NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
64 reportsClear category filter107,228 miles · Jun 23, 2014
Engine
DRIVING DOWN MAJOR RD AND GET A MESS ON DASH THAT SAYS STOP SHUT OFF OIL PRESSURE OWNERS MANUAL. HAD CAR TOWED TO VOLKSWAGEN TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM AND THEY STATE IT'S A TURBO CHARGER EXHAUST HOSE LOOSE. THEY TELL ME CAR IS FIXED NOW AND SHOULDN'T HAVE ANYMORE PROBLEMS. PAID FOR REPAIR DROVE CAR AWAY WITHIN 59 MINS THE SAME MESS CO…
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DRIVING DOWN MAJOR RD AND GET A MESS ON DASH THAT SAYS STOP SHUT OFF OIL PRESSURE OWNERS MANUAL. HAD CAR TOWED TO VOLKSWAGEN TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM AND THEY STATE IT'S A TURBO CHARGER EXHAUST HOSE LOOSE. THEY TELL ME CAR IS FIXED NOW AND SHOULDN'T HAVE ANYMORE PROBLEMS. PAID FOR REPAIR DROVE CAR AWAY WITHIN 59 MINS THE SAME MESS COMES ON WITH DAUGHTER IN CAR. CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN BC I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE CAR. THEY HAVE IT TOWED NEXT MORNING AND TELL ME IT'S THE ENGINE. THEY MISDIAGNOSED CAR BC NOW ENGINE HAS STOPPED COMPLETELY. CAR SHUT DOWN ON BUSY INTERSTATE CAR HAS BEEN GIVING ME ISSUES SINCE DAY 1. NOT SAFE AT ALL! PLS HELP CONSUMERS. I READ THIS ENGINE DOES THIS A LOT. RECALLS ARE NEED!! VOLKSWAGEN KNOWS ITS A DEFECT BUT DOES NOTHING. ESPECIALLY IF WARRANTY IS OUT. LEMON AND DANGEROUS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10605225
65,000 miles · Jun 20, 2014
Engine
OIL PUMP BOLT FAILURE. BOLT SIMPLY BACKED OUT CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE AND COULD HAVE CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SEIZE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND VW REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE OR REMEDY THE PROBLEM. AFTER A COSTLY REPAIR IN 2011, IT APPEARS TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM NOW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10604763
138,000 miles · Jun 19, 2014
Engine
ON THE HIGHWAY GOING OVER A HILL APPARENTLY THE OIL PUMP BOLT THAT HOLDS THE SPROCKET BROKE CAUSING THE CAR TO DRIVE WITH A SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF POWER AND ROUGH IDLE. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO A QUALIFIED REPAIR SHOP THAT WAS ABLE TO FIX IT BEFORE IT RUINED THE ENGINE. THE REPAIR SHOP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS COMPLETELY…
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ON THE HIGHWAY GOING OVER A HILL APPARENTLY THE OIL PUMP BOLT THAT HOLDS THE SPROCKET BROKE CAUSING THE CAR TO DRIVE WITH A SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF POWER AND ROUGH IDLE. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO A QUALIFIED REPAIR SHOP THAT WAS ABLE TO FIX IT BEFORE IT RUINED THE ENGINE. THE REPAIR SHOP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS COMPLETELY DUE TO A FAULTY OIL PUMP BOLT. THEY SAID I WAS LUCKY THAT THE BOLT MANAGED TO STAY MORE OR LESS IN PLACE EVEN THOUGH IT WAS SNAPPED IN HALF OTHERWISE IT WOULD HAVE DESTROYED THE ENGINE. I HAVE SUPPORTING REPAIR DOCUMENTATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10604507
109,000 miles · May 9, 2014
EnginePower Train
STARTED DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, AT 55MPH SUDDENLY THE CAR LOST POWER AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON CAR WOULDN'T START AFTER I PULLED OVER, LOUD NOISE AND VIBRATING CAME FROM ENGINE ALSO CRA INDICATED LOW OIL PRESSURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10587384
143,000 miles · Mar 28, 2014
Engine
ENGINE IS DEAD THANKS TO VOLKSWAGEN WHO HAVE NOT MAKE A OFFICIAL RECALL OVER THIS DEFECTIVE OIL PUMP BOLT - LOTS OF PEOPLE MOST OF THEM GET THIS CARS OUT OF WARRANTY LIKE MY CASE WHO ARE GETTING THIS CAR PREOWNED WILL FACE SAME ISSUES UNLESS VW TAKE ACTION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10575352
107,000 miles · Mar 3, 2014
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND LOSE POWER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WOULD FLASH INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND LOSE POWER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WOULD FLASH INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION CORD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10566831
