| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
2008 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI repairs by problem area
Engine (35%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (11%)
Brakes and Traction Control (3%)
Suspension and Steering (10%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (25%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (11%)
Other (6%)
Select a problem area
Chart based on 462 repairs.
2008 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI suspension repair cost distribution
$2500+ (0%)
$1000 - $2499 (10%)
$500 - $999 (17%)
$100 - $499 (26%)
< $100 (48%)
Chart based on 42 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2008 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 4dr Hatch
turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD
| 12000 mi | Loud clunk heard from front subrame or suspension upon acceleration, braking or turns. One click from each acceleration direction imlies loose bolt holding front subframe to unibody Clunk Repair was not successful the first time (bolts were tightened), and was not successful this second time around. This time lower control arm bushings were replaced. The clunk was back on the drive back home from dealer |
| 13000 mi | For subframe knocking - they changed all subframe bolts. Solution lasted for about a day at most, then started clicking again Performed TSB that was originally released for Passats to replace 2 bolts and install 2 shims. (2) 7M3-499-349-A - plate/shim (2) N-908-235-01 - BOlt |
| 14000 mi | Dealer broke control arm bolt during previous visit. Replaced for free. |
2008 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 4dr Hatch
turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD
| 28000 mi | Bad rear left wheel bearing. Replaced under warranty. |
| 53400 mi | Upper strut bearing failure on Drivers (left ) side. Dealer also replaced right side too. And replaced wheel bearings and left side half shaft |
| 70800 mi US $1000 |
Creaking noise from front end while tuning the stealing wheel. Replaced strut tower bearings |
| 112000 mi US $82 |
Strut mount and bearing bad |
| 94860 mi C $600 |
Left front bearing. |
2008 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 4dr Hatch
170-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 48300 mi US $300 |
malfunctioning wheel bearing passenger side rear wheel |
| 42780 mi | Left rear wheel bearing repaired under warranty |
| 138000 mi US $500 |
Ball joint was replaced as well. |
| 84320 mi C $1300 |
rear wheel bearings and abs sensors |
2008 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 4dr Hatch
170-horsepower 2.5L I5 5-speed manual FWD
| 70360 mi C $919 |
Heard creaking and low popping noise during low speed steering. Dealer reported front strut mounts were seizing. Front struts and wheel bearings replaced, re-aligned. T-stabilzer links re-used. |
| 78120 mi C $200 |
Sway bar was loose. Repair was made. |
| 80600 mi C $125 |
Sway bar was becoming loose. Replaced. |
2008 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2dr Hatch
turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD
| 36000 mi | Noise from front drivers side suspension when increasing or decreasing throttle during slow turn. Control arm bushing replaced based on TSB recommendation. |
| 37000 mi | Sway bar linkages replaced under warranty |
| 43000 mi US $784 |
grinding sound coming from suspension. Dealer lubed and all joints. problem solved. |
| 42000 mi | Loud popping sound heard and felt when cornering. Replaced suspension bushings and sub-frame bolts. |
| 40000 mi | Car makes a clunking sound when making turns. I've pretty much dropped the problem with the dealer, going to try and perform the fix myself. I suspect that it is the infamous (on the forums, at least) loose subframe bolt issue. |
2008 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2dr Hatch
turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD
| 80900 mi US $550 |
Wheel bearing failed and was replaced successfully. |
2008 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2dr Hatch
250-horsepower 3.2L V6 6-speed automated manual AWD
| 24100 mi US $400 |
strut mount |
| 78000 mi US $404 |
Install new "adjustable" [WHITELINE] front control arm rear bushing kit to bring the front wheel alignment caster specs into OE manufacturer's specified range--out-of-range prior to changes due to normal wear. |
| 80000 mi | R&R right rear spring |
| 108025 mi | Broken rear coil spring--install new set |
| 114000 mi US $197 |
remove and replace tie-rod end front right outer and inner |
| 18000 mi | Replace strut bearings |
| 29000 mi | Popping noise from right strut bearing. Dealer replaced both strut bearings. Problem fixed. |
| 40800 mi | Replaced springs and struts to correct 1/2 inch difference in height between right and left front wheels. |
| 55000 mi US $410 |
Right front strut bearing replaced |
| 74000 mi | noise from strut mounts, they were replaced |
| 30000 mi | small rattle in steering coloumn |
| 31000 mi | I found and fixed a loose bolt on the steering coloumn U-joint that was causing the joint to rattle back and forth after the dealer was unable to. |
| 71000 mi US $377 |
Wheel bearing began making noise |
| 5000 mi | During pre-delivery inspection, dealer neglected to remove the rubber spring spacers on the front suspension, which are designed to elevate the front end of the vehicle 1.5 inches to prevent scraping the front valance during shipping. Spacers removed. |
2008 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2dr Hatch
170-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 82000 mi US $350 |
Shock absorber repair |
2008 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2dr Hatch
170-horsepower 2.5L I5 5-speed manual FWD
| 117000 mi US $2000 |
Tie rods & control arms were worn out (still original). Those were replaced, and I elected to upgrade my shock absorbers and springs to lower my car while they were already doing suspension work. |
| 18000 mi | Vibration felt in front end. Steering wheel vibrates at highway speed. Could be a tire issue although shop was unable to replicate it. |
| 92380 mi C $760 |
Replaced both links due to clacking noise in the front (ends loose). |
| 110360 mi C $1000 |
Tires starting to wear uneverly, suspension needed to be changed |
| 122140 mi C $200 |
The ABS sensor was not working because of a rear wheel bearing being rusty and slightly deformed. So the bearing was changed (rear right), and the sensor was changed. |
| 131440 mi C $125 |
Driver side tie rod end needed to be changed. |
| 104000 mi US $550 |
Replaced all 4 struts/shocks, mounts, bearings, bump stops and stretch bolts. (note that original mounts were in good condition and could have been reused. Bearings and bump stops would need replacement.) |
| 12000 mi | Front strut mounts replaced to correct low speed steering noise |
See TrueDelta's information for all Volkswagen models.
