Should I buy a 2007 Volkswagen Passat with documented airbags problems?

Depends on the price and the specific vehicle. Documented airbags issues should be priced into the purchase — if the seller is asking full retail, negotiate down by the expected repair cost. A pre-purchase inspection from an independent shop tells you whether THIS specific vehicle has already shown the symptoms or not.

2007 Volkswagen Passat airbags problems

moderate 100 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100

Complaints

100

Recalls

Crashes

Avg fix

$1,100

Related recalls

critical NHTSA 18V247000 18/04/2018

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc

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.

Fix: 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.

What owners are reporting 6 most recent

airbags · filed 12/19/2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THREE DEALERS WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTAC…

airbags · filed 12/17/2015

"TAKATA RECALL" MY AIRBAG LIGHT WENT ON AND REMAINS ON. UPON GOING TO A VW DEALERSHIP...I WAS TOLD "YA THAT MEANS THE AIR WON'T DEFLATE IF YOU WERE IN AN ACCIDENT". THEY NEVER WENT INTO THE CAR! I WAS TOLD FOR THEM TO RUN A TEST IT WOULD COST 125.00. I COULDN'T BELIEVE WHAT I WAS HEARING FROM A VW DEALERSHIP. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE RESOLVED WITH A COST TO THE CUSTOMER. I THEN WENT O…

airbags · filed 12/15/2014

AIR BAG FAULT INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. *TR

airbags · filed 12/10/2016

TAKATA RECALL. MY CAR WAS RECALLED IN FEBRUARY 2016 AND I STILL DON'T HAVE PLACEMENT PARTS AVAILABLE TO ME. THIS IS A DISGRACE. I AM THE MOTHER OF A SMALL CHILD AND MY LIFE COULD BE IN JEOPARDY FROM MY DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG.

airbags · filed 12/09/2016

TAKATA RECALL. WAS TOLD IT WOULD TAKE OVER A YEAR TO GET THE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG. WANT IT FASTER!!!!

airbags · filed 12/05/2017

TAKATA RECALL THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DOESN'T WORK ACCORDING TO MY LENDING BANK. I FOUND THIS OUT WHEN I REFINANCED THROUGH THEM.

Common questions

How serious is the airbags problem on the 2007 Volkswagen Passat?

It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 100 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.

At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?

Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.

What does it cost to fix?

Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.

Are there any recalls related to airbags?

Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover airbags issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.