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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 →

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.

4 crash reports6 fire reports2 injury reports

Tires complaints

4 reports
Clear category filter
104,547 miles · Nov 16, 2012
Air BagsEngineTires

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

46,095 miles · Feb 1, 2011
Tires

2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 4MOTION. LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING. THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN TWO DEALERS SERVICE CENTERS TO HAVE THIS ISSUE RESOLVED OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS. A MONTH AGO IT WAS REPAIRED AND LASTED ONE BLOCK. I HAVE ASKED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER TO CONTACT ME TO GET THIS RESOLVED. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY CONTACT FRO…

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2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 4MOTION. LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING. THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN TWO DEALERS SERVICE CENTERS TO HAVE THIS ISSUE RESOLVED OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS. A MONTH AGO IT WAS REPAIRED AND LASTED ONE BLOCK. I HAVE ASKED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER TO CONTACT ME TO GET THIS RESOLVED. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY CONTACT FROM EITHER. I FEEL THAT SINCE THIS IS A FEDERAL MANDATE IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPAIRED UNDER THE MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY. IT WAS NOT. *LN

NHTSA ODI #10379871

Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2010
Tires

TIRE PRESSURE ISSUES WITH VOLKSWAGEN VEHICLES. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BACK IN 2007 AND ABOUT NEARLY A MONTH AFTER PURCHASE I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH TIRE PRESSURE. NO ONE FROM THE VW DEALER I PURCHASE THE CAR FROM OR ANOTHER VW DEALER CAN TELL ME WHAT THE ISSUE IS. THE REFRAIN IS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TIRES. EACH MONT…

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TIRE PRESSURE ISSUES WITH VOLKSWAGEN VEHICLES. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BACK IN 2007 AND ABOUT NEARLY A MONTH AFTER PURCHASE I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH TIRE PRESSURE. NO ONE FROM THE VW DEALER I PURCHASE THE CAR FROM OR ANOTHER VW DEALER CAN TELL ME WHAT THE ISSUE IS. THE REFRAIN IS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TIRES. EACH MONTH UP UNTIL JULY I HAVE TO PUT AIR IN MY TIRE, WHEN I REACHED THE 50K MARKER AND TIRES WERE ROTATED I HAVE TO INFLATE THE TIRE EVERY 3-4 DAYS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10345237

Mileage unknown · May 1, 2007
Tires

PIRELLI 235/40R18 TIRES ON A BRAND NEW 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT (OEM TIRES) DEVELOPED A SIDEWALL BULGE (NO EXCESSIVE SPEEDING, NO POTHOLES, AND NO CURBS ENCOUNTERED). IN LESS THAN 4,000 MILES, THE TIRE DEVELOPED SIDEWALL BUBBLES. MANY OTHERS REPORT THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THESE MODEL TIRES (FOUR SEASONS P6) HAVING SOFT SIDEWALLS THA…

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PIRELLI 235/40R18 TIRES ON A BRAND NEW 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT (OEM TIRES) DEVELOPED A SIDEWALL BULGE (NO EXCESSIVE SPEEDING, NO POTHOLES, AND NO CURBS ENCOUNTERED). IN LESS THAN 4,000 MILES, THE TIRE DEVELOPED SIDEWALL BUBBLES. MANY OTHERS REPORT THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THESE MODEL TIRES (FOUR SEASONS P6) HAVING SOFT SIDEWALLS THAT CAN RUPTURE, HOWEVER PIRELLI HAS NOT BEEN AT ALL WILLING TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM BY REPLACING THE TIRES. THEY CLAIM ROAD DAMAGE, HOWEVER THERE IS NO ROAD DAMAGE TO FOUND ON THE TIRE, OR ANYWHERE ELSE ON MY VEHICLE. HAD I BEEN AT HIGH SPEED, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL IF THE TIRE(S) WERE TO RUPTURE. THESE TIRES ARE DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10189458

Official recalls

7

24V834000 · 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

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.