IllustrationWHEN STOPPED THE ENGINE RPM'S HAS INTERMITTENTLY RAISE SUBSTANTIALLY, TO THE ~1500-2000 RPM RANGE. ALMOST LIKE IT'S RACING. THIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO HOLD THE CAR STOPPED. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
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 reportsON HOT DAYS ENGINE RPM'S RAISE SUBSTANTIALLY, TO THE ~1K RPM RANGE. ALMOST LIKE IT'S RACING. THIS ALSO MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO HOLD THE CAR STOPPED WHEN THIS OCCURS. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHEN DECELERATING TO A STOP, THE ENGINE REVS MORE THAN NORMAL. THE FAILURE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 600.
THE ENGINE STOPPED WITHOUT ANY EXPLANATION IN THE HIGH SPEED LANE ( FULL TANK OF GAS) WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON I-91. I COULD NOT START ENGINE AGAIN ON FREEWAY. FORTUNATELY, WE DIDN'T HAVE AN ACCIDENT. AAA AND POLICE CAME THERE WITHIN FIVE MINUTES AND WE COULD GET OFF THE FREEWAY BY TOWING. BEFORE STOPPING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT …
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THE ENGINE STOPPED WITHOUT ANY EXPLANATION IN THE HIGH SPEED LANE ( FULL TANK OF GAS) WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON I-91. I COULD NOT START ENGINE AGAIN ON FREEWAY. FORTUNATELY, WE DIDN'T HAVE AN ACCIDENT. AAA AND POLICE CAME THERE WITHIN FIVE MINUTES AND WE COULD GET OFF THE FREEWAY BY TOWING. BEFORE STOPPING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND EPC LIGHTS CAME ON. MY CAR IS VERY NEW. I'VE JUST DRIVEN MY CAR ONLY FOR TWO WEEKS. THE MILEAGE OF MY CAR IS ABOUT 900 MILES. *TR
COMPLETE/CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE AT APPROX 1,800 MILES. DEALER STATED BOLT RELATING TO TIMING CHAIN FAILED, CAUSING SERIOUS INTERNAL ENGINE DAMAGE. VEHICHLE WAS REPLACED, BUT NEW VEHICLE HAS SAME ENGINE, AND MANY OTHERS WITH SAME ENGINE ARE HAVING SIMILAR FAILURES.
NO THROTTLE RESPONSE, LONG ACCELERATOR PEDAL REPSONSE FROM A STANDING START OR ROLLING START. TRYING TO MOVE INTO TRAFFIC IS DANGEROUS, PRESS ON THE PEDAL EVEN FLOOR IT AND NOTHING HAPPENS, STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION COMING INTO TRAFFIC, THEN EVENTUALLY, ALL 280 HP COME ON AND THE CAR ALMOST GETS OUT OF CONTROL IF TU…
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NO THROTTLE RESPONSE, LONG ACCELERATOR PEDAL REPSONSE FROM A STANDING START OR ROLLING START. TRYING TO MOVE INTO TRAFFIC IS DANGEROUS, PRESS ON THE PEDAL EVEN FLOOR IT AND NOTHING HAPPENS, STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION COMING INTO TRAFFIC, THEN EVENTUALLY, ALL 280 HP COME ON AND THE CAR ALMOST GETS OUT OF CONTROL IF TURNING. THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. THIS IS A NEW CAR, I HAVE HAD THE CAR SINCE 4/14/07 AND FINALLY TAKING IT TO THE DEALER NEXT WEEK TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO. *TR
WITH JUST 12,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER THE 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 3.6L 4-MOTION WAGON, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON A BLOCK FROM THE HOUSE. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP RIGHT AWAY AND BROUGHT THE CAR IN THE NEXT MORNING. TURNS OUT THAT MY CAR'S ENGINE HAD A FAIRLY RECENTLY DISCOVERED KNOWN ISSUE WITH SOME SORT OF BOLT IN THE OIL…
