There are 7 owner-reported lighting complaints for the 2008 Volkswagen GTIin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
THE RPMS ONLY GO TO 4000 THE HEADLIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY BLOWN, ONE OF THE FANS DOES NOT WORK ....THERE ARE A LOT OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, THE MASS AIR INTAKE FLOW ISSUES WITH THAT THERE'S JUST A LOT OF ISSUES. IT'S AFFECTED THE ELECTRICAL, SPEED CONTROL, AIRBAGS, VISIBILITY AND WIPER,LIGHTING, FUEL SYSTEM MASS AIR INTAKE SENSOR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS DID NOT PROJECT. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT AIMED PROPERLY AND CAUSED REDUCED ROAD VISIBILITY INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT USED THE HIGH BEAMS AS AN INTERIM FIX DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED TO BE INSPECTED, DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE CONTACTS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V442000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
THE HEADLIGHTS FOR MY 2008 VOLKSWAGEN GTI MKV MUST HAVE SOME FORM OF A HOLE OR INSUFFICIENT SEALANT BECAUSE WHEN IT WAS COLD OUTSIDE ALLOT OF MOISTURE BUILT UP INSIDE THE HEADLIGHTS AND MADE MY VISIBILITY SO HARD TO SEE ON THE HIGHWAY I ALMOST RAN INTO 1 CAR AND WHILE I WAS EXITING AND GETTING ONTO THE SERVICE ROAD I WAS GOING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN ONTO MY STREET WHEN I ALMOST HIT 2 PARKED CARS. MY FRIEND HAS ALSO BEEN HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH HIS CAR. *TR
I AM UNABLE TO REPLACE MY THIRD BRAKE LIGHT WITHOUT TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. I DRIVE A 2008 VW GTI. *TR
THE 2008 VW GTI USES THE HEADLIGHTS AS RUNNING LIGHTS. WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED AND THE PARKING BRAKE IS RELEASED THE HEADLIGHTS TURN ON. THIS OCCURS REGARDLESS OF THE POSITION OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. THIS CAUSES A HAZARD AS AT NIGHT THE DRIVER IS LIKELY TO START THE CAR AND PROCEED TO DRIVE. USUALLY ONE WOULD NOT PROCEED TO DRIVE WITHOUT TURNING THE LIGHTS ON HOWEVER THE HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED ON AUTOMATICALLY. NOW YOU ARE DRIVING WITH HEADLIGHTS BUT NO TAILLIGHTS. THIS FEATURE IS CREATING A HAZARD AND SHOULD BE CHANGED. I INQUIRED AT THE DEALER AND THEY STATED 'THAT IS THE WAY IT IS DESIGNED TO WORK'. I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS DEFICIENCY. *TR
I CAN'T REPLACE THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT BULBS ON MY 2008 VW GTI. THERE IS NO WAY TO SERVICE THEM AND THE DEAL STATES THEY WOULD HAVE TO PHYSICALLY RIP OFF MY SPOILER TO DO SO. *TR
THE 2008 VW GTI USES THE HEADLIGHTS AS RUNNING LIGHTS. WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED AND THE PARKING BRAKE IS RELEASED THE HEADLIGHTS TURN ON. THIS OCCURS REGARDLESS OF THE POSITION OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. THIS CAUSES A HAZARD AS AT NIGHT THE DRIVER IS LIKELY TO START THE CAR AND PROCEED TO DRIVE. USUALLY ONE WOULD NOT PROCEED TO DRIVE WITHOUT TURNING THE LIGHTS ON HOWEVER THE HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED ON AUTOMATICALLY. NOW YOU ARE DRIVING WITH HEADLIGHTS BUT NO TAILLIGHTS. THIS FEATURE IS CREATING A HAZARD AND SHOULD BE CHANGED. I INQUIRED AT THE DEALER AND THEY STATED 'THAT IS THE WAY IT IS DESIGNED TO WORK'. I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS DEFICIENCY. *TR
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026