Problems · by component

2007 Volkswagen Passat air bags problems

111 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2007 Volkswagen Passat cite air bags, 41% of all 273 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 4 recalls on this component.

Complaints
111
41% of all complaints
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 29, 2025Fuel system, gasoline, Air bagsODI 11707536
“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 either Anchorage or Seattle, WA to have this repair completed. The vehicle has not been driven in years due to the fear of what could happen if there were an accident and the airbag deployed. Please help me resolve this issue as Volkswagen is not taking action on this.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 29, 2023Air bagsODI 11541436
“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 change the airbags in future.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 2, 2022Air bagsODI 11445877
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER MALFUNCTION INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, A SPEED WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HANLEES HILLTOP VOLKSWAGEN (LOCATED AT 3255 AUTO PLAZA, RICHMOND, CA 94806, (510) 283-6300), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,700. *BF CONSUMER STATED AIR BAG SIGN IS ON WAS TOLD NEEDS $2,000 REPAIRS CATALYTIC CONVERTER NOT ABLE RE PAIR $2500 REPAIRS THE BRAKE SYSTEM ALWAYS ON. NOT ABLE TO SUSTAIN REPAIRS ON THE CAR AND FEEL MY SAFETY IS IN DANGER.*JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 5, 2019Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11218032
“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V247000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THELEN AUDI VOLKSWAGEN MAZDA (1112 NORTH EUCLID AVENUE, BAY CITY, MICHIGAN 48706, (989) 684-2980) AND SUBURBAN CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM OF TROY (1790 MAPLELAWN DRIVE, TROY, MICHIGAN 48084, (248) 585-8800) WERE MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY IN 2017 AND BECAME MORE PREVALENT OVER THE COURSE OF ONE YEAR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 135,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 14, 2018Air bagsODI 11151404
“TAKATA RECALL: I BROUGHT MY 2007 PASSAT TO KUHN VW IN TAMPA, FL. AT FIRST THEY REFUSED TO FIX THE RECALL, BECAUSE VW WAS COMING OUT WITH ANOTHER ONE IN A FEW MONTHS AND THEY WOULDNT RECEIVE PAYMENT FOR THE FIRST ONE. I CAME BACK 2 MONTHS LATER IN JULY 2018 AND HAD THE RECALL COMPLETED. I DECIDED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WHEN I RETURNED FROM WORK IN OCT 2018 AND THE HORN AND STEERING WHEEL BUTTONS NO LONGER WORK, THE VERY NEXT DAY, I GET A AIRBAG FAULT ON THE DASH. I'M NOT SURE, SINCE KUHN NEVER SAID, IF THE TWO WERE RELATED. THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME $129 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC, WHICH I REFUSED AND COMPLAINED, THEN THEY DID IT FOR FREE AND STATED THAT ITS THE CLOCK-SPRING? I FIND IT IRONIC THAT THE CLOCK SPRING WOULD GO OUT AFTER INSTALLING THIS RECALL. READING SOME OF THE OTHER COMPLAINTS WHICH SOME HAVE STATED THE SAME PROBLEM. KUHN OFFERED TO REPLACE THE CLOCK SPRING FOR $400+, WHICH I CANT AFFORD.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 14, 2018Air bagsODI 11151437

Showing 6 of 111 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

4 recalls on this component

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Oct 30, 2024NHTSA 24V834000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Apr 18, 2018NHTSA 18V247000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Mar 6, 2018NHTSA 18V148000

Air bags: inflator module

Remedy pending

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.

Air bagsReported Feb 10, 2016NHTSA 16V078000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.