Illustration2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE VEHICLE TIRES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING ROUGH AND THE STEERING WAS VIBRATING DUE TO THE VEHICLE HAVING 3 BAD TIRES. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED 4 NEW TIRES. *JS
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
Tires complaints
4 reportsI AM A PHD COMPUTER SCIENTIST AND MY VW'S COMPUTER CONTROL MODULE SPONTANEOUSLY CHANGED ITS SETTING. A VW DEALER TECHNICIAN DOCUMENTED THE CHANGE, AND RESET THE PARAMETER TO FACTORY SETTINGS. I REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES ON MY CAR AT COSTCO. WHEN I STARTED MY CAR, THE "LOW TIRE PRESSURE" WARNING LIGHT LIT. I REPORTED THIS TO …
Read full complaint
I AM A PHD COMPUTER SCIENTIST AND MY VW'S COMPUTER CONTROL MODULE SPONTANEOUSLY CHANGED ITS SETTING. A VW DEALER TECHNICIAN DOCUMENTED THE CHANGE, AND RESET THE PARAMETER TO FACTORY SETTINGS. I REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES ON MY CAR AT COSTCO. WHEN I STARTED MY CAR, THE "LOW TIRE PRESSURE" WARNING LIGHT LIT. I REPORTED THIS TO THE COSTCO EMPLOYEE WHO HAD DONE THE WORK. HE CHECKED THE FACTORY SETTINGS BY THE DRIVER'S DOOR, AND MADE SURE ALL TIRES WERE SET TO THAT PRESSURE, 35 LBS. THE WARNING LIGHT WENT ON EVERY TIME I DROVE. I SCHEDULED A REGULAR SERVICE APPOINTMENT WITH A VW DEALER. THE TECHNICAL FOUND THAT THE CONTROL UNIT'S SETTING HAD CHANGED TO 100101 FROM 100100. HE RESET THE PARAMETER, AND THE START-UP WARNING STOPPED. *TR
'07/19/2006: PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT '04/13/2007: RADIO WILL NOT EJECT CD- THE STEREO SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO FAULTY RADIO '12/06/2007: CAR WILL NOT START ' CALLED TOW COMPANY, UPON ARRIVAL CHECKED BATTERY AND IT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM; TOW COMPANY COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO START; CAR WAS TOWED TO …
Read full complaint
'07/19/2006: PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT '04/13/2007: RADIO WILL NOT EJECT CD- THE STEREO SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO FAULTY RADIO '12/06/2007: CAR WILL NOT START ' CALLED TOW COMPANY, UPON ARRIVAL CHECKED BATTERY AND IT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM; TOW COMPANY COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO START; CAR WAS TOWED TO LASHER VOLKSWAGEN '12/14/2007: CAR WILL NOT START AGAIN, SAME ISSUE AS BEFORE ON 12/06/2007; CALLED THE TOW COMPANY AND HAD IT TOWED TO LASHER DEALERSHIP; AFTER NUMEROUS CALLS BACK AND FORTH, VW DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER CANNOT FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM NOR HAVE THEY FIXED THE VEHICLE YET '01/12/08: PICKED UP THE VEHICLE FROM LASHER VW ' SEEMED TO WORK OKAY '01/14/08: WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, DOOR LOCKS BEGAN TO UNLOCK AND LOCK BY THEMSELVES AND WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY; ALSO, SUDDENLY LIGHT INDICATORS (BLINKERS) DID NOT WORK, HIGH BEAMS DID NOT WORK, WINDSHIELD WIPERS DID NOT WORK, STEERING WHEEL INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON, TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON, CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON; THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION '01/17/08: WHILE DRIVING TO BERKELEY, ON THE FREEWAY, THE BLINKERS STOPPED WORKING, AND COULD NOT GET THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO WORK; LOCKS BEGAN TO LOCK AND UNLOCK WHILE DRIVING; TELEPHONE CALL AGAIN, TO LASHER VW TO EXPRESS GREAT CONCERN AND WORRIED ABOUT BEING STRANDED; WAS TOLD TO BRING IT IN ON FRIDAY 01/1/08 AT 7:30 AM; ONCE WE ARRIVED IN BERKELEY, WE PARKED THE CAR AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION ' THE RADIO WAS STILL ON AND THE HEADLIGHTS DID NOT SHUT OFF; WE STARTED UP THE CAR AGAIN AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED; WHEN LOCKING THE CAR WITH THE ALARM, THE DOORS LOCKED BUT THE ALARM DID NOT TURN ON; LIGHTS REMAINED ON FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES, FEARING THAT THE BATTERY WOULD RUN LOW AND WE WOULD BE STRANDED '08/05/09: TOOK THE CAR TO ELK GROVE VW AND TOLD THAT WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER ANY OF THE REPAIRS '10/24/09-12/14/09: THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO START SINCE 10/23/09 AND SITTING IN OUR GARAGE & NOW AT NEILLO VW. *TR
I LEASED A NEW VW PASSAT IN 2006. THE TIRES WORE OUT IN 21,000 EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE PROPERLY INFLATED AND BASICALLY DRIVEN ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS. I HAVE NEVER HAD TIRES THAT LASTED LESS THAN 35K. *TR
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.