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2008 Volkswagen Passat repairs by problem area

Engine (44%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (7%)

Brakes and Traction Control (6%)

Suspension and Steering (8%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (26%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (5%)

Other (5%)

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Chart based on 376 repairs.

See TSBs and recalls for the 2008 Volkswagen Passat.

2008 Volkswagen Passat engine repair cost distribution

$2500+ (1%)

$1000 - $2499 (10%)

$500 - $999 (21%)

$100 - $499 (31%)

< $100 (36%)

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Chart based on 143 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

41540 mi

Injector failure. Car stopped. Had to be towed. Workshop said injector design fault. All injectors replaced.

103000 mi

US $103

Diagnose engine misfiring. Requires intake valve cleaning. Also CV Boot torn and vacuum pump needs replaced.

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3000 mi

Ordered sensor that controls flapper valve. Replaced sensor that controls "flapper" valve. Required removal of intake manifold to replace.

26300 mi

Intake flap malfunction.

110000 mi

US $250

replace engine coolant temp sensor and thermostat

22000 mi	Engine started making loud high pitched constant shriek/whistle. Didn't vary with engine or vehicle speed but only appears after driving for more than 5 minutes. Diagnosed as turbo vacuum pressure issue. Part replaced under warrantee.
51000 mi US $900	Car was hard starting and giving CEL for several months. It occasionally would refuse to start, or would start but stay suck in limp mode. My ODB reader was giving me general cooling system codes without any specific detail. This was somewhat intermittent, and I didn't seem to have trouble getting to normal operating temperature, nor was I seeing overheating. There were no signs leaking coolant. So after researching this online, I was able to determine this was either a bad engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor issue, or a thermostat issue. Based on forum advice, I ordered and DIY replaced the ECT sensor which wasn't too difficult and the part was only ~$30. However, it didn't resolve the problem. Realizing I'd have the replace the thermostat, which is a much bigger repair than I have patience to do myself, I took it to the dealer to have it replaced. Post-repair, the car starts and runs perfectly again.
55000 mi US $580	Car would hard start and fail to rev beyond 3000rpm. Power was way down from normal levels below 3000 rpm. Code was for high pressure fuel problem but it wasn't clear from symptoms whether the problem was the high pressure pump starving for fuel because low pressure pump was failing. I replaced the low pressure fuel control module and the issue resolved temporarily. High pressure fuel pump failure codes were throwing again, engine would not rev past 3000rpm, and power was way down below that rpm. All this just a few days after replacing the low pressure fuel module and normal vehicle operation. Returned to dealer and had high pressure fuel pump replaced. Issues fully resolved and stayed fixed.

68000 mi	Intake manifold carbon build-up. Hampered throttle valve movement. Replaced under an unpublished courtesy warranty by VW.
69000 mi US $875	Water pump leaking due to cracks in the pump body. Complete unit (including thermostat, temp sensor)was replaced.
72000 mi US $470	Oil pan drain hole was stripped. Not sure who did this, but ended up replacing the oil pan as a result. Dealer said there was no way to re-thread or use a larger drain plug.
78000 mi US $140	Air pressure light was on, but tires were full. Engine light came on shortly afterwards and that was caused by carbon buildup on direct injection ports. Both lights reset and we were given VW branded intake cleaner to apply to next 3 tanks .
78000 mi US $425	Engine light, along w/ EPC light, came on. Engine running rough. Needed new coil pack, so replaced all four along w/ plugs.
85000 mi US $1500	PCV unit became clogged and we experienced high volume shrieking noise from under the hood. Initial thought was that a pulley bearing was going out. This caused the rear main seal to go bad. Also replaced.

50000 mi US $190	Intake manifold flaps
55800 mi US $50	Fuel pump, in tank, failure

34300 mi	Car was running too cool, so replaced thermostat.
78800 mi US $1400	Oil leaks from 3 different locations
88000 mi US $692	Replaced turbo recirculation valve: $415
90000 mi US $175	Gummed up radiator. Unsure of cause. Shop said to come back for a couple radiator flushes to get it clean but judging from how the "new" fluid looks in there after 200 miles, they have a long way to go. I believe there is something else to it, like an oil cooler leak, but they haven't found one yet.
93000 mi US $100	Coolant flush; dirty after the last flush 1 month ago. Think they got it all?

