10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
94,621 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Volkswagen Jetta seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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2008 Volkswagen Jetta Owner Comments

problem #18

Jul 122023

Jetta

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Passenger airbag is always off. I saw reports on youtube wiring connectors under the seat are the reason. There-??s a home remedy solution. Important air bag issues should be freely be done by manufacturer or dealer. Also steering issues are more common than reported. The electrical devise fails too often rendering driving the vehicle difficult.

- Rohnert Park, CA, USA

problem #17

Oct 012018

Jetta

  • 130,000 miles
Horn stopped working and airbag warning light illuminated. Took car to VW dealership and they advised I need an air bag spring. Checked online and VW issued recall notices for similar issue for newer models, but not this model. VW dealership offered estimate of $554.88 plus tax and shop supplies. VW should extend recall to more years since this is a known issue.

- Ashburn, VA, USA

problem #16

Nov 042017

Jetta

  • 94,000 miles
Yellow airbag light would stay on when car was on. I checked with VW dealer to see if there was a recall and was advised no. This is the same problem that the 2010 thru 2016 VW are having. Dealer advised to replace the clockspring and harness due to build up of dust in the steering hub. Cost of repair $678.74 plus a 3week waitng time for part to arrive at the VW dealer.

- Streamwood, IL, USA

problem #15

Oct 022017

Jetta

  • 128,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I noticed my airbag indicator light for my left back seat stays on and after getting my car serviced, another airbag light for my driver side stays on. I find that unusual. Am I going to have to take my car in for service for every airbag that comes on within 3 months period"?" something needs to be done....concern and frustrated owner.

- Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA

problem #14

Aug 082017

Jetta

  • 133,000 miles
On 08/08/17 when I turned the car on, the driver's side airbag indicator light came on and stayed on. I brought the car to langan VW of vernon, ct (167 hartford turnpike, vernon, ct 06066) on 08/10/17. An analysis was done and I was told that the airbag was broken and that the airbag needed to be replaced. I was quoted a price of over $1,200 for parts and labor. I was told this was very unusual. I checked the recall list, but my make/model/year is not on the list. I thought you should know that there may be a potential bigger problem that includes my make/model/year. When I pick up my car and get the itemized bill, I would be happy to send it to you if requested. Thank you

- Ellington, CT, USA

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problem #13

May 112015

Jetta

  • miles
Takata recall my dash reads, "airbag fault".

- Colorado Spgs, CO, USA

problem #12

Jan 152016

Jetta

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The airbag malfunction light is on. I checked and the problem seems to be the steering wheel clock spring that can be contaminated by debris, which moves the part's guide loops out of position. This can cause a tear in the electrical cable that controls the driver's airbag. If this happens, a warning light would illuminate, but the safety device would not deploy in a crash. VW is still identifying all of the affected vins and developing a fix. I sow that the 2010 Jetta are recalled for the same problem. Why my car is not included in the recall.

- Delray Beach, FL, USA

problem #11

Oct 012015

Jetta

  • 55,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen Jetta. When the vehicle was started, the air bag warning indicator intermittently illuminated. The failure recurred each time the vehicle was started over approximately a two week period until it was consistently illuminated each time the vehicle was started. The contact also stated that when he made a left or right turn, there was a clicking sound that came from the steering column. The failures recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V483000 (air bags). The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.

- Rio Rancho, NM, USA

problem #10

Mar 092015

Jetta

  • 116,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 mph, the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who discovered that the front driver and passenger side air bag crash sensors would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, there was a shortage within the electrical circuit. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 116,000.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #9

Mar 252015

Jetta

  • 74,900 miles
I am getting a warning light on my dash indicating that there is an airbag fault in my 2008 Volkswagen Jetta. I have called the dealer where I purchased the vehicle, and after speaking with them, the dealer gave me a number to what he said was the Volkswagen corporate office in Michigan. I was told by both the dealer and by Volkswagen corporate that my airbag was past its warranty and that it would be my responsibility to fix it. An airbag is a lifesaving safety component, and it seems to me to be the responsibility of the car manufacturer to see that the drivers of their vehicles are safe. An airbag that is not functioning properly is in violation of safety standard 201, according to the NHTSA. I have read online how Toyota, Honda, and Chrysler have recalled hundreds of thousands of their vehicles due to faulty airbags. I have also seen that these vehicles have lifetime warrantees on their airbags. So, with that, shouldn't Volkswagen be responsible to ensure that my vehicle is up to safety standards? there has been no accident at this point, however, if there was, I could lose my life, and I am a single mother of two small children. Thank you for your concern!

