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2007 Volkswagen Passat

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Passat years

Owner complaints for the 2007 Volkswagen Passat are substantially higher than the model-year median of 110.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Exterior Lighting complaints

7 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2018
Exterior Lighting

THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS PROVIDE EXTREMELY POOR LIGHTING RESULTING IN VERY POOR VISIBILITY AND CREATING A CONCERNING UNSAFE NIGHT DRIVING. THE FRONT PROJECTOR HEADLAMPS FIXTURE INSTALLED IN THIS MODEL ARE VERY POOR AND CREATES A VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING, I HAVE TRIED TO UPGRADE THE LAMPS BUT THERE IS NOT IMPROVEMENT. THIS ISSUE SHOULD …

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THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS PROVIDE EXTREMELY POOR LIGHTING RESULTING IN VERY POOR VISIBILITY AND CREATING A CONCERNING UNSAFE NIGHT DRIVING. THE FRONT PROJECTOR HEADLAMPS FIXTURE INSTALLED IN THIS MODEL ARE VERY POOR AND CREATES A VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING, I HAVE TRIED TO UPGRADE THE LAMPS BUT THERE IS NOT IMPROVEMENT. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE RECALLED FROM THE MANUFACTURER, IT IS A LIFE SAFETY MATTER. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI #11121204

Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2017
Air BagsExterior LightingFuel/propulsion System

TAKATA RECALL,FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE RECALL, WIRRS FOR HEADLAMPS FAILTY. HEAD LAMPS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING SOMETIMES, FAULTY PARKING BREAK THAT HAS BEEN FIXED AND DOES NOT WORK AGAIN. NO FIX FOR FUEL MODULE RECALL. CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. PAID 5200 OUT OF POCKET FOR BOTH RECALLS. CAR CAN NOT BE INSPECTED DUE TO RECA…

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TAKATA RECALL,FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE RECALL, WIRRS FOR HEADLAMPS FAILTY. HEAD LAMPS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING SOMETIMES, FAULTY PARKING BREAK THAT HAS BEEN FIXED AND DOES NOT WORK AGAIN. NO FIX FOR FUEL MODULE RECALL. CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. PAID 5200 OUT OF POCKET FOR BOTH RECALLS. CAR CAN NOT BE INSPECTED DUE TO RECALL WITH NO FIX. BEEN FIXING THE RECALL PROBLEMS OUT OF POCKET SINCE NOVEMBER 2014. ALSO FUEL CAP LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING AND GAS GAUGE DOES NOT WORK. BOTH ALSO HAVE BEEN REPAIRED AND ARE AGAIN NOW FAULTY

NHTSA ODI #11040010

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

94,000 miles · Feb 10, 2016
Exterior Lighting

PASSENGER HEADLAMP (DIPPED LOW BEAM) IS HELD IN PLACE BY FRICTION ONLY. NEW LAMPS INSTALLED FALL OUT OF SOCKET WHILE IN USE DAYTIME RUNNING AND NIGHT TIME VISION). NEW HARDWARE WAS PURCHASED PER MANUFACTURER ILLUSTRATION, BUT THERE WAS NO PLACE TO ATTACH HARDWARE TO BACK OF LOW BEAM SOCKET. ENTIRE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY (INCLUDING HI…

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PASSENGER HEADLAMP (DIPPED LOW BEAM) IS HELD IN PLACE BY FRICTION ONLY. NEW LAMPS INSTALLED FALL OUT OF SOCKET WHILE IN USE DAYTIME RUNNING AND NIGHT TIME VISION). NEW HARDWARE WAS PURCHASED PER MANUFACTURER ILLUSTRATION, BUT THERE WAS NO PLACE TO ATTACH HARDWARE TO BACK OF LOW BEAM SOCKET. ENTIRE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY (INCLUDING HIGH BEAM AND MARKER LIGHT) HAD TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #10825519

111,000 miles · Feb 1, 2016
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE LOW BEAM HEAD LAMP ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FAILED TO FUNCTION. IN ADDITION, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE LAMP AND THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE LOW BEAM HEAD LAMP ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FAILED TO FUNCTION. IN ADDITION, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE LAMP AND THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE FLASHED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

NHTSA ODI #10823493

285,000 miles · May 6, 2015
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ACTIVATED, THE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHICH IMPAIRED THE VISION OF THE DRIVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO INDICATED THAT THE POSITION OF THE LIGHTS WERE TOO LOW, BUT NO ADJUSTMENTS TO …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ACTIVATED, THE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHICH IMPAIRED THE VISION OF THE DRIVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO INDICATED THAT THE POSITION OF THE LIGHTS WERE TOO LOW, BUT NO ADJUSTMENTS TO CORRECT THE FAILURE COULD BE MADE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 285,000.

NHTSA ODI #10714972

127,000 miles · Jun 11, 2014
Exterior Lighting

THE HEAD LAMP ASSEMBLY OF THIS CAR IS CLEARLY UNSAFE. REPLACING THE CAR HEADLIGHT AND/OR HIGH BEAM BULB CAN RESULT IN LOOSENING OR BENDING THE METAL HOUSING THAT HOLDS THE BULB IN PLACE WHICH CAN RESULT IN A LOOSE BULB. A LOOSE BULB CAN BURN AND CAUSE A CAR FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10597781

Official recalls

7

24V834000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Oct 30, 2024

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.

18V247000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Apr 18, 2018

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.

18V148000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Mar 6, 2018

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.

17V509000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Aug 16, 2017

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.

16V078000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Feb 10, 2016

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.

06V470000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

Dec 12, 2006

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.

06V472000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum

Dec 12, 2006

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.