NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
576 reportsMileage unknown · Oct 25, 2015
Air BagsUnknown Or Other
HORN AND AIRBAG HAD SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR ONLY 7 YEARS. WAS THINKING IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THE FUSE, BUT SADLY NO. SOMETIMES THE HORN SUDDENLY BURSTS TO LIFE IN SHORT SESSIONS, BUT ONLY WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS JUST TURNED ON, RARELY IS IT HEARD. ALSO, THE TURBO SEEMS TO TAKE MUCH LONGER THAN …
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HORN AND AIRBAG HAD SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR ONLY 7 YEARS. WAS THINKING IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THE FUSE, BUT SADLY NO. SOMETIMES THE HORN SUDDENLY BURSTS TO LIFE IN SHORT SESSIONS, BUT ONLY WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS JUST TURNED ON, RARELY IS IT HEARD. ALSO, THE TURBO SEEMS TO TAKE MUCH LONGER THAN USUAL TO REACH THE NEXT GEAR, (AGAIN, THIS SELDOMLY ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS JUST STARTED)
NHTSA ODI #10785856
107,000 miles · Oct 23, 2015
Engine
LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING AND THE EPC LIGHT CAME ON. NOW THE "STOP NO OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON AND ENGINE IS NOT OF NORMAL SOUND. HAD TO HAVE TOWED TO GARAGE AND THE ENGINE NEEDS REPLACED. OIL PUMP BAD ALONG WITH MANY OTHER PARTS.
NHTSA ODI #10785552
31,000 miles · Oct 15, 2015
Air Bags
AIRBAG LIGHT COME AND STAYS ON. THE CODE IS VAG 01218 SIDE AIRBAG IGNITER, FRT PASS SIDE UPPER LIMIT EXCEEDED. INTERMITTENT. DEALER SAYS I HAVE TO REPLACE THE COMPLETE AIRBAG SYSTEM AT $700 COST. WHY IS THIS NOT PART OF THE GENERAL RECALL ON THIS ISSUE THIS IS EXACTLY THE SAME ISSUE IN VW HAS RELEASE A SERVICE ACTION FOR THI…
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AIRBAG LIGHT COME AND STAYS ON. THE CODE IS VAG 01218 SIDE AIRBAG IGNITER, FRT PASS SIDE UPPER LIMIT EXCEEDED. INTERMITTENT. DEALER SAYS I HAVE TO REPLACE THE COMPLETE AIRBAG SYSTEM AT $700 COST. WHY IS THIS NOT PART OF THE GENERAL RECALL ON THIS ISSUE THIS IS EXACTLY THE SAME ISSUE IN VW HAS RELEASE A SERVICE ACTION FOR THIS ISSUE. SERVICE ACTION 97U3/T3. WHY IS NOT MY CAR INCLUDED IN THIS? THIS SHOULD BE A COMPLETE RECALL. HERE IS LINK TO HTTP://NATERONLINE.COM/TECHNICAL_BULLETINS/2008.02.11_AIRBAG_IGNITOR_SIDE_DTC_01217_01218.PDF HTTP://WWW.CARWORKLOG.COM/2010/06/23/AIR-BAG-FAULT-01218-SIDE-AIRBAG-IGNITER-PASSENGER-SIDE/ WHY AM I PAYING FOR THIS?
NHTSA ODI #10782320
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
153,000 miles · Sep 30, 2015
Air Bags
THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WHEN I TOOK THE CARE IN TO GET CHECKED OUT I WAS TOLD THAT SOMETHING ON THE INSIDE RUBS THE WIRES AND DUE TO THAT TURNS OFF THE ENTIRE AIRBAG SYSTEM. IT IS NOT AN ISSUE CAUSED BY CONSUMERS SINCE IT IS INTERNAL AND A VERY CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE. THEY PASS ON THE CHARGE TO THE CONSUMER WHICH IS RIGHT…
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THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WHEN I TOOK THE CARE IN TO GET CHECKED OUT I WAS TOLD THAT SOMETHING ON THE INSIDE RUBS THE WIRES AND DUE TO THAT TURNS OFF THE ENTIRE AIRBAG SYSTEM. IT IS NOT AN ISSUE CAUSED BY CONSUMERS SINCE IT IS INTERNAL AND A VERY CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE. THEY PASS ON THE CHARGE TO THE CONSUMER WHICH IS RIGHT AROUND $1,200.00. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE ON MULTIPLE LEVELS.
NHTSA ODI #10778659
102,000 miles · Sep 23, 2015
Air Bags
THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE COST SHOULD BE COVERED BY A RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN IS REFUSING TO PAY.
