NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
47 reportsClear category filter119,000 miles · Jul 19, 2017
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVES INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFF…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVES INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.
NHTSA ODI #11006409
92,300 miles · Sep 22, 2016
EnginePower Train
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND CAR WOULD RATTLE LOUDLY. ONE DAY THE CAR JUST STARTS DRIVING SLOW AND SHUTS OFF. I TOOK IT TO MECHANIC AND AFTER SEVERAL TESTS, IT WAS NOTED THAT THE ENGINE COILS AND TURBO CAP WAS BROKEN. HEFTY PRICE TO GET IT FIX. AFTER TWO DAYS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS BACK ON. I RESEARCH AND TALKED WITH MECHAN…
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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND CAR WOULD RATTLE LOUDLY. ONE DAY THE CAR JUST STARTS DRIVING SLOW AND SHUTS OFF. I TOOK IT TO MECHANIC AND AFTER SEVERAL TESTS, IT WAS NOTED THAT THE ENGINE COILS AND TURBO CAP WAS BROKEN. HEFTY PRICE TO GET IT FIX. AFTER TWO DAYS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS BACK ON. I RESEARCH AND TALKED WITH MECHANIC, IT SEEMS TO BE A GROWING PROBLEM WITH VW CARS.
NHTSA ODI #10908833
90,000 miles · Jul 25, 2016
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED SHIFTING INTO FIRST GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVERY DAY DURING THE SUMMER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED SHIFTING INTO FIRST GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVERY DAY DURING THE SUMMER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA ODI #10888305
60,000 miles · Oct 13, 2015
EnginePower Train
TURBO CHARGER IS FAULTY. I STILL OWE $12,00 ON THIS CAR. IT IS APPEARING THRU THE FORUMS ONLINE THAT THE DIESEL ENGINE IS NOT THE ONLY ENGINE AFFECTED BY THE RECENT EMMISION FAILURE OF VOLKSWAGON CAR. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND RECALL FOR 2006...NOT JUST 2009 THRU 2014 CARS. THIS IS NOT FAIR. CAR IS SMOLING SO BADLY YOU CANT SEE THE…
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TURBO CHARGER IS FAULTY. I STILL OWE $12,00 ON THIS CAR. IT IS APPEARING THRU THE FORUMS ONLINE THAT THE DIESEL ENGINE IS NOT THE ONLY ENGINE AFFECTED BY THE RECENT EMMISION FAILURE OF VOLKSWAGON CAR. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND RECALL FOR 2006...NOT JUST 2009 THRU 2014 CARS. THIS IS NOT FAIR. CAR IS SMOLING SO BADLY YOU CANT SEE THE CAR BEHIND YOU AND MECHANIC SAID THAT EVEN THO I ONLY HAVE 60,000 MILES MY TURBO CHARGER IS TOAST.
NHTSA ODI #10781601
130,537 miles · Mar 2, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power TrainService Brakes
HAS I WAS DRIVEN THE CAR WILL CAME UP WITH NEED SERVICES SOON AND WILL SHOW BRAKE LIGHT ON AND DEAD SYSTEMS FAILED CHECK PARKING BRAKE AND IF YOU PRESS THE PARKING BRAKE BUTTON ON AND OFF THE CAR WILL NEARLY SUCH GEARS OR NEARLY MOVE AT ALL WHERE IF YOU SHOUT IT OF THE CAR AND THEN WAIT FOR 5_10 MIN AND TURN IT BACK ON IT WILL …
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HAS I WAS DRIVEN THE CAR WILL CAME UP WITH NEED SERVICES SOON AND WILL SHOW BRAKE LIGHT ON AND DEAD SYSTEMS FAILED CHECK PARKING BRAKE AND IF YOU PRESS THE PARKING BRAKE BUTTON ON AND OFF THE CAR WILL NEARLY SUCH GEARS OR NEARLY MOVE AT ALL WHERE IF YOU SHOUT IT OF THE CAR AND THEN WAIT FOR 5_10 MIN AND TURN IT BACK ON IT WILL GO LIKE NOTHING WRONG AT ALL . TRANSMISSION HAS OIL AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10691397
138,360 miles · Oct 27, 2014
Power Train
I'M HAVING CONCERNS WITH OPEN ROAD VOLKSWAGEN OF BRIDGEWATER NJ IN REFERENCE TO WHAT I BELIEVE WAS NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. MY CAR WAS SERVICED IN JUNE 2014 AND THEN AGAIN IN OCTOBER 2014. ON OCTOBER 13TH, I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THEM STATING MY TRANSMISSION WAS GONE AND WOULD COST $10,000 TO REPLACE. …
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I'M HAVING CONCERNS WITH OPEN ROAD VOLKSWAGEN OF BRIDGEWATER NJ IN REFERENCE TO WHAT I BELIEVE WAS NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. MY CAR WAS SERVICED IN JUNE 2014 AND THEN AGAIN IN OCTOBER 2014. ON OCTOBER 13TH, I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THEM STATING MY TRANSMISSION WAS GONE AND WOULD COST $10,000 TO REPLACE. THIS PRICE IS EXTREMELY HIGH! AFTER THAT NEWS, WE WERE TOLD THAT MY CAR HAD TRANSMISSION ISSUES IN JUNE WHEN IT WAS SERVICED, BUT THE OPEN ROAD VOLKSWAGEN OF BRIDGEWATER DID NOT TELL US "BECAUSE THEY KNEW I WOULDN'T PAY." SO, INSTEAD OF TELLING ME IN JUNE 2014 WHEN I COULD HAVE RESOLVED THE ISSUE FOR LESS THAN $10,000, THEY TELL ME IN OCTOBER WHEN THE COST IS HIGH. NOT TO MENTION I COULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT AND INJURED MY FAMILY OR ANOTHER VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THEY WERE NEGLIGENT IN THIS MATTER. I WROTE A LETTER TO THE GENERAL MANAGER, [XXX]. AND WOULD LIKE YOU TO ASSIST HIM WITH RESOLVING THIS MATTER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10650430
