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Cross-comparison · Comparison spans different vehicle types

2007 GMC Envoy vs 2007 Volkswagen Passat

Reliability comparison based on NHTSA recall and complaint records.

Synced 2026-05-03 Source: NHTSA public records Reviewed by ASE-certified contributors
Quick verdict
The 2007 GMC Envoy edges this one on reliability data

Reliability data favors the 2007 GMC Envoy (3.7 versus 3.2). These vehicles aren't a typical head-to-head comparison, but if you're cross-shopping them, the data is what it is.

More reliable

2007 GMC Envoy

3.7/5
Reliability score
276 complaints
0 recalls (0 critical)
$12,450 repair exposure
vs

2007 Volkswagen Passat

3.2/5
Reliability score
273 complaints
3 recalls (1 critical)
$12,750 repair exposure

Stories from the shop

The 2007 GMC Envoy edges this comparison on reliability data (3.7 versus 3.2). These aren't a typical head-to-head, but if you're cross-shopping them, the data is what it is.

If you lean 2007 GMC Envoy, know what you're getting into on electrical and fuel system. Those categories have noticeably more complaints than the 2007 Volkswagen Passat sees, and they're not cheap items when they go.

Going with the 2007 Volkswagen Passat? Watch the airbags and engine. The 2007 GMC Envoy has fewer reports in those categories, so you'd be trading one set of weak spots for another.

Bottom line: pick based on use case more than the spec sheet. If you tow heavy and don't want to think about it, that's one calculation. If you're a daily driver and want the cheapest path forward, that's another. Both of these will get you down the road. We're just telling you where each one is most likely to break.

— ProblemsByVin editorial team, drawing on the NHTSA data and shop experience.

Side-by-side by problem area

Category
2007 GMC Envoy
2007 Volkswagen Passat
airbags
9 reports
severe · ~$1,100
100 reports
moderate · ~$1,100
electrical
65 reports
severe · ~$850
23 reports
severe · ~$850
fuel system
74 reports
moderate · ~$1,200
11 reports
severe · ~$1,200
lighting
62 reports
moderate · ~$250
7 reports
moderate · ~$250
engine
9 reports
moderate · ~$3,100
52 reports
severe · ~$3,100
steering
6 reports
moderate · ~$700
15 reports
moderate · ~$700
visibility
19 reports
severe · ~$350
No reports
powertrain
No reports
12 reports
severe · ~$2,500
brakes
No reports
9 reports
moderate · ~$450
body
4 reports
severe · ~$1,500
No reports

Common questions

Which is more reliable, the 2007 GMC Envoy or the 2007 Volkswagen Passat?

Based on the NHTSA data we track, the 2007 GMC Envoy comes out ahead with a reliability score of 3.7 versus 3.2. The margin is clear, so the verdict could shift if you weight specific categories differently or factor in your own use case.

What goes wrong more often on the 2007 GMC Envoy?

Compared to the 2007 Volkswagen Passat, the 2007 GMC Envoy sees more reported issues in electrical and fuel system. That doesn't mean it's a bad truck — it means those are the categories worth budgeting for if you go that direction.

What goes wrong more often on the 2007 Volkswagen Passat?

Compared to the 2007 GMC Envoy, the 2007 Volkswagen Passat has more complaints in airbags and engine. Whether that's a deal-breaker depends on the cost and severity — see the comparison table above for repair cost ranges.

Which has more recalls?

The 2007 Volkswagen Passat has more active recalls (3 vs 0). Total count is less important than severity, though — a vehicle with one critical recall and zero moderate ones is generally riskier than one with five moderate recalls.

Is an extended warranty worth it on either of these?

Both vehicles are out of factory bumper-to-bumper coverage at this point. Combined repair exposure across the top problem categories runs around $12,750 on the higher-risk vehicle. A quality service contract typically costs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years, so a single major failure usually pays for the contract. The math favors warranty coverage on whichever vehicle you choose, especially if you plan to keep it past 100,000 miles.

Related comparisons

Reliability scores, complaint counts, and severity ratings derived from the NHTSA public records database. "Repair exposure" is the sum of average independent-shop repair costs across each vehicle's tracked problem categories and is intended as a relative comparison, not an exact prediction. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. Some links on this page are affiliate links.
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