TAKATA RECALL THE RECALL IS OVER A YEAR OLD AND VW CAN NOT GIVE ANY TIME WHEN IT CAN BE FIXED. MAKES SELLING CAR DIFFICULT
2007 Volkswagen Passat
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Passat years
Owner complaints for the 2007 Volkswagen Passat are substantially higher than the model-year median of 110.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Passat years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
166 reports with mileage · 96 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Air Bags. Review the 106 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Air Bags complaints
106 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, 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 MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS P…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, 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 MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/30/17*LJ UPDATED 06/02/2017 *JS
TAKATA RECALL HELLO, IT HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR NOW AND I STILL CAN'T HAVE OUR AIRBAG REPLACED BECAUSE VW DOESN'T HAVE A FIX READY. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW IT CAN TAKE A YEAR WITH A RISK AS SERIOUS AS POTENTIALLY SENDING LETHAL SHRAPNEL AT MY 3-YR OLD DAUGHTERS' SITTING IN THE CAR WITH ME. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND THEY NEED TO BE…
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TAKATA RECALL HELLO, IT HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR NOW AND I STILL CAN'T HAVE OUR AIRBAG REPLACED BECAUSE VW DOESN'T HAVE A FIX READY. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW IT CAN TAKE A YEAR WITH A RISK AS SERIOUS AS POTENTIALLY SENDING LETHAL SHRAPNEL AT MY 3-YR OLD DAUGHTERS' SITTING IN THE CAR WITH ME. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND THEY NEED TO BE FORCED TO CORRECT THIS ASAP!!!!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (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. TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (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.
MY EMISSIONS LIGHT KEEPS LIT, MY AIRBAG LIGHT SAYS MALFUNCTION, VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN LIGHTS CAME ON.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (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 MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILU…
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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (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 MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
TAKATA RECALL I HAVE CONTACTED THE VW DEALER HERE IN GREEN BAY, WI NUMEROUS TIMES IN REGARDS TO THIS RECALL. I AM NOT A FAN OF MY YOUNGEST CHILD DRIVING THIS CAR TO LA CROSSE, WI FOR COLLEGE, BUT THE DEALER CANNOT HELP US OUT AT THIS TIME, THEY DO NOT HAVE THE NECESSARY MATERIALS AND THEN THERE IS THE BACK LOG.... WE WO…
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TAKATA RECALL I HAVE CONTACTED THE VW DEALER HERE IN GREEN BAY, WI NUMEROUS TIMES IN REGARDS TO THIS RECALL. I AM NOT A FAN OF MY YOUNGEST CHILD DRIVING THIS CAR TO LA CROSSE, WI FOR COLLEGE, BUT THE DEALER CANNOT HELP US OUT AT THIS TIME, THEY DO NOT HAVE THE NECESSARY MATERIALS AND THEN THERE IS THE BACK LOG.... WE WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE ANY ADVICE, SELLING THE CAR JUST IS NOT AN OPTION. IS THERE A WAY WE WOULD BE ABLE TO TRADE IT IN , JUST FOR THE SAFETY ASPECT!? THANK YOU, [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 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID DISPENSER MOTOR DID NOT WORK. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND FLASHED A PICTURE OF AN INFLATED AIR BAG WITH A "VEHICLE STATUE, AIR BAG …
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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID DISPENSER MOTOR DID NOT WORK. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND FLASHED A PICTURE OF AN INFLATED AIR BAG WITH A "VEHICLE STATUE, AIR BAG DEFAULT" WARNING MESSAGE. THE FAILURES WERE NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL AND THE AIR BAG FAILURE WAS NOT RECALL RELATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE....UPDATED 11/15/17 *BF UPDATED 12/1/2017*JS
TAKATA RECALL. I WENT ON LINE TO SEE HOW TO GET MY CARS AIRBAG FIXED BUT IT SAYS: SUMMARY: TAKATA HAS REPORTED THAT THE DRIVER FRONTAL AIRBAG INFLATOR COULD POTENTIALLY RUPTURE....... SAFETY RISK: AS REPORTED BY TAKATA: IN THE EVENT OF AN INFLATOR RUPTURE, METAL FRAGMENTS COULD PASS THROUGH THE AIRBAG CUSHION MATERIAL, WHIC…
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TAKATA RECALL. I WENT ON LINE TO SEE HOW TO GET MY CARS AIRBAG FIXED BUT IT SAYS: SUMMARY: TAKATA HAS REPORTED THAT THE DRIVER FRONTAL AIRBAG INFLATOR COULD POTENTIALLY RUPTURE....... SAFETY RISK: AS REPORTED BY TAKATA: 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. REMEDY: REPLACE DRIVER AIRBAG INFLATOR. RECALL STATUS: RECALL INCOMPLETE. REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE IT CONTINUES AND SAYS IF THIS IS NOT FIXED IN A TIMELY MANNER TO CONTACT THIS AGENCY. DATE BELOW IS DATE I WAS FIRST NOTIFIED OF THIS RECALL.
TAKATA RECALL TAKATA RECALL DATE: FEBRUARY 9, 2016; NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 16V079; MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER: 69M8 DEFECTIVE PART RECALLED: DRIVER FRONTAL AIRBAG INFLATOR. RECALL INCOMPLETE. REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE AFTER MANY MONTHS OF BEING TOLD BY THE LOCAL DEALER THAT THE PART WAS NOT READY, I CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA …
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TAKATA RECALL TAKATA RECALL DATE: FEBRUARY 9, 2016; NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 16V079; MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER: 69M8 DEFECTIVE PART RECALLED: DRIVER FRONTAL AIRBAG INFLATOR. RECALL INCOMPLETE. REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE AFTER MANY MONTHS OF BEING TOLD BY THE LOCAL DEALER THAT THE PART WAS NOT READY, I CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA IN DECEMBER 2016 AND THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD NO PLANS FOR MAKING THIS REMEDY INFLATOR AVAILABLE AND DID NOT FORESEE EVER HAVING THIS PART MANUFACTURED IN THE NEAR OR DISTANT FUTURE AND THEREFORE COULD NOT GIVE ME AN ESTIMATED DATE OF AVAILABILITY. THIS 2007 CAR HAS ONLY APPROXIMATELY 83,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN VERY WELL MAINTAINED, AND WE INTEND TO KEEP IT FOR MANY YEARS IN THE FUTURE. WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO? *TR
Official recalls
724V834000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Oct 30, 2024
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.
18V247000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Apr 18, 2018
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.
18V148000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Mar 6, 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 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.
17V509000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
Aug 16, 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 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.
16V078000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Feb 10, 2016
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.
06V470000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
Dec 12, 2006
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.
06V472000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum
Dec 12, 2006
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
1EA11002 · 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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