I BOUGHT THE CAR AROUND MID-SEPTEMBER 2019. I'VE BEEN DRIVING IT SINCE AND JUST RECENTLY, I'D SAY DECEMBER 9TH, 2019 TO BE EXACT, GOT A LETTER IN THE MAIL SAYING MY VEHICLE HAD A RECALL FOR THE AIRBAG. I WENT ONLINE TO THE CAR BRANDS WEBSITE AND LOOKED UP MY EXACT CAR TO VERIFY. UPON DOING THIS, I DISCOVERED IT HAD A SECOND RECALL FOR THE FUEL PUMP. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR THE FREE REPAIRS, ONLY TO …
2008 Volkswagen Passat airbags problems
severe 29 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100
Complaints
29
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Avg fix
$1,100
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
TAKATA AIRBAG I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL 16V078 BUT THERE IS STILL NO SOLUTION, HOW LONG DO THEY HAVE TO REMEDY THE SITUATION? THIS IS MY DAUGHTERS CAR AND I WOULD LIKE TO GET THIS DONE ASAP THX [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2008 Volkswagen Passat?
It's a meaningful issue. 29 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
Some links on this page are affiliate links.