74200 mi US $1500	Intake manifold racked
82500 mi US $580	Coolant loss due to cracked inlet housing. Had to replace inlet housing. Cost listed also includes an oil change.
98000 mi	Engine has a slight misfire.
107000 mi US $800	Random misfire reported. Changed plugs, removed carbon buildup.
108000 mi US $700	Lack of power and random misfire; took apart and cleaned carbon buildup.
110000 mi US $900	Fuel pump housing cracked causing strong fuel smell in car. Fuel intake valve stuck on wide open flooding one cylinder.

2000 mi	Software reflash. Computer picked up undervoltage code from engine knock sensor...could have been due to brief electrical disconnections.
28000 mi	Dealer replaced defective PCV valve, which had a cracked diaphragm; creating a "screech" or high pitched whistle while engine was running.

81000 mi

Rear crankshaft seal replaced.

46334 mi	Replaced breather valve (warranty)
58000 mi US $540	Check engine light came on, however car drove fine. Dealership found that the engine thermostat had to be replaced.
70000 mi US $250	Coolant container was cracked. It was not leaking, but decided to replace.
85300 mi US $1289	Engine chirp when cold; fixed by replacing timing belt, water pump, rollers, tensioner (kit). Replaced dipstick.
99000 mi US $1369	Coolant system contaminated with oil. Replaced oil cooler, cooler tank, flushed coolant system.
106000 mi US $700	Oil leak from oil pan. Replace oil pan.

57900 mi	Bad intake manifold. Fixed under warranty.
60000 mi US $999	Rear main seal leak

61700 mi	Had misfire on a few cylinders. Swapped a couple of spark plugs.
52000 mi US $531	Cold start issues. Engine sludge cleanup
52800 mi US $532	Cleaned the manifold - 531$ after 20% rebate. Didn't fix the problem. Replaced the coils - Didn't fix the problem. Replaced the injectors - Fixed the problem. VW extended warranty to 120,000 miles on the injectors and manifold.
61100 mi US $700	Fuel pump defective, caused car to stop at highway speed or idling

33000 mi

The car lost power and the MIL came on and made a high pitched noise while coasting. The exhaust bypass valve was broke and was replaced by the dealer. It seems to be a common issue, they knew exactly what it was when I showed up.

148000 mi

US $100

Oil Leak

31200 mi	Check engine light on. Engine surging.
48000 mi	one of the two electrical cooling fans had stopped working
80000 mi US $100	Replaced cam follower for the fuel pump
100000 mi US $150	Coil packs were replaced due to missfire
105700 mi US $650	Low pressure fuel pump flange cracked. Strong fuel odor outside car when tank was over 3/4 full. Low pressure fuel pump was replaced. This is the fuel pump that is in the gas tank.
112000 mi US $300	thermostat replace due to being stuck open and check engine light on. Also temp sensor replaced.
128300 mi US $80	Fuel pump cam follower replaced.
138000 mi US $80	P0299 code. Replaced the Diverter valve
163000 mi US $60	Leaking plastic coolant tube
175000 mi US $70	Plugs and coilpacks replaced

9300 mi	O2 Sensor.
21080 mi	Fuel pressure sensor.
29760 mi	Faulty Gas Cap
40300 mi	Knock Sensor
75200 mi C $800	Timing Belt - 120,000km - Tensioner was seizing.

103500 mi

US $70

check engine light on- no problems found

US $1500

leaking oil and coolant - replaced water pump gasket Timing chain assembly guide broke

148000 mi

US $300

Lost power to 1 of the cylinders and was told it needed to come apart and be sent to a machine shop. Total cost estimate would have been $2000-$2500 so I opted to sell the car

96100 mi

C $65

Worn diverter valve

108000 mi

US $100

Replaced all ignition coils and spark plugs due to misfire under load.

