NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
79 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Jan 9, 2018
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WARNING INDICATOR FOR THE STEERING LOCK KEPT FLASHING. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE STARTED. WHEN THE VEHICLE FINALLY STARTED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WARNING INDICATOR FOR THE STEERING LOCK KEPT FLASHING. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE STARTED. WHEN THE VEHICLE FINALLY STARTED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V509000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE RECALL LETTER STATED THAT THE REMEDY AND PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE SINCE OCTOBER OF 2017. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE TO DETERMINE IF IT WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT *TR
NHTSA ODI #11061374
123,823 miles · Dec 13, 2017
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System
TAKATA RECALL-FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE: MY CAR WON'T START, MY KEYS GET STUCK IN THE IGNITION THIS HAPPENS WHEN ITS STATIONARY. MY BATTERY KEEPS DRAINING. THE COOLANT AND WATER PUMP ARE LEAKING. THERE ARE SENSOR ISSUES. DEFECTIVE LIGHTBULBS. THE VEHICLE SHAKES WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OR STREET. THE STEERING WHEEL LOSES POWER…
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TAKATA RECALL-FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE: MY CAR WON'T START, MY KEYS GET STUCK IN THE IGNITION THIS HAPPENS WHEN ITS STATIONARY. MY BATTERY KEEPS DRAINING. THE COOLANT AND WATER PUMP ARE LEAKING. THERE ARE SENSOR ISSUES. DEFECTIVE LIGHTBULBS. THE VEHICLE SHAKES WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OR STREET. THE STEERING WHEEL LOSES POWER WHEN TURNING CAUSING THE CAR TO ALMOST SPIN OUT OF CONTROL. THE BRAKES WONT STOP IMMEDIATELY WHEN COMING TO A STOP.
NHTSA ODI #11054629
169,000 miles · Nov 14, 2017
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFIC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V509000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE LOCAL DEALER (DAVID MAUS VOLKSWAGEN NORTH, 1050 LEE ROAD, ORLANDO FL, 32810) WAS CONTACTED, BUT WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 169,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #11046116
115,000 miles · Nov 14, 2017
Electrical System
WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE (INSERTING THE FOB), THE CAR WILL START BUT A FEW SECONDS LATER, THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF AND DISPLAYS THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE: "STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEFECTIVE." THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED WHEN FIRST STARTING THE CAR FOR THE DAY AND ALSO WHEN STARTING AFTER BEING RUN. AFTER SEARCHING ABOUT THIS COM…
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WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE (INSERTING THE FOB), THE CAR WILL START BUT A FEW SECONDS LATER, THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF AND DISPLAYS THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE: "STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEFECTIVE." THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED WHEN FIRST STARTING THE CAR FOR THE DAY AND ALSO WHEN STARTING AFTER BEING RUN. AFTER SEARCHING ABOUT THIS COMPLAINT ONLINE ON NUMEROUS FORUMS RELATING TO THE VOLKSWAGEN, I FOUND THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM EXPERIENCED BY OTHER OWNERS ACROSS DIFFERENT YEARS. THIS PROBLEM HAS EVEN OCCURRED WHILE PEOPLE ARE DRIVING AND IT SHUTS OFF THE CAR. I CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN THINKING THAT THEY SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE FOR THIS DEFECT AFFECTING MANY PEOPLE BECAUSE OF THE POTENTIAL SAFETY THREAT IT POSES TO THE DRIVERS. WELL, THEY DID NOT CARE THAT THIS PROBLEM IS HAPPENING AND THEY DO NOT THINK IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND WILL NOT PAY TO FIX IT. BUT HOW CAN IT NOT BE WHEN IT TURNS THE CAR OFF??
NHTSA ODI #11046015
120,000 miles · Nov 8, 2017
Electrical System
HEADLIGHT WIRING HAS LOST ALL INSULATION, ALL WIRES ARE NAKED. HIGH FIRE RISK. I NOTICED THIS JUST NOW BUT SEEMS TO BE LIKE THAT FOR YEARS AND OTHER HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM ON THE WEB. VW SAYS COMMON ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #11044649
120,000 miles · Nov 2, 2017
Electrical SystemPower Train
WHEN STARTING THE CAR THIS MORNING THE ENGINE CRANKED HARD BEFORE STARTING. THE BATTERY IS LOW. WHEN TRYING TO DRIVE IT THIS MORNING THE CAR TOLD ME I NEEDED TO DEPRESS MY CLUTCH PEDDLE. THE CAR IS AN AUTOMATIC, THERE IS NO CLUTCH. THE CAR IS UNUSABLE. I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY AT THE TIME.
