DecodedCars2008 Volkswagen Passat
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2008 models.
- Class
- Midsize Cars
- Body styles
- 2.0t 4dr Sedan FWD, 2.0t 4dr Wagon FWD, 3.6 4motion 4dr Sedan AWD, 3.6 4motion 4dr Wagon AWD
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.6L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 24 combined · 20 city / 29 hwy
- Length
- 188.2 in
- Curb weight
- 3,305–3,818 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 3 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 33 similar 2008 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2008 Volkswagen Passat is a midsize car offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 3.6L 6-cyl) and front-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 188 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 107-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,305 lb (2.0t 4dr Sedan FWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 24 MPG combined (20 city / 29 highway), 14% better than the 2008 midsize car average of 21.1 MPG, for an estimated $3,400 a year in fuel.
It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 126 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the fuel/propulsion system.
What changed for 2008
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2007 Passat — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2007; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2007 Passat →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0t 4dr Sedan FWD | 188.2 in | 71.7 in | 57.9 in | 106.7 in | 60.6 / 60.2 in | 3,305 lb | 59/41 |
| 2.0t 4dr Wagon FWD | 188.2 in | 71.7 in | 57.9 in | 106.7 in | 60.2 / 59.4 in | 3,305 lb | 59/41 |
| 3.6 4motion 4dr Sedan AWD | 188.2 in | 71.7 in | 57.9 in | 106.7 in | 60.6 / 60.2 in | 3,695 lb | 59/41 |
| 3.6 4motion 4dr Wagon AWD | 188.2 in | 71.7 in | 57.9 in | 106.7 in | 60.2 / 59.4 in | 3,818 lb | 58/42 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passat | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 29 / 24 | +14% | $3,400 | 370 |
| Passat Wagon | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 29 / 24 | +21% | $3,400 | 370 |
| Passat Wagon | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 28 / 23 | +16% | $3,550 | 386 |
| Passat | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 28 / 22 | +4% | $3,750 | 404 |
| Passat | 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 26 / 20 | -5% | $4,100 | 444 |
| Passat 4motion | 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 24 / 19 | -10% | $4,350 | 468 |
| Passat Wagon 4motion | 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 24 / 19 | -4% | $4,350 | 468 |
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 Passat under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2008 midsize cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Volkswagen Passat (this car) | 24 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2008 Toyota Corolla | 31 MPG | Not rated | 7 |
| 2008 Ford Mustang | 20 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2008 Honda Accord | 25 MPG | Not rated | 8 |
| 2008 Toyota Camry | 34 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2008 Dodge Challenger | 15 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2008 Chevrolet Malibu | 27 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
Recalls (3)
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Mar 6, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V148000 · 363,713 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Volkswagen CC, 2010-2014 Golf, 2010-2014 Eos, 2007-2010 Passat Sedan and Wagon, and 2012-2014 Passat vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 16, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q9. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Aug 16, 2017
NHTSA campaign 17V509000 · 280,915 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2016 Volkswagen CC, 2006-2010 Passat and Passat Wagon vehicles. Interruption of electrical power to the fuel pump control module may cause the fuel pump to fail.
- Risk
- If the fuel pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump control module, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20AE.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Feb 10, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V078000 · 659,493 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Not every 2008 Volkswagen Passat is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2008 Volkswagen Passat buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 46 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
- Engine — 32 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Air Bags — 31 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 101,000 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 Passat. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Passat years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Passat | 28 | 193.7 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 13 |
| 2021 Passat | 28 | 193.7 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 18 |
| 2020 Passat | 27 | 193.7 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 18 |
| 2019 Passat | 29 | 191.7 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 12 |
| 2018 Passat | 29 | 191.7 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 46 |
| 2017 Passat | 27 | 191.7 in | ★★★★★ | 7 | 110 |
| 2016 Passat | 29 | 191.7 in | Not rated | 5 | 106 |
| 2015 Passat | 34 | 191.7 in | Not rated | 7 | 243 |
| 2014 Passat | 34 | 191.7 in | Not rated | 10 | 565 |
| 2013 Passat | 34 | 191.7 in | Not rated | 9 | 670 |
| 2012 Passat | 34 | 191.7 in | Not rated | 11 | 415 |
| 2010 Passat | 25 | 188.2 in | Not rated | 4 | 140 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Volkswagen. How we calculate this →