2007 Volkswagen Passat: won't start

Filed Sep 10, 2018 · Electrical, Steering · 78,700 miles · OR

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.

Filed Jan 9, 2018 · Engine, Fuel system · 78,000 miles · LA

Son was driving down highway and front end of vehicle started to shake then stalled and would not start. Towed to independent mechanic. Replaced hpfp ($1500). Now told the timing chain jumped and has to be replaced with timing sprocket, timing tensioner, and intake came shaft. Not sure if there is damage on engine bottom as well. The cost is over $2000. Vw does nothing but does acknowledge faulty parts. My sn could have been killed on the highway. This car has 78,000 miles. It should not stall at 65 MPH.

Filed Aug 12, 2017 · Steering · 5 miles · FL

The steering column lock is defective it will not start if it starts it stalls out locks up can cause a serious accident on the highway

Filed Dec 6, 2016 · Steering · 106,000 miles · CA

I have been experiencing a steering column lock defect warning on my dash and the car often will not start without repeated attempts. This appears to be a common and very expensive defect with passats and the vw passat blogs are full of complaints about this defect. I contacted vw and they were no help. The rep offered her sympathy but nothing as far as vw taking responsibility for the problem. It appears that this defect can result in steering wheels locking while driving, engines cutting off without warning, and the car not starting leaving drivers stranded. I will be delivering the vehicle to the local vw agency for repair and request that the federal safety agency require vw to reimburse all passat owners with this problem for all related expenses to correct this very dangerous defect.

Filed Nov 7, 2014 · Steering · 102,000 miles · WI

I put the key in ignition and the car does not start. Take key out and put back in and then it starts and says "steering column defective". I've read from other 2007 passat owners that they've encountered this problem too. They have stated that eventually the car starts shutting off randomly without notice.

Filed Aug 17, 2014 · Electrical · 153,200 miles · NJ

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.

Filed Apr 17, 2014 · Steering · 49,250 miles · WA

Car either will not start or shuts off. Display states "steering column lock defect". The steering column locks up, the engine shuts down, and high pitched alarms sound. Car was taken to dealer and repaired under service bulletin 4815, at no charge. This happened in 2011. This week, in 2014 the same exact steering column lock defect reoccurred. Despite this being a known defect among vws, and this being a failure of the previous "fix" vw refuses to do a warranty repair because it is "outside of the 12 month 12,000 mile" warranty on repairs. This is in my mind, a safety issue as the entire steering column locks and the engine shuts down. If this were to occur when the vehicle is being driven, people would be injured or killed.

Filed Feb 22, 2014 · Brakes, Electrical · 108,000 miles · VA

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!!!!!!

Filed Jun 5, 2013 · Acceleration, Engine · 101,000 miles · TX

My vw passat 2007 stalls and/or does not start. It has stalled while driving on the freeway and then sometimes does not start at all. Sometimes if tried after a while it may start. I'm told it is a high pressure fuel valve problem that is part of a recall but my VIN does not qualify for that.

Filed Jan 3, 2011 · Electrical · 56,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 volkswagen passat. The contact stated that the key fob failed and became stuck in the ignition. The steering column defective light has illuminated on the instrumental panel after trying to insert the key. The failure occurred on an intermittent basis. The contact was able to remove the key from the ignition after several attempts. The vehicle would not start and was not inspected by a dealer nor was it repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.

Filed Dec 24, 2010 · Steering · 34,000 miles · IN

Problem: heads up display in car says "steering column lock defective." car starts up, then stalls and the engine cuts off. This warning is displayed, along with three loud beeps. After this message is displayed, the car will not start up with repeated attempts at inserting the key. Tries to start, stalls, tries to start, stalls, etc. Sometimes it will start on the second attempt, sometimes I have to wait until the 30th+ attempt. Make the car very sporadic in its driving use with whether it will even turn on or not! Nothing seems to help this problem. Turning the steer wheel during start, depressing the brake, having the parking brake on, etc. It should be noted however that sometimes this problem does not occur at all. I will insert the key and it will start like normal. But then sometimes I will get the error along with multiple failed attempts at starting the engine. Planning on taking this car to dealer soon and hope that warranty will cover it.

Filed Nov 17, 2010 · 55,000 miles · CT

The car would not start. Took multiple attempts. Dealer replaced a module. Problem reoccurred. Dealer replaced relay. Problem reoccurred. Dealer now needs to replace entire steering rack for $2,000, but car is out of warranty and vw will not cover. Many owners are having similar problems .