NHTSA ODI #11042709
140,000 miles · Oct 30, 2017
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeats
TAKATA RECALL I WENT IN TO GET THE REPAIR A WEEK LATER AN AIRBAG FAULT CAME ON AND STILL ON. THEN TWICE WHILE I WAS DRIVEING ON HIGHWAY CAR CUTS OFF COMPLETELY THEN I HAVE TO PULL OVER WITH IT JUST ROLLING. THE STEERING SOMETIMES COMES ON AND SAYS DEFECTIVE THEN THE SUN ROOF OPEN CLOSES BY ITSELF. ALOT OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ALW…
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TAKATA RECALL I WENT IN TO GET THE REPAIR A WEEK LATER AN AIRBAG FAULT CAME ON AND STILL ON. THEN TWICE WHILE I WAS DRIVEING ON HIGHWAY CAR CUTS OFF COMPLETELY THEN I HAVE TO PULL OVER WITH IT JUST ROLLING. THE STEERING SOMETIMES COMES ON AND SAYS DEFECTIVE THEN THE SUN ROOF OPEN CLOSES BY ITSELF. ALOT OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ALWAYS HAVE TO GET SOMETHING FIX JUST PRAY THAT I DONT GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. THE HEATED SEATS DONT WORK NOMORE FOR SOME REASON ON DAY THEY WAS GOOD NOW NO AND ITS NOT THE FUSE.
NHTSA ODI #11041069
124,000 miles · Jul 6, 2017
Air BagsElectrical System
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE, HEADLIGHT, AND EPC WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURE…
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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE, HEADLIGHT, AND EPC WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE AUTO NATION DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER CANCELLED APPROXIMATELY FOUR APPOINTMENTS DUE TO NO PART AVAILABILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA ODI #11003234
Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2017
Electrical SystemEngineSteering
CAR WILL NOT START AFTER FLASHING SIGN OR IT COULD STOP ANYWHERE WHICH COULD CAUSE CRASH: STEERING - INSPECT FOR STEERING CONCERN - COMFORT CONTROL MODULE NEED TO BE REPLACED AT NO COST TO THE OWNER OF THE CAR - STEERING COLUMN CONTROL MODULE: ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK, HARDWARE NEED TO BE REPLACED AND PROGRAM CORRECT…
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CAR WILL NOT START AFTER FLASHING SIGN OR IT COULD STOP ANYWHERE WHICH COULD CAUSE CRASH: STEERING - INSPECT FOR STEERING CONCERN - COMFORT CONTROL MODULE NEED TO BE REPLACED AT NO COST TO THE OWNER OF THE CAR - STEERING COLUMN CONTROL MODULE: ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK, HARDWARE NEED TO BE REPLACED AND PROGRAM CORRECTLY AT NO COST TO THE OWNER OF VEHICLE AS IT IS VW PROGRAMING IS DEFAULTED.
NHTSA ODI #10955067
Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2017
Air BagsElectrical SystemVisibility/wiper
TAKATA RECALL
NHTSA ODI #10945802
Official recalls
7Oct 30, 2024
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's side front air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69EG, 69GQ, and 69E6.
Apr 18, 2018
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Aug 16, 2017
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2016 Volkswagen CC, 2006-2010 Passat and Passat Wagon vehicles. Interruption of electrical power to the fuel pump control module may cause the fuel pump to fail.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump control module, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20AE.
Feb 10, 2016
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2006 Volkswagen Passat sedans and wagons, 2005-2013 Audi A3, and 2006-2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Dec 12, 2006
ON CERTAIN '6' GENERATION PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL DURING HEAVY RAIN DUE TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE ENTERING THE WIPER MOTOR. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE WIPERS CAN BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD LEAD TO REDUCED VISIBILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPECIAL COVER AND SEALING KIT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 12, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-893-5298.
Dec 12, 2006
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.0L ENGINE WITH 147 KW MAY HAVE A VACUUM LINE THAT MAY FRACTURE AND BECOME DISCONNECTED AT LOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURES.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE POWER ASSIST CAN BECOME INOPERATIVE, AND THE DRIVER WILL EXPERIENCE INCREASED EFFORT TO APPLY THE BRAKES POSSIBLY INCREASING VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED VACUUM LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 12, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-893-5298.
Nov 30, 2005
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE LEFT AND RIGHT TIE ROD SECURING NUT MAY BE INSUFFICIENTLY TORQUED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AN INSUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED TIE ROD NUT MAY LOOSEN, RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF A TIE ROD. THIS CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND INSTALL NEW LEFT AND RIGHT TIE ROD SECURING NUTS AT THE PROPER TORQUED SPECIFICATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 7, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-893-5298.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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