2008 VOLKSWAGEN GTI Problems

Complaints Reported

Complaints by Component

POWER TRAIN

37 complaints

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. THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

Sep 04, 2014

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 LED TO BODILY INJURY. VW IS DECLINING WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THIS DEFECT. *JS

Mar 19, 2012

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 FORWARD. I AM UNSURE IF IT WAS THE DSG TRANSMISSION SLIPPING INTO NEUTRAL, OR A THROTTLE ISSUE. DEALER REPLACED MECHATRONIC UNIT WHICH DID NOT ALLEVIATE THIS FREQUENT PROBLEM.

Dec 17, 2010

MY CAR IS A 2008 VW GTI WITH THE DSG TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION IS VERY NOISY, EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE AT LOW SPEEDS, AND IS JERKY AND BUCKS WHEN DOWNSHIFTING. AT LOW SPEEDS, THE CLUTCH ENGAGES WITH A JERK AND THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD TO ACCELERATE. WHEN DOWN SHIFTING, IT IS DIFFICULT TO BRAKE BECAUSE AS THE GEARS ARE DISENGAGING AND REENGAGING IN A JERKY MANNER, THE AMOUNT OF BRAKE FORCE REQUIRED TO STOP CHANGES TOO. I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER ABOUT THIS FROM VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, BUT THE DEALERSHIP DENIES ANY LETTER WAS SENT TO ME AND THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE. *TR

May 03, 2010

HARD JERKING BASED IN AUTO TRANSMISSION OCCURRING WHEN IN DRIVE AT A STOP WITH NO PRESSURE APPLIED TO EITHER THE BRAKE OR THE GAS. THIS OCCURS CONSISTENTLY AND DAILY UNDER NORMAL, IN-TOWN DRIVING CONDITIONS. *TR

Apr 27, 2010

+ 32 more complaints for this component

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

6 complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS DID NOT PROJECT. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT AIMED PROPERLY AND CAUSED REDUCED ROAD VISIBILITY INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT USED THE HIGH BEAMS AS AN INTERIM FIX DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED TO BE INSPECTED, DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE CONTACTS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V442000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

May 20, 2014

THE HEADLIGHTS FOR MY 2008 VOLKSWAGEN GTI MKV MUST HAVE SOME FORM OF A HOLE OR INSUFFICIENT SEALANT BECAUSE WHEN IT WAS COLD OUTSIDE ALLOT OF MOISTURE BUILT UP INSIDE THE HEADLIGHTS AND MADE MY VISIBILITY SO HARD TO SEE ON THE HIGHWAY I ALMOST RAN INTO 1 CAR AND WHILE I WAS EXITING AND GETTING ONTO THE SERVICE ROAD I WAS GOING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN ONTO MY STREET WHEN I ALMOST HIT 2 PARKED CARS. MY FRIEND HAS ALSO BEEN HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH HIS CAR. *TR

Feb 04, 2009

I AM UNABLE TO REPLACE MY THIRD BRAKE LIGHT WITHOUT TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. I DRIVE A 2008 VW GTI. *TR

Nov 22, 2008

I CAN'T REPLACE THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT BULBS ON MY 2008 VW GTI. THERE IS NO WAY TO SERVICE THEM AND THE DEAL STATES THEY WOULD HAVE TO PHYSICALLY RIP OFF MY SPOILER TO DO SO. *TR

Nov 10, 2008

THE 2008 VW GTI USES THE HEADLIGHTS AS RUNNING LIGHTS. WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED AND THE PARKING BRAKE IS RELEASED THE HEADLIGHTS TURN ON. THIS OCCURS REGARDLESS OF THE POSITION OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. THIS CAUSES A HAZARD AS AT NIGHT THE DRIVER IS LIKELY TO START THE CAR AND PROCEED TO DRIVE. USUALLY ONE WOULD NOT PROCEED TO DRIVE WITHOUT TURNING THE LIGHTS ON HOWEVER THE HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED ON AUTOMATICALLY. NOW YOU ARE DRIVING WITH HEADLIGHTS BUT NO TAILLIGHTS. THIS FEATURE IS CREATING A HAZARD AND SHOULD BE CHANGED. I INQUIRED AT THE DEALER AND THEY STATED 'THAT IS THE WAY IT IS DESIGNED TO WORK'. I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS DEFICIENCY. *TR

Nov 09, 2008

+ 1 more complaint for this component

ENGINE

4 complaints

EA888 HAS A KNOWN TIMING CHAIN AND CHAIN TENSIONER ISSUE THAT CAUSES ENGINE FAILURE.

Jul 02, 2019

2.0 T USE OF EXCESSIVE OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES

Feb 14, 2018

RECENTLY I PREFORMED A ROUTINE MAINTENANCE CHECK ON MY VEHICLE AND AS SUGGESTED BY ALL MARK 5 GTI OWNERS I CHECKED THE CAM FOLLOWER. I FOUND THE CAM FOLLOWER COMPLETELY WORN THROUGH. I CONTACTED VW TO MAKE SURE I WAS UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY HANDED OUT TO ALL 2006-2007 AND SOME 2008 OWNERS TO FIND OUT I WAS NOT UNDER THE WARRANTY EXTENSION. RIGHT NOW I HAVE A THE PIECE OFF MY OLD CAM FOLLOWER SOMEWHERE IN MY ENGINE AND VW REFUSES TO SERVICE MY VEHICLE DUE TO THEIR NEW IMPROVED MODEL APPARENTLY THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING. VW KNOWS THAT THE CAM FOLLOWER IS FAULTY BUT REFUSES TO SERVICE MANY OTHER 2008 OWNERS SUCH AS MYSELF. RIGHT NOW IT FEELS LIKE MY CAR IS A TICKING TIME BOMB WITH THE CAM FOLLOWER PIECE SOMEWHERE IN THE ENGINE.

Nov 16, 2016

THE CAM FOLLOWER HAS PREMATURELY WARN OUT CAUSING THE INTAKE CAMSHAFT TO WEAR PREMATURELY AS WELL, WHICH HAS IN TURN CAUSED THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP TO FAIL. THIS IS A LONG-TERM, DEGENERATIVE ISSUE. VOLKSWAGEN HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THESE PARTS FOR SOME 2006-2008 GTI'S BUT NOT MY VIN. THEIR WARRANTY EXTENSION WAS NOT BROAD ENOUGH AS THESE SAME PARTS HAVE FAILED IN MY CAR.

Aug 29, 2016

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

3 complaints

CAR LOSS POWER HAD TO BE TOWED TO VOLTSWAGON LATER THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WAS FOUND TO HAVE FAILED CAUSING A LOST OF POWER WHILE ON THE ON RAMP TO THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS ALSO DAMAGE DONE TO THE MOTOR FROM THE INTERNAL METAL FRAGMENTS FROM WHERE THE PUMP WORKS WITH THE CAM SHAFT AND THE METAL FELL INTO THE MOTOR. HAD TO HAVE A NEW ENGINE REPLACE MENT MILEAGE 135000.

