Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2008 Volkswagen R32, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Power train82
- Fuel system, gasoline20
- Electrical system6
- Exterior lighting6
- Fuel/propulsion system4
- Engine and engine cooling3
- Vehicle speed control1
- Air bags1
- Tires1
- Fuel system, other1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2008 Volkswagen R32 failed the safety check 1.23% of the time — 50% less often than the average 2008 passenger car (2.48%). Median odometer at inspection: 119,323 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Recalls
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 5,000 MY 2008 R32 (5TH GENERATION) VEHICLES. WHEN CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS ARE ACCOMPANIED BY HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES, THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE MAY NOT REMAIN FULLY CLOSED. IF THIS HAPPENS, LIQUID FUEL MAY ENTER THE FUEL TANK VENTING SYSTEM AND MIGRATE INTO THE EVAPORATIVE SYSTEM, SATURATING THE CARBON CANISTER. SHOULD THIS OCCUR WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE MAY EXPERIENCE PERFORMANCE ISSUES (I.E., VEHICLE JERKING) AND THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER COULD ILLUMINATE. FUEL COULD LEAK FROM THE EVAPORATIVE SYSTEM LEAK DETECTION PUMP FILTER.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Volkswagen told its dealers about the 2008 Volkswagen R32: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10253215 | Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation |
| 10253214 | Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation |
| 10253213 | Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation |
| 10253205 | Wiper Blade Inspection for Proper Warranty Coding |
| 10253203 | Wiper Blade Inspection for Proper Warranty Coding |
| 10252942 | Damage to Data Link Connector (DLC) from Aftermarket Devices (Cannot Communicate with Vehicle OBD System) |
| 10252937 | Vehicles equipped with Immobilizer 4 (Download) ? Adapting Keys after Vehicle Lock Set Replacement |
| 10252220 | All Vehicles with Bluetooth Phone Kit Installed ? Streaming Audio from Phone to Radio |
| 10244545 | VW Engine oil quality standards |
| 10244072 | Rattling Noises from Engine Compartment Area or Exhaust System |
| 10244045 | Volkswagen Elsa Newsletter |
| 10243065 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10243034 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10243025 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10243023 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10243008 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10243001 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10242996 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10242400 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10242399 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10242398 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10242390 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10242381 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10242375 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10242372 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
VEHICLE STALL/LOSS MOTIVE POWER
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation