2008 Volkswagen Passat Airbags Problems

While driving at 35 mph, your car suddenly stalled and wouldn't restart, forcing you to coast to the roadside and have it towed home. Your vehicle is subject to two open recalls — one for a fuel system issue and one for airbags — but the dealership didn't respond promptly to schedule the repairs. The fuel system issue appears to match what's described in the recall, and your car couldn't be driven until this was addressed.

After taking your 2008 Volkswagen Passat to a dealership for a recalled airbag repair, you report that the car now shuts off randomly while driving on streets or freeways, and requires cranking the engine after refueling to start. Additionally, your tire pressure warning light appears daily, which didn't happen before the service. The dealership may have inadvertently altered the fuel pump control module or other components during the recall work. The issue likely requires a diagnostic scan and possible fuel system component inspection or replacement.

Your airbag warning light is on. You want to bring your car in for service as soon as possible to have this checked out. The dealer will need to scan the airbag system to identify the specific issue and determine what repair is needed.

Your 2008 Passat has two safety recalls — one for the airbag and one for the fuel pump — but the dealership won't repair the fuel pump until your check engine light is resolved. A mechanic told you the light is caused by a vacuum pump leak that costs around $600 to fix, though he said it's not critical. The dealership wants to charge you $124 just to diagnose the check engine issue before proceeding with the recalled fuel pump repair. You're stuck paying for a diagnosis or repair you didn't originally plan for in order to get the safety recall completed.

MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A 2008 VW PASSAT 2.0 SEDAN NEW FROM A VW DEALERSHIP AND RECENTLY (WITHIN THE PAST 6-8 MONTHS THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON FROM TIME TO TIME). BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS NOT A PRIMARY VEHICLE FOR ME OR MY WIFE IT IS SELDOM DRIVEN, BUT ABOUT 2 TO3 MONTHS AGO I NOTICE THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMING ON WHICH IMMEDIATELY CONCERNED ME AND I REMEMBER HEARING ABOUT THE TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL, BUT DUE TO MY/MY WIFE WORK SCHEDULE IT WAS HARD TO GET TO A DEALER, BUT I RECALL RECEIVING NOTIFICATIONS, BUT I HONESTLY WILL HAVE SEARCH FOR THEM. ANYWAY I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HAGERTY VOLKSWAGEN AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I MISSED THREE(3) FACTORY RECALLS AND IF I WANTED THEM DONE NOW I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT MY POCKET. THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON, I AM AFRAID OF BEING INJURED SERIOUSLY OR KILLED. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS IT'S THEY CAN DO ABOUT THE ISSUE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS ONE WHICH WAS NOT TAGGED AS NEEDING ATTENTION, THAT'S MIGHTY NICE THAT MIKE HAGERTY OF ORLAND PARK FEELS THAT WAY. WHAT I WANT KNOW IS DOES THE NHTSA FEEL THAT CAR MANUFACTURE ARE SO HONEST THAT IF A TAX PAYING AMERICAN CITIZEN SHOULD BASE ON THE WORD OF A GLOBAL MANUFACTURE WHO ALREADY HAS BEEN CAUGHT USING DEFECTIVE PARTS. I RECEIVED SOMETHING ABOUT A RECALL, I EXPECT THAT THE NHTSA HAS ENOUGH EXPERIENCE AS TO CORRECT THE MANUFACTURE TO REPAIR A CLEARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION IN WHICH AND OTHERS MAY PERISH FROM AN UNFORESEEN EXPLOSIVE STEERING DEFAULT THAT THE MANUFACTURE AND TAKATA ARE MAKING EVERY EFFORT TO AVOID ANY RESPONSIBILITY/LIABILITY BY SIMPLY DENYING A FAULTY BAG WAS PLACED IN THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. I HAVE ALWAYS LOOK UPON EVERY INDIVIDUAL AS AN EQUAL, I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF WHOM EVER PROCESSES THIS COMPLAINT. I DO NOT WANT TO DIE IN A CAR THAT I PAID FOR ACCORDING TO THE CONTRACT THAT I SIGNED, CAN VOLLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA AND IT PARENT COMPANY DO THE SAME. I PRAY YOUR AGENCY WILL REPRESENT ME.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 117,000. *TT