Oct 21, 2017

SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING MY 08 GTI WITH THE FSI MOTOR, I WAS SEARCHING THE INTERNET FOR COMMON ISSUES TO WATCH OUT FOR. THE CAM FOLLOWER WHICH SITS BETWEEN THE CAMSHAFT AND HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WAS SEEN MULTIPLE TIMES ONLINE AS AN ISSUE DUE TO WEARING THROUGH ALLOWING THE CAM SHAFT TO INTERACT WITH THE PUMP. I ASKED A VW DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THEY TOLD ME THAT EARLIER MODELS WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT 2008 WAS NOT DUE TO THE PROBLEM BEING FIXED BY THE FACTORY FOR THIS YEAR. I DECIDED TO CHECK ANYWAY AND FOUND THAT THE FOLLOWER WAS COMPLETELY WORN THROUGH ALLOWING THE CAM SHAFT TO INTERACT WITH THE PUMP. THIS WAS AT 56K MILES. WHEN I RETURNED TO DISCUSS THIS WITH THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THIS SHOWS THAT THE PROBLEM WASN'T SOLVED, AND WHILE EARLIER MODELS ARE COVERED FOR THEIR DAMAGE IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG DUE TO METAL SHAVINGS IN MY ENGINE, OR OTHER ISSUES I'LL BE FORCED TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. I AM NOW REPLACING THE FOLLOWER MYSELF EVERY 15K JUST TO BE SURE, BUT THE FACT THAT ONE YEAR ISN'T COVERED IS NOT RIGHT. SINCE THE ISSUE PERSISTS THEY SHOULD COVER IT.

Jul 25, 2015

VEHICLE REQUIRED EXTRA CRANKING BEFORE STARTING. UPON STARTING AND BEGINNING TO DRIVE, THERE WAS LACK OF POWER AND RPMS DID NOT WANT TO GO ABOVE 4K. AFTER APPROX. 1/4-1/2 MILE ENGINE BEGAN TO RESPOND NORMALLY. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS. TOLD THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, CAM FOLLOWER AND CAM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CAM FOLLOWER LOSING HARDNESS AND WEARING THROUGH CAUSING FUEL PUMP TO RUN DIRECTLY ON CAM. FUEL PUMP ARM WAS WORN AND ALSO SCORED CAM. WAS TOLD THAT 2006-07 MODEL YEARS HAD EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM VW TO FIX THIS BUT 2008 DID NOT. IN MODEL YEAR 2009, A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT SYSTEM WAS USED. I BELIEVE THAT MY ENGINE STILL CONTAINED THE DEFECTIVE PARTS AND VW INTERNET FORUMS ALSO HAVE EXTENSIVE MENTION OF THIS PROBLEM IN 2008 MODELS. I ALSO ON MANY OCCASIONS HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND WAS NEVER INFORMED THAT I SHOULD HAVE THE CAM FOLLOWER INSPECTED FOR WEAR. THIS IS A $60.00 PART THAT COULD BE REPLACED BEFORE IT WEARS THROUGH. INSTEAD, I HAVE A QUOTE FROM THE DEALER TO REPLACE NOT ONLY THE CAM FOLLOWER, BUT ALSO THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND THE CAM FOR SLIGHTLY OVER $2,000.00. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE THERE ARE ALSO METAL SHAVINGS IN THE CAM HOUSING THAT I SHOULD ALSO REPLACE THIS ALONG WITH SOME OTHER MISC. PARTS. THE HOUSING PART ALONE IS APPROX. $1,600.00. I AM REPLACING THE FUEL PUMP AND CAM FOLLOWER AND WILL BE CHECKING THE PARTS FOR WEAR EVERY 10-20K MILES. REPORTED THIS ISSUE TO VW CUSTOMER CARE AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN DID NOT FALL INTO THE RANGE FOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY SO THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I DID RECEIVE A "COUPON" FOR $500 OFF A NEW VEHICLE PURCHASE BUT NOT SURE I WOULD BUY ANOTHER VW AFTER THIS EXPERIENCE. *JS

Dec 02, 2014

AIR BAGS

3 complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. UPDATED 08/28/12*LJ

Jul 20, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE DRIVER REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISES AFTER HITTING HER HEAD ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000. *TR

Jun 13, 2012

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

CAR WAS INVOLVED IN FRONTAL CRASH, HITTING ANOTHER THAT WAS STOPPED IN THE ROAD. CAR WAS GOING BETWEEN 20 AND 30 MPH. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING DRIVER TO HIT NOSE ON STEERING WHEEL. NOT BROKEN BUT SEVERELY BRUISED. *TR

Jan 29, 2009

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

SEAT BELTS

2 complaints

WHEN BUCKLING THE DRIVERSIDE SEATBELT BEFORE BACKING UP, IT WOULD NOT LATCH.

