RoadVitals

2007 Volkswagen Passat Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
34
Latest Jun 11, 2022
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
13%
of 262 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2007 Volkswagen Passat submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 34 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

The 25 most recent of 34, in the owner's own words

ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Jun 11, 2022

To start off, this car has common failures of the High Pressure Fuel Pump Cam Follower. This poses serious risk of damage to the engine when the follower is blown throw and the car goes into limp mode and if this happens on road it could be catastrophic. There were no warnings that this was the issue besides researching videos on YouTube while getting a fuel pressure code to find out the cam follower was completely blown throw which means my engine has MANY METAL pieces inside of my engine. If I did not catch this soon the next failure would’ve been the CAMSHAFT. The camshaft going bad at and given moment could also be catastrophic on the road and possibly even spark a fire. Another issue is with the timing chain on specific FSI engines. If this chain snaps mid drive then your engine could potentially blow in the middle of the road causing an accident. This problem is known by Volkswagen and they have yet to take serious action in regards to this safety hazard. Another potential for catastrophic events is the wiring harness specifically the one that runs under the Vacuum pump. These wires are covered in oil from the vacuum pump being prone to leaking and any fluid that goes on top of it. I also discovered that near my ECU to that wiring harness there was a spot of gasoline in which I was able to determine when I smelt the fluid with a glove on of course. This year make and model of Volkswagen can cause serious harm to those driving ESPECIALLY on the high way. The wiring harness and all components around it soak with oil and when you take off the manifold fuel also gets all over it even when you try to prevent it as much as you can. This has caused increased idle in my vehicle while driving with and EPC light that makes the car stall out of no where. If it happened when I was turning my wheel it could’ve caused an accident on the road or even a driver to have road rage behind me. Please help myself and fellow Passat owners of this year stay safe.

NHTSA ID
11468771
Incident
May 25, 2022
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Feb 14, 2021

I WAS DRIVING AND 2 LIGHT CAME ON , THE BATTERY LIGHT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I RAN IT THOUGH A SCANNER AND THE CODES THAT POPPED UP WERE CODE P0087 AND P2293

NHTSA ID
11396193
Incident
Feb 14, 2021
Mileage
160,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Nov 9, 2020

JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR AND AT 94206 MILES ON IT I CAN'T SEE HOW THE AIR COMPRESSOR WOULD GO OUT AND I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR IT I WANT TO SEE IF THERE IS RECALL ON THIS AT ALL IT'S A 2007 PLUS THERE 2 RECALLS NUMBER ARE 1ST ONE IS 20AE- NHTSA RECALL NUMBER IS 17V509 AUGUST 16 2017 AND NOW 2ND ONE IS MARCH 15 2018 MANUFACTURER RECALL # 69Q9 NHTSA RECALL # IS 18V148 I DON'T SEE ANYWHERE IF THE RECALL WERE FIXED

NHTSA ID
11373840
Incident
Nov 2, 2020
Mileage
90,000 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Feb 11, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE MESSAGE "STEERING LOCK MODULE FAILURE" HAD DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE RANDOM STALLING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AND ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STARTED. DURING THE FAILURES THE MESSAGE "STEERING LOCK MODULE FAILURE" HAD DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED THE LOCAL DEALER SERRA OF TRAVERSE CITY(1747 S GARFIELD TRAVERSE CITY MI.) WHO DIAGNOSE STEERING LOCK MODULE FAULTY. THE MODULE WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

NHTSA ID
11308570
Incident
Dec 1, 2019
Mileage
137,000 mi
AirbagsElectricalEngine
Filed Jun 5, 2019

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

NHTSA ID
11218032
Incident
Jun 27, 2018
Mileage
171,700 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Sep 13, 2018

2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION *JS

NHTSA ID
11129008
Incident
Jun 14, 2017
ElectricalSteering
Filed Sep 10, 2018

THERE IS AN ELECTRIC STEERING COLUMN DEFECT WHICH MAKES THE CAR STOP ALL OF A SUDDEN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DRIVE. AFTER THAT, THE CAR WOULD NOT START EVEN AFTER TRYING FOR AT LEAST A MINUTE. THIS IS DANGEROUS AS THE CAR JUST STOPS WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING.

