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2006 Volkswagen Passat

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Passat years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Volkswagen Passat are substantially higher than the model-year median of 110.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

411 reports with mileage · 165 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 148 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 112 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 79 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

21 crash reports6 fire reports7 injury reports

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

21 reports
Clear category filter
67,000 miles · Aug 4, 2011
Electrical SystemEquipmentFuel System, Gasoline

CHECK ENGINE (MIL) LIGHT TURNED ON, CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN IDLES AT A HIGHER RPM WHILE WE WERE DRIVING!!! VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP. CAR IS ONLY UNDER WARRANTY FOR 36,000 MILES OR 3 YEARS! DEALERSHIP RAN DIAGNOSTIC, CAME UP WITH: CODE P0123 (THROTTLE HIGH INPUT), P0299 (TURBO UNDER BOOST), P0456 (EVAP LEAK), P1098 (…

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CHECK ENGINE (MIL) LIGHT TURNED ON, CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN IDLES AT A HIGHER RPM WHILE WE WERE DRIVING!!! VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP. CAR IS ONLY UNDER WARRANTY FOR 36,000 MILES OR 3 YEARS! DEALERSHIP RAN DIAGNOSTIC, CAME UP WITH: CODE P0123 (THROTTLE HIGH INPUT), P0299 (TURBO UNDER BOOST), P0456 (EVAP LEAK), P1098 (INTAKE TURNING VALVE SHORT TO B+), CODE P2004 (INTAKE RUNNER STUCK), CODE P3237 (INTAKE RUNNER BASIC SETTINGS). DEALER RECOMMENDED INTAKE RUNNER MOTOR REPLACEMENT & REPLACEMENT OF TURBO & N80 VALVE, ALSO CV BOOT NEEDS REPLACEMENT. TOTAL COST OF REPAIRS OVER $1200!!! WE ALWAYS TAKE CARE OF OUR VEHICLES AND HAVE THEM SERVICED AT THE DEALERSHIP. VEHICLE HAS ALSO HAD DEFECTIVE INTERIOR PARTS. INTERIOR TRIM (ALL SWITCHES - LOCK, WINDOW & RADIO ARE BUBBLING AND CHIPPING). DOOR PANEL TRIM (RUBBER IS PEELING). SHIFT KNOB - METALLIC PIECE ON SHIFT KNOB, PEELED AND DUG INTO SKIN AND CAUSED INJURY. CARBON FIBER DASH IS PEELING APART. CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA, PER THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE REP, THEY ARE UNABLE TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS DUE TO THE AGE AND MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE. CAR IS A 2006 - 67,000 MILES. LESS THAN 5 YEARS OLD. I WOULD HAVE NEVER PURCHASED A VOLKSWAGEN HAD I KNOWN THEY WERE NOT RELIABLE VEHICLES. UNKNOWLEDGABLE SALES REPS, OR JUST AFTER CUSTOMERS TO MAKE A BUCK. SELLING PEOPLE UNRELIABLE VEHICLES AND VOLKSWAGEN CLEARLY DOES NOT TAKE CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS NOR DO THEY CARE ABOUT CUSTOMER LOYALTY OR SAFETY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10417114

95,000 miles · Jul 21, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

BEWARE OF THE 2006 VW PASSAT. I HAVE HAD ONGOING ISSUES WITH THIS CAR. MAJOR ISSUE: STALLING OUT WITHOUT WARNING. MY CAR WAS WORKED ON 6 MONTHS AGO APPROX DATE OF 1/11 FOR STALLING. CAR RAN GREAT, JULY 7TH,11 TRAVELING HIGH RATE OF SPEED ON INTERSTATE, CAR STALLS, ALMOST GOT HIT! TAKEN TO (2) TWO DIFF DEALERSHIPS AND (2) DIFF O…

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BEWARE OF THE 2006 VW PASSAT. I HAVE HAD ONGOING ISSUES WITH THIS CAR. MAJOR ISSUE: STALLING OUT WITHOUT WARNING. MY CAR WAS WORKED ON 6 MONTHS AGO APPROX DATE OF 1/11 FOR STALLING. CAR RAN GREAT, JULY 7TH,11 TRAVELING HIGH RATE OF SPEED ON INTERSTATE, CAR STALLS, ALMOST GOT HIT! TAKEN TO (2) TWO DIFF DEALERSHIPS AND (2) DIFF OPINIONS. DROPPED OFF AT DEALERSHIP ON JULY 14TH,11 PART NEEDED IS ON BACK ORDER UNTIL JULY 25,11) THEY SAY THE STALLING IS CAUSED FROM CAM SHAFT HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP! AND APPARENTLY THEY (VW) HAS DECIDED TO COVER THIS UNDER AND EXTENSION OF THE WARRANTY UP TO 120,000 MILES! NO RECALL. HMMMM WONDER WHY? THEY WOULD BE OUT ALOT OF MONEY! THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM ON THIS CAR. THE WAY IT WAS DESIGNED IS A JOKE! SIX MONTHS AGO MY FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED AND NOW ANOTHER PROBLEM EXISTS. MY POINT IS THIS: MY CAR HAS STALLED OUT ON THE INTERSTATE AND VARIOUS OTHER PLACES. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED. I HAVE READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE! THIS CAR IS UNSAFE. I MADE A COMPLAINT TO VW AND THEY BASICALLY STATED IT WAS MY PROBLEM! I HAVE HAD MY CAR ON THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE 2 TIMES AND ALL HAVE COME BACK WITH DIFF ISSUES! WHEN SPEAKING TO THE REP FROM VW, I ADVISED THEY ALL GAVE ME DIFF OPINIONS DUE TO DIAGNOSTIC READINGS AND SHE STATED "MAYBE YOUR CAR HAS ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS" MAYBE? SO I PAY FOR ALL OF THESE "MAYBE'S" TO GET MY CAR FIXED AND "MAYBE" IT WILL RUN THE WAY ITS SUPPOSED TO, OR "MAYBE" IT WONT! I'M NOT THE ONLY CONSUMER THAT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM, IT STILL EXISTS FOR MANY OTHERS. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10413936

