IllustrationTWO SEPARATE INCIDENTS. FIRST OCCURRENCE 7/12/08., MILEAGE 18,185. OIL PUMP SOCKET BROKE RESULTING IN COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. ENGINE WAS REPLACED. SECOND OCCURRENCE 1/27/09. COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. CURRENTLY BEING REPLACED. *TR
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Passat years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
350–25K
2025–50K
3250–75K
1875–100K
39100–150K
22150K+
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
What owners actually said
262 reportsMY VEHICLE'S GAUGE CLUSTER HAS RANDOM LIGHTS THAT COME ON AND CAUSE THE DOORS TO LOCK AND NOT OPEN AND IT RESETS ITSELF AFTER 1-2 HOURS AND IT CONTINUES TO DO IT. *TR
WE HAD FEW FAILURES ON VW 2007 PASSAT WAGON; FIRST WAS A RECALL ON ONE OF THE SOFTWARE PARTS (APPROX 28 000 MILES); THEN AC PIPE SYSTEM RECALL; THEN WE HAD AN OIL LEAK (37 000 MILES-NO DAMAGE OR WARNINGS PRIOR TO THAT)-DEALERSHIP FIXED IT WITHOUT MUCH EXPLANATION; LAUD NOISE FROM THE ENGINE- GASKET ON ONE OF THE VALES IN THE EN…
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WE HAD FEW FAILURES ON VW 2007 PASSAT WAGON; FIRST WAS A RECALL ON ONE OF THE SOFTWARE PARTS (APPROX 28 000 MILES); THEN AC PIPE SYSTEM RECALL; THEN WE HAD AN OIL LEAK (37 000 MILES-NO DAMAGE OR WARNINGS PRIOR TO THAT)-DEALERSHIP FIXED IT WITHOUT MUCH EXPLANATION; LAUD NOISE FROM THE ENGINE- GASKET ON ONE OF THE VALES IN THE ENGINE FAILED (45 000 MILES)-NO PRIOR WARNINGS-FIXED WITHOUT MUCH EXPLANATION FROM THE DEALERSHIP EXCEPT THAT IF WE KEEP DRIVING? CAR WILL USE MORE GAS THEN USUAL... *TR
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. I WAS ABLE TO BORROW PLIERS FROM SOMEONE AND DISCONNECTED BATTERY CABLE. I HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, AND…
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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. I WAS ABLE TO BORROW PLIERS FROM SOMEONE AND DISCONNECTED BATTERY CABLE. I HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, AND THEY CALLED ME THIS MORNING STATING THAT THE COIL HAD AN INTERNAL SHORT. I ASKED THEM HOW I CAN BE ASSURED THAT THIS WOULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN WHEN PARTS ARE REPLACED AND THERE REPLY WAS " THIS IS VERY RARE". I HAVE A BABY LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD AND IT SCARES ME TO DEATH TO THINK WHAT MAY OF HAPPENED IF MY WIFE WAS DRIVING WITH MY CHILD. *TR
MY 2007 VW PASSAT HAS BROKEN DOWN 4 TIMES IN LESS THAN 3 YEARS WITH REAR BRAKE FAILURE. THE MFG. HAS NEVER FIXED THIS PROBLEM, AND IS UNRESPONSIVE TO MY NUMEROUS REQUESTS, TO REPURCHASE OR FIX MY VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A VERY SERIOUS DEFECT AS IT CAUSES MY REAR BRAKES TO BE INOPERABLE. THIS IS THE FIRST PRODUCTION YEAR FO…
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MY 2007 VW PASSAT HAS BROKEN DOWN 4 TIMES IN LESS THAN 3 YEARS WITH REAR BRAKE FAILURE. THE MFG. HAS NEVER FIXED THIS PROBLEM, AND IS UNRESPONSIVE TO MY NUMEROUS REQUESTS, TO REPURCHASE OR FIX MY VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A VERY SERIOUS DEFECT AS IT CAUSES MY REAR BRAKES TO BE INOPERABLE. THIS IS THE FIRST PRODUCTION YEAR FOR VW ELECTRIC REAR BRAKES, AND I BELIEVE THEY HAVE A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND EPC LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND THE ENGINE BEGAN MAKING A THUMPING SOUND. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING DIAGNOSED BY THE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND EPC LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND THE ENGINE BEGAN MAKING A THUMPING SOUND. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER, AND THE ENGINE IS BEING REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 21,670.
OIL PUMP BOLT FAILURE CAUSING COMPLETE CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. *TR
OIL PUMP BOLT SHEARED, CAUSING ENGINE TO SEIZE AND STOP RUNNING. WAS STRANDED. NO WARNING GIVEN. DEALER REPLACES OIL PUMP BOLT AND RELATED DAMAGED PARTS (OIL PUMP, TIMING CHAIN). OVER 30 PEOPLE AT THIS FORUM HAVE EXPERIENCED THE IDENTICAL FAILURE. HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/ZERO THREAD?ID=3462993 PLEASE MAKE VW OF AMERICA ISSU…
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OIL PUMP BOLT SHEARED, CAUSING ENGINE TO SEIZE AND STOP RUNNING. WAS STRANDED. NO WARNING GIVEN. DEALER REPLACES OIL PUMP BOLT AND RELATED DAMAGED PARTS (OIL PUMP, TIMING CHAIN). OVER 30 PEOPLE AT THIS FORUM HAVE EXPERIENCED THE IDENTICAL FAILURE. HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/ZERO THREAD?ID=3462993 PLEASE MAKE VW OF AMERICA ISSUE A RECALL TO PREVENT THIS BOLT FAILURE FROM AFFLICTING OTHER OWNERS OF 2006 - 2007 3.6L PASSAT CARS. *TR
A BOLT IN THE OIL PUMP FAILED CAUSING LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE ON HIGHWAY. ENGINE SHUT OFF AT SPEED IN MODERATE TRAFFIC. *TR
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. THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. WHEN HE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, IT SEEMED TO OPERATE NORMALLY…
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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. THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. WHEN HE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, IT SEEMED TO OPERATE NORMALLY. AFTER A FEW DAYS, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A RECALL ON THE ENGINE FOR UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF WHAT WAS ACTUALLY REPAIRED. THREE WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE MADE, THE FAILURE RECURRED, THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO THE BUMPER OF THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE HAS REMAINED THERE EVER SINCE. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE YET BECAUSE THE DIAGNOSTIC RESULTS INDICATE THAT NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VIN AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,434.
Official recalls
724V834000 · 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
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.