2008 Volkswagen Beetle
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 20 of 60 complaints (33%) mention it.
Complaints filed rose from 56 in 2007 to 60 in 2008.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | vs. 2008 Minicompact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,650–2,850 | 2,700–2,850 | 2,700 | 2,700 | 2,700 | |
| Combined MPG | 22–34 | 22–23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 19–31 / 28–40 | 19–20 / 28–29 | 20 / 28–29 | 20 / 28–29 | 20 / 28–29 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 299–404 | 386–404 | 386 | 386 | 386 | |
| Complaints filed | 125 | 56 | 60 | 33 | 30 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 7 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2008 Volkswagen Beetle have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2008 Volkswagen Beetle?
Electrical: 20 of 60 NHTSA complaints (33%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Volkswagen Beetle get?
EPA rates it 23 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2008 Volkswagen Beetle?
EPA estimates $2,700 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Manual 5-spd | 5 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Minicompact Cars | 20 mpg | 28 mpg (low) | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 386 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 5 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Minicompact Cars | 20 mpg | 28 mpg (low) | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 386 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Manual 5-spd | 5 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 20 mpg | 28 mpg (low) | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 386 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S6) | 5 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 20 mpg | 29 mpg (high) | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 386 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 7 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 20 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 15 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 10 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER · Campaign 19V679000 · Sep 26, 2019
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015 Golf Sportwagen, 2013 Golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and Beetle Convertible vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.
Consequence: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01D7. Note: This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 18V-329.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · Campaign 10V621000 · Dec 14, 2010
Defect: VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 JETTA, NEW BEETLE, NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE, MODEL YEAR 2009 JETTA SPORTWAGEN AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 RABBIT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES. THE JETTA, JETTA SPORTWAGEN, AND RABBIT VEHICLES MAY HAVE A SMALL PLASTIC TAB LOCATED ON THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR THAT MAY CHAFE AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE. THE NEW BEETLE AND THE NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A FASTENING CLAMP ON A HYDRAULIC HOSE OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM THAT MAY BE LOCATED IN AN IMPROPER POSITION WHICH COULD CAUSE CHAFING AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE.
Consequence: IF CHAFING OCCURS, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A FUEL LEAK TO DEVELOP. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE UNDERHOOD FUEL LINE. ADDITIONALLY, DEPENDING ON THE VEHICLE MODEL, DEALERS WILL EITHER REMOVE THE PLASTIC TAB FROM THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR, OR INSPECT THE POSITION OF THE FASTENING CLAMP AND ADJUST THE RELATED FASTENING CLAMP INTO THE CORRECT POSITION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS · Campaign 08V036000 · Jan 29, 2008
Defect: ON CERTAIN SPECIAL EDITION TRIPLE WHITE SEDAN VEHICLES, AN INCORRECT ADHESIVE MAY HAVE BEEN USED TO ATTACH THE ROOF SPOILER TO THE REAR GLASS OF THE VEHICLE. IF THE INCORRECT ADHESIVE WAS USED, THE SPOILER COULD BECOME LOOSE OR FALL FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING, EVEN THOUGH INITIALLY THE SPOILER MAY FEEL SECURE.
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE SPOILER COULD CAUSE INJURY BY STRIKING PERSONS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE OR COULD BECOME AN OBSTACLE TO OTHER DRIVERS, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ROOF SPOILER ON THESE VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 29, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VWOA AT 1-800-822-8987.