I HAVE A VW PASSAT 3.6 AND AM ALWAYS HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THE PARKING BRAKE. CURRENTLY I AM UNABLE TO GET THE PARKING BRAKE TO RELEASE AND DON'T KNOW WHY. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND THE ONLY PLACE I GO TO GET IT SERVICED IS VOLKSWAGEN. ON ABOUT 5 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE NOR DISENGAGE…
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I HAVE A VW PASSAT 3.6 AND AM ALWAYS HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THE PARKING BRAKE. CURRENTLY I AM UNABLE TO GET THE PARKING BRAKE TO RELEASE AND DON'T KNOW WHY. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND THE ONLY PLACE I GO TO GET IT SERVICED IS VOLKSWAGEN. ON ABOUT 5 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE NOR DISENGAGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10474127
57,000 miles · Aug 11, 2009
Electrical SystemParking BrakeSteering
VOLKSWAGEN 2006 2.0T PASSAT HAS A DEFECTIVE STEERING WHEEL LOCK THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS. I KNOW OF NUMEROUS PASSAT 2006 DRIVERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. IT IS UNSAFE AND THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED. THANK GOD I WAS NOT DRIVING WHEN IT OCCURRED. IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX AND I AM JUST OUT OF THE WARRANTY. IT IS UNFAIR AND UNSAFE. IT H…
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VOLKSWAGEN 2006 2.0T PASSAT HAS A DEFECTIVE STEERING WHEEL LOCK THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS. I KNOW OF NUMEROUS PASSAT 2006 DRIVERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. IT IS UNSAFE AND THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED. THANK GOD I WAS NOT DRIVING WHEN IT OCCURRED. IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX AND I AM JUST OUT OF THE WARRANTY. IT IS UNFAIR AND UNSAFE. IT HAS HAPPENED TO SO MANY PASSAT DRIVERS. PLEASE DO SOMETHING. THE CAR WAS DIFFICULT TO TOW BECAUSE EVERYTHING IS LOCKED UP ON THE CAR, COULDN'T PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL, ALL WHEELS WERE LOCKED, BRAKES,ETC. THE SERVICE PERSON AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE KEYS ARE NOT BEING READ BY THE CAR AND THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR OVER $1300. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR THIS ESPECIALLY SINCE IT IS A VW DEFECT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10280112
54,700 miles · Jan 16, 2009
Parking BrakeCrash
THE VEHICLE I HAVE THE PROBLEM WITH IS A 2006 VW PASSAT 3.6L 55,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH AN ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE. ON DEC 27 2008, I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY APROX 60MPH AND THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE WAS ENGAGED INSTANTLY WITHOUT WARNING AND CAUSE ME TO LOOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE, SPIN 180 AND I GOT HIT BY A…
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THE VEHICLE I HAVE THE PROBLEM WITH IS A 2006 VW PASSAT 3.6L 55,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH AN ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE. ON DEC 27 2008, I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY APROX 60MPH AND THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE WAS ENGAGED INSTANTLY WITHOUT WARNING AND CAUSE ME TO LOOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE, SPIN 180 AND I GOT HIT BY AN SUV DRIVING BEHIND ME ON THE SAME DIRECTIONAL LANE. AFTER THE INCIDENT I TRY TO MOVE THE VEHICLE FROM THE TRAVEL LANE BUT THE WHEELS WERE STILL LOCKED. AFTER TRYING TO DISENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE SEVERAL TIMES I DRAGGED THE VEHICLE OF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE. AFTER TRYING SEVERAL TIMES TO DISENGAGE THE PARKING I WAS ABLE TO DO IT AND LEAVE THE SCENE DRIVING ON THE SHOULDER UNTIL I EXIT THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE THAT HIT ME LEFT AND BECAUSE I HAD MINOR DAMAGES AND I DECIDE NOT TO REPORT THE INCIDENT TO THE AUTHORITIES. IMMEDIATELY I CONTACT THE LOCAL DEALER AND VW OF AMERICA AND INFORMED THEM ABOUT THE SITUATION AND OPEN UP A CASE #80411298. I DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALER LOCATED IN NAPERVILLE IL AND AFTER 7 DAYS THE TECHNICIAN SAID: WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND THEY CAN'T EXPLAIN WHY THE PARKING BRAKE WAS ENGAGED AT THE HIGHWAY SPEED. AFTER DOING A RESEARCH ON VW FORUM CALLED VW VORTEX, WWW.VWVORTEX.COM, I FOUND OUT THE SAME THING HAPPEN TO OTHER VW PASSAT OWNERS. THE REASON I'M WRITING YOU IS BECAUSE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE HERE AND I SHOULD SAY I WAS VERY LUCKY BECAUSE I DID NOT GET HIT BY A HEAVY TRUCK, I DID NOT GET INJURED OR MAYBE KILLED. AS OF TODAY THE LOCAL DEALER DON'T KNOW WHAT TO FIX ON THIS VEHICLE AND THEY WANT ME TO PICK UP THE CAR BECAUSE THEY SAID IT?S SAFE TO DRIVE. I THINK YOU SHOULD INTERVENE AND ANALYZE THIS ISSUE AND MAYBE WE CAN FIND A SOLUTION QUICK BEFORE SOMEONE GETS INJURED OR MAYBE KILLED. PLEASE FELL FREE TO CONTACT ME ON MY EMAIL ADDRESS OR MY PHONE NUMBER AT ANYTIME I CAN ASSIST WITH MORE DETAILS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10255383
6,000 miles · Jan 12, 2009
Parking Brake
PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT RELEASE. HAS BEEN SERVICED THREE TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED FIRST TIME. THE OTHER TWO TIMES I WAITED A WHILE AND TRIED AGAIN AND THE BRAKE DID RELEASE. HAD TO HAVE THE ENTIRE BRAKE REPLACED. ALSO, PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED BY ITSELF ONCE. FORTUNATELY IT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS TURNING THE CA…
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PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT RELEASE. HAS BEEN SERVICED THREE TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED FIRST TIME. THE OTHER TWO TIMES I WAITED A WHILE AND TRIED AGAIN AND THE BRAKE DID RELEASE. HAD TO HAVE THE ENTIRE BRAKE REPLACED. ALSO, PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED BY ITSELF ONCE. FORTUNATELY IT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS TURNING THE CAR OFF AND NOT WHILE I WAS DRIVING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10254749
1,700 miles · Jun 4, 2008
Electrical SystemParking BrakePower Train
I BOUGHT A CAR BRAND NEW AND EVER SINCE 1700 MILES IT'S BEEN HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. FIRST IT STARTED WITH WINDOWS NOT WANTING TO ROLL UP, THEY'D ROLL DOWN FIRST THEN UP. MY RADIO WAS STUCK ON LOUD AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF OR DOWN OR CHANGE RADIO STATIONS. THE PARKING BRAKE (ELECTRICAL) ENGAGED ON ME WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE…
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I BOUGHT A CAR BRAND NEW AND EVER SINCE 1700 MILES IT'S BEEN HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. FIRST IT STARTED WITH WINDOWS NOT WANTING TO ROLL UP, THEY'D ROLL DOWN FIRST THEN UP. MY RADIO WAS STUCK ON LOUD AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF OR DOWN OR CHANGE RADIO STATIONS. THE PARKING BRAKE (ELECTRICAL) ENGAGED ON ME WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, A HOSE CAME UNDONE AT 18K MILES ON THE FREEWAY AND CAUSED HEAVY CONVULSING. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK RANDOMLY HAD "ERRORS", THE AIRBAG HAS "ERRORS", THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED VERY ROUGH WHICH MADE ME JOLT IN THE CAR AND STARTED MAKING MY NECK SORE. FOR EVERY INCIDENT MY CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER TO BE FIXED, THEY FIX THE PROBLEM AND A NEW ONE HAPPENS A WEEK LATER. I AM A VALET AND OTHER VW OWNERS SAY THE SAME THINGS HAPPEN TO THEIR CARS. SO I KNOW I HAVE A LEGIT COMPLAINT HERE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10229925
59,244 miles · Jan 26, 2008
Electrical SystemParking BrakePower Train
WHEN THE CAR IS TRAVELING APPROXIMATED 2-10 MPH, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ACCELERATES AND BRAKES AS THE AUTOMOBILE BUCKS A FEW TIMES. THEIR IS A LOUD THUNKING NOISE AND THEN GOES BACK TO NORMAL. FROM TIME TO TIME THE CAR GETS STUCK IN 2ND GEAR, WHICH FORCES ME TO PULL OVER AND RESTART THE ENGINE. WINDOWS ARE SUPPOSEDLY AUTO…
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WHEN THE CAR IS TRAVELING APPROXIMATED 2-10 MPH, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ACCELERATES AND BRAKES AS THE AUTOMOBILE BUCKS A FEW TIMES. THEIR IS A LOUD THUNKING NOISE AND THEN GOES BACK TO NORMAL. FROM TIME TO TIME THE CAR GETS STUCK IN 2ND GEAR, WHICH FORCES ME TO PULL OVER AND RESTART THE ENGINE. WINDOWS ARE SUPPOSEDLY AUTOMATIC UP AND DOWN, BUT DON'T WORK PROPERLY 50% OF THE TIME. REAR BACK SPEAKER PLAYS INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN PARKING AND SHUTTING DOWN ENGINE, THE EMERGENCY BRAKES TURN ON AND OFF. THE ENGINE KEY IS GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION. OVERALL ISSUES SEEM TO BE ELECTRICAL OR COMPUTER RELATED. I HAVE TAKEN BACK TO DEALER TWICE IN THE LAST 6 MOTHS AND THE PROBLEMS KEEP BUILDING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10216148
9,000 miles · Apr 9, 2007
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingParking Brake
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PUSH KEY BECOMES STUCK AND THE GEARS MUST BE SHIFTED IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. ALSO, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY, AND THE VEHICLE'S INTERIOR SMELLED LIKE ROTTEN EGGS. ON APRIL 9, 2007 THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO A DEALER FOR A…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PUSH KEY BECOMES STUCK AND THE GEARS MUST BE SHIFTED IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. ALSO, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY, AND THE VEHICLE'S INTERIOR SMELLED LIKE ROTTEN EGGS. ON APRIL 9, 2007 THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS, 10,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10187319
Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2006
Parking Brake
ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE WOULD NOT RELEASE. I HAD TO CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO WALK ME THROUGH HOW TO "DEACTIVATE" THE PARKING BRAKE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10174726
Mileage unknown · May 24, 2006
Parking Brake
EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE MALFUNCTION. BY PUSHING THE BUTTON FOR THE PARKING BRAKE, YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO RELEASE IT WHEN YOU PRESS YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. IT APPEARS LOCKED AND UNABLE TO RELEASE. *JB
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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