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WITH JUST 12,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER THE 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 3.6L 4-MOTION WAGON, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON A BLOCK FROM THE HOUSE. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP RIGHT AWAY AND BROUGHT THE CAR IN THE NEXT MORNING. TURNS OUT THAT MY CAR'S ENGINE HAD A FAIRLY RECENTLY DISCOVERED KNOWN ISSUE WITH SOME SORT OF BOLT IN THE OIL PUMP THAT IS SOMEHOW RELATED TO THE TIMING CHAINS. APPARENTLY, IT'S A NEWLY DISCOVERED DESIGN DEFECT THAT ALLOWS THIS BOLT TO BACK ITSELF OUT AND CREATE BIG PROBLEMS - EVEN CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. AT FIRST, THE DEALERSHIP ORDERED A REPLACEMENT OIL PUMP AS A FIX BUT THE MASTER TECH WHO WAS WORKING ON MY CAR WAS CONCERNED THAT OTHER UNSEEN DAMAGE MIGHT HAVE BEEN DONE AN APPEALED TO VWOA FOR A TOTAL ENGINE REPLACEMENT. VWOA MUST HAVE AGREED WITH THE VALIDITY OF HIS CONCERNS AND AUTHORIZED A FULL ENGINE REPLACEMENT. MY CAR'S BUILD DATE WAS 11/05 . I HAVE ALSO READ FORUM POSTS FROM SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS WHO HAVE ALSO HAD THIS PROBLEM (HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/ZEROTHREAD?ID=3193697). *AK
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A BRITAX REGENT CLASSIC CHILD RESTRAINT (MODEL # E9L39C5). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BASE OF THE SAFETY SEAT DOES NOT PROPERLY SECURE IN HIS 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT STATION WAGON OR IN HIS 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURED DATE WAS NOVEMBER 10, 2005.
MY CAR STOPPED WORKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WITH MY FIVE YEAR OLD SON. WE WERE LUCKY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO, THE CAR WAS ONLY 4 MONTHS OLD AND HAS ONLY ABOUT 2500 MILES, AND APPARENTLY THEY INSTALLED IT INCOR…
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MY CAR STOPPED WORKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WITH MY FIVE YEAR OLD SON. WE WERE LUCKY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO, THE CAR WAS ONLY 4 MONTHS OLD AND HAS ONLY ABOUT 2500 MILES, AND APPARENTLY THEY INSTALLED IT INCORRECTLY OR ITWAS FAULTY. THEY CLAIMED THAT I RAN OUT OF GAS, ALTHOUGH THE GAUGE READ THAT I HAD HALF A TANK. *AK
PIRELLI 235/40R18 TIRES ON A BRAND NEW 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT (OEM TIRES) DEVELOPED A SIDEWALL BULGE (NO EXCESSIVE SPEEDING, NO POTHOLES, AND NO CURBS ENCOUNTERED). IN LESS THAN 4,000 MILES, THE TIRE DEVELOPED SIDEWALL BUBBLES. MANY OTHERS REPORT THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THESE MODEL TIRES (FOUR SEASONS P6) HAVING SOFT SIDEWALLS THA…
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PIRELLI 235/40R18 TIRES ON A BRAND NEW 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT (OEM TIRES) DEVELOPED A SIDEWALL BULGE (NO EXCESSIVE SPEEDING, NO POTHOLES, AND NO CURBS ENCOUNTERED). IN LESS THAN 4,000 MILES, THE TIRE DEVELOPED SIDEWALL BUBBLES. MANY OTHERS REPORT THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THESE MODEL TIRES (FOUR SEASONS P6) HAVING SOFT SIDEWALLS THAT CAN RUPTURE, HOWEVER PIRELLI HAS NOT BEEN AT ALL WILLING TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM BY REPLACING THE TIRES. THEY CLAIM ROAD DAMAGE, HOWEVER THERE IS NO ROAD DAMAGE TO FOUND ON THE TIRE, OR ANYWHERE ELSE ON MY VEHICLE. HAD I BEEN AT HIGH SPEED, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL IF THE TIRE(S) WERE TO RUPTURE. THESE TIRES ARE DANGEROUS. *TR
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.