VehicleVerdict

2008 Volkswagen Passat airbags problems

The 2008 Volkswagen Passat has 33 airbags complaints filed with NHTSA — 14% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

33

Airbags complaints

14%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Airbags complaints by year

Related recalls

18V148000AirbagsMarch 6, 2018 · 363,713 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

16V078000AirbagsFebruary 10, 2016 · 659,493 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

What owners report

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · April 25, 2018 · crash

Common questions

How many airbags complaints does the 2008 Volkswagen Passat have?

NHTSA has 33 complaints about the 2008 Volkswagen Passat airbags — 14% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2008 Volkswagen Passat airbags?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the airbags: 16V078000, 18V148000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.