46,900 miles · Feb 21, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

2006 VW PASSAT 2.0T AT LEAST EVERY 6 MONTH, THE MALFUNCTION INDICATE LIGHT ON WITHOUT ANY REASON. WHEN I GO TO THE REPAIR SHOP, THEY JUST RESET IT. IT BACK TO NORMAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10383425

80,000 miles · Feb 2, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

STARTED VEHICLE IN NORMAL FASHION, NOTICED LARGE AMOUNT OF VIBRATION FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. UPON ACCELERATION, VEHICLE HESITATES DRASTICALLY. TOOK TO VW SERVICE CENTER AND THEY RAN DIAGNOSTICS. 3 FAULT CODES - PO300 MULTIPLE CYLINDER MISFIRE DETECTED, PO304 CYLINDER 4 MISFIRE DETECTED, P3073 THRO…

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STARTED VEHICLE IN NORMAL FASHION, NOTICED LARGE AMOUNT OF VIBRATION FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. UPON ACCELERATION, VEHICLE HESITATES DRASTICALLY. TOOK TO VW SERVICE CENTER AND THEY RAN DIAGNOSTICS. 3 FAULT CODES - PO300 MULTIPLE CYLINDER MISFIRE DETECTED, PO304 CYLINDER 4 MISFIRE DETECTED, P3073 THROTTLE TRANSFER PUMP ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION IN CIRCUIT. VW SERVICE CENTER SWAPPED IGNITION COILS AND PLUGS - DUPLICATED FAULTS. THEY WANTED TO PUT IN NEW INJECTORS, EXHAUST LIFTERS, EXHAUST ROCKERS AND FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE FOR $1800.00 - AND SINCE THEY WERE ALREADY IN THERE, THEY WANTED TO REPLACE TIMING BELT, TENSIONER, AND WATER PUMP FOR ANOTHER $340.00 I WAS TOLD THAT IF I DON'T MIND THE BAD PERFORMANCE/HESITATION THEN IT WON'T HURT THE ENGINE ANY MORE THEN IT ALREADY IS. THIS IS A 2006 VW PASSAT 2.0T LUX WITH 80,000 MILES. CRAZY THAT ALL THESE PROBLEM OCCUR JUST AFTER THE 75,000 WARRANTY WAS UP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10380038

50,037 miles · Jan 5, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

1. STARTED HEARING "TICKING" NOISE FROM ENGINE 2. "TICKING" BECAME LOUDER, SLOW PERFORMANCE 3. REPLACED INTAKE CAM / LIFTERS, H.P. FUEL PUMP, VALVE COVER GASKET AND SEALANT, VACUUM PIPE TO LEAK DETECTION PIPE (ALL 2 TIMES EACH). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10374760

72,800 miles · Jan 14, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

MY CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING. LUCKILY I WAS DRIVING IN LOCAL ROADS AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER VERY QUICKLY. IF THIS WAS TO HAPPEN WHILE ON THE FREEWAY, I COULD SERIOUSLY HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10299790

53,000 miles · Dec 1, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL PUMP MODULE BURNED OUT UNEXPECTEDLY CAUSING ENGINE TO CEASE OPERATING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON APPROXIMATELY 5 MIN. BEFORE FAILURE. ONCE ENGINE STOPPED,VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER TO SIDE OF ROAD, HAD TO COAST TO SAFE SHOULDER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10294175

Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE GAS TANK OF MY CAR WAS DAMAGED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OF 380 NEAR THE SCRANTON, PA. AT THE BEGINNING I DID NOTICE THIS PROBLEM UNTIL I PARKED MY CAR IN THE CITY MALL NEARBY THE HIGHWAY. THE GAS LEAK WAS SIGNIFICANT. 10 GALLONS OF GAS WAS LEAKED OUT IN LESS THAN 15 MIN. THE FIRE-FIGHTER HELPED ME CLEAN THE PARKING…

