NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
262 reports66,000 miles · Oct 26, 2013
Steering
WHEN I INSERT MY KEY IN COLD WEATHER MY CAR WILL DISPLAY " STEERING WHEEL LOCK" AND MY CAR CUTS OFF AND BEEPS LOCKS KEY IN IGNITION, RELEASES KEY AFTER A BIT AND LETS ME RE TRY AND STARTS, OTHER TIMES IT MAY TAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BUT HAS STARTED. I TOOK CAR TO DEALER THEY SAW NOTHING WRONG WITH IT BUT QUOTED A HIGH PRICE TO REPL…
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WHEN I INSERT MY KEY IN COLD WEATHER MY CAR WILL DISPLAY " STEERING WHEEL LOCK" AND MY CAR CUTS OFF AND BEEPS LOCKS KEY IN IGNITION, RELEASES KEY AFTER A BIT AND LETS ME RE TRY AND STARTS, OTHER TIMES IT MAY TAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BUT HAS STARTED. I TOOK CAR TO DEALER THEY SAW NOTHING WRONG WITH IT BUT QUOTED A HIGH PRICE TO REPLACE PART AND MENTIONED THAT ITS A COMMON OCCURRENCE! I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO SERIOUSLY BEFORE ANYONE GETS HURT BY STEERING LOCKING!! AND IT SHOULD BE RECALLED! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10549611
150,000 miles · Aug 21, 2013
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND ABNORMALLY TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE ALSO EXHIBITED AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND ABNORMALLY TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE ALSO EXHIBITED AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER 06V472000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
NHTSA ODI #10536528
101,000 miles · Jun 5, 2013
EngineFuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
MY VW PASSAT 2007 STALLS AND/OR DOES NOT START. IT HAS STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THEN SOMETIMES DOES NOT START AT ALL. SOMETIMES IF TRIED AFTER A WHILE IT MAY START. I'M TOLD IT IS A HIGH PRESSURE FUEL VALVE PROBLEM THAT IS PART OF A RECALL BUT MY VIN DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THAT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10515354
53,000 miles · May 7, 2013
Engine
ENGINE LOST POWER AND BEGAN MISFIRING. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER TELLS ME TWO DAYS LATER THERE IS CARBON BUILD UP AND NEEDS MANUAL DECARB. COST IS 1K. ENGINE HAS RUN ON PREMIUM FUEL AND HAS REGULAR MAINTENANCE. THIS IS A HAZARDOUS CONDITION FOR A VERY LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10511014
60,000 miles · Apr 4, 2013
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKING ASSIST SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. AFTER DIAGNOSIS, THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE BRAKE VACUUM LINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKING ASSIST SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. AFTER DIAGNOSIS, THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE BRAKE VACUUM LINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10507059
60,000 miles · Mar 25, 2013
Engine
OIL BOLT FAILURE ON 3.6L ENGINE RESULTING IN COMPLETE MECHANICAL FAILURE OF ENGINE. COST OF REPAIR IS APPROXIMATELY $6000 WHICH IS NOT COVERD BY ANY WARRANTY. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT IN THIS ENGINE WHICH VW DID NOT RECALL, BUT RECOGNIZED BY MAKING MADE SPEC CHANGES IN 08. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10504362
62,500 miles · Nov 21, 2012
Seat Belts
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY MY SON TUGGED ON HIS SEAT BELT AND IT CAME UNDONE. I PULLED OVER AND TRIED TO BUCKLE IT AT WHICH TIME I REALIZED THE LATCH WAS NOT WORKING. THE LATCH CLICKS SO IT SOUNDS LIKE IT IS SECURE BUT YOU CAN PULL THE BELT OUT WITH VERY LITTLE FORCE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10485424
104,547 miles · Nov 16, 2012
Air BagsEngineTires
WE PURCHASED OUR 2007 PASSAT 3.6L 4-MOTION WAGON AND HAD ISSUES WITH THE AIRBAGS FROM DAY 1 (LITERALLY), AND HAD THE DEALERSHIP REPLACE THE SENSORS UNDER BOTH SEATS WITHIN THE FIRST THREE DAYS. WITHIN A MONTH, WE BEGAN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM. NEW TIRES FIXED THE TPMS ISSUE FOR ABOUT A WEEK, THEN W…
