repaired · 2026 Q3
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2007 Volkswagen PassatProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 262 owner complaints about the 2007 Volkswagen Passat, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 7 safety recalls, and for recall 18V-247 the manufacturer reports only 12% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 29, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2007 Volkswagen Passat has problems
262 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
106Air bags2 crash/fire/injury
34Electrical system2 crash/fire/injury
32Engine and engine cooling1 crash/fire/injury
31Fuel/propulsion system
28Engine3 crash/fire/injury
15Steering
13Power train
12Fuel system, gasoline
10Service brakes
5216 other systems3 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 106 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 34 | 2 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 32 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 31 | 0 |
| Engine | 28 | 3 |
| Steering | 15 | 0 |
| Power train | 13 | 1 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 12 | 1 |
| Service brakes | 10 | 0 |
| 16 other systems | 52 | 3 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
7 recalls
2007 Volkswagen Passat recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2019 Q3
Driver side: inflator module
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…
repaired · 2019 Q4
Driver side: inflator module
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…
repaired · 2019 Q3
Delivery: fuel pump
Risk. If the fuel pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Show 3 more recalls
repaired · 2018 Q2
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. 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…
no report yet
Windshield wiper/washer: motor
Risk. THIS COULD LEAD TO REDUCED VISIBILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
no report yet
Power assist: vacuum
Risk. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE POWER ASSIST CAN BECOME INOPERATIVE, AND THE DRIVER WILL EXPERIENCE INCREASED EFFORT TO APPLY THE BRAKES POSSIBLY INCREASING VEHICLE…
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Volkswagen.
Mileage at failure
When do air bags problems start?
99kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 34 air bags complaints. 50% were reported before 100,000 miles.
4under 30k miles17under 100k miles17100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2007 vs. every other Passat year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Passat median. How we score
'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2007 Volkswagen Passat safety ratings
2007 Volkswagen Passat Wagon w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2007 Volkswagen Passat, and the recalls they led to.
- Engine Compartment FireNo recall
In owners' words
What Passat owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The contact owned a 2007 Volkswagen Passat. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 18V148000(Air Bags) and 17V509000 ( Fuel System, Gasoline), and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted.
I am filing a complaint in regards to Volkswagen failing to offer a solution to repair the Takata airbag which was recalled. I have tried contacting VW numerous times over the past two years as I live in Juneau, Alaska, which is landlocked and the only option is to send the vehicle on a ferry to…
The Air bag fault message came on the dash. My VW Passat car was not involved in any accident. I took the car to VW dealer for the diagnosis for which I was charged. The air bag fault message is no longer there but I am sure my air bags have not been replaced. I have been advised that I may have to…
Own a 2007 Passat?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.