2008 Volkswagen Gti: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2008 Volkswagen Gti: 1 recall, 67 owner complaints and up to 25 mpg combined.
Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #07V442000 · 2007 · 340,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Noncompliance can inhibit proper headlamp aim adjustment for roadway illumination, improperly aimed headlamps could cause reduced road visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 2 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (40): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (30), stalls / loses power (5).
- Exterior lights (7): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Fuel & propulsion (4): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Engine (4): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2008 Volkswagen Gti has 67 owner complaints, ranking #7 of 36 Gti model years for complaints (1.7× the average Gti year). Complaints peaked in 2009 (36 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 1 year old, at a median of 18,522 miles. Neighboring years: 2007 (77 complaints, 1 recalls), 2009 (167 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 29 | 25 | Premium |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 29 | 24 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2008 Volkswagen Gti.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2008 Volkswagen Gti have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 2008 Volkswagen Gti. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2008 Volkswagen Gti problems?
Owners have filed 67 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (40), exterior lights (7), fuel & propulsion (4).
What gas mileage does the 2008 Volkswagen Gti get?
EPA ratings run up to 25 mpg combined (2.0 L, Automatic (S6)), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2008 Volkswagen Gti repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.