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THE GAS TANK OF MY CAR WAS DAMAGED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OF 380 NEAR THE SCRANTON, PA. AT THE BEGINNING I DID NOTICE THIS PROBLEM UNTIL I PARKED MY CAR IN THE CITY MALL NEARBY THE HIGHWAY. THE GAS LEAK WAS SIGNIFICANT. 10 GALLONS OF GAS WAS LEAKED OUT IN LESS THAN 15 MIN. THE FIRE-FIGHTER HELPED ME CLEAN THE PARKING AREA AND AVOID A POTENTIAL FIRE. BASED ON AN INSURANCE DAMAGE ADJUSTER'S INVESTIGATION, THE DAMAGE COULD RESULT FROM AN IMPACT OF A HARD OBJECT SUCH AS ICE OR A SMALL ROCK ON THE HIGHWAY. THE GAS TANK IS GOING TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $1400. I AM REALLY SURPRISED THAT GERMAN ENGINEERS HAVE NOT THOUGHT SUCH AN ACCIDENT DURING THE WINTER. OBVIOUSLY THE CHEAP MATERIAL OF THE GAS TANK AND LACK OF PROPER TANK SHIELD COULD CONTRIBUTE TO THIS DAMAGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10256227

Mileage unknown · May 13, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

MY VEHICLE WENT INTO THE SHOP (STAR MOTOR) APRIL 1, 2008 FOR AN ENGINE LIGHT INDICATOR. I WAS TOLD THE FUEL PUMP AND CAM SHAFT WERE BAD. THEY WERE REPLACED AND I GOT MY CAR BACK ON APRIL 16, 2008. ON MAY 17, THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE SHOP. THEY REPLACED THE COILS (NOT SURE WHAT THESE ARE). ON M…

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MY VEHICLE WENT INTO THE SHOP (STAR MOTOR) APRIL 1, 2008 FOR AN ENGINE LIGHT INDICATOR. I WAS TOLD THE FUEL PUMP AND CAM SHAFT WERE BAD. THEY WERE REPLACED AND I GOT MY CAR BACK ON APRIL 16, 2008. ON MAY 17, THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE SHOP. THEY REPLACED THE COILS (NOT SURE WHAT THESE ARE). ON MAY 18, 2008, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE SHOP. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE COMPRESSION WAS NOT GOOD IN CYLINDER #'S 1 AND 3. THEY DECIDED TO FLUSH THE TURBO/INJECTOR SYSTEM AND TIME THE VEHICLE. I GOT THE CAR BACK (NOT SURE OF THE DATE). ON MAY 5, 2008, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK IN. WHEN PUT ON THE COMPUTER, I WAS TOLD THAT THE LIGHT INDICATED AND READ A CAM SHAFT/MISFIRE 3. MONTHS EARLIER, WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT FIRST CAME ON, WE CALLED IN TO STAR MOTOR AND MY HUSBAND WAS TOLD THAT "AS LONG AS THE LIGHT WASN'T FLASHING, IT WAS OKAY." I TOLD THIS TO STAR MOTOR ON MAY 18, 2008, AND GAIL TOLD ME THAT IS CORRECT. THAT IS WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN TOLD AT THE HOME OFFICE. OBVIOUSLY, THAT IS NOT THE CASE. AS SOON AS THE ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, WE CALLED AND SET UP AN APPOINTMENT WITHIN 3 WEEKS. THE FLASHING WAS VERY INTERMITTENT (FLASHED MAYBE ONCE OR TWICE A DAY). MY CAR IS STILL NOT FIXED AND STAR MOTOR DOES NOT APPEAR TO KNOW WHAT THE TRUE PROBLEM IS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE VOLKSWAGEN HOME OFFICE DISCUSSED MY CAR IN A CLASSROOM SETTING AND THEY ARE MERELY ABLE TO GUESS WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. THIS IS A HIGH END CAR; 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT, AND THESE TYPES OF PROBLEMS SHOULD NOT BE OCCURRING; FUEL PUMP, CAM SHAFT (TWICE), ETC. STAR IS TRYING TO WORK WITH US. THEY HAVE EVEN GIVEN US LOANERS TO DRIVE, BUT VOLKSWAGEN IS NOT WILLING TO HELP AT ALL. I HAVE BEEN DOING RESEARCH ONLINE AND HAVE FOUND THAT THESE TYPES OF PROBLEMS ARE FAR REACHING AND NOT SIMPLY OURS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10227609

71 miles · Jul 23, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline

THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING FORWARD THERE IS A ONE TO TWO SECOND DELAY BEFORE THE VEHICLE MOVES FORWARD. I SERVICED THE VEHICLE WITH VOLKSWAGEN AND THEY SAID THAT THIS IS NORMAL. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10163201

Official recalls

7

24V834000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Oct 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.

18V247000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

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.

17V509000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

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.

16V079000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

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.

06V470000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

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.

06V472000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum

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.

05V540000 · Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly

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

1

EA11002 · 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.