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77000 mi US $400	check engine light, Thermostat replaced
104000 mi US $50	CEL came on. Rough idle. Took to mechanic, scanned car, cleared codes. Couldnt find anything wrong/duplicate.
115000 mi US $250	Check engine light and rough idle. Mechanic replaced sensor

111000 mi US $1800	Water pump, Thermostat and belt replaced because water pump was leaking.
144000 mi US $100	Replace PCV valve

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39000 mi

Oil leak on top portion of engine. 3 gaskets replaced under powertrain warranty.

73000 mi US $100	CEL was on and had dealer pull the code, after some diagnostics they determined that the EGR valve needed replacement. Total cost would have been $275, but was covered under extended warantee so only cost me $100 out of pocket.
85500 mi US $100	Final check of car before 85K warrantee expired. Found leaking radiator. Also found 2 engine oil leaks that required gasket replacement.
105300 mi US $200	Drip around oil drain plug, perhaps it was overtightend on last service visit?
120300 mi	idler wheel, accessory drive belt, tensioner

85000 mi US $350	Serpetine Belt Tensioner Pulley seized up, causing the belt to fall off. Car had to be towed home. Parts purchased at local VW dealer, service performed by owner.
86000 mi US $350	Replaced both radiator cooling fans. Replaced low pressure fuel sensor.
124000 mi US $130	Replace low-pressure fuel sensor.

72800 mi

US $300

Low pressure sensor replaced

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83700 mi	TSB for pcv system, dealer replaced the entire crankcase ventilation system including the turbo pressure release
116000 mi US $200	The ignition coil on cylinder 2 went bad so I replaced all 4 coils and 4 plugs. The plugs were due to be replaced in 5k miles anyway. Could have repaired the car for $35 but did all the coils just in case.
123600 mi US $400	Thermostat and sensor replaced
140000 mi US $150	Replaced pcv valve and purge valve
140000 mi US $250	Turbo Failed and destroyed intercooler and Catalytic convertor

170000 mi

US $500

Had to replace the oil filter housing. it was leaking something terrible

53000 mi

Behavior: Intermittent CELs, especially when driven hard Issue: HPFP Cam Follower damage resulting in camshaft wear Dealer replaced intake camshaft and cam follower. Also repaired cylinder head.

29000 mi

Third time had to take car in to re-place the gas cap. Check engine light comes on with the fuel cap indicator as well. Check engine light came once again after only one day after being fix

103000 mi

US $805

High pressure fuel pump destroys cam follower, which wears down intake camshaft. About $2000. New hpfp, cam follower, and intake camshaft to repair it.

79000 mi US $330	faulty breather valve
98300 mi US $701	intended to have timing belt replaced, learned that car has timing chain, so replacement not needed. however, needed timing chain cover gasket and exterior belts, plus battery.
100000 mi US $750	check engine light showed; problem: oil leaking into ignition coils; replaced coils and spark plugs and valve cover gasket.

92000 mi

US $7200

Timing chain tensioner broke and destroyed engine

62200 mi

US $400

Intake code po2015

90000 mi

PCV Valve recall

86500 mi

US $1739

Failed crankcase breather caused rear main oil seal to leak

92700 mi US $365	FuelÂ sending unitÂ failed and wouldn't deliver fuel to the engine.
103000 mi US $3500	Slack in timing chain caused major damage to interior of engine. A condition that others have experienced and VW is being sued over in multiple states

149000 mi US $1150	Both water pumps - main and auxiliary - were leaking. Both pumps replaced. The fasteners for both water pumps had been over-torqued during a previous repair and caused both pump housings to crack. Also replaced an oil seal
152200 mi US $900	Engine was leaking coolant from freeze plugs between engine and transmission. Transmission had to be pulled to repair coolant leaks.

57000 mi US $100	PCV Valve issue causing a vacuum leak. Reinstalled after applying Silicone but started again after 100 miles. Needs that part and possibly other parts
57700 mi US $300	Same problem as before, PCV valve causing a vacuum leak.

37000 mi

turbo solenoid

20000 mi	Fuel pressure sensor defective, reading low.
36000 mi	Blown gasket on crank-case sensor.

