NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
112 reportsClear category filter105,460 miles · Jun 24, 2009
Steering
HAVING ISSUES WITH STEERING COLUMN LOCK, CAR NEVER STARTS, TAKES MULTIPLE TRIES TO GET IT TO START. SAVING MONEY TO PAY FOR 1500.00 REPAIR. WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON MONDAY JUNE 22 @ 72 MPH, THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF. THIS WAS EXTREMELY SCARY DUE TO BEING ON MAJOR HIGHWAY AT SUCH A SPEED. I ALMOST DID NOT MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF T…
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HAVING ISSUES WITH STEERING COLUMN LOCK, CAR NEVER STARTS, TAKES MULTIPLE TRIES TO GET IT TO START. SAVING MONEY TO PAY FOR 1500.00 REPAIR. WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON MONDAY JUNE 22 @ 72 MPH, THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF. THIS WAS EXTREMELY SCARY DUE TO BEING ON MAJOR HIGHWAY AT SUCH A SPEED. I ALMOST DID NOT MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT BEING STRUCK FROM BEHIND. THE VEHICLE TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS FROM THERE TO START AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10274897
50,000 miles · Jun 21, 2009
Steering
ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN CONTINUES TO PRODUCE WARNING LIGHTS AFTER BEING SENT IN FOR SERVICE. WARNING MESSAGE THAT ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK IS DEFECTIVE CONTINUES COMING ON. ERROR MESSAGE CAUSES THE CAR TO NOT START, SOMETIMES TAKING 2-10 RESTARTS TO GET THE CAR RUNNING. POWER ASSISTANCE AND ELECTRONIC STEERING CAN FAIL (AC…
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ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN CONTINUES TO PRODUCE WARNING LIGHTS AFTER BEING SENT IN FOR SERVICE. WARNING MESSAGE THAT ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK IS DEFECTIVE CONTINUES COMING ON. ERROR MESSAGE CAUSES THE CAR TO NOT START, SOMETIMES TAKING 2-10 RESTARTS TO GET THE CAR RUNNING. POWER ASSISTANCE AND ELECTRONIC STEERING CAN FAIL (ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL) IF THIS PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED. COULD CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY TO SELF AND OTHERS OR DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE IF THIS IS NOT FIXED. HAVE RESEARCHED PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALERSHIPS SEEM TO HAVE DIFFICULTY DIAGNOSING AND REPAIRS ARE VERY COSTLY. ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1,500-2,600. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS YEAR AND MAKE, AND MAY CAUSE SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE IF NOT FIXED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10274546
42,000 miles · Jun 18, 2009
Steering
THE CAR SUDDENLY WOULDN'T START. THERE WAS NO FOREWARNING. "STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEFECTIVE" WARNING APPEARED ON THE IN-DASH CONSOLE. THE CAR WOULDN'T START. I REMOVED THE KEY AND TRIED AFTER A FEW MINUTES, AND THE CAR STARTED OKAY. THIS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES IN THE STRETCH OF ONE WEEK OR SO. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THE…
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THE CAR SUDDENLY WOULDN'T START. THERE WAS NO FOREWARNING. "STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEFECTIVE" WARNING APPEARED ON THE IN-DASH CONSOLE. THE CAR WOULDN'T START. I REMOVED THE KEY AND TRIED AFTER A FEW MINUTES, AND THE CAR STARTED OKAY. THIS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES IN THE STRETCH OF ONE WEEK OR SO. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10274212
55,000 miles · Jun 16, 2009
Steering
CAR WILL NOT START, DASHBOARD WARNING "STEERING COLUMN LOCK FAILURE" I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR QUITE SOME TIME AND I THINK IT'S ABOUT TIME TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT AS THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH B6 PASSAT OWNERS. THE PROBLEM IS MOST LIKELY FAULTY CONTACTS YET THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN IS REPLACED BY VOLKSWAGEN A…
