IllustrationMY DASH KEEPS TELLING ME STEERING COLUMN LOCK IS DEFECTIVE. MY CAR WON'T START HALF THE TIME. I HAVE TO LEAVE MY CAR RUNNING IF I PLAN ON GETTING RIGHT BACK IN. *TR
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
820–25K
5925–50K
9550–75K
6575–100K
84100–150K
26150K+
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
Steering complaints
112 reportsDEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN LOCK MESSAGE KEEPS COMING UP ON 2006 VW PASSAT STARTED HAPPENING OVER THE SUMMER NOW 1 1/2 MONTHS LATER IT IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. *TR
1) THE CAR HAS 67,000 MILES AND IT HAS BEEN SERVICED EVERY 5,000 MILES AS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER. 2) THE CAR WOULDN'T START AND IT CAME UP WITH A WARNING MESSAGE THAT READ "STEERING COLUMN LOCK FAILURE." IT CAME ONLY ONCE, BUT FAILURE OF THIS STATIONARY PART COULD RESULT IN LOCKING THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING. AS PER …
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1) THE CAR HAS 67,000 MILES AND IT HAS BEEN SERVICED EVERY 5,000 MILES AS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER. 2) THE CAR WOULDN'T START AND IT CAME UP WITH A WARNING MESSAGE THAT READ "STEERING COLUMN LOCK FAILURE." IT CAME ONLY ONCE, BUT FAILURE OF THIS STATIONARY PART COULD RESULT IN LOCKING THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING. AS PER THOUSANDS OF BLOG THREADS, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON VOLKSWAGEN PASSATS. 3) THE PART HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE MANUFACTURER (VOLKSWAGEN) NO LONGER USES THE SAME PART. THEY USE A NEW IMPROVED PART THAT DOESN'T SEEM TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. *TR
EVERY COUPLE OF DAYS, 'STEERING COLUMN DEFECTIVE' MESSAGE APPEARS ON 2006 VW PASSAT SCREEN, AND CAR WON'T START. AFTER 5 OR 6 TRIES THE CAR EVENTUALLY STARTS. I SEE POSTINGS SIMILAR TO THIS IN MANY INTERNET FORUMS REGARDING 2006 PASSAT. *TR
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
2006 VW PASSAT 3.6 4-MOTION. 65K MILES. STEERING COLUMN LOCK FAILURE. WHILE ON MY HONEYMOON TRIP WITH MY NEW WIFE TO VANCOUVER B.C. MY CAR FAILED TO START AS USUAL. KEY IS PLACED IN DASH AND PRESSED INTO STARTING POSITION. CAR STARTS AND THEN ABRUPTLY ENGINE STOPS. VERY INTERMITTENT. PROBLEM IS WORRYING BECAUSE IT COULD POTENTIA…
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2006 VW PASSAT 3.6 4-MOTION. 65K MILES. STEERING COLUMN LOCK FAILURE. WHILE ON MY HONEYMOON TRIP WITH MY NEW WIFE TO VANCOUVER B.C. MY CAR FAILED TO START AS USUAL. KEY IS PLACED IN DASH AND PRESSED INTO STARTING POSITION. CAR STARTS AND THEN ABRUPTLY ENGINE STOPS. VERY INTERMITTENT. PROBLEM IS WORRYING BECAUSE IT COULD POTENTIALLY HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. *TR
2006 VW PASSAT 2.0T. STEERING COLUMN LOCK FAILURE. *TR
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS LEADING UP TO 07-30-08, VEHICLE WOULD NOT START PROPERLY. VW REPROGRAMMED KEYS BUT REFUSED TO COVER COSTS EVEN THOUGH VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. AROUND APRIL 2009, VEHICLE BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS CRANKING AGAIN. VEHICLE WOULD START THEN THE ENGINE WOULD IMMEDIATELY DIE, BUT NOT EVERY TIME. CONDITION…
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ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS LEADING UP TO 07-30-08, VEHICLE WOULD NOT START PROPERLY. VW REPROGRAMMED KEYS BUT REFUSED TO COVER COSTS EVEN THOUGH VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. AROUND APRIL 2009, VEHICLE BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS CRANKING AGAIN. VEHICLE WOULD START THEN THE ENGINE WOULD IMMEDIATELY DIE, BUT NOT EVERY TIME. CONDITION GOT WORSE AT THE BEGINNING OF JUNE AND HAD THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR CHECKED OUT. THEY WERE FINE. ON ONE OCCASION THE VEHICLE COMPUTER GAVE A "STEERING WHEEL LOCK DEFECTIVE" ERROR. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER ON 06-16-2009. THIS TIME THEY SAID STEERING COLUMN CONTROL MODULE AND COMFORT MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT RELATED TO EARLIER PROBLEM THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. HAD VEHICLE REPAIRED AT DIFFERENT VW DEALER AT OWN COST. I KEPT THE OLD PARTS. *TR
CAR WOULD NOT START WHEN KEY WAS INSERTED. PROBLEM WAS VERY INTERMITTENT AT FIRST AND THEN BECAME MORE AND MORE COMMON. THEN SOMETIMES THE CAR WOULD START BUT STOP IMMEDIATELY. DEALERS AT FIRST TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS BUT NOW STATE THAT THE CAR REQUIRES A NEW STEERING COLUMN. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED. THE COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $1,200. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY OFFE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED. THE COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $1,200. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY OFFERED TO ASSIST WITH 30% OF THE REPAIR COST. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 78,000.
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.