Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
350–25K
2025–50K
3250–75K
1875–100K
39100–150K
22150K+
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
What owners actually said
262 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 19, 2016
Air Bags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THREE DEALERS WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. TH…
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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 WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THREE DEALERS WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10936273
Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 2016
Air Bags
TAKATA RECALL. MY CAR WAS RECALLED IN FEBRUARY 2016 AND I STILL DON'T HAVE PLACEMENT PARTS AVAILABLE TO ME. THIS IS A DISGRACE. I AM THE MOTHER OF A SMALL CHILD AND MY LIFE COULD BE IN JEOPARDY FROM MY DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG.
NHTSA ODI #10934342
Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 2016
Air Bags
TAKATA RECALL. WAS TOLD IT WOULD TAKE OVER A YEAR TO GET THE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG. WANT IT FASTER!!!!
NHTSA ODI #10934284
106,000 miles · Dec 6, 2016
Steering
I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEFECT WARNING ON MY DASH AND THE CAR OFTEN WILL NOT START WITHOUT REPEATED ATTEMPTS. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON AND VERY EXPENSIVE DEFECT WITH PASSATS AND THE VW PASSAT BLOGS ARE FULL OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS DEFECT. I CONTACTED VW AND THEY WERE NO HELP. THE REP OFFERED HER SYMP…
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I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEFECT WARNING ON MY DASH AND THE CAR OFTEN WILL NOT START WITHOUT REPEATED ATTEMPTS. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON AND VERY EXPENSIVE DEFECT WITH PASSATS AND THE VW PASSAT BLOGS ARE FULL OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS DEFECT. I CONTACTED VW AND THEY WERE NO HELP. THE REP OFFERED HER SYMPATHY BUT NOTHING AS FAR AS VW TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM. IT APPEARS THAT THIS DEFECT CAN RESULT IN STEERING WHEELS LOCKING WHILE DRIVING, ENGINES CUTTING OFF WITHOUT WARNING, AND THE CAR NOT STARTING LEAVING DRIVERS STRANDED. I WILL BE DELIVERING THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL VW AGENCY FOR REPAIR AND REQUEST THAT THE NHTSA REQUIRE VW TO REIMBURSE ALL PASSAT OWNERS WITH THIS PROBLEM FOR ALL RELATED EXPENSES TO CORRECT THIS VERY DANGEROUS DEFECT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10930197
Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 2016
Air Bags
TAKATA RECALL NHTSA RECALL #16V079 STILL HAS NO FIX AVAILABLE FROM VOLKSWAGEN. THE START OF THIS RECALL WAS FEB. 9, 2016. IN NEARLY 10 MONTHS NO FIX HAS BEEN PROVIDED. THE CONCERNING PART IS THE POTENTIAL RESULT IN DEATH OF A LIFE SAVING AIRBAG ACTUALLY DEPLOYING. THIS IS THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT AN AIRBAG SHOULD DO. "IN THE E…
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TAKATA RECALL NHTSA RECALL #16V079 STILL HAS NO FIX AVAILABLE FROM VOLKSWAGEN. THE START OF THIS RECALL WAS FEB. 9, 2016. IN NEARLY 10 MONTHS NO FIX HAS BEEN PROVIDED. THE CONCERNING PART IS THE POTENTIAL RESULT IN DEATH OF A LIFE SAVING AIRBAG ACTUALLY DEPLOYING. THIS IS THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT AN AIRBAG SHOULD DO. "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" VW AND TAKATA NEED TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER.
NHTSA ODI #10929732
106,400 miles · Nov 22, 2016
Electrical SystemEngine
CURRENTLY MY 2.0T 4 CYLINDER ENGINE IS EXPERIENCING FAILURES NOTED BY THE DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM WITH FAULT CODE P2181 COOLING SYSTEM PERFORMANCE ALONG WITH A CYLINDER 1 AND CYLINDER 4 MISFIRE. THE SUGGESTED REMEDY FOR THE P2181 ERROR IS TO REPLACE THE THERMOSTAT AND/OR THE WATER PUMP. IN RESEARCHING COMMUNITY FORUMS, THIS PAIRING …
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CURRENTLY MY 2.0T 4 CYLINDER ENGINE IS EXPERIENCING FAILURES NOTED BY THE DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM WITH FAULT CODE P2181 COOLING SYSTEM PERFORMANCE ALONG WITH A CYLINDER 1 AND CYLINDER 4 MISFIRE. THE SUGGESTED REMEDY FOR THE P2181 ERROR IS TO REPLACE THE THERMOSTAT AND/OR THE WATER PUMP. IN RESEARCHING COMMUNITY FORUMS, THIS PAIRING OF ISSUES APPEARS WIDESPREAD. THERE IS A POSSIBLE MANUFACTURING DESIGN FLAW THAT CORRELATES THE FAILURE OF ENGINE COILS AND/OR PLUGS WITH FAILURE OF THE WATER PUMP AS THE WATER PUMP IS DRIVEN BY THE TIMING BELT. FURTHERMORE, THE FUNCTIONS ARE LINKED IN THIS WAY ALLOWING ONE TO CAUSE THE OTHER TO FAIL. THIS IS EVIDENT WITH A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AT ALL TIMES AND WHILE DRIVING THE MISFIRE WILL OCCUR BETWEEN 2000-3000 RPM AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO JERK AND STUTTER. THE MISFIRE CAUSES LOSS OF POWER AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHES.
NHTSA ODI #10927510
Mileage unknown · Nov 21, 2016
Air BagsUnknown Or Other
GOT AN EMAIL IN APRIL OR MAY OF 2016 SAYING PARTS FOR MY RECALL AIRBAG ARE UNAVAILABLE. THEY WOULD CONTACT ME WHEN AVAILABLE. IT'S EIGHT MONTHS LATER AND NOTHING STILL! JUST WENT TO REFI MY CAR AND I'VE LOST $6000.00 ON KELLY BLUE BOOK, SO MY $ 10,000.00 PASSAT IS NOW WORTH $4000.00. "DUE TO ALL OF VOLKSWAGEN'S RECALLS"
NHTSA ODI #10927289
Mileage unknown · Nov 21, 2016
Air Bags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. 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 NOT MADE AWA…
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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); 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 NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10927210
Mileage unknown · Nov 21, 2016
Air Bags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. 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 NOT MADE AWA…
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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); 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 NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10927189
Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 2016
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (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: 16V078000 (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. UPDATED 01/23/2017*CT UPDATED 7/6/18*JB *TR
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.
2007 Volkswagen Passat Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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