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CAR WILL NOT START, DASHBOARD WARNING "STEERING COLUMN LOCK FAILURE" I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR QUITE SOME TIME AND I THINK IT'S ABOUT TIME TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT AS THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH B6 PASSAT OWNERS. THE PROBLEM IS MOST LIKELY FAULTY CONTACTS YET THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN IS REPLACED BY VOLKSWAGEN AND COULD COST UP TO $2000.. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10273995
58,000 miles · Jun 8, 2009
Steering
I HAVE A 2006 VW PASSAT, AMONG MANY ISSUES WITH THIS MODEL AND YEAR, THE MOST RECENT AND MY SERIOUS CONCERN FOR SAFETY IS THE ""STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEFECTIVE" THE CAR SOMETIMES WILL NOT START AT ALL OR WILL START AND IMMEDIATELY DIE. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND WAS SHOCKED BY THE NUMBER OF VW CUSTOMERS THAT HAD THE SAME IS…
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I HAVE A 2006 VW PASSAT, AMONG MANY ISSUES WITH THIS MODEL AND YEAR, THE MOST RECENT AND MY SERIOUS CONCERN FOR SAFETY IS THE ""STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEFECTIVE" THE CAR SOMETIMES WILL NOT START AT ALL OR WILL START AND IMMEDIATELY DIE. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND WAS SHOCKED BY THE NUMBER OF VW CUSTOMERS THAT HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE YET! THE COST TO FIX THIS IS IN THE UPWARDS OF $1500. ONE THE CAR IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD AND TWO THERE SEEMS TO BE A PATTERN HERE THAT THIS IS A VW DEFECTIVE ISSUE! THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN, I AM PREGNANT AND CAN'T EVEN GET HOME AFTER DRIVING TO WORK OR THE STORE! I FEEL VW HAS AN ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX THIS RECURRING PROBLEM! I HOPE YOU CAN PURSUE THIS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10273066
56,500 miles · May 27, 2009
Steering
WHEN I ATTEMPT TO START MY CAR, IT WILL INITIALLY TURN OVER BUT WILL THEN SHUT DOWN. THE IN DASH COMPUTER STATES A STEERING WHEEL LOCK FAILURE. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH A MODULE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND THAT THE REPAIR BILL WOULD BE $2000.00. THEY ALSO CONFIRMED THAT ANOTHER ONE OF THEIR CUSTOMER…
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WHEN I ATTEMPT TO START MY CAR, IT WILL INITIALLY TURN OVER BUT WILL THEN SHUT DOWN. THE IN DASH COMPUTER STATES A STEERING WHEEL LOCK FAILURE. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH A MODULE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND THAT THE REPAIR BILL WOULD BE $2000.00. THEY ALSO CONFIRMED THAT ANOTHER ONE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, EXCEPT THAT THE STEERING LOCKED UP ON THEM WHILE DRIVING. THE GENTLE I SPOKE WITH EXPLAINED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP CAN ALSO OCCUR WITH MINE. HE THEN STATED THAT VW AMERICA WAS GOING TO PAY FOR APPROXIMATELY 800.00 OF THE REPAIR BILL AND I WILL HAVE TO COVER THE REST. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10270102
54,000 miles · May 20, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering
I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF A 2006 VW PASSAT, WHO HAS HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE LATEST BEING OF MOST CONCERN. WHEN I ATTEMPT TO START THE CAR, IT WILL EITHER NOT TURN OVER AT ALL, OR THE ENGINE TURN OVER, THEN DIE. THIS HAPPENS NEARLY EVERYTIME I AM IN THE CAR. MY VEHICLE IS 4,000 MILES OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY, SO…
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I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF A 2006 VW PASSAT, WHO HAS HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE LATEST BEING OF MOST CONCERN. WHEN I ATTEMPT TO START THE CAR, IT WILL EITHER NOT TURN OVER AT ALL, OR THE ENGINE TURN OVER, THEN DIE. THIS HAPPENS NEARLY EVERYTIME I AM IN THE CAR. MY VEHICLE IS 4,000 MILES OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY, SO NEITHERVOLKSWAGON, NOR MY LOCAL VW DEALER WILL ASSIST ME WITH THE COST (BEING AN '!