WE PURCHASED OUR 2007 PASSAT 3.6L 4-MOTION WAGON AND HAD ISSUES WITH THE AIRBAGS FROM DAY 1 (LITERALLY), AND HAD THE DEALERSHIP REPLACE THE SENSORS UNDER BOTH SEATS WITHIN THE FIRST THREE DAYS. WITHIN A MONTH, WE BEGAN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM. NEW TIRES FIXED THE TPMS ISSUE FOR ABOUT A WEEK, THEN W…
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WE PURCHASED OUR 2007 PASSAT 3.6L 4-MOTION WAGON AND HAD ISSUES WITH THE AIRBAGS FROM DAY 1 (LITERALLY), AND HAD THE DEALERSHIP REPLACE THE SENSORS UNDER BOTH SEATS WITHIN THE FIRST THREE DAYS. WITHIN A MONTH, WE BEGAN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM. NEW TIRES FIXED THE TPMS ISSUE FOR ABOUT A WEEK, THEN WE BEGAN HAVING ISSUES AGAIN. A YEAR AFTER WE BOUGHT THE CAR, MY WIFE HAD AN ACCIDENT (REAR-ENDED SOMEONE), AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. WE HAD TO HAVE THE ENTIRE FRONT-END REPAIRED - $10,237 WORTH OF REPAIRS. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED, THERE WAS SO MUCH EXTERNAL NOISE THAN THERE WAS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. OVER THE NEXT 8 MONTHS, WE BEGAN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON (AND STAYING ON). WHEN THE CAR SHUT OFF ONE DAY, RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF (BUSY) TRAFFIC, I TOOK IT BACK TO THE REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT. THEY TOOK OUR 2007 PASSAT TO THE VW DEALERSHIP, WHICH MADE A BLANKET STATEMENT THAT NONE OF THE EXISTING ISSUES WERE RELATED TO THE WRECK. THEREFORE, THE REPAIR SHOP WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING MORE TO FIX THE CAR, AND SINCE THE CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIRS EITHER. ON OCTOBER 29, 2012, 14 MONTHS AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, AS IT HAD MANY TIMES BEFORE. HOWEVER, ON OCTOBER 30, 2012, THE ENGINE DIED COMPLETELY. WE'VE SINCE DISCOVERED THAT THE BEARINGS ARE COMPLETELY GONE AND WERE TOLD IT WILL COST US $7,000 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. BUT THAT STILL DOESN'T INCLUDE REPAIRS TO THE PREVIOUSLY EXISTING ISSUES WITH THE TPSM OR THE AIRBAG. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10484920
75,000 miles · Mar 23, 2012
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. ONE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, NECK, BACK AND CHEST. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS M…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. ONE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, NECK, BACK AND CHEST. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 75,000.
NHTSA ODI #10452745
40,000 miles · Mar 12, 2012
Air Bags
THIS PASSAT CONTINUES TO HAVE AIR BAG ISSUES. THE AIR BAG FAULT LIGHT HAS GONE ON MULTIPLE TIMES IN LAST 12 MONTHS. PER THE VW TECH'S, THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON. THE AIR BAGS, WIRES, HARNESSES AND COMPONENTS HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED. AT LAST VISIT TO VW, THEY STATED NOTHING ELSE CAN GO WRONG BECAUSE IT HAS A…
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THIS PASSAT CONTINUES TO HAVE AIR BAG ISSUES. THE AIR BAG FAULT LIGHT HAS GONE ON MULTIPLE TIMES IN LAST 12 MONTHS. PER THE VW TECH'S, THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON. THE AIR BAGS, WIRES, HARNESSES AND COMPONENTS HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED. AT LAST VISIT TO VW, THEY STATED NOTHING ELSE CAN GO WRONG BECAUSE IT HAS ALL BEEN REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN FOR SAME REPAIR. THE ABOVE DATE IS AN ESTIMATE. BUT, IT HAS BEEN SERVICED FOR THIS ISSUE BY CURRENT DEALER SINCE 8/11/11. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10451142
92,000 miles · Mar 11, 2011
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS FROM DAY ONE - CONSTANTLY A NEW LIGHT ON THAT NEVER STAYED ON. DRIVER'S AIRBAG ISSUE THAT VW SAYS IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT - A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS TO FIX A FEW MONTHS AGO, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND VW CHARGED US TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT CAME BACK WITH 12 FAILURE CODES,…
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ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS FROM DAY ONE - CONSTANTLY A NEW LIGHT ON THAT NEVER STAYED ON. DRIVER'S AIRBAG ISSUE THAT VW SAYS IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT - A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS TO FIX A FEW MONTHS AGO, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND VW CHARGED US TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT CAME BACK WITH 12 FAILURE CODES, THE TWO MOST SEVERE BEING INTAKE RUNNER MOTOR AND HIGH PRESSURE PUMP. THEN, NOT LONG AFTER, THE CAR LITERALLY SHUT DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY AND WE COULD HARDLY GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD (MIND YOU NO PRIOR WARNING LIGHTS WERE PRESENT). THE ONLY ONE THAT CAME ON FOR A SPLIT SECOND WAS THE EPC (ELECTRONIC POWER CONTROL) LIGHT BEFORE THE CAR SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO VW DEALER WHO AFTER INVESTIGATING THE PROBLEM, SAID THAT THE ENGINE WAS SHOT. AND, I ALMOST FORGOT TO MENTION THAT THE AIR HASN'T WORKED FOR 2 SUMMERS. VW CLAIMS THAT THIS IS BECAUSE A BAD COMPRESSOR WAS PUT IN THE PASSATS. $1800 TO FIX. THESE ISSUES ARE COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE AND WE DON'T THINK ANY OF THE ABOVE PROBLEMS SHOULD BE OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY. VW NEEDS TO STEP UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR FAULTY ENGINEERING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10389861
