2008 Volkswagen Passat Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 32about this part
- Share
- 19%of 168 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 114,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 32 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Volkswagen Passat, 19% of the 168 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 114,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I bought the car around mid-september 2019. I've been driving it since and just recently, I'd say december 9th, 2019 to be exact, got a letter in the mail saying my vehicle had a recall for the airbag. I went online to the car brands website and looked up my exact car to verify. Upon doing this, I discovered it had a second recall for the fuel pump. I took the car in for the free repairs, only to be told that they can't fix the fuel fump issue as my check engine light is on. From what I've been told by a mechanic I went to, the light is on due to a leak in my vacuum pump. …”
NHTSA complaint #11288611, filed 2019-12, 157,000 miles“I'm concerned that there could be an interruption in electrical power to the fuel pump control module. This could result in the fuel pump running continuously, resulting in a drained battery and/or a no start condition, or cause a loss of motive power while the vehicle is in motion, which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. In addition, the airbag recall is a great concern. I'm also concerned for any other recalls associated with my Volkswagen. Now that takata has settled the lawsuit, I hope my concerned can be resolved expeditiously.”
NHTSA complaint #11072319, filed 2018-02, 131,000 miles“Takata inflators I had received a notice from vw auto company in the month of march that there is a problem with the driver side safety air bag. Here is what it said akata has reported that the driver frontal airbag inflator could potentially rupture if the vehicle is involved in a crash where the frontal airbags are designed to deploy. In the event of an inflator rupture, metal fragments could pass through the airbag cushion material, which may result in serious injury or death to vehicle occupants. …”
NHTSA complaint #10907576, filed 2016-09, 105,000 miles“It has been over a year since this recall was expanded to include vw, yet neither the dealers, nor the manufacturer have parts to support the recall; yet parts are clearly available as vehicles are still being produced. Volkswagen's failure to provide replacement parts for a safety related recall with the potential to inflict serious bodily injury or death is unconscionable and reckless. Over a year since the recall began and they still do not have a timeline of when parts may be available, this clearly seems to be an issue of motivation. …”
NHTSA complaint #10957593, filed 2017-02, 83,000 miles“All controls located on the steering wheel went dead, and airbag failure indicator came on. Turning vehicle off and restarting it did not solve the problem. Drivers side airbag seems not to be functional.”
NHTSA complaint #10559496, filed 2014-01, 40,000 milesRelated recalls
- 18V148000Mar 6, 2018Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Volkswagen CC, 2010-2014 Golf, 2010-2014 Eos, 2007-2010 Passat Sedan and Wagon…Covers: Volkswagen Passat 2007–2010, 2012–2014, CC 2009–2014, Golf 2010–2014 +2 more
- 16V078000Feb 10, 2016Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and…Covers: Volkswagen Passat 2007–2010, 2012–2014, CC 2009–2014, Golf 2010–2014 +5 more
Related service bulletins
- 10233240Mar 13, 2023In conjunction with the New Mexico DMV, Volkswagen will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 363 Volkswagen owners in the State of New Mexico on…
- 10233239Mar 13, 2023In conjunction with the Massachusetts DMV, Volkswagen will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 1,498 Volkswagen owners in the State of Massachusetts…
- 10231847Feb 13, 2023In conjunction with the Colorado DMV, Volkswagen will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 1,414 Volkswagen owners in the State of Colorado on…
- 10231584Feb 2, 2023VW contact when reporting a Airbag or Pyrotechnic safety belt deployment. Update to model year applicability.
- 10224368Oct 17, 2022In conjunction with the New York DMV, Volkswagen will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 2,743 Volkswagen owners in the State of New York on…
- 10222092Sep 19, 2022In conjunction with the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, Volkswagen is sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 1,824 Volkswagen owners in the…
- 10216857Jul 25, 2022In conjunction with the Georgia Department of Revenue - Motor Vehicle Division and Department of Driver Services, Volkswagen sent Takata airbag recall reminder notices to…
- 10216552Jul 25, 2022In conjunction with the Georgia Department of Revenue - Motor Vehicle Division and Department of Driver Services, Volkswagen sent Takata airbag recall reminder notices to…
- 10216553Jul 21, 2022In conjunction with the Virginia DMV, Audi will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 2,217 VW owners in the State of Virginia on July 21, 2022
- 10214740Jun 23, 2022In conjunction with the Georgia Department of Revenue - Motor Vehicle Division and Department of Driver Services, Volkswagen sent Takata airbag recall reminder notices to…
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3 | 15% |
| 2020 | 4 | 22% |
| 2018 | 5 | 11% |
| 2017 | 28 | 25% |
| 2016 | 25 | 24% |
| 2015 | 88 | 36% |
| 2014 | 354 | 60% |
| 2013 | 382 | 51% |
| 2012 | 296 | 61% |
| 2011 | 5 | 31% |
| 2010 | 45 | 28% |
| 2009 | 12 | 8% |
| 2008 | 32 | 19% |
| 2007 | 106 | 40% |
| 2006 | 148 | 26% |
| 2005 | 4 | 3% |
| 2004 | 8 | 3% |
| 2003 | 23 | 4% |
| 2002 | 11 | 2% |
| 2001 | 26 | 6% |
| 2000 | 17 | 3% |
| 1999 | 21 | 3% |
| 1998 | 8 | 2% |
| 1997 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2008 Volkswagen Passat
63 complaintsEngine
43 complaintsElectrical system
21 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsSeats
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Volkswagen Passat
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