MY 2006 PASSAT 3.6 HAS SHIFTING PROBLEMS WHEN DOWN SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 1ST.. CAR SOUNDS LIKE SLEDGE HAMMER HITTING UNDER HOOD WHEN DOWN SHIFTING.. THIS HAS HAPPENED 6 TIMES NOW WHEN COMING TO A STOP FROM HIGH SPEEDS.. THIS WILL CAUSE CAR TO PUSH FORWARD WHEN PROBLEMS STARTS.. COULD CAUSE ACCIDENT. *JB
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Passat years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
Power Train complaints
47 reportsHARD SHIFT IN 6 SPEED VW PASSAT2006 WHEN YOU COME TO A STOP FROM HIGH SPEED 50-60)MPH. IT FEELS LIKE SLEDGE HAMMER HITS THE CAR. VW SAYS THEY DON'T HAVE AN ANSWER FOR IT AND THEY ARE WORKING ON IT. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT. PLEASE HELP. *TR
2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 3.6L HESITATED FROM A SLOW ROLLING. WHEN SLOWING BUT NOT STOPPING THE CAR COMPLETELY, THE CAR HESITATED WHEN THE THROTTLE WAS APPLIED. WHEN THROTTLE INPUT WAS REALIZED THE CAR MAY LURCHED FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. THIS APPEARED TO BE A COMBINATION ENGINE / TRANSMISSION ISSUE, BUT MAY BE MORE RELATED TO T…
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2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 3.6L HESITATED FROM A SLOW ROLLING. WHEN SLOWING BUT NOT STOPPING THE CAR COMPLETELY, THE CAR HESITATED WHEN THE THROTTLE WAS APPLIED. WHEN THROTTLE INPUT WAS REALIZED THE CAR MAY LURCHED FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. THIS APPEARED TO BE A COMBINATION ENGINE / TRANSMISSION ISSUE, BUT MAY BE MORE RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION NOT BEING IN THE CORRECT GEAR. VOLKSWAGEN ISSUED A PROGRAMMING UPDATE FOR THE ECU IN OCTOBER 2006 , WHICH REDUCED, BUT DID NOT ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM. THE INCIDENT DATE REALLY DID NOT N APPLY AS THIS WAS A CONSTANT PROBLEM. *AK
2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 3.6L FWD AUTOMATIC. HESITATION FROM A SLOW ROLL. WHEN SLOWING BUT NOT STOPPING THE CAR COMPLETELY THE CAR HESITATED WHEN THE THROTTLEWAS APPLIED. WHEN THROTTLE INPUTWAS REALIZED THE CAR LURCH ED FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. THIS APPEARED TO BE A COMBINATION OF ENGINE / TRANSMISSION ISSUE BUT MAY BE MORE R…
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2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 3.6L FWD AUTOMATIC. HESITATION FROM A SLOW ROLL. WHEN SLOWING BUT NOT STOPPING THE CAR COMPLETELY THE CAR HESITATED WHEN THE THROTTLEWAS APPLIED. WHEN THROTTLE INPUTWAS REALIZED THE CAR LURCH ED FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. THIS APPEARED TO BE A COMBINATION OF ENGINE / TRANSMISSION ISSUE BUT MAY BE MORE RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION NOT BEING IN THE CORRECT GEAR. VOLKSWAGEN ISSUED A PROGRAMMING UPDATE FOR THE ECU IN OCT 2006, WHICH REDUCED, BUT DID NOT ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM. THE INCIDENT DATE REALLY DID NOT APPLY AS THIS WAS A CONSTANT PROBLEM.*AK
VEHICLES THROTTLE- BY- WIRE SYSTEM CREATES UNSAFE DELAY IN ACCELERATION AND AN EXAGGERATED LUNGING EFFECT WHEN UNEXPECTED. UNSAFE IN THE EVENT OF AN EVASIVE MANEUVER, MERGING, PASSING AND STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. *JB
MY WIFE AND I LEASED A 2006 PASSAT VALUE EDITION ON 06/24/06 FOR THIS COMPANY. IT CAME TO MY WIFE'S ATTENTION ON 07/20/06 WHILE AT WORK THAT THE CAR IS LEAKING OIL. SHE CALLED ME AND I CALLED THE DEALER. PAUL AUERBACH OF MOUNTAIN STATES INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. I SCHEDULED THE APPOINTMENT FOR MY WIFE AT 6-6.3…
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MY WIFE AND I LEASED A 2006 PASSAT VALUE EDITION ON 06/24/06 FOR THIS COMPANY. IT CAME TO MY WIFE'S ATTENTION ON 07/20/06 WHILE AT WORK THAT THE CAR IS LEAKING OIL. SHE CALLED ME AND I CALLED THE DEALER. PAUL AUERBACH OF MOUNTAIN STATES INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. I SCHEDULED THE APPOINTMENT FOR MY WIFE AT 6-6.30PM SINCE SHE USES THE VEHICLE. THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT CLOSES AT 7.00PM. HE ALSO ADVISED ME THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE DEPENDING ON THE PROBLEM SO THEY WOULD GIVE US A LOANER IF NECESSARY. MY WIFE TOOK THE CAR IN AT AROUND 5.40PM ON 07/20/06. WHEN SHE GOT THERE SOMEONE TOLD HER THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT TIL 07/21/06 TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT.THIS WAS NOT THE AGREEMENT. MY WIFE CALLED ME WHEN SHE GOT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I TOLD HER TO TELL THEM THAT WE WEREN'T GOING TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. SHE TOLD PAUL THAT IN THE PRESENCE OF THE SALES GUY WHO SOLD US THE CAR(KENNY). THEN PAUL WENT TO THE SERIVCE GUY AND HE INFORMED HIM THAT THE DAMAGAE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I ACCEPT THAT, BUT THIS PAUL A SALES MANAGER SPECIFICALLY TOLD MY WIFE THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR IT AT NO COST TO US. UNLESS HE AND KENNY ARE WILLING TO CALL MY WIFE A LIAR I CONSIDER THAT A VERBAL CONTRACT. THEY WANT US TO PAY $506.00 TO HAVE IT FIXED. NOW MY WIFE AND I HAVE OWNED A FEW VEHICLES IN OUR LIFE AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM LIKE THIS. I THINK THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND THE DEALER SHOULD FIX IT AT NO COST TO US BECAUSE THEY SAID THEY WOULD, SEEING THAT THE CAR IS BARND NEW. ALSO THE SALES GUY, KENNY WAS NTO FORTH COMING WITH US WHEN HE TOLD US THAT THE CAR TAKES ANY TYPE OF FUEL. GRADE 87 OR HIGHER OF COURSE. THAT IN IT SELF IS TURE, BUT HE FAILED TO MENTION THAT IT WAS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO USE ONLY PREMIUM FUEL. NO PROBLEM.
THERE IS AN UNSAFE PROLONGED HESITATION WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ON THE 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 3.6 LITER 4 MOTION. WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, NOTHING HAPPENS UNTIL YOU'VE DEPRESSED THE PEDAL APPROX. 3/4 TO AN INCH OF PEDAL TRAVEL, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE CAR LURCHES AND ACCELERATES AT WHAT FEELS LIKE …
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THERE IS AN UNSAFE PROLONGED HESITATION WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ON THE 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 3.6 LITER 4 MOTION. WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, NOTHING HAPPENS UNTIL YOU'VE DEPRESSED THE PEDAL APPROX. 3/4 TO AN INCH OF PEDAL TRAVEL, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE CAR LURCHES AND ACCELERATES AT WHAT FEELS LIKE HALF TO FULL THROTTLE. IT IS A RANDOM HESITATION, YET OCCURS AT PROBABLY 30% OF THE TIME. IT IS MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP, YET WILL HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY, IF ACCELERATING TO PASS. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS MALFUNCTION. IF THIS ABRUPT ACCELERATION OCCURS IN SNOWY OR ICY CONDITIONS, IT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF CONTROL. I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES, WHEN I EXPECTED MY CAR TO MOVE FORWARD WHEN I DEPRESSED THE GAS PEDAL, ONLY TO HAVE IT HESITATE AND NEARLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THIS CAR HAS A DRIVE BY WIRE ACCELERATOR, WHICH I BELIEVE IS A FAIRLY RECENT DESIGN CHANGE. WE HAVE ANOTHER CAR WITH THE SAME TYPE OF SYSTEM WHICH DOES NOT DO THIS. I HAVE READ 2 NEW CAR REVIEWS THAT HAVE MENTIONED THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR MODEL. AFTER TAKING DELIVERY, I CALLED TO TELL THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THIS PROBLEM. AFTER TRYING TO CONVINCE ME THAT THIS WAS "NORMAL", THEY TOOK MY CAR IN TO TRY TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. IT WAS THERE FOR 10 DAYS, DURING WHICH TIME 2 ENGINEERS CAME OUT FROM VOLKSWAGEN TO LOOK AT THE CAR. THEY AGREED THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING AMISS, AND FELT THAT THEY NEEDED A SOFTWARE UPDATE INSTALLED. THERE WAS NOT ONE AVAILABLE, AND I WAS TOLD ON MARCH 30TH THAT IT WOULD BE READY WITHIN 30 DAYS. IT HAS NOW BEEN 3 MONTHS SINCE THEN, AND MULTIPLE PHONE CALLS LATER, A FIX IS STILL NOT READY. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT IS READY, BUT WAITING GOVERNMENT APPROVAL, AND THEN TOLD THAT NOTHING IS READY. NO ONE AT VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER SERVICE HAS BEEN ABLE TO GIVE ME AN ESTIMATED TIME WHEN MY CAR CAN BE REPAIRED. THERE IS REALLY NO "INCIDENT" TO REPORT, OTHER THAN AN UNSAFE MALFUNCTION WHICH NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. *NM
Official recalls
724V834000 · 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
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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