NHTSA ID
11128503
Incident
Sep 7, 2018
Mileage
78,700 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 13, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A GLITCH ACROSS THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE DUE TO THE REMEDY NOT BEING AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO CALL BACK IN A FEW WEEKS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11072501
Incident
Oct 3, 2017
Mileage
170,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Nov 22, 2016

CURRENTLY MY 2.0T 4 CYLINDER ENGINE IS EXPERIENCING FAILURES NOTED BY THE DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM WITH FAULT CODE P2181 COOLING SYSTEM PERFORMANCE ALONG WITH A CYLINDER 1 AND CYLINDER 4 MISFIRE. THE SUGGESTED REMEDY FOR THE P2181 ERROR IS TO REPLACE THE THERMOSTAT AND/OR THE WATER PUMP. IN RESEARCHING COMMUNITY FORUMS, THIS PAIRING OF ISSUES APPEARS WIDESPREAD. THERE IS A POSSIBLE MANUFACTURING DESIGN FLAW THAT CORRELATES THE FAILURE OF ENGINE COILS AND/OR PLUGS WITH FAILURE OF THE WATER PUMP AS THE WATER PUMP IS DRIVEN BY THE TIMING BELT. FURTHERMORE, THE FUNCTIONS ARE LINKED IN THIS WAY ALLOWING ONE TO CAUSE THE OTHER TO FAIL. THIS IS EVIDENT WITH A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AT ALL TIMES AND WHILE DRIVING THE MISFIRE WILL OCCUR BETWEEN 2000-3000 RPM AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO JERK AND STUTTER. THE MISFIRE CAUSES LOSS OF POWER AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHES.

NHTSA ID
10927510
Incident
Nov 22, 2016
Mileage
106,400 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Aug 25, 2016

I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. TOOK VEHICLE TO VOLKSWAGEN DEALER TO FIX PROBLEM THE NEXT DAY. THE DEALER TOLD ME THE INSULATION CAME OFF THE WIRES INSIDE THE DRIVER HEAD LIGHT ASSEMBLY. THE 2 EXPOSED WIRES TOUCHED AND SHORTED OUT THE CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO HAVE A HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY 3C0-941-005-AE AND CONTROL MODULE 3C8-937-049-AC REPLACED FOR THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT TO WORK.

NHTSA ID
10898626
Incident
Nov 8, 2015
Mileage
101,275 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jun 30, 2016

THIS CAR IS OUT RIGHT DANGEROUS.MY WIFE IS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESS WAY 70 MILES AN HOUR THE EMERGENCY BRAKES COME ON TO HER SURPRISE AND LOCK UP.THANK GOODNESS IS WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO THE OFFSIDE WITHOUT INCIDENT.IT SEEMS THIS A COMMON THING WITH THIS MODEL, THE GAS PEDAL ALSO CUTS IN AND OUT UNEXPECTEDLY CAUSING THE CAR TO JERK VIOLENTLY IN TRAFFIC. IVE JUST ABOUT HAD IT WITH THIS THING.

NHTSA ID
10881722
Incident
Jun 29, 2016
Mileage
150,222 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Jun 18, 2016

TAKATA RECALL AIR BAG FAULT LIGHT IS ON NON-STOP, A RECALL FOR AIRBAG IS ISSUED, CONCERNED THAT IF AIRBAG DEPLOYS I WILL BE KILLED BY THE SHRAPNEL. CAR IS NOT WORTH THE REPAIR TO THE AIRBAG FAULT LIGHT, AS THE AIRBAG IT WILL DEPLOY IS DANGEROUS. VW OF USA CANNOT HELP ME. CAN'T SELL THE CAR AS IS...TOO DANGEROUS. ALSO A WANDERING ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT CAUSES DOORS TO BE UNOPENABLE FROM THE OUTSIDE...NEVER KNOW WHICH DOOR OR HOW MANY WILL NOT OPEN. TODAY IT IS THE DRIVER'S DOOR.HAVE BEEN PAYING ON IT, BUT HAVEN'T DRIVEN IT (OUT OF FEAR) SINCE AUGUST '15. I OWE $2045 ON IT...WANT VW TO BUY ME OUT AND SCRAP IT. CAR WOKE UP WITH THE AIRBAG FAULT LIGHT ONE DAY. VW USA IS VERY SORRY FOR MY PROBLEM, BUT NO FIX AVAILABLE/NO BUYOUT.

