| 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
- Engine
- Transmission and Drivetrain
- Brakes and Traction Control
- Suspension and Steering
- Electrical and Air Conditioning
- Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim
- Other
Chart based on 462 repairs.
2008 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI body repair cost distribution
$2500+ (0%)
$1000 - $2499 (0%)
$500 - $999 (5%)
$100 - $499 (15%)
< $100 (80%)
Chart based on 40 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 automated manual FWD
| 112000 mi US $250 |
Headliner defective |
| 124000 mi US $16 |
Fabric on door panel glue and foam deteriorated causing to fall. Used spray adhesive to glue back but repair looks bad. |
| 76300 mi C $700 |
Warranty denied for rust claim on front wings. |
| 8060 mi | Replaced sunglass holder. |
| 12400 mi | Securing of fuel line causing rattle |
| 15500 mi | Rattle from rear door trim |
| 16740 mi | Rattle from front door trim |
2008 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 4dr Hatch
170-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 86300 mi US $200 |
Replaced headliner. |
| 620 mi | Louvers on dash hvac vent non operable. |
| 74400 mi C $850 |
Rust over both front wheel wells |
| 76260 mi C $54 |
rust over wheel wells, bottom driver door |
| 39675 mi | Replace Rubber Door Seal under warranty |
| 44627 mi | Reattach loose rear door handle cable/rod under warranty. |
2008 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 4dr Hatch
170-horsepower 2.5L I5 5-speed manual FWD
| 8060 mi | There was water leaking into the cabin. They replaced the back windows seal. It should be fixed. |
2008 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2dr Hatch
turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD
| 6000 mi | Rear washer diffuser cap had disappeared. Dealer ordered replacement, installed on subsequent visit. Same problem occurred in same time frame in 2002 on previous new 2002 GTI. |
| 28000 mi | Flaking paint on 1 wheel center cap. |
| 19000 mi | Ice buildup inside door caused damage to the bottom front corner of door when door was opened. |
| 89200 mi US $300 |
The moonroof was opening and closing all by itself, even with the car parked and turned off. Two dealers were not able to fix this! Took it to Eurowerks, and so far, so good. |
| 44640 mi | Water found in spare tire wheel well. Source traced to faulty seal in right tail light. |
| 47120 mi | Fixed leaking tail light seal. |
| 109800 mi US $300 |
Drooping Headliner replaced. |
2008 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2dr Hatch
turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD
| 12000 mi | A terrible rattle at idle, diagnosed as TSB for fuel line rattle. |
| 5000 mi | Carpet pulling up. |
| 28000 mi | The loose carpet on the drivers side was attached again |
| US $45 | Moisture in rear tail light |
| 9000 mi | Front Passenger Seat Belt release button rattling. Rattle behind glovebox. I believe it is the common VW Fuel Line Rattle. Could not replicate the day I took it in. Repaired Seat Belt. Rattle is gone. |
| 15000 mi | Car had noticeable rattle behind glovebox during cold weather and at idle. When dealer had car, apparently rattle was not present. |
| 18000 mi | Fuel line rattle. Repaired using TSB. |
| 20000 mi | While replacing rear hatch sensor, technician left scratches on the bumper clear bra, improperly installed rear trim, and left pry marks along trim. new trim pieces ordered. new clear bra ordered. |
| 22000 mi | Replaced interior trim and put on new clear bra. However, during interior trim install, they noticed prior damage and have ordered another new trim piece to be installed later. |
| 25000 mi | Returned for repair of additional damaged part. Arrived at dealer. Replacement part was damaged out of box. Dealership cut me a check for value of parts and labor. |
| 12000 mi | Rear hatch was not aligned properly (not a problem or fixable) even though it clearly is off. Rattle, could not replicate. |
| 23000 mi | Only problem when sold was rattling speakers in doors when music playing. |
2008 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2dr Hatch
250-horsepower 3.2L V6 6-speed automated manual AWD
| 32700 mi | moisture in taillight |
| 24500 mi US $80 |
TSB 57 08 15 12/10/2008 Cowl water that is flowing into driver door area, and on freezing, could deform driver door on opening. Install parts and gasket material to inside fender well area and door to divert this water flow. |
| 5000 mi | Rear license plate light fixture fell out of bumper...was improperly assembled and mounting plate was broken Dealer replaced entire fixture. |
| 3000 mi | Had front grill replaced with holeless/plateless grill as per VW TSB. |
| There was a missing interior trim piece in the trunk. |
| 4000 mi | Buzzing passenger door speaker. TSB exists, but dealer has never heard of it! |
| 5500 mi | Dealer added TSB foam to door panel which made buzzing worse. 2nd attempt added 'more' insulation, and seems to have worked. Dealer removed passenger seat to re-attach pulled seat backing. |
| 7000 mi | Buzz in passenger door panel fixed. |
| 42000 mi | Inserted foam in each door to prevent ice damage. Replaced seals in both doors |
| 47800 mi US $192 |
Headliner separation, drooping over rear 60% of interior. VW "courtesy" replacement. (Vehicle resides in Florida). |
2008 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2dr Hatch
170-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 15000 mi | Tightened B pillar trim (rattle), replaced drivers side door seal (wind noise). Replaced wheel (peeling clear coat), replaced side skirt (bowed). Tightened B pillar trim (rattle), replaced drivers side door seal (wind noise). All fixed under warranty. Replaced wheel (pealing clear coat), replaced side skirt (bowed). Both under warranty. |
2008 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2dr Hatch
170-horsepower 2.5L I5 5-speed manual FWD
| 70000 mi US $350 |
Headliner falls down, replaced by third party upholstery shop. |
| 57000 mi US $25 |
Interior door handle broke off, breaking window switches. |
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