90,335 miles · Dec 5, 2013
Engine
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, WE TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP AND HAD REPAIRS DONE INCLUDING OIL CHANGE, AFTER A DAY OF DRIVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, RETURNED TO DEALER, MORE REPAIRS WERE DONE, PAID AROUND $3,000 IN REPAIRS TO TIMING BELT, TENSIONER, GUIDE PULLEYS, AND WATER PUMP. AFTER THAT REPAIR, THE LIGHT AGAIN CAME O…
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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, WE TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP AND HAD REPAIRS DONE INCLUDING OIL CHANGE, AFTER A DAY OF DRIVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, RETURNED TO DEALER, MORE REPAIRS WERE DONE, PAID AROUND $3,000 IN REPAIRS TO TIMING BELT, TENSIONER, GUIDE PULLEYS, AND WATER PUMP. AFTER THAT REPAIR, THE LIGHT AGAIN CAME ON AND RETURNED TO DEALER, WAS TOLD THAT METAL WAS FOUND IN OIL FILTER HOUSING AND ENGINE WILL NEED REPLACED TO ADDRESS THE CONCERN. COULD NOT AFFORD AT THAT TIME AND WAS NOT INFORMED IT COULD NOT BE DRIVEN, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS OFF AND WERE TOLD THAT UPON ACCELERATION FROM STOP THE METALS WOULD SCRAPE. CAR WAS STILL OPERABLE, C/E LIGHT WAS OFF AND NEEDED FOR TRANSPORTATION TO WORK AND AFTER 3 TRIPS TO AND FROM REPAIR SHOP (3 RIVERS VOLKSWAGEN) AND ALL OF THE MONEY ALREADY SPENT ON REPAIRS TO "FIX" THE SAME ISSUE LEADING UP TO THIS, I WAS NOT ABLE TO DO THAT AT THE TIME, AS WELL AS BEING SKEPTICAL OF PAYING $9K MORE! WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE OIL PUMP BOLT FAILED COMPLETELY AND CAUSED ENGINE TO CEASE. LATER LEARNED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON ISSUE ON THE 2006 VW PASSAT 2.0T ENGINES AND THAT IT CAN CAUSE CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE, THAT VW WAS AWARE OF THE DESIGN FLAW AND HAS MANUFACTURED A REPLACEMENT BOLT BUT HAS NEVER ISSUED A RECALL AND DOES NOT INFORM OWNERS OF THESE CARS THAT THERE IS POTENTIAL FOR THIS ENGINE FAILURE. HTTP://WWW.FAQS.ORG/CAR/VOLKSWAGEN-PASSAT-2006/ENGINE/#IXZZ2MCKGQSG2 I WAS LUCKY NOT TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT AS THE ENGINE FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, AND HAD TO GET A TOW HOME. THIS IS A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN FOR MANY LIKE MYSELF WHO WERE NEVER TOLD THE ENGINE MAY CEASE AND COULD RESULT IN PEOPLE BEING INJURED OR KILLED. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS AS THERE ARE MANY OTHERS HAVING THIS EXACT ISSUE ON THIS CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10554929
126,000 miles · Oct 9, 2013
Engine
3.6 OIL BOLT FAILURE REQUIRES COMPLETE MOTOR REPLACEMENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10547405
Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2013
Electrical SystemEngine
ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS (ALMOST EVERY DAY) I WILL TRY TO START THE CAR AND IT WILL DIE THE SHOW A "STEERING WHEEL LOCK COLUMN" ON THE DASH BOARD, AFTER SEVERAL TRIES IT WILL EVENTUALLY START AND RUN. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS I HAVE BEEN TRAVELING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT THE AVERAGE OF 60-75 MPH AND THE CAR WILL JUST SHUT COMPLETELY OF…
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ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS (ALMOST EVERY DAY) I WILL TRY TO START THE CAR AND IT WILL DIE THE SHOW A "STEERING WHEEL LOCK COLUMN" ON THE DASH BOARD, AFTER SEVERAL TRIES IT WILL EVENTUALLY START AND RUN. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS I HAVE BEEN TRAVELING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT THE AVERAGE OF 60-75 MPH AND THE CAR WILL JUST SHUT COMPLETELY OFF. THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE!!! I HAVE READ THIS IS A COMMON ERROR, THERE SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS ISSUE! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10524574
84,500 miles · Jun 25, 2013
EngineFuel/propulsion System
MY CAR SEEMS LIKE ITS LOOSES POWER OR DON'T WANT TO GO AT ANY SPEED WHEN I NEED TO SPEEDUP AND WHEN I PUT IT IN PARK POSITION THE RPM NEEDLE KEEPS GOING UP OR DOWN I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC HE CHECK FOR ANY CODES AND CAME OUT THAT COIL #1 AND #3 WERE BAD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10521597
