2007 Volkswagen Passat
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1988 | 0 |
| 1989 | 0 |
| 1990 | 34 |
| 1991 | 24 |
| 1992 | 39 |
| 1993 | 68 |
| 1994 | 25 |
| 1995 | 93 |
| 1996 | 40 |
| 1997 | 37 |
| 1998 | 331 |
| 1999 | 664 |
| 2000 | 507 |
| 2001 | 430 |
| 2002 | 636 |
| 2003 | 628 |
| 2004 | 279 |
| 2005 | 148 |
| 2006 | 576 |
| 2007 | 262 |
| 2008 | 168 |
| 2009 | 146 |
| 2010 | 163 |
| 2011 | 16 |
| 2012 | 481 |
| 2013 | 747 |
| 2014 | 592 |
| 2015 | 242 |
| 2016 | 106 |
| 2017 | 107 |
| 2018 | 45 |
| 2019 | 12 |
| 2020 | 15 |
| 2021 | 18 |
| 2022 | 11 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
40% of complaints: air bags — 104 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
WE HAVE BEEN WAITING ON A LIST TO GET THE AIRBAG REPLACED. MY CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION WITH AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, AND CAR IS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS AND LUCKY NO ONE WAS HURT.
NHTSA ODI report, 20181010
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120323
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20251229
12% of complaints: electrical system — 32 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIREShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20080929
12% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 31 distinct reports on file.
11% of complaints: engine — 28 distinct reports on file.
FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20200210
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20140307
6% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 16 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV AND THE RPM NEEDLE INCREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AT THE TIME.
NHTSA ODI report, 20080505
SAFETY TIMELINE
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.
Campaign 06V470000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 06V472000 — check if this car was fixed
Engine Compartment Fire
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
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.
Campaign 16V078000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 18V148000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 18V247000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 17V509000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 24V834000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2007 Volkswagen Passat — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (104 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (32 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (31 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 06V470000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06V472000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V078000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V148000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V247000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V509000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 24V834000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2007 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2007 Volkswagen Passat is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2007 Volkswagen Passat?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 40% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2007 Volkswagen Passat have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.