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 · Aug 27, 2016
Air Bags
TAKATA RECALL WE WERE FIRST NOTIFIED IN APRIL 2016 THAT THE TAKATA AIRBAGS IN OUR 2007 VW PASSATT "COULD POTENTIALLY RUPTURE...METAL FRAGMENTS COULD PASS THROUGH THE AIRBAG CUSHION MATERIAL, WHICH MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS." FOUR MONTHS HAVE PASSED AND STILL THERE IS NO REMEDY AVAILABLE.…
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TAKATA RECALL WE WERE FIRST NOTIFIED IN APRIL 2016 THAT THE TAKATA AIRBAGS IN OUR 2007 VW PASSATT "COULD POTENTIALLY RUPTURE...METAL FRAGMENTS COULD PASS THROUGH THE AIRBAG CUSHION MATERIAL, WHICH MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS." FOUR MONTHS HAVE PASSED AND STILL THERE IS NO REMEDY AVAILABLE. IT IS NOT REASONABLE THAT VOLKSWAGEN DOES NOT ISSUE AN UPDATE AS TO WHEN THE REMEDY MAY BECOME AVAILABLE. CONSEQUENTLY, WE LIVE IN DAILY FEAR OF A POSSIBLE DEATH BY AIRBAG MALFUNCTION. TODAY'S NY TIMES HAS A FRONT PAGE ARTICLE DETAILING THE MONEY-BASED WRONG DECISIONS OF GM TO BUY THE TAKATA PRODUCT WHEN EXPERTS IN THE FIELD TESTIFY THAT THE AMMONIUM NITRATE USED IN THE DEVICES IS UNSTABLE OVER TIME. DEATHS AND INJURIES HAVE RESULTED. WHEN WILL WE KNOW ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF THE REPLACEMENT PARTS?
NHTSA ODI #10899059
101,275 miles · Aug 25, 2016
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. TOOK VEHICLE TO VOLKSWAGEN DEALER TO FIX PROBLEM THE NEXT DAY. THE DEALER TOLD ME THE INSULATION CAME OFF THE WIRES INSIDE THE DRIVER HEAD LIGHT ASSEMBLY. THE 2 EXPOSED WIRES TOUCHED AND SHORTED OUT THE CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO HAVE A HEADLIGHT…
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I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. TOOK VEHICLE TO VOLKSWAGEN DEALER TO FIX PROBLEM THE NEXT DAY. THE DEALER TOLD ME THE INSULATION CAME OFF THE WIRES INSIDE THE DRIVER HEAD LIGHT ASSEMBLY. THE 2 EXPOSED WIRES TOUCHED AND SHORTED OUT THE CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO HAVE A HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY 3C0-941-005-AE AND CONTROL MODULE 3C8-937-049-AC REPLACED FOR THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT TO WORK.
NHTSA ODI #10898626
Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2016
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS) IN APRIL OF 2016. 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 I…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS) IN APRIL OF 2016. 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.
NHTSA ODI #10898241
Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2016
Air Bags
TAKATA RECALL. THE RECALL WAS ISSUED IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR, YET MY VW DEALERSHIP (WHERE I ROUTINELY GO FOR REPAIRS AND CHECKUPS) TELLS ME A REMEDY WAS STILL NOT AVAILABLE. I.E., I AM DRIVING A CAR WITH A POTENTIALLY LETHAL DEFAULT, WHICH IS KNOWN OF, YET THE MANUFACTURER IS EITHER UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO REMEDY ASAP? I AM EXTREME…
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TAKATA RECALL. THE RECALL WAS ISSUED IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR, YET MY VW DEALERSHIP (WHERE I ROUTINELY GO FOR REPAIRS AND CHECKUPS) TELLS ME A REMEDY WAS STILL NOT AVAILABLE. I.E., I AM DRIVING A CAR WITH A POTENTIALLY LETHAL DEFAULT, WHICH IS KNOWN OF, YET THE MANUFACTURER IS EITHER UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO REMEDY ASAP? I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED AND UNSURE HOW TO PROCEED.
NHTSA ODI #10898141
Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 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 #10896565
Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 2016
Air Bags
TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL HAS BEEN A YEAR OR SO ,AND NO EVIDENCE OF REPAIR IN SITE.
NHTSA ODI #10895205
Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2016
Air Bags
TAKATA RECALL. THERE IS NO TIMELINE FOR FIXING THE AIRBAG IN THIS CAR. I CAN'T DRIVE IT AND I CAN'T SELL IT. IT WAS RECALLED IN FEB 2016 AND THERE IS STILL NO TIMELINE FOR REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER OF THIS AIRBAG NEEDS TO GET THESE FIXED.
NHTSA ODI #10894329
Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2016
Air Bags
TAKATA RECALL. IM WAS FINANCING THIS VEHICLE FOR MY BUSINESS, BUT NOW IM NOT ABLE TO UPGRADE THROUGH A TRADE DUE TO THIS RECALL. WHAT ACTION MUST BE TAKEN TO GET ASSISTANCE WITH THIS ISSUE?
NHTSA ODI #10891842
Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 2016
Air Bags
IT'S BEEN ABOUT 3 MONTHS ALREADY AND I REALLY NEED A CAR FOR WORK AND SCHOOL, THE LEAST VOLKSWAGEN CAN DO IS KEEP US UPDATED ABOUT THE CAR, I'M EVEN THINKING ABOUT GETTING A NEW ONE. I JUST HOPE THEY FIND A SOLUTION FAST
NHTSA ODI #10891715
Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2016
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHICH LOCATED A FAILURE CODE THAT THE ENGINE OIL CONTAINER HAD DEFECTIVE PLASTIC. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE ENGINE OIL TO SPILL ONTO THE TOP OF…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHICH LOCATED A FAILURE CODE THAT THE ENGINE OIL CONTAINER HAD DEFECTIVE PLASTIC. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE ENGINE OIL TO SPILL ONTO THE TOP OF THE MANIFOLD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
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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