2008 Volkswagen Golf/GTI
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 40 of 68 complaints (59%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (2) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 79 in 2007 to 68 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 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,600–3,500 | 3,100–3,250 | 3,100–3,250 | 3,100 | 2,400–3,100 | |
| Combined MPG | 22–34 | 24–25 | 24–25 | 25 | 25–32 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 19–31 / 27–40 | 21–22 / 29 | 20–22 / 29 | 21–22 / 29–31 | 21–29 / 30–39 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 299–404 | 355–370 | 355–370 | 355 | 315–355 | |
| Complaints filed | 55 | 79 | 68 | 170 | 122 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 2 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 7 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 8 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
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 Golf/GTI have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign 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 Golf/GTI?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 40 of 68 NHTSA complaints (59%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Volkswagen Golf/GTI get?
EPA rates it 24–25 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2008 Volkswagen Golf/GTI?
EPA estimates $3,100–$3,250 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 22 mpg (high) | 29 mpg | 25 mpg (high) | $3,100 (low) | 355 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 20 mpg (low) | 29 mpg | 24 mpg (low) | $3,250 (high) | 370 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 40 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 5 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | 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 (1)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · Campaign 07V442000 · Sep 19, 2007
Defect: CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." SOME VEHICLES MAY NOT HAVE HAD A REQUIRED CAP INSTALLED WHICH DISABLES THE HEADLIGHT HORIZONTAL AIM AND SOME VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN A CAP THAT DISABLES THE VERTICAL AIMING SCREW.
Consequence: NONCOMPLIANCE CAN INHIBIT PROPER HEADLAMP AIM ADJUSTMENT FOR ROADWAY ILLUMINATION, IMPROPERLY AIMED HEADLAMPS COULD CAUSE REDUCED ROAD VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF A CAP IN THE SOCKET OF THE LOW BEAM HORIZONTAL AIMING SCREW AND INSTALL ONE IF MISSING, AND INSPECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF A CAP IN THE SOCKET OF THE VERTICAL AIMING SCREW AND IF PRESENT, THE CAP WILL BE REMOVED. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON OCTOBER 31, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.