NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
262 reports46,000 miles · May 7, 2014
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY OVER A PERIOD OF SEVEN YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY OVER A PERIOD OF SEVEN YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.
NHTSA ODI #10587040
49,250 miles · Apr 17, 2014
Steering
CAR EITHER WILL NOT START OR SHUTS OFF. DISPLAY STATES "STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEFECT". THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKS UP, THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN, AND HIGH PITCHED ALARMS SOUND. CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALER AND REPAIRED UNDER SERVICE BULLETIN 4815, AT NO CHARGE. THIS HAPPENED IN 2011. THIS WEEK, IN 2014 THE SAME EXACT STEERING COLUMN LOC…
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CAR EITHER WILL NOT START OR SHUTS OFF. DISPLAY STATES "STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEFECT". THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKS UP, THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN, AND HIGH PITCHED ALARMS SOUND. CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALER AND REPAIRED UNDER SERVICE BULLETIN 4815, AT NO CHARGE. THIS HAPPENED IN 2011. THIS WEEK, IN 2014 THE SAME EXACT STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEFECT REOCCURRED. DESPITE THIS BEING A KNOWN DEFECT AMONG VWS, AND THIS BEING A FAILURE OF THE PREVIOUS "FIX" VW REFUSES TO DO A WARRANTY REPAIR BECAUSE IT IS "OUTSIDE OF THE 12 MONTH 12,000 MILE" WARRANTY ON REPAIRS. THIS IS IN MY MIND, A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN LOCKS AND THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, PEOPLE WOULD BE INJURED OR KILLED. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10583385
100,000 miles · Mar 7, 2014
EngineFire
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 ENGINE, THE OIL SPRAYED …
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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 ENGINE, THE OIL SPRAYED OUT AND TOUCHED THE HIGH TEMPERATURE AREA INSIDE THE CAR SO THE FIRE HAPPENED! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10567797
120,000 miles · Feb 27, 2014
Service Brakes
ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10566226
108,000 miles · Feb 22, 2014
Electrical SystemPower TrainService Brakes
PUT KEYFOB IN THE IGNITION AND IT WOULD NOT START. THE LIGHTS IN THE DASH ILLUMINATED BUT ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN. ALSO STEERING LOCK WARNING LOCK KEEPS BLINKING. CAR IS STUCK IN PARK, MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO HAVE IT TOWED, BEFORE FINALLY HAVING AN EXPERIENCED TOW TRUCK DRIVER DRAG IT ON TO A FLAT BED BECAUSE OF CAR BEING STUCK …
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PUT KEYFOB IN THE IGNITION AND IT WOULD NOT START. THE LIGHTS IN THE DASH ILLUMINATED BUT ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN. ALSO STEERING LOCK WARNING LOCK KEEPS BLINKING. CAR IS STUCK IN PARK, MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO HAVE IT TOWED, BEFORE FINALLY HAVING AN EXPERIENCED TOW TRUCK DRIVER DRAG IT ON TO A FLAT BED BECAUSE OF CAR BEING STUCK IN PARK, KEY FOB LOCKED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, HAS BEEN TOWED TO 3 DIFFERENT SHOPS WHO HAVE YET TO PINPOINT THE EXACT PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. ONE SHOP CLAIMED IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND THAT IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH HOWEVER WERE UNABLE TO FIX IT. HAS SPENT XXX AMOUNT OF MONEY HAVING IT TOWED TO SEVERAL SHOPS AND STILL NOT FIXED. FRUSTRATED!!!!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10565407
75,000 miles · Feb 12, 2014
Electrical SystemPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE KEY WAS UNABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT FROM PARK TO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE KEY WAS UNABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT FROM PARK TO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
NHTSA ODI #10564002
60,000 miles · Jan 27, 2014
Visibility/wiper
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR AND WINDSHIELD LINKAGES WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR AND WINDSHIELD LINKAGES WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 143,000. UPDATED 03/12/14*LJ *TR
NHTSA ODI #10561610
72,000 miles · Jan 17, 2014
Air Bags
THE AIRBAG DEFAULT LIGHT WARNING IS ON ON THE DASH BOARD. I WAS TOLD BY VOLKSWAGEN DEALER THAT THE AIRBAG IS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDES TO BE REPAIRED, THEY SAID THAT IT WAS NEVER BEEN RECALLED. I AM JUST WONDERING IF THERE IS ANY PREVIOUS RECALL FOR THAT OR ARE THERE MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. WHEN THE PROBLEM STARTE…
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THE AIRBAG DEFAULT LIGHT WARNING IS ON ON THE DASH BOARD. I WAS TOLD BY VOLKSWAGEN DEALER THAT THE AIRBAG IS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDES TO BE REPAIRED, THEY SAID THAT IT WAS NEVER BEEN RECALLED. I AM JUST WONDERING IF THERE IS ANY PREVIOUS RECALL FOR THAT OR ARE THERE MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. WHEN THE PROBLEM STARTED, THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 72000 MILES. ALSO I NOTICED THAT MOST VOLKSWAGEN REPAIRS NEED TO BE DONE BY THE DEALER ( IT'S KIND OF MONOPOLY). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10560321
80,000 miles · Dec 18, 2013
Electrical SystemSteering
SUDDEN FAILURE OF STEERING WHEEL. DISPLAY SHOWS "STEERING WHEEL LOCK". THIS COULD BE SERIOUS ISSUE IF IT HAPPENED DURING DRIVING. UNABLE TO START THE CAR OR TO GET THE CAR IN NEUTRAL GEAR. HAD TO TOW THE CAR TO THE VW SERVICE WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH STEERING CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10556549
62,000 miles · Nov 15, 2013
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG FAULT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
NHTSA ODI #10552432
Official recalls
7Oct 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
1EA11002 · 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.
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