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #8

Jan 012015

Jetta 5-cyl

  • 58,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

We have a 2008 Jetta purchased new in December 2007. It currently has 58,000 miles on it. We have had numerous safety issues with it. A crash sensor went out at about 50K. This cost over $500 to fix at the local dealer. Recently the airbag light came on and shows code 01221 which is drivers side airbag. The dealer said the airbag system is probably not functioning with the light on. I'd guess this is another expensive fix. This car has never been in an accident, submerged, or had a spill in it. It seems ridiculous that these type of issues would be occurring in a vehicle with this type of mileage.

- Dallas, OR, USA

problem #7

Jan 012015

Jetta

  • 58,000 miles
Airbag light came on. Volkswagen indicates that airbags are not functioning. No incident contributed to this.

- Dallas, OR, USA

problem #6

Sep 132014

Jetta 5-cyl

  • 150,000 miles
A car hit me when I was stop trying to make a left hand turn. They hit me on the left front corner of my car. Took out my front end. My air bags did not go off.

- Piru, CA, USA

problem #5

Jun 042013

Jetta 5-cyl

  • 71,293 miles
We had the car in the body shop for a repair! dent in the rear corner panel the air bag light came on a couple days later we took the car back to the body shop they took it the columbus ga VW dealer and were told the clock spring in the steering column was bad and they were getting quite a few cars back for the same problem.well it turns out all your electronics horn, radio, cruise control, air bags, dash lights, all the wires for these any many more items travel thru the clock spring! there having alot of problems with this item why is there no recall? they had a recall on there 2011 Jetta honk your horn and your motor might turn off! the cause clock spring! (so the body shop was told nothing they did caused it to go bad that they just go bad). The car is five years old they don't just go bad!!!! bad design maybe" my car is out of warranty and have been told the airbags will not deploy???" safety first!! oh ya and the horn is not working! I guess the cruise control will be next! thank you for your time........[xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Smiths, AL, USA

problem #4

Mar 262012

Jetta

  • 9,125 miles
This vehicle (2008 VW gli) should be covered under sb-69-11-01 as well. The passenger side airbag warning light has come up. VW Jetta gli is a special model based on the VW Jetta 2008. I think there is an oversight for not placing this same type of vehicle under sb-69-11-01. Gli is essential a sports model upgrade of Jetta model, why isn't this vehicle covered by the same tsb? make / models: Model/build years: Volkswagen / eos 2007-2008 Volkswagen / gti 2006-2008 Volkswagen / Jetta 2005-2008 Volkswagen / new beetle 2004-2008 Volkswagen / new beetle convertible 2004-2008 Volkswagen / passat 2006-2008 Volkswagen / passat wagon 2006-2008 Volkswagen / R32 2006-2008 Volkswagen / rabbit 2006-2008 service bulletin number: Sb-69-11-01 NHTSA item number: 10038665 summary: Volkswagen: Air bag light is on with an internal trouble code stored. This could be a wiring problem.

- Edmonds, WA, USA

problem #3

Feb 072011

Jetta 5-cyl

  • 600,000 miles
Believe it is the airbag sensor that is malfunctioning. Have had it reset about five times and within a five to six weeks, the airbag light goes on again. This is not the first time the VW has had issues with electrical components. Of course, the warranty is over.

- Cortland, NY, USA

problem #2

Dec 202009

Jetta

  • 25,860 miles
Airbag light illuminated. First occurred September 2009, taken to dealer to be repaired. Once again in December 2009.

- Graham, NC, USA

problem #1

Mar 152009

Jetta

  • miles
The air bag light sensor is defective. It will come one for driver and passenger when both people are present in the car. I had it fixed once before and now it happened again.

- Pickerington, OH, USA

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