@#$% AMOUNT OF $1643.00 OUT OF POCKET), NOR HAS A RECALL BEEN ISSUED. I HAVE CALLED AND EMAILED NUMEROUS INDIVIDUALS AT VW CORPORATE LEVEL, WITH NO RESULTS. IN DOING RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND MANY FORUMS, WITH MULTIPLE POSTS OF CUSTOMERS HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THIS CAR, SPECIFICALLY THE 2006 MODEL. I HAVE ALSO WENT THROUGH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU TO ATTEMPT TO GET ANSWERS ON WHY VW IS NOT DOING MORE FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS WITH A PART THAT IS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE. BELOW IS THE REPLY EMAIL I GOT FROM THEM, INSTRUCTING ME TO CONTACT YOUR COMPANY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION AND TIME ON THIS MATTER. COPY OF EMAIL FROM BBB-- {I AM IN RECEIPT OF YOUR EMAIL SENT TO THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU, INC. UPON REVIEW OF YOUR EMAIL, IT DOESN'T APPEAR AS THOUGH YOU HAVE FILED A CLAIM WITH THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. I SUGGEST YOU BEGIN THERE. THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) IS AN OFFICE WITHIN THE NHTSA. ODI CONDUCTS DEFECT INVESTIGATIONS AND ADMINISTERS SAFETY RECALLS TO SUPPORT THE NHTSA'S MISSION TO IMPROVE SAFETY ON OUR NATION'S HIGHWAYS. NHTSA IS AUTHORIZED TO ORDER MANUFACTURERS TO RECALL AND REPAIR VEHICLES OR ITEMS OF MOTOR VEHICLE EQUIPMENT WHEN ODI INVESTIGATIONS INDICATE THAT THEY CONTAIN SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECTS IN THEIR DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, OR PERFORMANCE. ODI ALSO MONITORS THE ADEQUACY OF MANUFACTURERS' RECALL CAMPAIGNS. BEFORE INITIATING AN INVESTIGATION, ODI CAREFULLY REVIEWS THE BODY OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OTHER AVAILABLE DATA TO DETERMINE WHETHER A DEFECT TREND MAY EXIST. WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV}. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10269568
60,000 miles · May 20, 2009
Electrical SystemSteering
VEHICLE WILL NOT START 70% OF THE TIME. VEHICLE STALLS ONCE STARTED. PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE. QUOTE WAS PROVIDED TO REPAIR, BUT PARTS ARE VERY EXPENSIVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10269501
63,000 miles · May 20, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingLatches/locks/linkages
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKS UP ON HER VEHICLE AND PREVENTS IT FROM BEING DRIVEN. SHE ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINE AND AN INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, WHICH STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE STE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKS UP ON HER VEHICLE AND PREVENTS IT FROM BEING DRIVEN. SHE ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINE AND AN INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, WHICH STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED A MODULE. THE REPAIR WOULD COST $1,300. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000. UPDATED 05/27/09 *BF UPDATED 06/08/09 *BF UPDATED 6/16/09 *NJ THE LEFT REAR CALIPER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED,THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE TRANSMISSION WAS MAKING A LOUD NOISE, THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL DID NOT WORK, THE LEFT WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THE HOOD RELEASE LEVER INSIDE THE VEHICLE WAS INOPERATIVE. UPDATED 06/17/09.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10269475
69,000 miles · May 19, 2009
Electrical SystemSteering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE IGNITION AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO LOCK UP. THERE WERE TWO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE MESSAGES DISPLAYED WERE "EMBOLIZATER ACTIVATED MOVE STEERING WHEEL" AND "STEERING LOCK DEFECTIVE". IN ADDITION, THE IGNI…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE IGNITION AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO LOCK UP. THERE WERE TWO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE MESSAGES DISPLAYED WERE "EMBOLIZATER ACTIVATED MOVE STEERING WHEEL" AND "STEERING LOCK DEFECTIVE". IN ADDITION, THE IGNITION KEY WAS STUCK AND FAILED TO RELEASE. THE FAILURES OCCURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER DISCONNECTED AND RECONNECTED THE BATTERY CABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STALLED BETWEEN SIX TO TEN TIMES WHILE IN OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM HER RESIDENCE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 69,000.
NHTSA ODI #10269428
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 ↗