NHTSA ID
10874999
Incident
Sep 2, 2015
Mileage
147,300 mi
ElectricalInterior & seatsPowertrain (other)
Filed May 23, 2016
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS WOULD NOT BE SECURED UNLESS THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK. THE FAILURE OCCURRED RANDOMLY. ALSO, THE GEARS RANDOMLY SHIFTED OUT OF PARK WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. WHILE PARKED AND UNATTENDED, THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY ROLLED IN REVERSE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND CRASHED INTO A HOUSE DOWN THE STREET. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE VEHICLE WOULD BE INSPECTED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON INFORMATION FROM A REPAIR SHOP OR THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 07/27/16*LJ *CN

NHTSA ID
10870388
Incident
May 1, 2016
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed May 3, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND INDEPENDENTLY ROLLED BACKWARDS WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ID
10862707
Incident
May 2, 2016
Mileage
155,000 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Apr 25, 2015

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON. THERE MIGHT BE A RESISTANCE ON THE AIRBAG SYSTEM CAUSING IT TO TURN ON. I READ THAT THE RESISTANCE VARIANCE WITHIN A FRONT SEAT SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG CONNECTOR CAN CAUSE THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO COME ON AND STAY ON, EVEN THOUGH THE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG SYSTEM IS FUNCTIONING NORMALLY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10712798
Incident
Mar 23, 2015
Mileage
100,000 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Dec 31, 2014

STARTED MY CAR TO WARM IT UP, CAME OUT TO DRIVE IT AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON. DEALER TURNED IT OFF TWICE BEFORE THE WIRING HARNESS AND AIRBAG HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS WAS A VERY COSTLY REPAIR AND I FEEL IT SHOULD'VE BEEN VOLKSWAGENS BILL, NOT MINE AS I DID NOTHING TO CAUSE THIS AND IT WAS CAUSED BY POOR CRAFTSMANSHIP, WHICH I DID NOT PAY FOR. *JS

NHTSA ID
10669283
Incident
Oct 25, 2014
Mileage
80,000 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Dec 4, 2014

THE PARKING BRAKE MALFUNCTIONS DUE TO AN ERROR IN THE ELECTRONICS SYSTEM BOARD. THIS ISSUE IS SEVERELY UNDER-REPORTED AS A LARGE PORTION OF CARS AFFECTED IGNORE OR RESET THE ERROR BY DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY EACH TIME IT APPEARS. THIS NEEDS TO BE AN OFFICIAL RECALL BUT VW REFUSES TO DO IT BECAUSE THEY CLAIM "NOT ENOUGH CARS ARE AFFECTED". *TR

NHTSA ID
10662218
Incident
Oct 16, 2014
Mileage
70,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 17, 2014

CAR WOULD NOT START TOWED TO INDEPENDENT VW REPAIR SHOP. WAS TOLD THAT THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK IS DEFECTIVE AND IT IS COVERED BY VW RECALL, HE WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR RUNNING. NEXT DAY WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IT EMITTED 3 BEEPS AND STALLED OUT WHILE IN MOTION UNABLE TO GET CAR RUNNING HAD IT TOWED HOME. CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA WAS TOLD THE IS AN OUTDATED SERVICE BULLETIN WHICH EXPIRED AS 02/2013 ALL REPAIRS ARE NOW ON THE CAR OWNER. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CAR STALLING OUT WHILE IN MOTION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10625862
Incident
Aug 5, 2014
Mileage
153,200 mi
AirbagsElectricalSeat belts
Filed Jun 30, 2014