119,000 miles · Jun 2, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
I PURCHASED A 2006 PASSAT 3.6 ON FEBRUARY 20TH,2014 AND MAKING PAYMENTS ON IT. TWO WEEKS LATER I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE IDLE WAS UP AND DOWN. THEY CHARGED ME $700 BECAUSE THE CAR WAS AS IS. ONCE I GOT THE CAR BACK I STARTER SEEING THE EPC LIGHT WHICH IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH VOLKSWAGEN AND NOW THE CAR WONT …
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I PURCHASED A 2006 PASSAT 3.6 ON FEBRUARY 20TH,2014 AND MAKING PAYMENTS ON IT. TWO WEEKS LATER I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE IDLE WAS UP AND DOWN. THEY CHARGED ME $700 BECAUSE THE CAR WAS AS IS. ONCE I GOT THE CAR BACK I STARTER SEEING THE EPC LIGHT WHICH IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH VOLKSWAGEN AND NOW THE CAR WONT GO OVER 40MPH , TWO WEEKS AGO I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND OIL WAS ALL OVER THE PLACE AND I CANT LOCATE ANY TYPE OF LEAK. HERE A LINK OF OTHER PASSAT OWNER WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND AS OF NOW THERE'S NO RECALL ON IT, I AM BEGGING FOR YOU GUYS HELP HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/VOLKSWAGEN/PASSAT/2006/DRIVETRAIN/POWER_TRAIN.SHTML. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10595517
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
62,185 miles · May 18, 2013
EnginePower Train
I WAS GETTING ONTO THE HIGHWAY IN MY 2006 3.6 PASSAT. THE CAR LOST POWER, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT & EPC LIGHT CAME ON IN THE CAR. THE CAR WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO GO OVER 40MPH, SO I EXITED THE HIGHWAY & DROVE CAR TO THE MECHANIC. THEY REMOVED THE TRANSMISSION TO FIND THE ISSUE OF THE BOLT HOLDING THE OIL PUMP WAS PARTIALLY REMOVED. …
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I WAS GETTING ONTO THE HIGHWAY IN MY 2006 3.6 PASSAT. THE CAR LOST POWER, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT & EPC LIGHT CAME ON IN THE CAR. THE CAR WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO GO OVER 40MPH, SO I EXITED THE HIGHWAY & DROVE CAR TO THE MECHANIC. THEY REMOVED THE TRANSMISSION TO FIND THE ISSUE OF THE BOLT HOLDING THE OIL PUMP WAS PARTIALLY REMOVED. THE CAR DETECTED A TIMING ISSUE & WAS THE REASON THAT IT WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO GO OVER 40 MPH. WHEN THE MECHANIC REMOVED THE BOLT TO REPLACE IT, IT CAME OFF IN TWO PIECES. HE STATED THAT THE BOLT WAS NOT THE APPROPRIATE BOLT & THE NEW GUIDELINES REQUIRED A DIFFERENT BOLT WITH ADDITIONAL TORQUE. THIS WAS AN ENGINEERED MANUFACTURER DEFECT WITH VOLKSWAGEN & SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO BE RECALLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10512646
78,000 miles · Feb 12, 2013
EnginePower Train
OIL PUMP BOLT BROKEN AS IN THE OTHER VW PASSATS FROM 2006 & 7 AND REPORTED ON THIS SITE. DAMAGED TIMING CHAIN COVER, TIMING CHAIN AND A NUMBER OF OTHER PARTS. CAR WAS SERVICED AND INSPECTED 5,000 MILES PREVIOUSLY. ALL SERVICE UP TO THIS POINT COMPLETED PER OWNERS MANUAL AT VW DEALER. THIS PROBLEM IS COVERED EXTENSIVELY AT HTTP:…
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OIL PUMP BOLT BROKEN AS IN THE OTHER VW PASSATS FROM 2006 & 7 AND REPORTED ON THIS SITE. DAMAGED TIMING CHAIN COVER, TIMING CHAIN AND A NUMBER OF OTHER PARTS. CAR WAS SERVICED AND INSPECTED 5,000 MILES PREVIOUSLY. ALL SERVICE UP TO THIS POINT COMPLETED PER OWNERS MANUAL AT VW DEALER. THIS PROBLEM IS COVERED EXTENSIVELY AT HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?4321376-**OFFICIAL-24V-3.6L-ENGINE-%28OIL-PUMP-BOLT%29-FAILURE-THREAD** AS WELL AS HTTP://WWW.PASSATWORLD.COM/FORUMS/74-VOLKSWAGEN-PASSAT-B6-DISCUSSION/327507-3-6-OIL-BOLT-FAILURE-REFERENCE-MATERIAL.HTML. NOT ONLY IS THIS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AND KNOWN PROBLEM INVOLVING FAILURE OF MECHANICAL SYSTEMS, BUT EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. I RECEIVED A QUOTE FOR $6300 FOR A CAR WITH 78,000 MILES. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON 3.6L V6S THAT IS BEING IGNORED BY VW OF AMERICA WHO REFUSED TO HELP EVEN COVER REPLACEMENT PARTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10497940
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 ↗