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 ↗
NHTSA investigations
1EA11002 · Engine Compartment Fire
Opened Jan 26, 2011 · Closed Feb 17, 2012
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Engine And Engine Cooling
In July 2010, the Agency opened PE10-027 to investigate allegations of coil on plug (COP) ignition coil fires in MY2002-2003 VW Passat vehicles.The investigation was upgraded in January 2011 to include all MY2001-2007 4-cylinder VW Passat, gasoline, turbo-charged vehicles.Based on the analysis of VW's response, and including ODI's consumer complaints, ODI has since identified 135 unique engine fire reports attributable to the COP coils.After further review of the details as contained in each report, ODI determined that 43 of the 135 fire reports were actual fire/flame incidents, 83 fire reports were thermal events (smoke, spark, heat or wire melt), and another 9 fire reports were undetermined in severity due to the lack of information.These COP coil fires were characterized as initiated from within the COP coil circuit located at the top of the engine block and below the plastic engine cover.The fires observed were contained in the engine compartment and did not reach into the passenger compartment in contrast to those caused by an overheated catalytic converter examined in ODI?s investigation in 2007 and 2008.There were no reports of crashes or personal injury in this examination.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstancesSee the Closing Report for additional details.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System
In July 2010, the Agency opened PE10-027 to investigate allegations of coil on plug (COP) ignition coil fires in MY2002-2003 VW Passat vehicles.The investigation was upgraded in January 2011 to include all MY2001-2007 4-cylinder VW Passat, gasoline, turbo-charged vehicles.Based on the analysis of VW's response, and including ODI's consumer complaints, ODI has since identified 135 unique engine fire reports attributable to the COP coils.After further review of the details as contained in each report, ODI determined that 43 of the 135 fire reports were actual fire/flame incidents, 83 fire reports were thermal events (smoke, spark, heat or wire melt), and another 9 fire reports were undetermined in severity due to the lack of information.These COP coil fires were characterized as initiated from within the COP coil circuit located at the top of the engine block and below the plastic engine cover.The fires observed were contained in the engine compartment and did not reach into the passenger compartment in contrast to those caused by an overheated catalytic converter examined in ODI?s investigation in 2007 and 2008.There were no reports of crashes or personal injury in this examination.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstancesSee the Closing Report for additional details.
Engine And Engine Cooling
In July 2010, the Agency opened PE10-027 to investigate allegations of coil on plug (COP) ignition coil fires in MY2002-2003 VW Passat vehicles.The investigation was upgraded in January 2011 to include all MY2001-2007 4-cylinder VW Passat, gasoline, turbo-charged vehicles.Based on the analysis of VW's response, and including ODI's consumer complaints, ODI has since identified 135 unique engine fire reports attributable to the COP coils.After further review of the details as contained in each report, ODI determined that 43 of the 135 fire reports were actual fire/flame incidents, 83 fire reports were thermal events (smoke, spark, heat or wire melt), and another 9 fire reports were undetermined in severity due to the lack of information.These COP coil fires were characterized as initiated from within the COP coil circuit located at the top of the engine block and below the plastic engine cover.The fires observed were contained in the engine compartment and did not reach into the passenger compartment in contrast to those caused by an overheated catalytic converter examined in ODI?s investigation in 2007 and 2008.There were no reports of crashes or personal injury in this examination.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstancesSee the Closing Report for additional details.
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