Jun 28, 2015

DAILY USAGE FOR APPROXIMATELY A YEAR CAUSED MY VEHICLE'S SEATBELT TO NO LONGER LOCK IN. *TR

Apr 08, 2009

TIRES

2 complaints

2008 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. CONSUMER STATED THEY HIT A POTHOLE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT IN THE POCONE PA AREA. THE TIRE WAS LESS THAN ONE MONTH OLD. HAD ALL FOUR TIRES REPLACED SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN JUNE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE LOW PROFILE HIGH PERFORMANCE TIRES WERE PRONE TO FREQUENT BLOW OUTS. *JB

Dec 01, 2011

I PURCHASED A NEW 2008 VOLKSWAGEN GTI IN SEPT, 2008 WHICH CAME WITH DUNLOP SP SPORT 01 AS SIZE 225/40R/18 TIRES. WITHIN THE FIRST FEW MONTHS I EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT OF THE FRONT LEFT TIRE WHEN AT VERY LOW SPEED (APPROX 5 MPH I HIT A SMALL POTHOLE. IN THE YEAR SINCE THEN, I HAVE HAD THREE MORE TIRES GET LARGE BUBBLES IN THE SIDEWALL (INCLUDING TWO OVER THE LAST TWO WEEKS) UNDER THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCES. I ALSO RESEARCHED THIS TIRE ON THE TIRE RACK WEBSITE AND FOUND THAT OUT OF APPROXIMATELY 45 REVIEWS OF THIS TIRE THERE WERE 18 COMPLAINTS OF EXACTLY THE SAME THING HAPPENING AND IN MOST OF THESE THEY ALSO EXPERIENCED THIS FAILURE 3 OR 4 TIMES IN A RELATIVELY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. I HAD PURCHASED A TIRE WARRANTY WHEN I PURCHASED MY CAR AND THEY HAVE PAID TO REPLACE THESE TIRES EACH TIME. SINCE THERE ARE ALMOST NO CASES SUCH AS THESE LISTED FOR ANY OTHER TIRE REVIEW ON THE TIRE RACK WEBSITE I NOW BELIEVE THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THIS PARTICULAR TIRE. I HAVE CONTACTED GOODYEAR/DUNLOP TO REQUEST THAT THEY EITHER REPLACE THIS TIRE WITH A DIFFERENT MODEL OR BUY THEM BACK FROM ME AND ALLOW ME TO PURCHASE A SAFE TIRE AND THEY HAVE REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING OR ACKNOWLEDGE THERE MAY BE A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THIS TIRE. *TR

Mar 04, 2010

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

2 complaints

2008 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DISCONTENT RELATED TO VEHICLE PERFORMANCE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED DURING A 70,000 MILE SERVICE MAINTENANCE, SHE WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW $2300 TURBO ON A THREE YEAR OLD VEHICLE. *JB UPDATED 06/09/11

Jun 08, 2011

THE ENGINE CONSUMES 3-4 EXTRA QUARTS OF SYNTHETIC OIL BETWEEN 5,000 MILE OIL CHANGE INTERVALS AS INSTRUCTED BY MANUFACTURER. ITS A 2.0T ENGINE THAT USES SYNTHETIC OIL. I HAD PREVIOUS VERSION OF 1.8T AND IT DID NOT CONSUME ANY OIL AT ALL. IF THE OIL IS NOT ADDED, THE CAR WOULD TAKE 2-3 TIMES TO START UP (DOESN'T MATTER WHICH SEASON) AND ITS HORRIBLE ON GAS MILEAGE. WENT TO DEALERSHIP 5 TIMES ALREADY AND EVERY TIME THEY TELL ME THAT THIS IS NORMAL CONSUMPTION. I INFORMED THAT I HAVE TO ADD OIL TO KEEP THE CAR GOING, THEY TOLD ME THAT ITS NOT THEIR PROBLEM UNTIL THE ENGINE CEASES AT WHICH TIME THEY WILL LOOK INTO IT. AS A CONSUMER, I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO KEEP ON ADDING THE SYNTHETIC OIL. I THOUGHT THAT SYNTHETIC OIL IS HARD TO BREAK DOWN AND YES I USED THE RECOMMENDED GRADE. VW IS TAKING ME FOR A RIDE. DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS? *TR