I'M CONCERNED THAT THERE COULD BE AN INTERRUPTION IN ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE FUEL PUMP RUNNING CONTINUOUSLY, RESULTING IN A DRAINED BATTERY AND/OR A NO START CONDITION, OR CAUSE A LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH CAUSING INJURY AND/OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. IN ADDITION, THE AIRBAG RECALL IS A GREAT CONCERN. I'M ALSO CONCERNED FOR ANY OTHER RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH MY VOLKSWAGEN. NOW THAT TAKATA HAS SETTLED THE LAWSUIT, I HOPE MY CONCERNED CAN BE RESOLVED EXPEDITIOUSLY.

GOT RECALL NOTICE TOOK TO DEALERSHIP NOV. FIRST SHOWED RECALL CARD SERVICE MANAGER SAID I WOULD GET SOMETHING ELSE IN MAIL AND THEN TO COME BACK. DEADLINE TO FILE CLAIM DEC. 17 2017.

NOTHING.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO HANSEL VOLKSWAGEN (2951 CORBY AVE, SANTA ROSA, CA 95407) WHO STATED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND DID NOT KNOW WHEN THEY WOULD ARRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (BOMMARITO VOLKSWAGEN OF HAZELWOOD LOCATED AT 400 BROOKES DRIVE HAZLEWOOD, MO 314-731-7777) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL REMEDY PARTS WERE ON BACKORDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 08/04/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 08/15/2017*JS

TAKATA RECALL. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE TAKATA RECALL TO THE AUTOBARN CITY VOLKSWAGEN LOCATED IN CHICAGO, IL. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT IN, ON MARCH 31ST, THE CONSULTANT TOLD ME THAT IT WAS TOO LATE TO WORK ON IT EVEN THOUGH I BROUGHT IT IN AT 5 PM WHILE THEY CLOSED AT 7 PM. THE OPTION THEY GAVE ME WAS TO LEAVE THE CAR OVERNIGHT AND PICK IT UP THE NEXT DAY. I NEEDED THE CAR OVER THE WEEKEND SO THEY RESCHEDULED MY APPOINTMENT TO THE FOLLOIWNG SATURDAY, THE 8TH. ON THE 8TH, I HAD THE LUCK TO SPEAK WITH A DIFFERENT CONSULTANT BY THE NAME OF BRAYNER ASATOURI. WHEN HE FOUND OUT THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A RE-BUILT TITLE HE TOLD ME THAT THEY WILL NOT BE DOING THE RECALL. HE TOLD ME TO HOPE THAT THE AIRBAG DOES NOT MALFUNCTION WHILE IM IN THE VEHICLE BUT THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT AND THAT I WAS NOT THE FIRST RECALL HE HAD TO SEND HOME. IT LEFT ME WONDERING THAT I SHOULD JUNK THE CAR IF THERE WAS A CHANCE OF SOMEBODY BEING HARMED BY THE AIRBAG. WITH A LITTLE RESEARCH AND MANY CALLS TO THE VOLKSWAGEN CARE TEAM, AN INVESTIGATION WAS STARTED AND IT TURNS OUT THAT THE CONSULTANT GAVE ME FALSE INFORMATION. I HAVE TO USE THE VEHICLE TO GO TO WORK, GO PLACES AND DO SOME EVERYDAY DAY ACTIVITIES. WHILE THE INVESTIGATION WAS GOING ON, I HAD TO USE THE VEHICLE FOR TWO WEEKS BEFORE THEY COULD WORK ON THE CAR. FOR TWO WEEKS I WAS PUT AT RISK AND EVERYBODY AROUND ME BECAUSE A VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE CONSULTANT WOULD NOT WORK ON THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL. HE DID NOT MAKE ANY EFFORT TO FIND OUT FROM HIS SUPERIORS IF THE CAR QUALIFIED FOR THE REPAIR LET ALONE EXPLAIN SOME OPTIONS TO MAKE THE VEHICLE SAFER. FORTUNATELY, NOTHING HAPPENED DURING THE TIME THAT THEY REJECTED TO WORK ON THE VEHICLE BUT IF SOMETHING WOULD HAVE HAPPENED, I DONT KNOW HOW THE DEALER WOULD REACT SINCE THEY NEGLECTED THE SAFETY RECALL. WHO KNOWS HOW MANY VEHICLES HAVE BEEN NEGLECTED IN THIS DEALER?

