 | 16% |
| 2005 | 1 | 13% |
| 2004 | 4 | 57% |
| 2003 | 18 | 34% |
| 2002 | 23 | 19% |
| 2001 | 19 | 26% |
| 2000 | 4 | 9% |
| 1999 | 1 | 13% |
| 1998 | 2 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2008 Volkswagen GTI
40 complaintsExterior lighting
7 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsTires
3 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Volkswagen GTI
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology