2007 Volkswagen Passat: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 273 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (36% of complaints); the 2005 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2024
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 273 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owned a 2007 Volkswagen Passat. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 18V148000(Air Bags) and 17V509000 ( Fuel System, Gasoline), and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Dec 2025
“I am filing a complaint in regards to Volkswagen failing to offer a solution to repair the Takata airbag which was recalled. I have tried contacting VW numerous times over the past two years as I live in Juneau, Alaska, which is landlocked and the only option is to send the vehicle on a ferry to either Anchorage or Seattle, WA to have this repair completed. The vehicle has not been driven in years due to the fear of what could happen if there were an accident and the airbag deployed. Please help me resolve this issue as Volkswagen is not taking action on this.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2023
“The timing belt is terrible on this vehicle. This is the same model and engine as the last recall but mine didn't qualify because it is a 2007 not a 2008. The belt is and chain are completely unstable and prone to catastrophic failure that can happen anytime while driving especially on the highway. This could cause a huge accident. There is also a major issue with the fuel pumps and the hoses. My fuel tank is leaking gas above 3/4 of a tank and can cause a severe fire even if someone dropped a lit cigarette under the car while I am driving.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2022
Show 7 more owner reports
“The brakes totally went out on my vehicle with no warning. It first started when I bought the car, the brake pad (almost brand new) almost set my left front rotor on fire within 10 minutes of driving. If I didn't pull over there's no question that my car would've set on fire. My fuel like was leaking heavily, and the emergency brake which is hydraulic wouldn't even deploy. I could've gotten killed. There is also an extreme issue with the power train system. Completely unsafe.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Apr 2022
“While I was operating the vehicle the vehicle stopped in the middle of the street. It was told to me it's the fuel system. The car has been diagnosed back in November of 2021. The fuel pump is not getting fire to the other.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Mar 2022
“The Air bag fault message came on the dash. My VW Passat car was not involved in any accident. I took the car to VW dealer for the diagnosis for which I was charged. The air bag fault message is no longer there but I am sure my air bags have not been replaced. I have been advised that I may have to change the airbags in future.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2021
“I was driving and 2 light came on , the battery light and the check engine light. I ran it though a scanner and the codes that popped up were code p0087 and p2293”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Feb 2021
“Just bought this car and at 94206 miles on it I can't see how the air compressor would go out and I shouldn't have to pay for it I want to see if there is recall on this at all it's a 2007 plus there 2 recalls number are 1st one is 20ae- NHTSA recall number is 17v509 august 16 2017 and now 2nd one is march 15 2018 manufacturer recall # 69q9 NHTSA recall # is 18v148 I don't see anywhere if the recall were fixed”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2020
“Tl* the contact owned a 2007 vw passat sedan. The contact was driving approximately 25 mph, when he heard an abnormal noise and seen flames coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated immediatley stopped the vehicel and attempted to open the hood but was unable due to the flames. The contact stated he burnt his hands. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. The contact was unsure if a fire department report was filed. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2007 volkswagen passat. While driving 55 mph, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle. After the contact inspected under and around the vehicle, he lifted up the rear passenger seat and noticed that the fuel pump flange on the top of the fuel pump was fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Sep 2019
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2007 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Passat by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2007 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
NHTSA has 273 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 2007 Volkswagen Passat. The most complained-about area is air bags (36% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2007 Volkswagen Passat problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 75,000 miles or less.
Does the 2007 Volkswagen Passat have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.