2008 Volkswagen Jetta
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2008 models.

- Class
- Compact Cars
- Body styles
- 4dr Sedan 2.5/2.0t/Gli, 4dr Wagon 2.5/2.0t/Tdi
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 5-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline, Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 25 combined · 22 city / 29 hwy
- Length
- 179.1–179.5 in
- Curb weight
- 3,230 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Overview
The 2008 Volkswagen Jetta is a compact car offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 2.5L 5-cyl) and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 179 inches long and 70 inches wide on a 102-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,230 lb (4dr Sedan 2.5/2.0t/Gli).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 25 MPG combined (22 city / 29 highway), 14% better than the 2008 compact car average of 21.9 MPG, for an estimated $2,800 a year in fuel.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 75 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
What changed for 2008
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2007 Jetta — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2007; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2007 Jetta →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Sedan 2.5/2.0t/Gli | 179.1 in | 70.1 in | 57.5 in | 101.6 in | 60.2 / 58.3 in | 3,230 lb | 60/40 |
| 4dr Wagon 2.5/2.0t/Tdi | 179.5 in | 70.1 in | – | 101.2 in | 60.2 / 59.4 in | – |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jetta | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 29 / 25 | +14% | $3,300 | 355 |
| Jetta | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 29 / 24 | +10% | $3,400 | 370 |
| Jetta | 2.5L 5-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 29 / 24 | +10% | $2,800 | 370 |
| Jetta | 2.5L 5-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 29 / 24 | +10% | $2,800 | 370 |
| Jetta SportWagen | 2.5L 5-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 29 / 24 | +7% | $2,800 | 370 |
| Jetta SportWagen | 2.5L 5-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 29 / 24 | +7% | $2,800 | 370 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2008 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2008 compact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Volkswagen Jetta (this car) | 25 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2008 Toyota Corolla | 31 MPG | Not rated | 7 |
| 2008 Honda Civic | 42 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2008 Ford Mustang | 20 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2008 Toyota Prius | 46 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2008 Mazda 3 | 27 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2008 Volkswagen Golf/GTI | 25 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (2)
Unknown Or Other · Sep 25, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V679000 · 113 vehicles
- Problem
- 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 the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.
- Risk
- If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
- Fix
- 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 18V-329.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings · Dec 10, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V621000 · 228,236 vehicles
- Problem
- 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 AND THE NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A FASTENING CLAMP ON A HYDRAULIC HOSE OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM THAT MAY BE LOCATED IN AN IMPROPER POSITION WHICH COULD CAUSE CHAFING AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE.
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- 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 THE RELATED FASTENING CLAMP INTO THE CORRECT POSITION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Not every 2008 Volkswagen Jetta is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2008 Volkswagen Jetta buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 21 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Power Train — 16 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Air Bags — 15 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 114,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Jetta years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Jetta | 34 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 Jetta | 34 | 185.8 in | Not rated | 1 | 6 |
| 2025 Jetta | 33 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 31 |
| 2024 Jetta | 34 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 46 |
| 2023 Jetta | 35 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 43 |
| 2022 Jetta | 35 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 43 |
| 2021 Jetta | 34 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 70 |
| 2020 Jetta | 34 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 54 |
| 2019 Jetta | 34 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 11 | 549 |
| 2018 Jetta | 33 | – | ★★★★★ | 2 | 32 |
| 2017 Jetta | 33 | 183.1 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 160 |
| 2016 Jetta | 44 | 183.1 in | Not rated | 4 | 164 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Volkswagen. How we calculate this →