2008 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
109
Owner Complaints
3
Recalls
5
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2008 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
The 2008 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE has received a total of 109 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS. 5 technical service bulletins have been issued by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (19 complaints), Exterior Lighting (14 complaints), and Unknown Or Other (8 complaints).
Recalls for the 2008 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 2008 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE, potentially affecting up to 228,859 vehicles.
Recall 19V679000 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
| 113 vehicles affected
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015 Golf Sportwagen, 2013 Golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and Beetle Convertible vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause...
Consequence: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01D7. Note: This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number...
View full details →Recall 10V621000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
| 228,236 vehicles affected
Defect: VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 JETTA, NEW BEETLE, NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE, MODEL YEAR 2009 JETTA SPORTWAGEN AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 RABBIT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES. THE JETTA, JETTA SPORTWAGEN, AND RABBIT VEHICLES MAY HAVE A SMALL PLASTIC TAB LOCATED ON THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR THAT MAY CHAFE AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE. THE NEW BEETLE...
Consequence: IF CHAFING OCCURS, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A FUEL LEAK TO DEVELOP. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE UNDERHOOD FUEL LINE. ADDITIONALLY, DEPENDING ON THE VEHICLE MODEL, DEALERS WILL EITHER REMOVE THE PLASTIC TAB FROM THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR, OR INSPECT THE POSITION OF THE FASTENING CLAMP AND ADJUST...
View full details →Recall 08V036000 — STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
| 510 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN SPECIAL EDITION TRIPLE WHITE SEDAN VEHICLES, AN INCORRECT ADHESIVE MAY HAVE BEEN USED TO ATTACH THE ROOF SPOILER TO THE REAR GLASS OF THE VEHICLE. IF THE INCORRECT ADHESIVE WAS USED, THE SPOILER COULD BECOME LOOSE OR FALL FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING, EVEN THOUGH INITIALLY THE SPOILER MAY FEEL SECURE.
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE SPOILER COULD CAUSE INJURY BY STRIKING PERSONS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE OR COULD BECOME AN OBSTACLE TO OTHER DRIVERS, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ROOF SPOILER ON THESE VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 29, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VWOA AT 1-800-822-8987.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2008 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
109 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2008 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
My entire dashboard caught fire due to my a/c controls going out. My a/c dial started smoking before it finally caught fire. My dashboard is now melted where the a/c controls belong.
The contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH at night, there was an abnormal loud tapping and vibrating sound coming from the rear window glass. The contact was able to pull over safely and inspected the vehicle but could not determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated that while washing and drying the vehicle, the contact and her husband noticed that the passenger's side of the spoiler had detached and could be lifted halfway across the trunk. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V036000 (Structure). The local dealer was contacted and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 69,393.
I was driving with my child sitting in the passenger seat and we had the heated seats turned on the setting of 2. After a few minutes she yelled out “My butt is on fire!” She sat up off the seat to reveal a large black charred burnt hole in the leather seat!
I was driving with my child sitting in the passenger seat and we had the heated seats turned on the setting of 2. After a few minutes she yelled out “My butt is on fire!” She sat up off the seat to reveal a large black charred burnt hole in the leather seat!
I was driving with my child sitting in the passenger seat and we had the heated seats turned on the setting of 2. After a few minutes she yelled out “My butt is on fire!” She sat up off the seat to reveal a large black charred burnt hole in the leather seat!
Safety Rating for the 2008 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2008 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2008 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. has issued 5 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2008 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
V011606_2014603 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
UPDATE TECHNICAL BULLETIN TO INCLUDE ALL MODELS FOR 2015, 2016, 2017 MODEL YEAR APPLICABILITY.
Edition113 — SEATS
VW Elsa Newsletter
TT 87-07-96 — EQUIPMENT
Tech Tips (New Beetle-Pollen Filter Removal): This document informs from mid-2007 through 2011, the New Beetle was produced without the pollen filter. In its place is a black screen that will only need to be cleaned periodically at service intervals.
TT00-07-89 — ENGINE
SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
TB011314 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Engine, Misfire Diagnostic Aid
NHTSA Investigations for the 2008 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
- 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE — 405 complaints
- 2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE — 469 complaints
- 2005 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE — 330 complaints
- 2006 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE — 161 complaints
- 2007 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE — 79 complaints
- 2008 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE (current)
- 2009 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE — 39 complaints
- 2010 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE — 42 complaints
- 2011 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE — 0 complaints
- 2012 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE — 88 complaints
- 2013 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE — 125 complaints
Other VOLKSWAGEN Models
- VOLKSWAGEN JETTA — 13,715 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 10,288 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN — 3,104 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS — 2,635 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN GOLF — 1,991 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN GTI — 1,916 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN ID.4 — 1,568 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN CC — 1,356 total complaints