VehicleVerdict

2007 Volkswagen Passat problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 341 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.9 times the median Passat year — the 2007 model ranks #13 of 35 Passat years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 106 reports (31% of the total).

341

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

1

Investigations

7

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2007 compare to other Passat years?

Passat NHTSA complaints by model year, 2007 highlighted1,026 complaints1988: 0 complaints1989: 0 complaints1990: 50 complaints1991: 30 complaints1992: 60 complaints1993: 90 complaints1994: 36 complaints1995: 142 complaints1996: 185 complaints1997: 105 complaints1998: 476 complaints1999: 854 complaints2000: 625 complaints2001: 558 complaints2002: 772 complaints2003: 823 complaints2004: 348 complaints2005: 172 complaints2006: 779 complaints2007: 341 complaints2008: 240 complaints2009: 211 complaints2010: 226 complaints2011: 27 complaints2012: 660 complaints2013: 1,026 complaints2014: 785 complaints2015: 388 complaints2016: 179 complaints2017: 173 complaints2018: 65 complaints2019: 18 complaints2020: 24 complaints2021: 28 complaints2022: 19 complaints
Passat NHTSA complaints by model year, 2007 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Passat years to avoid →

What are the most common 2007 Volkswagen Passat problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags10631%
Engine6018%
Fuel System4313%
Electrical System3410%
Brakes175%
Steering154%
Transmission134%
Other93%
Lighting82%
Visibility & Wipers82%
Speed Control72%
Body & Structure51%
Tires & Wheels41%
Seat Belts31%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)21%
Suspension21%
Seats21%
Latches & Locks21%
Child Seat10%

Does the 2007 Volkswagen Passat have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

24V834000AirbagsOctober 30, 2024 · 248,330 units

Defect

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

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.

18V247000AirbagsApril 18, 2018 · 71,335 units

Defect

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

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.

18V148000AirbagsMarch 6, 2018 · 363,713 units

Defect

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

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.

17V509000Fuel SystemAugust 16, 2017 · 280,915 units

Defect

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

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.

16V078000AirbagsFebruary 10, 2016 · 659,493 units

Defect

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

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.

06V470000Visibility & WipersDecember 12, 2006 · 57,291 units

Defect

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

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.

06V472000BrakesDecember 12, 2006 · 58,800 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · March 11, 2012 · crash

“MY CAR WAS BURNT ON HIGHWAY WEEK AGO. ALL MY FAMILIES WERE ON THE CAR THAT TIME. I CALLED THE POLICE OFFICE, THE POLICEMEN AND FIREMEN ARRIVED AND PUT OUT THE FIRE IN 10 MINS. 2 DAYS LATER, AFTER WE CHECKED THE CAR WITH THE INVESTIGATORS FROM THE FIRE DEPT., THEY FOUND THAT THERE ARE 2 HOLES ON THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 4, 2014 · fire

“COIL PACK CRACKED AFTER 45,000 MILES AND CAUGHT FIRE. I CAUGHT IT IN TIME AND WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT. REPLACED COIL PACK AND ANY DAMAGED WIRES ASSOCIATED WITH THE FIRE. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · November 3, 2009 · fire

“I STARTED MY VEHICLE, AND WITHIN 30 SECONDS I SMELLED BURNING. I SHUT DOWN ENGINE AND NOTICED SMOKE BELLOWING OUT FROM UNDER HOOD. I LIFTED HOOD AND FOUND AN ELECTRICAL HARNESS ON TOP OF ENGINE WAS ON FIRE AND MELTING. I WAS ABLE TO BORROW PLIERS FROM SOMEONE AND DISCONNECTED BATTERY CABLE. I HAD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 26, 2008 · fire

“THE PARKING BRAKE MALFUNCTIONS DUE TO AN ERROR IN THE ELECTRONICS SYSTEM BOARD. THIS ISSUE IS SEVERELY UNDER-REPORTED AS A LARGE PORTION OF CARS AFFECTED IGNORE OR RESET THE ERROR BY DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY EACH TIME IT APPEARS. THIS NEEDS TO BE AN OFFICIAL RECALL BUT VW REFUSES TO DO IT BECAUSE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 16, 2014

2007 Volkswagen Passat — common questions

Is the 2007 Volkswagen Passat reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 341 complaints put the 2007 model at #13 of 35 Passat years. It is one of the Passat years to avoid.

What are the most common 2007 Passat problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (106 complaints), engine (60 complaints), fuel system (43 complaints).

Does the 2007 Volkswagen Passat have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2007 Volkswagen Passat. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2007 Volkswagen Passat under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Volkswagen Passat years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Passat years to avoid are 2013, 1999, 2003, 2014, 2006, 2002, 2012, 2000, 2001, 1998, 2015, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2011. The cleanest record among Passat years belongs to 1989.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.