ON 4/92014 THE AIR-BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHEN I STARTED THE CAR. MANUAL STATES THAT THIS INDICATES THE AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY WHEN THEY SHOULD BUT THAT THEY MIGHT DEPLOY RANDOMLY WHILE THE CAR WAS DRIVEN.I TOOK THE CAR TO OPEN ROAD VW IN MANHATTAN A VW DEALERSHIP & SERVICE FACILITY WHERE THEY FOUND "FAULT 2513" FOR SEATBELT SENSOR AND REPLACED IT UNDER THE CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED WARRANTY WITH WHICH THE CAR WAS SOLD. OPEN ROAD VW STATED THAT THIS REPAIR WAS COVERED UNDER THEIR 1 YEAR WARRANTY ON PARTS & LABOR AS WELL AS VW'S CPO WARRANTY. ON 5/14/2014 (MILEAGE 25,280), THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. AGAIN I TOOK IT TO OPEN ROAD VW. THEY FOUND A FAULT FOR THE PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT FORCE RECOGNITION SENSOR G453. FOUND DEFECTIVE BUCKLE AND REPLACED IT.THIS REPAIR WAS COVERED ONLY BY VW'S CPO WARRANTY AS, THE SERVICE REP SAID IT INVOLVED A DIFFERENT PART THAN THE FIRST REPAIR AND WAS THEREFORE NOT COVERED BY THE PARTS & LABOR WARRANTY PROVIDED BY THE DEALER. ON 6/23/2014, AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. FOUND 1 FAULT N200 FOR RESISTANCE TOO LOW, REPLACED CONNECTORS FOR BOTH FRONT SEATS., CHARGED $50.00 DEDUCTIBLE AS, AGAIN, THIS WAS A DIFFERENT REPAIR THAN THE LAST. I CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA'S CUSTOMER CARE AND THEY SAID I WOULD HEAR FROM A SUPERVISOR. THE SUPERVISOR E-MAILED THAT SHE WOULD CALL ME TODAY, JUNE 30, BUT I HAVE RECEIVED NO CALL. ON 6/28/2014 AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AT 10:PM COULD NOT TAKE IT THE DEALERSHIP ON SUNDAY BECAUSE IT IS CLOSED, BUT WROTE TO THE SUPERVISOR ON SUNDAY. CALLED VW CUSTOMER CARE THIS MORNING. SAID SUPERVISOR WOULD CALL ME, BUT ALSO THAT MY CPO WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AT MIDNIGHT JUNE 29, 2014. AS THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM THAT BEGAN IN APRIL I EXPECT IT TO BE COVERED. IT SEEMS POSSIBLE THAT THIS RECURRENT ISSUE WITH THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT MAY INDICATE A POTENTIAL DANGER TO ME AND OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10607010
Incident
Apr 9, 2014
Mileage
24,721 mi
BrakesElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 22, 2014

PUT KEYFOB IN THE IGNITION AND IT WOULD NOT START. THE LIGHTS IN THE DASH ILLUMINATED BUT ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN. ALSO STEERING LOCK WARNING LOCK KEEPS BLINKING. CAR IS STUCK IN PARK, MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO HAVE IT TOWED, BEFORE FINALLY HAVING AN EXPERIENCED TOW TRUCK DRIVER DRAG IT ON TO A FLAT BED BECAUSE OF CAR BEING STUCK IN PARK, KEY FOB LOCKED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, HAS BEEN TOWED TO 3 DIFFERENT SHOPS WHO HAVE YET TO PINPOINT THE EXACT PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. ONE SHOP CLAIMED IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND THAT IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH HOWEVER WERE UNABLE TO FIX IT. HAS SPENT XXX AMOUNT OF MONEY HAVING IT TOWED TO SEVERAL SHOPS AND STILL NOT FIXED. FRUSTRATED!!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ID
10565407
Incident
Jan 24, 2014
Mileage
108,000 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 12, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE KEY WAS UNABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT FROM PARK TO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ID
10564002
Incident
Feb 10, 2014
Mileage
75,000 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Dec 18, 2013

SUDDEN FAILURE OF STEERING WHEEL. DISPLAY SHOWS "STEERING WHEEL LOCK". THIS COULD BE SERIOUS ISSUE IF IT HAPPENED DURING DRIVING. UNABLE TO START THE CAR OR TO GET THE CAR IN NEUTRAL GEAR. HAD TO TOW THE CAR TO THE VW SERVICE WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH STEERING CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10556549
Incident
Dec 14, 2013
Mileage
80,000 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Aug 23, 2012