Jun 06, 2010

EXTERIOR LIGHTING,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

THE RPMS ONLY GO TO 4000 THE HEADLIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY BLOWN, ONE OF THE FANS DOES NOT WORK ....THERE ARE A LOT OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, THE MASS AIR INTAKE FLOW ISSUES WITH THAT THERE'S JUST A LOT OF ISSUES. IT'S AFFECTED THE ELECTRICAL, SPEED CONTROL, AIRBAGS, VISIBILITY AND WIPER,LIGHTING, FUEL SYSTEM MASS AIR INTAKE SENSOR

Jul 19, 2020

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

THE CAR JERKS OUT WHEN U ACCELERATE. THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT'S IN MANUAL WHEN TAKING OFF.

Jul 12, 2018

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

I'VE RECENTLY HAD FREQUENT HEADLIGHT BULB FAILURES AND OTHER HEADLIGHT RELATED ISSUES DURING MY OWNERSHIP OF THE CAR. PRIOR TO INSTALLING ANOTHER EXPENSIVE NEW BULB I DID SOME INVESTIGATION INTO THE WIRING INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING AND I WAS COMPLETELY STUNNED AND CONCERNED AT WHAT I FOUND. THE WIRING INSULATION/COVERING IS MISSING ON THE MAJORITY OF THE WIRES. ESPECIALLY AT THE MAIN CONNECTOR WHERE THE COVERING ON ALL WIRES IS MISSING. THE MAJORITY, APPROXIMATELY 80% OF THE WIRES ARE BARE. ANY WIRE INSULATION REMAINING IS CRACKED AND FRAIL. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLES WIRING AND THE POTENTIAL FOR FIRE DUE TO ELECTRICAL SHORTS AS WELL AS THE POTENTIAL FOR THIS ISSUE TO CAUSE OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT OF THE CAR. THERE IS NO ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AS AN OWNER THAT COULD HAVE PREVENTED THIS FROM HAPPENING. I CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA AND I WAS TOLD THAT DUE TO THE AGE AND MILEAGE (103,257) OF THE VEHICLE THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE AN ENGINEERING FAILURE TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE INSULATION TO THE WIRING IN AN ENVIRONMENT PRONE TO HEAT AND SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO A FORMAL INQUIRY OF OTHER VEHICLES OF THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL. THE HEADLIGHT FAILURE INDICATOR ON THE DASH CAME AS I STARTED THE CAR AND I VERIFIED THE LIGHT WAS OUT. THE WIRING ISSUE WAS FOUND WHILE THE CAR WAS STATIONARY DURING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE BULB.

Mar 30, 2016

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE KEY HAD TO BE PLACED IN ACCESSORY MODE BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD TURN ON. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CAM, HIGH PRESSURED FUEL PUMP, AND THE EVAP PURGE VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,800. UPDATED 1/21/15*CN UPDATED 01/26/15

Nov 14, 2014

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint

2008 VW GTI DSG--AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEM: THE CAR "JUMPS" RANDOMLY WHEN RELEASING FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AT A RED LIGHT, OR WHEN ENGAGING FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND RELEASING BRAKE. MANY "CLOSE CALLS" TO CRASHING AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE DUE TO KNOWN ISSUE, ESPECIALLY WHEN PARALLEL PARKED ON STREET: I.E. CAR JUMPING FORWARD OR BACKWARD POTENTIALLY DAMAGING PARKED CARS AROUND OR, EVEN WORSE, "JUMPING" INTO THE TRAFFIC LANES. DEALERSHIP DEFLECTS THE ISSUE, CLAIMING IT TO BE "NORMAL" OPERATION OF THE TRANSMISSION. WARRANTY ON THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO 10YR/100,000MILE, THOUGH NOT IN RESPONSE TO THIS ISSUE, ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP. *TR

