MYRModel Year Report

2007 Volkswagen Passat

◆ Worse than typical
2007 Volkswagen Passat
BUILT 2026-10-10

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
262
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 2007

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

40% of complaints

Complaints per year

1990: 34 complaints 1990 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 40 complaints 1993: 68 complaints 1994: 25 complaints 1994 1995: 94 complaints 1996: 142 complaints 1997: 70 complaints 1998: 331 complaints 1998 1999: 664 complaints 2000: 507 complaints 2001: 430 complaints 2002: 636 complaints 2002 2003: 629 complaints 2004: 279 complaints 2005: 148 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2007: 262 complaints 2007 262 2008: 168 complaints 2009: 146 complaints 2010: 163 complaints 2011: 16 complaints 2012: 484 complaints 2013: 748 complaints 2014: 594 complaints 2014 2015: 243 complaints 2016: 106 complaints 2017: 110 complaints 2018: 46 complaints 2018 2019: 12 complaints 2020: 18 complaints 2021: 18 complaints 2022: 13 complaints 2022
1990: 34 complaints 1990 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 40 complaints 1992 1993: 68 complaints 1994: 25 complaints 1994 1995: 94 complaints 1996: 142 complaints 1996 1997: 70 complaints 1998: 331 complaints 1998 1999: 664 complaints 2000: 507 complaints 2000 2001: 430 complaints 2002: 636 complaints 2002 2003: 629 complaints 2004: 279 complaints 2004 2005: 148 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2007: 262 complaints 2007 262 2008: 168 complaints 2009: 146 complaints 2010: 163 complaints 2010 2011: 16 complaints 2012: 484 complaints 2012 2013: 748 complaints 2014: 594 complaints 2014 2015: 243 complaints 2016: 106 complaints 2016 2017: 110 complaints 2018: 46 complaints 2018 2019: 12 complaints 2020: 18 complaints 2020 2021: 18 complaints 2022: 13 complaints 2022
1990: 34 complaints 1990 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 40 complaints 1992 1993: 68 complaints 1994: 25 complaints 1994 1995: 94 complaints 1996: 142 complaints 1996 1997: 70 complaints 1998: 331 complaints 1998 1999: 664 complaints 2000: 507 complaints 2000 2001: 430 complaints 2002: 636 complaints 2002 2003: 629 complaints 2004: 279 complaints 2004 2005: 148 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2007: 262 complaints 2007 262 2008: 168 complaints 2009: 146 complaints 2010: 163 complaints 2010 2011: 16 complaints 2012: 484 complaints 2012 2013: 748 complaints 2014: 594 complaints 2014 2015: 243 complaints 2016: 106 complaints 2016 2017: 110 complaints 2018: 46 complaints 2018 2019: 12 complaints 2020: 18 complaints 2020 2021: 18 complaints 2022: 13 complaints 2022

2007: 262 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19880
19890
199034
199124
199240
199368
199425
199594
1996142
199770
1998331
1999664
2000507
2001430
2002636
2003629
2004279
2005148
2006576
2007262
2008168
2009146
2010163
201116
2012484
2013748
2014594
2015243
2016106
2017110
201846
201912
202018
202118
202213

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

40% · 106 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHINJURY
Show 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, 2018-10-10

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, 2012-03-23

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, 2025-12-29

Also filed under Fuel system, gasoline

Electrical system

13% · 34 reports

Most commonly citing alternator/generator/regulator and 12v/24v/48v battery.

CRASHFIRE
Show 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, 2008-09-29

Engine and engine cooling

12% · 32 reports

Most commonly citing engine and cooling system.

CRASH
Show 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, 2008-05-05

Also filed under Vehicle speed control

Fuel/propulsion system

12% · 31 reports

Engine

11% · 28 reports
FIREINJURY
Show 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, 2020-02-10

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, 2014-03-07

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2007Complaint volume 262 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2007-01-12Visibility06V470000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2007-01-12Service brakes, hydraulic06V472000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2011-01-26Engineering analysisClosed 2012-02-17 Engine Compartment Fire
  5. R
    2017-03-10Air bags16V078000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2018-03-16Air bags18V148000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2018-04-30Air bags18V247000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2018-06-26Fuel system, gasoline17V509000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2024-12-04Air bags24V834000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2007 Volkswagen Passat — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 106 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 34 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 32 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 06V470000 · Visibility
  • Recall 06V472000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 16V078000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V148000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V247000 · Air bags
  • Recall 17V509000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 24V834000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 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 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.