NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
79 reportsClear category filter37,000 miles · Oct 22, 2010
Electrical SystemSteering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE CONTACT STATED A LITTLE RED LIGHT BLINKED ON AND OFF AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT LOOKED IN THE MANUAL AND IT STATED THAT IF THIS LIGHT CAME ON THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK. THE MANUAL STATED THAT THE COILS IN…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE CONTACT STATED A LITTLE RED LIGHT BLINKED ON AND OFF AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT LOOKED IN THE MANUAL AND IT STATED THAT IF THIS LIGHT CAME ON THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK. THE MANUAL STATED THAT THE COILS IN THE DASHBOARD CONTROL THE STEERING AND DASHBOARD FUNCTIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE TOWED SINCE EVERYTHING LOCKED, INCLUDING THE WHEELS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 37000.
NHTSA ODI #10361696
72,000 miles · Oct 21, 2010
Electrical SystemSteering
2006 VW PASSAT HAS INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS STARTING (STEERING COLUMN LOCK, ETC - SAME AS EVERYONE ELSE) AND THEN ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING @ 55 MPH, MY CAR DIED. I HAD TO TRY AND GET OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. VERY SCARY! I TRIED TO RESTART WITH NO LUCK AND JUST ABOUT THE TIME I WAS READY TO GIVE UP, I TRIED ONE MORE TIME (WHILE…
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2006 VW PASSAT HAS INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS STARTING (STEERING COLUMN LOCK, ETC - SAME AS EVERYONE ELSE) AND THEN ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING @ 55 MPH, MY CAR DIED. I HAD TO TRY AND GET OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. VERY SCARY! I TRIED TO RESTART WITH NO LUCK AND JUST ABOUT THE TIME I WAS READY TO GIVE UP, I TRIED ONE MORE TIME (WHILE WAITING FOR AAA TO ANSWER THE PHONE) AND IT WORKED. I'VE HAD IT INTO MY MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE STARTING ISSUE AND THE DEALER GAVE ME THE "REPLACE THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN" THING. I HAVE BEEN HOLDING OFF BC ITS SO EXPENSIVE AND I CAN GO FOR WEEKS OR EVEN MONTHS WITHOUT HAVING THE PROBLEM, THEN IT FLARES UP AGAIN IN SPADES. MY BIGGEST CONCERN NOW IS THE MOTOR CUTTING OUT ON ME AGAIN WHILE I'M DRIVING. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL BASED ON THE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THIS SAME ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10361562
44,960 miles · Oct 4, 2010
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)
06 VW PASSAT, I WAS DRIVING AND THE ENGINE LIGHT, THE EPC AND ANOTHER LIGHT CAME ON AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR LOST ALL POWER AND WOULDN'T GO PAST 15 MPH AND 20 RPM. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING AND THIS HAPPENS, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. CAR HAS 44, 960 MILES AND NOT SURE IF IT'S UNDER WARRANTY, WILL FI…
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06 VW PASSAT, I WAS DRIVING AND THE ENGINE LIGHT, THE EPC AND ANOTHER LIGHT CAME ON AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR LOST ALL POWER AND WOULDN'T GO PAST 15 MPH AND 20 RPM. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING AND THIS HAPPENS, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. CAR HAS 44, 960 MILES AND NOT SURE IF IT'S UNDER WARRANTY, WILL FIND OUT TOMORROW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10359174
44,901 miles · Sep 30, 2010
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT MOVED FORWARD FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER AND STALLED. THE BATTERY LIGHT WAS DIM AND THE EPC LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT MOVED FORWARD FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER AND STALLED. THE BATTERY LIGHT WAS DIM AND THE EPC LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A BAD CELL IN THE STARTER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 44,901.
NHTSA ODI #10358511
50,000 miles · Sep 30, 2010
Electrical SystemSteering
MY CAR HAS HAD STARTING ISSUES SINCE I HAVE HAD IT. SOMETIMES, EVERYTIME I WOULD TRY TO START IT WOULD NOT START AND GIVE ME THE "LOCKED STEERING COLUMN" MESSAGE. IT WOULD STOP DOING THIS FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND THEN START AGAIN. FINALLY, AFTER 100,000 IT STOPPED COMPLETELY AND WOULD NOT START. IT IS $600 TO FIX IT BUT IT SEEM…
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MY CAR HAS HAD STARTING ISSUES SINCE I HAVE HAD IT. SOMETIMES, EVERYTIME I WOULD TRY TO START IT WOULD NOT START AND GIVE ME THE "LOCKED STEERING COLUMN" MESSAGE. IT WOULD STOP DOING THIS FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND THEN START AGAIN. FINALLY, AFTER 100,000 IT STOPPED COMPLETELY AND WOULD NOT START. IT IS $600 TO FIX IT BUT IT SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THIS ISSUE AND THEY HAD A RECALL ON THE STEERING COLUMN. WHAT CAN I DO? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10358488
116,800 miles · Aug 2, 2010
Electrical System
2006 VW PASSAT 2.0T . CONVENIENCE CONTROL MODULE FAILURE IS A RAMPANT PROBLEM . CAR WILL NOT START, SUNROOF OPENS ON ITS OWN, DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH THE WIRELESS TRANSMITTER . HAPPENS DAILY SINCE ABOUT MARCH 2010 . CAR PARKED NOW AWAITING REPAIRS DUE TO UNRELIABILITY AND SAFETY ISSUE RELATED TO THIS MALFUNCTION . *TR