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WE PURCHASED OUR 2007 PASSAT 3.6L 4-MOTION WAGON AND HAD ISSUES WITH THE AIRBAGS FROM DAY 1 (LITERALLY), AND HAD THE DEALERSHIP REPLACE THE SENSORS UNDER BOTH SEATS WITHIN THE FIRST THREE DAYS. WITHIN A MONTH, WE BEGAN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM. NEW TIRES FIXED THE TPMS ISSUE FOR ABOUT A WEEK, THEN WE BEGAN HAVING ISSUES AGAIN. A YEAR AFTER WE BOUGHT THE CAR, MY WIFE HAD AN ACCIDENT (REAR-ENDED SOMEONE), AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. WE HAD TO HAVE THE ENTIRE FRONT-END REPAIRED - $10,237 WORTH OF REPAIRS. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED, THERE WAS SO MUCH EXTERNAL NOISE THAN THERE WAS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. OVER THE NEXT 8 MONTHS, WE BEGAN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON (AND STAYING ON). WHEN THE CAR SHUT OFF ONE DAY, RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF (BUSY) TRAFFIC, I TOOK IT BACK TO THE REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT. THEY TOOK OUR 2007 PASSAT TO THE VW DEALERSHIP, WHICH MADE A BLANKET STATEMENT THAT NONE OF THE EXISTING ISSUES WERE RELATED TO THE WRECK. THEREFORE, THE REPAIR SHOP WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING MORE TO FIX THE CAR, AND SINCE THE CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIRS EITHER. ON OCTOBER 29, 2012, 14 MONTHS AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, AS IT HAD MANY TIMES BEFORE. HOWEVER, ON OCTOBER 30, 2012, THE ENGINE DIED COMPLETELY. WE'VE SINCE DISCOVERED THAT THE BEARINGS ARE COMPLETELY GONE AND WERE TOLD IT WILL COST US $7,000 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. BUT THAT STILL DOESN'T INCLUDE REPAIRS TO THE PREVIOUSLY EXISTING ISSUES WITH THE TPSM OR THE AIRBAG. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10484920
57,235 miles · Aug 23, 2012
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes
DRIVING HOME WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT MY CAR FELT LIKE IT JERKED FORWARD THOUGH MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. I STOPPED MY CAR BRIEFLY TO GET DINNER, TOOK A PHONE CALL AND DECIDED TO LEAVE. I PUT MY CAR IN DRIVE AND IT WOULD NOT TRAVEL FORWARD. I PUT IT IN REVERSE AND IT WOULD NOT RESPOND. I LOOKED AT THE DISPLAY WHICH IN…
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DRIVING HOME WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT MY CAR FELT LIKE IT JERKED FORWARD THOUGH MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. I STOPPED MY CAR BRIEFLY TO GET DINNER, TOOK A PHONE CALL AND DECIDED TO LEAVE. I PUT MY CAR IN DRIVE AND IT WOULD NOT TRAVEL FORWARD. I PUT IT IN REVERSE AND IT WOULD NOT RESPOND. I LOOKED AT THE DISPLAY WHICH INDICATED I SHOULD DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, I DID. THE MESSAGE DISAPPEARED BUT THE CAR WOULD STILL NOT TRAVEL. I CHECKED THE PARKING BRAKE BUTTON, IT WAS ON. I DEPRESSED THAT BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN OFF. EVERYTIME I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE THE SAME DEPRESS THE BRAKE MESSAGE. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP. IT WAS SUGGESTED I KEEP TRYING TO DISENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE. "THE CAR THINKS THE PARKING BRAKE IS ON" I HAVE NEVER USED THE PARKING BRAKE ON THIS CAR. IT CAME OUT OF THE SHOWROOM. FINALLY THE BRAKE DISENGAGED. MY SECOND STOP RESULTED INTO THE SAME SCENARIO. MY FEAR IS THAT THIS HAPPEN WHILE I AM DRIVING. I AM TAKING MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP IN A FEW HOURS IF IT WILL MOVE IN. THIS CAR HAS BEEN IDEAL UP TO THIS EVENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10471974
63,000 miles · Jul 28, 2012
EngineFuel/propulsion System
OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS, STARTING IN MARCH, WE HAVE HAD INCREASING PROBLEMS WITH OUR 2007 VS PASSAT WAGON. WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, OR STALLED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY JUST CUTS OUT AND DIES. THE CAR WILL RESTART AGAIN, BUT THIS CAN HAPPEN REPEATEDLY. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY BEGIN TO LOSE PO…
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OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS, STARTING IN MARCH, WE HAVE HAD INCREASING PROBLEMS WITH OUR 2007 VS PASSAT WAGON. WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, OR STALLED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY JUST CUTS OUT AND DIES. THE CAR WILL RESTART AGAIN, BUT THIS CAN HAPPEN REPEATEDLY. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY BEGIN TO LOSE POWER AND START TO DE-ACCELERATE FOR A FEW SECONDS BEFORE PRESSURE ON THE GAS PEDAL RECONNECTS TO THE ENGINE. IT'S TERRIFYING. WE HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN TO NUMEROUS SERVICE PROVIDERS (ALL AUTHORIZED VW) AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO DETECT A PROBLEM ON THE VW PLUG IN COMPUTER ANALYZER OR SEE ANYTHING WRONG ON VISUAL INSPECTION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10468074
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 ↗