45000 mi	Breather Valve faulty.
72000 mi US $400	PCV Valve Replaced

17200 mi	Fuel system
66000 mi US $350	replaced thermostat
62000 mi US $1000	engine smog valve

12000 mi	Car would sporadically not start. Steering column and EMC replaced.
30000 mi	Engine light came on. Problem was diagnosed as a faulty valve. It was replaced.

48000 mi

Ignition switch required steering column repair

66340 mi

C $355

Check engine light on. Not sure if it is being caused by evap purge valve. Car has not been driven much since summer.

74400 mi C $800	muffler and tail pipe replacement
81220 mi	intake manifold cleaned from carbon deposit sensor and thermostat replaced (cooling system)
96100 mi C $900	head to tail exhaust replacement
99200 mi C $25	recirculating fuel vapor valve replaced ignition coils (4) replaced, engine misfire noise sometime occurs when accelerating. Rosstech scan returns #1 cylinder misfire.

95000 mi

US $77

A hole rusted the an exhaust sleeve connecting two pipes. sleeve replaced

20000 mi	Was hearing a loud high pitch sound from engine compartment. Dealer determined that some pressure regulator had been broken and was losing vacuum pressure which was causing high pitch whistle.
35000 mi	Check engine light showed up and result was a low-pressure fuel sensor had gone bad.

15000 mi	Ignition coil, they replaced coil pack on cyclinder 2.
24000 mi	Car would only start after two tries dealer could not reproduce it or imo did not even look. Still car starts funny or almost does not catch when turning over for the 1st crank.
23600 mi	I have a few issues like over the speed bumps or a dip the front right side makes a noise that seems like the suspension is loose, the car would take more then one try to start, rattles all over the palce. So of course in VW fashion nothing

66000 mi US $600	Hesitation. Found to be high pres fuel pump mechanical interface. Cam shaft has to be replaced. Replaced interface only, cam shaft repair is $1500 job, and timing belt replacement is soon. Do together.
101000 mi	Intermittent check engine light under full acceleration

40300 mi US $750	Spark igniter failed. Needed to replace all igniters and plugs.
42000 mi US $250	Turbo diverter valve seal was leaking

81000 mi

US $1800

-Intake valve carbon cleaning

54300 mi US $233	MIL came on, thermostat found to be bad also changed temperature sensor mechanic found turbo bypass valve to be leaking oil
58500 mi US $800	roller on timing belt squeaked, roller changed on warranty, owner had timing belt & water pump changed

43000 mi

"Small Evaporator leak".

60300 mi	Fuel pump control module failure. Replaced under Certified warranty.
75000 mi US $300	Cracked intake manifold.

40000 mi

replaced leaking valve cover gasket

42000 mi

oil drain plug/lower pan, common problem with 2.0T engine, not covered by warrantee. cost est $200/300. traded instead of fixing because got a good deal on a CC.

52000 mi

US $310

Engline light code showing system too lean. Proper amount of gasoline not flowing into system due to faulty sensor. Repaired successfully.

28000 mi

900 miles from home, car died, would not restart. Towed to local VW dealer. Told problem was loose engine mounts. Caused by failure to properly tighten mounts during recall replacement of steering rack at selling dealer. Repaired / Warranty Drove 900 miles, after repair of loose engine. No apparent problem. Next day, engine over heating 6 miles from home/City traffic. Drove to dealer for repair. Cooling fans not working. Told problem related to loose engine. Repaired/Warranty

32240 mi

$300

Engine overheating, showing symptom of radiator fan running overun for more than 5 minute everytime after engine switch off, temperature rising more than 100 degree C, when running above 120KMH.

115000 mi

we have had several problems with the fuel injectors and ignition coils. On several occasions had to have the water pump replaced. We ended up taking the car in for about 6 times to get water pump replaced.

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74000 mi

US $1200

Muffler and PCV valve

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45260 mi $270	Fuel pump control module was faulty. Part No 1K0 906 093F.
47120 mi $100	Exhaust downpipe header joint cracked and required welding.
63860 mi $700	1. Changed rocker arms and hydraulic lifters as they were loose and giving out knocking sounds. 2. Leaking vacuum valve gasket. Rear fuel pump and relay module faulty.
68200 mi $700	Water pump and coolant pipes were leaking.