no report yet
Exterior lighting: headlights
Risk. NONCOMPLIANCE CAN INHIBIT PROPER HEADLAMP AIM ADJUSTMENT FOR ROADWAY ILLUMINATION, IMPROPERLY AIMED HEADLAMPS COULD CAUSE REDUCED ROAD VISIBILITY, INCREASING…
2008 Volkswagen GTIProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 67 owner complaints about the 2008 Volkswagen GTI, most often about the power train. It is covered by 1 safety recall.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 19, 2020. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2008 Volkswagen GTI has problems
67 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
40Power train1 crash/fire/injury
7Exterior lighting
4Engine
4Fuel/propulsion system
3Engine and engine cooling
3Tires
3Air bags
2Fuel system, gasoline
2Seat belts
44 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 40 | 1 |
| Exterior lighting | 7 | 0 |
| Engine | 4 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 0 |
| Tires | 3 | 0 |
| Air bags | 3 | 2 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 2 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 0 |
| 4 other systems | 4 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
1 recall
2008 Volkswagen GTI recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Volkswagen.
Mileage at failure
When do power train problems start?
16kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 35 power train complaints. 100% were reported before 100,000 miles.
30under 30k miles35under 100k miles0100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2008 vs. every other GTI year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the GTI median. How we score
'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2008 Volkswagen GTI safety ratings
2008 Volkswagen GTI 2-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2008 Volkswagen GTI, and the recalls they led to.
- VEHICLE STALL/LOSS MOTIVE POWERLed to recall 09V-333
In owners' words
What GTI owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND AS A RESULT A FLUSH NEEDED TO PERFORM.…
WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION DOG BONE MOUNT BOLT BROKE. THIS DAMAGED: THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING - THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING SUPPORT - THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ASSEMBLY - STEERING - THE WIRING HARNESS - THE RADIATOR - THE RADIATOR FAN - ADDITIONAL ITEMS. THE LOSS OF CONTROL THAT RESULTED COULD HAVE…
CAME TO COMPLETE STOP. PRESSED ON GAS PEDAL TO MOVE FORWARD INTO INTERSECTION. AFTER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO 2ND, THE CAR LOSS ALL ENGAGEMENT AND FELT AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. I STEPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL FURTHER AND AFTER 5 SECONDS, THE ENGINE RPM"S INCREASED AND THE TRANSMISSION LUNGED…
Own a 2008 GTI?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.