Sep 01, 2010

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

AUG 11TH I TURNED A CORNER IN MY 2008 VW GTI WITH ~29,8XX MILES ON THE ODOMETER, ACCELERATED BRISKLY IN 2ND GEAR AT APPROX 4000 RPM THE CAR BUCKED AND SHUDDERED AND LOST POWER. WHEN THE RPM'S DROPPED ABOUT 500RPM THE MOTOR REGAINED POWER UNTIL ABOUT 4000 RPM AND THEN THE CAR BUCKED, SHUDDERED AND LOST POWER AGAIN. THIS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN AS LONG AS THE ACCELERATOR PEDDLE WAS DEPRESSED. THIS HAPPENED IN EVERY GEAR. LUCKILY THIS HAPPENED ON A LONG FREEWAY ENTRANCE RAMP PRIOR TO MY ATTEMPT TO MERGE WITH FREEWAY TRAFFIC. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THE ECU HAD A LOW FUEL PRESSURE CODE. THIS APPARENTLY IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND THEY REPLACED THE CAM, HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND CAM FOLLOWER. APPARENTLY THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP IS DRIVEN OFF THE CAM AND OVER TIME PUNCHES A HOLE IN THE CAM FOLLOWER AND THEN RIDES DIRECTLY ON THE CAM SHAFT CAUSING SCORING AND RESULTING IN THE FAILURE I EXPERIENCED. I SPECIFICALLY ASKED TO SEE THE OLD PARTS AS I WANTED TO ASCERTAIN THE AMOUNT OF METAL SHAVINGS THAT WERE NOW FLOATING AROUND IN MY ENGINE. FOR WHATEVER REASON THEY DID NOT SAVE THE PARTS AND SENT THEM BACK TO VW SINCE THIS REPAIR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

Aug 28, 2010

POWER TRAIN,TIRES

1 complaint

HARSH SHIFTING DURING ACCELERATION IN 2008 VOLKSWAGEN GTI WITH DSG TRANSMISSION. *TR

Aug 17, 2010

VISIBILITY

1 complaint

WHEN THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE ON IN THE SLOW CONSTANT (AKA 'LOW' OR IN THE VW OWNERS MANUAL "POSITION 2") AND I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE WIPERS STOP AND GO TO A LONG DELAY INTERVAL. ONCE I START MOVING AGAIN, THEY GO BACK TO 'NORMAL'. I FIND THIS TO BE A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN IT IS RAINING HARD AS IT BECOMES DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD WHEN AT STOPLIGHT, INTERSECTION ETC. IF I TURN THE WIPERS ON TO "HIGH" LEVER POSITION 3 THEY WILL WIPE CONSTANTLY, ALBEIT SLOWLY. THIS OCCURS ALL THE TIME. I HAVE CONTACTED MY DEALER WHO SAYS THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO CORRECT THIS AND I HAVE CONTACTED VW WHO SAYS IT IS NORMAL AND CANNOT BE CHANGED. I FIND IT DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND HOW SEMI-FUNCTIONAL WIPERS FOR A WINDSHIELD EVEN WHILE THE VEHICLE ISN'T MOVING COULD BE CONSIDERED NORMAL. HOW ELSE AM I TO MAKE SURE THERE ISN'T ANYTHING, OR ANYONE IN FRONT OF ME BEFORE I MOVE FORWARD. *TR

Aug 12, 2009

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4.2/5.0

29 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 2008 VOLKSWAGEN GTI have?

The 2008 VOLKSWAGEN GTI currently has 67 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2008 VOLKSWAGEN GTI?

The most common problems reported for the 2008 VOLKSWAGEN GTI are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2008 VOLKSWAGEN GTI problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2008 VOLKSWAGEN GTI comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.