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2008 Volkswagen Passat Wagon

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 Passat Wagon.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2008 Volkswagen Passat Wagon is a passenger‑car built on the generation‑B platform and equipped with a 6.3‑quart oil capacity that accepts 0W‑40, 5W‑30 or 5W‑40 viscosity fluids, paired with Volkswagen’s six‑speed automatic (S6) transmission. Its EPA ratings of 20 mpg city, 28 mpg highway and a combined 23 mpg place it squarely in the midsize segment’s efficiency sweet spot for the model year. While the vehicle’s overall engineering is solid, the reliability record shows 174 owner complaints—most frequently concerning air‑bag systems—and four manufacturer recalls, marking the 2008 model as a year where modest durability concerns began to surface in an otherwise dependable lineage.

Model year2010 2009 2008 2007 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.3 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type0W-40 / 5W-30 / 5W-40OEM · verified

Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy20/28/23 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 47 · 480 CCA battery, OE oil filter 06J115403Q. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 47 · 480 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP215-55R16OEM · verified

Wheel / rim7-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	06J115403Q alt 066115111A
Engine air filter	1K0129620 alt 1K0129620G
Fuel filter	3C0919679A alt 3C0919679D
Spark plug	06H905601A alt 101905622
Battery	000915089BC
Front wiper blades	3C1998002
Serpentine belt	06J260849D alt 06F260849L
Thermostat	06H121113B alt 03H121113D
Cabin air filter	1K1819669 alt 1K0819644B

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	188.2 in
Overall width	71.7 in
Overall height	57.9 in
Wheelbase	106.7 in
Curb weight	3305 lb
Track (front / rear)	60.6 / 60.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	20 / 28 / 23 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	96 cu ft
Cargo volume	36 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Premium Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.3 qt of 0W-40 / 5W-30 / 5W-40 engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 89 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	7.4-7.6
Brake Fluid	DOT 4
Engine Coolant	USE G012ABG-A1 COOLANT
Engine Oil	0W-40 · 5W-30 · 5W-40
Engine Oil Capacity	6.3 qt
Engine Oil	0W-40 · 5W-30 · 5W-40
Engine Oil Capacity	4.5 qt

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	14.8 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	11 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	96 inch lbs. ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	89 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	15.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order	1-5-3-6-2-4
Spark Plug Manufacturer	VW
Spark Plug Gap	0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	18 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.26-1.37 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	Models w/Delphi or Sanden compressor, 3.38-4.05; models w/Denso compressor, 4.38-5.06; models w/Zexel compressor, 3.71-4.38. oz
Standard BCI Group Number	47
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	480 cca
Optional BCI Group Number	48

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum	58.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum	101.0 psi
Residual Pressure	43.5 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum	58.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum	101.0 psi
Residual Pressure	43.5 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	1.0
Injector Primary Resistance	12.0

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH FN 3
Torque Caliper to Bracket	18 ft-lbs / 26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	148 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Brake Application	WITH FN 3
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.984 in / 1.181 in / 0.472 in / 0.866 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	0.984 in / 1.181 in / 0.472 in / 0.866 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	0.866 in / 1.063 in / 0.394 in / 0.787 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

6 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

6 ft. lbs

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45

4 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

29 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

29 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

74 ft. lbs., step 2: 180

74 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

1	30 ft. lbs.	30 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees.	90 degrees
3	90 degrees.	90 degrees
4	Front bolts	6 ft. lbs
5	90 degrees.; Do not re-use old bolts.	90 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

1	29.5 ft. lbs.	29.5 ft. lbs
2	turn 90 degrees	90 degrees
3	turn 90 degrees	90 degrees
4	pretighten crankcase ventilation 6 ft. lbs.	6 ft. lbs
5	turn 90 degrees; Starting at center and working outward, tighten all fasteners alternately and evenly.	90 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

1	11 ft. lbs.	11 ft. lbs
2	22 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
3	90 degrees	90 degrees
4	90 degrees; Apply liquid locking fluid-D 197 300 A2 sealant under head of bolts before installing the longer cylinder head bolts must be installed in the middle holes of the cylinder head.	90 degrees

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

44 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

44 ft. lbs

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

44 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

44 ft. lbs

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

2 ft. lbs., step 2: 7

2 ft. lbs

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

4 ft. lbs., step 2: 9 ft. lbs., step 3: 12 ft. lbs., step 4: 18

4 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

22 ft. lbs., Step 2: 180

22 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi.

At 5,000 mi	Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 5,000 mi	Brake System (inspect)
Every 10,000 mi	Battery (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
At 20,000 mi	Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 20,000 mi	CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Door Stop (lubricate) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Exterior Lighting (inspect)
Every 40,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Final Drive (inspect fluid level) · Power Steering System (inspect fluid level) · Sunroof Assembly (inspect) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 60,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Timing Belt (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 2008 Volkswagen Passat Wagon top in one area — the air bags, 25 of 174 reports (14%), well ahead of the next concern. That matters, because the air bags are also the target of recall 18V-148 on this vehicle — so the single most useful check before buying or servicing one is confirming it was actually performed. 3 of the reports describe a crash and 6 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the air bags pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

641

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

174

Owner complaints

3 involved a crash · 6 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 174 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags25

Fuel/Propulsion System24

Engine23

Fuel System, Gasoline14

Electrical System7

Steering6

Engine & Engine Cooling6

Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System6

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V148000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 06/03/2018

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Volkswagen CC, 2010-2014 Golf, 2010-2014 Eos, 2007-2010 Passat Sedan and Wagon, and 2012-2014 Passat vehicles. Upon deployment of the… Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 16, 2018. Owners…

17V509000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel PumpReported 16/08/2017

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2016 Volkswagen CC, 2006-2010 Passat and Passat Wagon vehicles. Interruption of electrical power to the fuel pump control module may cause the… Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump control module, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 641 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
V171901201285567	2023-10-30	Engine	VW Engine oil quality standards
V171905201285566	2023-09-28	Equipment	VW Engine oil quality standards
V271901201189425	2023-09-07	Equipment	Battery Testing and Charging Using Midtronics VAS6161 and or GRX3000VAS Charger. Update…
V0018092053065_4	2023-09-05	Equipment	Safety Related Inquiry and Reporting
V171901201285565	2023-08-21	Engine And Engine Cooling	Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Passat Wagon. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 47 battery Vehicles taking 6.3 qt Engine oil filter 06J115403Q Engine air filter 1K0129620 Fuel filter 3C0919679A Spark plug 06H905601A

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2008 Passat Wagon take?

6.3 qt of 0W-40, 5W-30 OR 5W-40 MEETING VW SPECIFICATION 502.00, per the factory manual.

Does the 2008 Passat Wagon have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Passat Wagon get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined mpg.