20,578 miles · Aug 24, 2010
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingInterior Lighting
A/C WAS NOT COOLING AS NORMAL THEN THE A/C WAS NOT COOLING AT ALL. THE DAY THE A/C SYSTEM FAILED I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE SPEED OF 70 MILES PER HOUR AND IT WAS RAINING HEAVILY. ALL WINDOWS TO THE VEHICLE FOGGED TO THE POINT WHERE I HAD NO VISIBILITY. I PULLED OVER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. I HAD TO WAIT FOR THE STORM TO …
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A/C WAS NOT COOLING AS NORMAL THEN THE A/C WAS NOT COOLING AT ALL. THE DAY THE A/C SYSTEM FAILED I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE SPEED OF 70 MILES PER HOUR AND IT WAS RAINING HEAVILY. ALL WINDOWS TO THE VEHICLE FOGGED TO THE POINT WHERE I HAD NO VISIBILITY. I PULLED OVER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. I HAD TO WAIT FOR THE STORM TO PASS TO OPEN MY WINDOWS AND BE ABLE TO SEE THROUGH ALL WINDOWS. I DROVE THE CAR HOME AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A VW SERVICE SHOP THE NEXT DAY. THE SHOP CHECKED THE A/C SYSTEM FOR REFRIGERANT AND FOUND THAT IT WAS CONTAMINATED. THEY VACUUM/DRAINED THE SYSTEM, REFILLED IT WITH NEW REFRIGERANT, AND REPLACED THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR FOR THE A/C SYSTEM. THE A/C WAS WORKING AS NORMAL FOR TWO MONTHS THEN WITHOUT WARNING MY A/C SYSTEM WAS NOT COOLING AT ALL. I TOOK IT BACK THE NEXT DAY TO VW SERVICE. THEY FOUND THAT THE A/C COMPRESSOR SHAFT WAS SEIZED TO THE COMPRESSOR HOUSING. TO REPAIR IT THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE COMPRESSOR, EXPANSION VALVE, AND CONDENSER. THEY ALSO CLEANED TO A/C LINES, VACUUMED THE SYSTEM AND REFILLED IT WITH REFRIGERANT AFTER PUTTING ALL THE PARTS TOGETHER.I WAS WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR A WEEK. TILL THIS DAY MY A/C SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. FOR EXAMPLE, I DRIVE THE CAR ONE DAY, THE A/C WORKS AND NORMAL, AND THE NEXT DAY IT DOES NOT COOL AT ALL. IT WORKS AT RANDOM TIMES. TO ADD, THE SAME TIME MY A/C WAS BROKEN MY AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. VW CHECKED IT AND FOUND THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE IGNITER HAD TOO MUCH RESISTANCE. TO FIX IT THEY REMOVED THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND BYPASSED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG PLUG. THEN THEY CHECKED THE SEAT HARNESS AND REINSTALLED THE SEAT. MY AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON AGAIN. MOREOVER, THE SUNVISORS LIGHTS DIDN'T WORK, SHIFT KNOB WAS CORRODED, THE RUBBER SEAL TO THE SATELLITE ANTENNA ROTTED AWAY, AND BOTH TAIL LIGHTS ON THE INTERIOR STARTED TO BURN AND LOOK MELTED. ALL WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. GOOD FOR THAT BECAUSE I COULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PAY FOR ALL THE REPAIR COSTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10351565
20,578 miles · Aug 24, 2010
Air BagsEquipmentVisibility
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR LIGHT ALSO WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE AND THE LIGHT WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. IN ADDITION, THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM WAS REPAIRED …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR LIGHT ALSO WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE AND THE LIGHT WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. IN ADDITION, THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM WAS REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES AND MOST RECENTLY FAILED AGAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRAIN HAD TO BE CLEANED OF CONTAMINATED SOLVENT AND REPAIRS WERE ALSO MADE TO THE TEMPERATURE SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO ANY OF THE ABOVE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,578 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,000.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Beetle, Beetle Convertible, 2012-2014 Passat, 2017 Passat Wagon, and 2006-2007 Passat Sedan vehicles. The driver's side frontal air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's side front air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69EG, 69GQ, and 69E6.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2007 Volkswagen Passat sedan and wagon vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on April 30, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q8. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-079.
