2008 Volkswagen Jetta Electronic stability control Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 2%of 188 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 10,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the electronic stability control of the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta, 2% of the 188 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 10,000 miles.
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.
“We had the car in the body shop for a repair! Dent in the rear corner panel the air bag light came on a couple days later we took the car back to the body shop they took it the columbus ga vw dealer and were told the clock spring in the steering column was bad and they were getting quite a few cars back for the same problem.well it turns out all your electronics horn, radio,cruise control, air bags,dash lights,all the wires for these any many more items travel thru the clock spring! There having alot of problems with this item why is there no recall? …”
NHTSA complaint #10520618, filed 2013-06, 71,293 miles“While driving my 2008 Volkswagen gli sedan equipped with a dsg transmission I have on numerous occasions either while accelerating or slowing had sudden, rough shifts, and at times have been literally bucked around in the vehicle while shifting from 1st to 2nd gear when leaving a stop light. This has been happening since february 2009...possibly before, and has been increasing in frequency. I have also had rough shifts downshifting at times causing the esp to become activated in my vehicle making it feel like I am losing traction. …”
NHTSA complaint #10278070, filed 2009-07, 10,000 miles“2008 Volkswagen Jetta wolfsburg 2.0t fsi dsg (direct shift gearbox) while pulling out into traffic on numerous occasions from a full standstill there was a very significant delay in the response of the dsg transmission to driver throttle input. There will be a 1-2-3 go, (delay) the car will then jerk forward out into traffic then only creep very slowly forward at this point which commits the car and it's passengers to the maneuver of turning into active traffic pattern. This delay/jerk/then creeping forward has caused a few close calls with having an accident from oncoming traffic. …”
NHTSA complaint #10297662, filed 2009-12, 7,800 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10177854Jul 31, 2020Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP) function test may not end on its own causing DTC.
Electronic stability control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 2% |
| 2019 | 5 | 1% |
| 2017 | 5 | 3% |
| 2016 | 4 | 2% |
| 2015 | 1 | 1% |
| 2014 | 10 | 3% |
| 2013 | 7 | 1% |
| 2012 | 10 | 2% |
| 2011 | 15 | 2% |
| 2010 | 21 | 2% |
| 2009 | 93 | 10% |
| 2008 | 3 | 2% |
| 2007 | 1 | 1% |
| 2006 | 6 | 1% |
| 2005 | 3 | 1% |
| 2004 | 3 | 1% |
| 2003 | 1 | 0% |
| 2001 | 3 | 0% |
| 1999 | 1 | 0% |
Other parts of the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
53 complaintsElectrical system
42 complaintsBrakes
23 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 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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