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PART DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PART DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

TAKATA RECALL: WE GOT A LETTER FROM VW IN APRIL 2016 ABOUT THIS. I CALLED THE DEALER THIS WEEK AND THEY STILL HAVE NO REPAIR FOR THE PROBLEM. IT'S DANGEROUS AND IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME, SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE DELAY. THE DATE BELOW IS THE APPROXIMATE DATE OF THE FIRST LETTER. THE LETTER IDENTIFIES THE PROBLEM AS: NHTSA 16V078, SAFETY RECALL 69M9

TAKATA RECALL

IT HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR SINCE THIS RECALL WAS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE VW, YET NEITHER THE DEALERS, NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAVE PARTS TO SUPPORT THE RECALL; YET PARTS ARE CLEARLY AVAILABLE AS VEHICLES ARE STILL BEING PRODUCED. VOLKSWAGEN'S FAILURE TO PROVIDE REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR A SAFETY RELATED RECALL WITH THE POTENTIAL TO INFLICT SERIOUS BODILY INJURY OR DEATH IS UNCONSCIONABLE AND RECKLESS. OVER A YEAR SINCE THE RECALL BEGAN AND THEY STILL DO NOT HAVE A TIMELINE OF WHEN PARTS MAY BE AVAILABLE, THIS CLEARLY SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE OF MOTIVATION. INSTEAD THEY JUST SENT LETTERS THAT A RECALL EXISTS, NOT VERY HELPFUL IN CORRECTING A SAFETY ISSUE WITH LIFE THREATENING POTENTIAL; YET OTHER VEHICLES HAVE COMPLETED NEARLY 13 MILLION CORRECTIONS.

RECALL SUBJECT: AIR BAGS > FRONTAL > DRIVER SIDE INFLATOR MODULE WE RECEIVED THE LETTER OF RECALL FOR ALMOST ONE YEAR, BUT EVERY TIME WE CHECK WITH VW, THEY KEPT REPLIED THE PARTS HAVE NOT ARRIVE.THAT LEAVE US TO BELIEVE WE ARE DRIVING AN UNSAFE CAR. *TR

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

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OVER 1 YEAR AGO ABOUT ISSUE, TOLD TO WAIT FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTTIONS NONE HAS BEEN RECEIVED. VEHICLE SAFETY ISSUE NOT REMEDIED

TAKATA INFLATORS I HAD RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM VW AUTO COMPANY IN THE MONTH OF MARCH THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVER SIDE SAFETY AIR BAG. HERE IS WHAT IT SAID "AKATA HAS REPORTED THAT THE DRIVER FRONTAL AIRBAG INFLATOR COULD POTENTIALLY RUPTURE IF THE VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHERE THE FRONTAL AIRBAGS ARE DESIGNED TO DEPLOY. IN THE EVENT OF AN INFLATOR RUPTURE, METAL FRAGMENTS COULD PASS THROUGH THE AIRBAG CUSHION MATERIAL, WHICH MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS." IT CLEARLY SAYS THAT THIS ISSUE MIGHT RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR EVEN DEATH IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. I DRIVE MY VW WITH MY KIDS IN IT AND GOD FORBID, IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN, IS VW TAKING THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY LOSSES INCUR? I AM SURPRISED NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN AS YET TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR AROUND NOW. THE THOUGHT THAT ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN TO MY FAMILY MEMBERS DURING AN EVENT HAS TAKEN AWAY THE PEACE OF MIND FROM ME. THE LEAST I EXPECT FROM VW IS TO AT LEAST GIVE A COURTESY VEHICLE UNTIL THEY RESOLVE THIS ISSUE.

THESE PARTS HAVE BEEN OUTSTANDING SINCE APRIL AND VOLKSWAGON DOES NOT HAVE ANY ETA FOR THE TAKATA PARTS FOR AIR BAG RUPTURES.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

TAKATA SAFETY RECALL NOTICE 69M9

TAKATA RECALL NHTSA 16V078 MAN. # 69M9 RECALL ISSUED 6 MONTHS AGO AND "NO REMEDY AVAILABLE" STILL.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.