2008 Volkswagen Jetta Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 12%of 188 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 28,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the brakes of the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta, 12% of the 188 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 28,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“2008 Volkswagen Jetta s my car has 36000 miles on it and I have changed the rear brake pads and rotors twice on this vehicle. It is my understanding that this has been a problem with many jettas around that year. I have luckily avoided many wrecks that I would not have potentially been in if the rear brakes responded as they should. I feel that this is definately a safety issue that needs to be addressed.”
NHTSA complaint #10352783, filed 2010-08, 36,000 miles“I have a 2008 Jetta, with an automatic transmission and I have been the sole owner. The car has 18,000 miles and needs new back brakes. Vw says it is no longer under warranty and will not pay for brakes. They told me that there is 'equal wear' on both back brakes (the front are fine); however, when I looked at the brakes with the vw mechanic, there was not equal wear. I am contesting the issue and believe that it is a mechanical problem and not a case of natural wear.”
NHTSA complaint #10355819, filed 2010-09, 18,000 miles“I have a 2008 vw Jetta and I have had to have the brake pads, rotors and calipers replaced now for a 3rd time. The first 2 times happened within the first 12 months of owning the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10365311, filed 2010-11, 83,950 miles“Rear brake pads on my 2008 Volkswagen Jetta are worn down to nothing and my front brake pads are just about perfect. Have noticed many online forums have mentioned this problem as well.”
NHTSA complaint #10367145, filed 2010-11, 30,000 miles“Pre-mature rear-brake wear. The rear brake pads completely wore out at about 17,000 miles causing metal to metal contact with the rear rotors. Most of the miles are highway. Many forums report similar problems for other years of the vehicle and it seems that the cause could be calipers that don't disengage completely when the parking brake is used. Since I have a manual transmission it's hard not to use the parking brake. My rear wheels are always covered in brake dust and it seems like the pads will wear out soon again (about 22,000 miles later). …”
NHTSA complaint #10324324, filed 2010-04, 17,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10181413Oct 2, 2020Mandatory fastener.
- 10180603Sep 25, 2020Antilock brake function test direction.
- 10180101Sep 4, 2020Antilock brake function test direction.
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 6% |
| 2024 | 13 | 28% |
| 2023 | 11 | 26% |
| 2022 | 12 | 28% |
| 2021 | 26 | 37% |
| 2020 | 7 | 13% |
| 2019 | 30 | 5% |
| 2018 | 1 | 3% |
| 2017 | 15 | 9% |
| 2016 | 23 | 14% |
| 2015 | 19 | 10% |
| 2014 | 18 | 5% |
| 2013 | 22 | 4% |
| 2012 | 37 | 7% |
| 2011 | 28 | 5% |
| 2010 | 55 | 6% |
| 2009 | 205 | 23% |
| 2008 | 23 | 12% |
| 2007 | 44 | 22% |
| 2006 | 30 | 5% |
| 2005 | 14 | 6% |
| 2004 | 12 | 5% |
| 2003 | 22 | 5% |
| 2002 | 51 | 7% |
| 2001 | 77 | 12% |
| 2000 | 45 | 10% |
| 1999 | 31 | 9% |
| 1998 | 11 | 6% |
| 1997 | 2 | 4% |
| 1996 | 2 | 6% |
| 1995 | 23 | 10% |
| 1994 | 9 | 8% |
| 1993 | 1 | 6% |
| 1992 | 2 | 7% |
| 1991 | 2 | 6% |
| 1990 | 2 | 9% |
| 1988 | 3 | 16% |
| 1987 | 1 | 6% |
| 1986 | 1 | 7% |
| 1985 | 3 | 23% |
Other parts of the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
53 complaintsElectrical system
42 complaintsAir bags
20 complaintsEngine
20 complaintsOther or unknown
14 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
10 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsSeats
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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