2007 Volkswagen Passat: common problems and reliability

The 2007 Volkswagen Passat has 273 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 7 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and fuel/propulsion system. Owners most often flag below-average long-term reliability and high repair costs: very frequent complaints of electrical gremlins, interior trim failures (e.g., door upholstery peeling), and expensive repairs beyond routine maintenance. frequency: very frequent.

Safety record for the 2007 model year

273
Owner complaints
7
Recalls
4
Crash reports
6
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2007 Volkswagen Passat vehicles (US, public record).

Is 2007 a good year for the Passat?

Across the 23 Passat model years we track, complaint volume runs from 12 (2019) to 1,304 (2002). With 273 complaints, the 2007 Passat sits about the same asthe model's median of 243.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

air bags
111
fuel/propulsion system
36
electrical system
35
engine and engine cooling
32
engine
28

Recalls affecting the 2007 Passat

air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

Campaign 18V247000

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 inflato

air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

Campaign 18V148000

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

fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

Campaign 17V509000

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

air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

Campaign 16V078000

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 an

What owners say across generations

Sentiment is highly polarized and varies significantly by generation, engine, and market. For certain generations and powertrains, particularly the 2.5L 5-cylinder and pre-2012 TDI models, owner feedback is positive, praising solid build…

  • Below-average long-term reliability and high repair costs: very frequent complaints of electrical gremlins, interior trim failures (e.g., door upholstery peeling), and expensive repairs beyond routine maintenance. Frequency: very frequent.
  • Turbocharged gasoline (TSI) engine issues: carbon buildup on intake valves requiring costly cleaning, timing chain and tensioner failures (especially on earlier 2.0T engines), leading to catastrophic engine damage if neglected. Frequency: very frequent.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Passat. See the full Passat owner picture and every model year.

Typical used price

Used Passat listings typically run $9,995–$16,052 across 2012 to 2022 model years.

Other Passat model years

Compare every Passat year side by side to see how 2007 ranks against the rest.

Compare the Passat against its rivals