2007 Volkswagen Passat Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2007 Volkswagen Passat has 262 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 65, and 7 recalls, ranking 7th worst out of 18 model years. It earns a Caution verdict, driven mainly by airbag complaints (40% of all complaints) and engine fires reported by owners.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 65/100
- #7 of 18 Passat years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 262
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 7
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 6
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18 city / 27 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2007 Volkswagen Passat problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags106 (40%)
- Engine64 (24%)
- Fuel System42 (16%)
- Electrical System41 (16%)
- Brakes16 (6%)
- Steering15 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain13 (5%)
- Other12 (5%)
- Structure & Body9 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers8 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report engines revving on their own or surging while approaching a stop with the brake depressed.
- Several owners describe engine compartment fires, sometimes with flames visible under the hood or smoke from the dashboard while driving or parked.
- Owners report a coil pack cracking and catching fire, in one case near 46,400 miles.
- Multiple reports describe the driver's frontal airbag failing to deploy in a crash, leaving occupants injured.
- One owner reported doors failing to secure and the transmission randomly shifting out of park, causing the car to roll away unattended.
- An owner noted shuddering or vibration between 65 and 80 mph traced to improperly torqued lug bolts.
2007 Volkswagen Passat recalls
7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V834000Oct 30, 2024Airbags248,330 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 18V247000Apr 18, 2018Airbags71,335 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 18V148000Mar 6, 2018Airbags363,713 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
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.
Risk: 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.
2007 Volkswagen Passat fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,825
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2007 compared with other Passat years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2007 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
- NHTSA data shows 262 complaints and a complaint index of 65 for the 2007 Passat, ranking 7th worst among 18 model years. It carries a Caution verdict relative to other Passat years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2007 Volkswagen Passat?
- Airbags account for 40% of complaints (106 complaints), followed by engine problems at 24% (64 complaints) and fuel system issues at 16% (42 complaints).
- Does the 2007 Volkswagen Passat have an airbag recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists three separate airbag recalls covering the 2007 Passat, including inflator replacement campaigns from 2016, 2018, and 2024.
- How does the 2007 Passat compare to other Passat years?
- The 2007 Passat's complaint index of 65 is worse than the 2005 (41) and 2008 (53) but better than the 2006 (82), 2012 (88), and 2013 (100) model years, which are rated Avoid.
- At what mileage do 2007 Passat airbag problems appear?
- NHTSA data lists a median mileage of 71,000 miles at failure for the 2007 Passat overall, with airbag complaints showing a median mileage of 98,500 miles.