DRIVING HOME WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT MY CAR FELT LIKE IT JERKED FORWARD THOUGH MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. I STOPPED MY CAR BRIEFLY TO GET DINNER, TOOK A PHONE CALL AND DECIDED TO LEAVE. I PUT MY CAR IN DRIVE AND IT WOULD NOT TRAVEL FORWARD. I PUT IT IN REVERSE AND IT WOULD NOT RESPOND. I LOOKED AT THE DISPLAY WHICH INDICATED I SHOULD DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, I DID. THE MESSAGE DISAPPEARED BUT THE CAR WOULD STILL NOT TRAVEL. I CHECKED THE PARKING BRAKE BUTTON, IT WAS ON. I DEPRESSED THAT BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN OFF. EVERYTIME I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE THE SAME DEPRESS THE BRAKE MESSAGE. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP. IT WAS SUGGESTED I KEEP TRYING TO DISENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE. "THE CAR THINKS THE PARKING BRAKE IS ON" I HAVE NEVER USED THE PARKING BRAKE ON THIS CAR. IT CAME OUT OF THE SHOWROOM. FINALLY THE BRAKE DISENGAGED. MY SECOND STOP RESULTED INTO THE SAME SCENARIO. MY FEAR IS THAT THIS HAPPEN WHILE I AM DRIVING. I AM TAKING MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP IN A FEW HOURS IF IT WILL MOVE IN. THIS CAR HAS BEEN IDEAL UP TO THIS EVENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10471974
Incident
Aug 22, 2012
Mileage
57,235 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 11, 2011

HERE IS PROBLEM THAT I AM HAVING WITH MY 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE I AM DRIVING THE CAR SHUTS DOWN COMPLETELY. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME ABOUT THREE TIMES THIS YEAR . IT HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO BE IN 3 ACCIDENTS AND TO HAVE TO QUICKLY PULL OFF THE ROAD. I HAD THE CAR TOWED 3 TIMES TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE CAR LOCKS DOWN AND I CANT PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL TO TOW IT. IT TAKES AN EXPERIENCE TOW TRUCK DRIVER TO GET IN ON A FLAT BED WITH THE WHEELS LOCKED. THE DEALER IS TELLING ME THEY CANT FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT AND THEY CAN NOT GET THE CAR TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE, FROM THE FORUMS I HAVE BEEN READING VW TELLS EVERYONE THE SAME THING. I HAVE ALREADY PAID 2000 TO GET THIS CAR FIX AND VW STILL HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM, BUT FROM WHAT I AM READING IT SOUNDS LIKE IT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK ISSUE. VW NEEDS TO RECALL THIS, IT NOT MY FAULT THAT THIS CAR HAS THIS ISSUE. THERE NEEDS TO BE A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT. EVERYONE DRIVING THIS CAR LIFE COULD BE AT RISK, THIS CAR SHOULD NOT SHUT OFF AT 70 MILES HOUR WITH TRAFFIC BEHIND YOU... THIS COULD CAUSE A FATAL ACCIDENT AND IT WOULD BE VW FAULT! *TR

NHTSA ID
10439303
Incident
Dec 5, 2011
Mileage
100,000 mi
AirbagsElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 11, 2011

ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS FROM DAY ONE - CONSTANTLY A NEW LIGHT ON THAT NEVER STAYED ON. DRIVER'S AIRBAG ISSUE THAT VW SAYS IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT - A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS TO FIX A FEW MONTHS AGO, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND VW CHARGED US TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT CAME BACK WITH 12 FAILURE CODES, THE TWO MOST SEVERE BEING INTAKE RUNNER MOTOR AND HIGH PRESSURE PUMP. THEN, NOT LONG AFTER, THE CAR LITERALLY SHUT DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY AND WE COULD HARDLY GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD (MIND YOU NO PRIOR WARNING LIGHTS WERE PRESENT). THE ONLY ONE THAT CAME ON FOR A SPLIT SECOND WAS THE EPC (ELECTRONIC POWER CONTROL) LIGHT BEFORE THE CAR SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO VW DEALER WHO AFTER INVESTIGATING THE PROBLEM, SAID THAT THE ENGINE WAS SHOT. AND, I ALMOST FORGOT TO MENTION THAT THE AIR HASN'T WORKED FOR 2 SUMMERS. VW CLAIMS THAT THIS IS BECAUSE A BAD COMPRESSOR WAS PUT IN THE PASSATS. $1800 TO FIX. THESE ISSUES ARE COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE AND WE DON'T THINK ANY OF THE ABOVE PROBLEMS SHOULD BE OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY. VW NEEDS TO STEP UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR FAULTY ENGINEERING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10389861
Incident
Mar 7, 2011
Mileage
92,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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