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 driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
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 may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q9. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
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 fuel pump to fail.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20AE.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
ON CERTAIN '6' GENERATION PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL DURING HEAVY RAIN DUE TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE ENTERING THE WIPER MOTOR. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE WIPERS CAN BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD LEAD TO REDUCED VISIBILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPECIAL COVER AND SEALING KIT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 12, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-893-5298.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.0L ENGINE WITH 147 KW MAY HAVE A VACUUM LINE THAT MAY FRACTURE AND BECOME DISCONNECTED AT LOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURES.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE POWER ASSIST CAN BECOME INOPERATIVE, AND THE DRIVER WILL EXPERIENCE INCREASED EFFORT TO APPLY THE BRAKES POSSIBLY INCREASING VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED VACUUM LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 12, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-893-5298.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
EA11002 · Engine Compartment Fire
Opened Jan 26, 2011 · Closed Feb 17, 2012
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Engine And Engine Cooling
In July 2010, the Agency opened PE10-027 to investigate allegations of coil on plug (COP) ignition coil fires in MY2002-2003 VW Passat vehicles.The investigation was upgraded in January 2011 to include all MY2001-2007 4-cylinder VW Passat, gasoline, turbo-charged vehicles.Based on the analysis of VW's response, and including ODI's consumer complaints, ODI has since identified 135 unique engine fire reports attributable to the COP coils.After further review of the details as contained in each report, ODI determined that 43 of the 135 fire reports were actual fire/flame incidents, 83 fire reports were thermal events (smoke, spark, heat or wire melt), and another 9 fire reports were undetermined in severity due to the lack of information.These COP coil fires were characterized as initiated from within the COP coil circuit located at the top of the engine block and below the plastic engine cover.The fires observed were contained in the engine compartment and did not reach into the passenger compartment in contrast to those caused by an overheated catalytic converter examined in ODI?s investigation in 2007 and 2008.There were no reports of crashes or personal injury in this examination.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstancesSee the Closing Report for additional details.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System
In July 2010, the Agency opened PE10-027 to investigate allegations of coil on plug (COP) ignition coil fires in MY2002-2003 VW Passat vehicles.The investigation was upgraded in January 2011 to include all MY2001-2007 4-cylinder VW Passat, gasoline, turbo-charged vehicles.Based on the analysis of VW's response, and including ODI's consumer complaints, ODI has since identified 135 unique engine fire reports attributable to the COP coils.After further review of the details as contained in each report, ODI determined that 43 of the 135 fire reports were actual fire/flame incidents, 83 fire reports were thermal events (smoke, spark, heat or wire melt), and another 9 fire reports were undetermined in severity due to the lack of information.These COP coil fires were characterized as initiated from within the COP coil circuit located at the top of the engine block and below the plastic engine cover.The fires observed were contained in the engine compartment and did not reach into the passenger compartment in contrast to those caused by an overheated catalytic converter examined in ODI?s investigation in 2007 and 2008.There were no reports of crashes or personal injury in this examination.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstancesSee the Closing Report for additional details.
Engine And Engine Cooling
In July 2010, the Agency opened PE10-027 to investigate allegations of coil on plug (COP) ignition coil fires in MY2002-2003 VW Passat vehicles.The investigation was upgraded in January 2011 to include all MY2001-2007 4-cylinder VW Passat, gasoline, turbo-charged vehicles.Based on the analysis of VW's response, and including ODI's consumer complaints, ODI has since identified 135 unique engine fire reports attributable to the COP coils.After further review of the details as contained in each report, ODI determined that 43 of the 135 fire reports were actual fire/flame incidents, 83 fire reports were thermal events (smoke, spark, heat or wire melt), and another 9 fire reports were undetermined in severity due to the lack of information.These COP coil fires were characterized as initiated from within the COP coil circuit located at the top of the engine block and below the plastic engine cover.The fires observed were contained in the engine compartment and did not reach into the passenger compartment in contrast to those caused by an overheated catalytic converter examined in ODI?s investigation in 2007 and 2008.There were no reports of crashes or personal injury in this examination.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstancesSee the Closing Report for additional details.
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