NHTSA ODI #10346747
59,000 miles · Jul 7, 2010
Electrical SystemCrashInjury
2006 PASSAT PURCHASED OCTOBER 2009 WITH 48,000 MILES, ALREADY OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CAR NOW STARTS AND CUTS OFF IMMEDIATELY AND HAS CUT OFF AROUND 6 OR 7 TIMES WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS ON THE FREEWAY! I HAVE TO PULL OFF SAFELY BUT IN A HURRY TO AVOID POSSIBLE COLLISIONS. I WOULD LIKE TO START A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST VW FO…
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2006 PASSAT PURCHASED OCTOBER 2009 WITH 48,000 MILES, ALREADY OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CAR NOW STARTS AND CUTS OFF IMMEDIATELY AND HAS CUT OFF AROUND 6 OR 7 TIMES WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS ON THE FREEWAY! I HAVE TO PULL OFF SAFELY BUT IN A HURRY TO AVOID POSSIBLE COLLISIONS. I WOULD LIKE TO START A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST VW FOR NEGLIGENCE. THIS PART SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED, IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE THESE MODELS HAVE. I'M GOING TO CONTACT AN ATTORNEY FOR THIS. IF NOT I WILL SUE MYSELF TO RECOVER THE COST ASSOCIATED WITH THIS DEFECT. TO ALL THE OTHER OWNERS, BE SAFE!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10341926
38,000 miles · Jun 21, 2010
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT INTERMITTENTLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. HE BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE KEY FAILING TO SEND AN ELECTRICAL SIGNAL TO THE VEHICLE TO INDICATE THAT THE OPERATOR WAS ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT INTERMITTENTLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. HE BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE KEY FAILING TO SEND AN ELECTRICAL SIGNAL TO THE VEHICLE TO INDICATE THAT THE OPERATOR WAS ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS 40,000. UPDATED 10/27/10. *LJ
NHTSA ODI #10339281
56,000 miles · Jun 13, 2010
Electrical SystemSteering
THE 2006 -2009 VW PASSAT IS HAVING MASSIVE PROBLEMS WITH THE ( DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN LOCK ). THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ANTI THEFT MODULE AT THE BASE OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS IS HAPPENING TO PASSAT OWNERS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. I AM GIVING YOU AMMUNITION TO GET THE RECALL DONE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10336079
58,000 miles · Jun 13, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingSteering
SYMPTOM #1) CAR WILL NOT START OR IF IT DOES START IT WILL IMMEDIATELY STALL AND STEERING COLUMN WILL LOCK. AFTER MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH REPEATEDLY, REOPENING THE DOOR SEVERAL TIMES AND ATTEMPTING TO START THE PUSH IGNITION 5-10 TIMES IT WILL EVENTUALLY START AND RUN. SYMPTOM #2) MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE! CAR WILL…
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SYMPTOM #1) CAR WILL NOT START OR IF IT DOES START IT WILL IMMEDIATELY STALL AND STEERING COLUMN WILL LOCK. AFTER MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH REPEATEDLY, REOPENING THE DOOR SEVERAL TIMES AND ATTEMPTING TO START THE PUSH IGNITION 5-10 TIMES IT WILL EVENTUALLY START AND RUN. SYMPTOM #2) MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE! CAR WILL LOSE ALL POWER WITHOUT WARNING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS DEFECT CAUSES THE ENGINE TO STALL IMMEDIATELY, THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND THE LOSS OF ALL POWER CONTROLS AT SPEEDS AT LEAST UP TO 70 MPH. THERE IS NO WARNING FROM THE CAR ITSELF. THERE IS NO STUTTERING OR NOISE. SUDDENLY THE CAR IS JUST DEAD AND ROLLING ALONG AT EXTREME SPEEDS. THE FIX IS TO SHIFT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND ATTEMPT TO RESTART BY REMOVING AND REINSERTING THE KEY UNTIL IT STARTS AGAIN. THE DASHBOARD WILL LIGHT UP "STEERING COLUMN DEFECT" AND PROMPT A WARNING LIGHT FOR THE STEERING COLUMN AS IF IT WERE LOCKED FROM A CAR ALARM PROMPT. OCCASIONALLY, I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO RESTART THE CAR WHILE IN MOTION AND HAVE HAD TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS IS DONE WITHOUT THE AID OF POWER STEERING AND CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS IN TRAFFIC AND AT HIGH SPEEDS AS THERE IS NO WAY OF "KNOWING" WHEN THE DEFECT WILL OCCUR. THIS DEFECT IS OCCURRING DAILY. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. WAS TOLD IT WAS A DEFECT IN THE STEERING COLUMN REQUIRING A COMPLETE REPLACEMENT. ESTIMATED COST TO MYSELF WAS $1,000-2,000. CAR IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY (58,000 MILES). I BELIEVE THIS DEFECT IS NOT A RESULT OF ANY HABIT OF MYSELF AS THE DRIVER BUT RATHER A DEFECT IN THE WORKMANSHIP OF THE VEHICLE AND THE DEALER SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO A RECALL. A SEARCH ON GOOGLE ABOUT THIS ISSUE REVEALED THOUSANDS OF OTHER DRIVERS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM (STALL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, LOSS OF POWER STEERING, DIFFICULTY STARTING AND RESTARTING, POSSIBLE STRANDING OF THE DRIVER). I URGE A RECALL TO MOVE FORWARD IMMEDIATELY! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10336075
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 ↗