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Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)Part report

2008 Volkswagen Jetta Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems

Complaints
8about this part
Share
4%of 188 total for the year
Median mileage
2,800miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the visibility of the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta, 4% of the 188 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 2,800 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.

“The wiper blades leave a unbearable streak right in my line of sight while driving my 2008 Jetta wolfsburg. The windshield is out of contour for the factory wiper blades. Both sides leave streaks that are a distraction to my driving especially in rainy weather at night.”

NHTSA complaint #10354025, filed 2010-09, 20,000 miles

“On my first drive in the rain I could not see out the window. I had to pull off the road because the driver side windshield wiper leaves a streak right in the line of vision when in use. Dealer replaced the wiper, the streak is smaller, but the problem remains. In addition, now that winter is here, it is especially dangerous as the snow melts and salt and slush are hitting the window. The wipers will not clean it properly.”

NHTSA complaint #10256118, filed 2009-01, 3,500 miles

“The driver side windshield wiper leaves a 2 or 3 inch streak right in the critical view of the driver when the windshield wipers are used. Vw engineering response was that they don't see a problem with it. Wipers have been replaced and issue still remained.”

NHTSA complaint #10251715, filed 2008-12, 1,000 miles

“The front windshield fogs up, and you cant see anything through it. You need to turn on the air-conditioning, so that it heats the front windshield up. If you don't do that, you will crash because of 0% visibility.”

NHTSA complaint #10244051, filed 2008-09, 600 miles

“Windshield wiper streaking problem: I purchased a new 2008 Volkswagen Jetta se on may 6, 2008. The first rain the car was driven in (within two weeks of purchase) the driver side windshield wiper was leaving a streak approximately three inches wide at eye level of the driver. The vehicle has been returned for dealership service on numerous occasions. The Volkswagen service department replaced the driver side wiper blade twice and the wiper arm. This has not corrected the streak issue. …”

NHTSA complaint #10234584, filed 2008-07, 350 miles

Related service bulletins

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202539%
202449%
202212%
202146%
202024%
2019265%
201753%
201621%
201542%
201482%
2013133%
2012245%
2011264%
2010142%
2009101%
200884%
200773%
2006244%
200573%
2004115%
2003215%
2002456%
20017111%
20007718%
19998123%
19984222%
19971630%
19961342%
19952612%
19941513%
1993424%
1992310%
1991723%
1990418%
1989621%
1988211%
1987422%
1986321%
198518%

Other parts of the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta

Transmission and drivetrain
53 complaints
Electrical system
42 complaints
Brakes
23 complaints
Air bags
20 complaints
Engine
20 complaints
Other or unknown
14 complaints
Fuel system
10 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
10 complaints
Engine cooling
7 complaints
Seats
6 complaints
Vehicle speed control
6 complaints
Exterior lighting
5 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