NHTSA ODI #10773828
164,000 miles · Jun 26, 2015
Engine
TRAVELING OVER 400 MILES, 70 MILES PER HOUR, ENGINE LIGHT ON, OIL LIGHT ON, STOP DRIVING. CHECKED OIL, RESERVOIR FULL. TOWED ON FLATBED TO NEAREST DEALER. METAL IN OIL, TOLD I NEED A NEW ENGINE. LIKE ALL THE OTHERS I READ ABOUT, ALL MAINTENANCE WAS DONE PER VW. NEW TIRES TWO WEEKS AGO TO THE TUNE OF $1100+ . TIMING BELT H…
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TRAVELING OVER 400 MILES, 70 MILES PER HOUR, ENGINE LIGHT ON, OIL LIGHT ON, STOP DRIVING. CHECKED OIL, RESERVOIR FULL. TOWED ON FLATBED TO NEAREST DEALER. METAL IN OIL, TOLD I NEED A NEW ENGINE. LIKE ALL THE OTHERS I READ ABOUT, ALL MAINTENANCE WAS DONE PER VW. NEW TIRES TWO WEEKS AGO TO THE TUNE OF $1100+ . TIMING BELT HAS BEEN DONE. INSPECTIONS DONE PER STATE REGS. OIL CHANGES ON TIME. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT MENTIONED THE BOLT ON THE OIL PUMP, BUT WHAT ELSE WOULD PUT METAL IN THE OIL. NICE JOB VW. NO RECALL, NO RECOURSE. WAITING TO HEAR WHAT THEY WILL GIVE ME FOR THE CAR AS I AM TOLD NEW ENGINE IS $11K. :(
NHTSA ODI #10730548
92,585 miles · May 27, 2015
Electrical SystemSteering
MY CAR SUFFERS FROM A "STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEFECTIVE" ISSUE FOR WHICH VW OF AMERICA HAS ISSUED A RECALL AS IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS YEAR OF THE CAR. FOR SOME REASON MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL (BY VIN), AND NOW THAT THE PIECE IS STARTING TO FAIL THEY WILL NOT COVER IT. IT IS A CLEAR DEFECT AND IT IS WELL DO…
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MY CAR SUFFERS FROM A "STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEFECTIVE" ISSUE FOR WHICH VW OF AMERICA HAS ISSUED A RECALL AS IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS YEAR OF THE CAR. FOR SOME REASON MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL (BY VIN), AND NOW THAT THE PIECE IS STARTING TO FAIL THEY WILL NOT COVER IT. IT IS A CLEAR DEFECT AND IT IS WELL DOCUMENTED, BUT THEY STILL WANT ME TO PAY OUT OF POCKET ($800) TO COVER THE REPAIR COSTS. IF THIS PART FAILS, I WILL BE LEFT STRANDED WITH NO WAY OF TURNING THE CAR ON. A LOT OF MONEY HAS ALREADY BEEN SPENT FIXING THIS CAR AS THIS WAS A PROBLEMATIC YEAR FOR THIS MODEL. I DO NOT WANT TO SPEND MORE MONEY FIXING WHAT IS CLEARLY A DEFECT AND SOMETHING THAT VW HAS RECOGNIZED IS A PROBLEM AND IS FIXING IN OTHER CALLS FROM THE SAME YEAR. THANK YOU.
NHTSA ODI #10721635
Mileage unknown · May 1, 2015
Engine
VEHICLE HAS BROKEN DOWN TWICE WHILE DRIVING. IT LOSES TURBO. THE FINAL PROBLEM OCCURRED DECEMBER 22, 2014 AT WHICH THE DAMAGE WAS CONCLUDED TO BE THE CAM CHAIN. THIS CHAIN CAN BE DAMAGED BY THE CAM FOLLOWER. THE FOLLOWER WAS RECALLED THE CHAIN WAS NOT. THIS RENDERS THE CAR USELESS. THE CHAIN IS NOT A CONSUMABLE ITEM AND TH…
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VEHICLE HAS BROKEN DOWN TWICE WHILE DRIVING. IT LOSES TURBO. THE FINAL PROBLEM OCCURRED DECEMBER 22, 2014 AT WHICH THE DAMAGE WAS CONCLUDED TO BE THE CAM CHAIN. THIS CHAIN CAN BE DAMAGED BY THE CAM FOLLOWER. THE FOLLOWER WAS RECALLED THE CHAIN WAS NOT. THIS RENDERS THE CAR USELESS. THE CHAIN IS NOT A CONSUMABLE ITEM AND THE MANUFACTURER DOES NOT RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE ON IT. IF THEY HAD, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DONE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10714072
91,126 miles · Mar 27, 2015
Engine
WHILE DRIVING IN-CITY, I EXPERIENCED SUDDEN INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER. MY MIL INDICATOR STARTED FLASHING A YELLOW ENGINE LIGHT. AFTER LIMPING THE CAR HOME (<1MILE) MY VEHICLE DEVELOPED A HAMMERING NOISE BEFORE I TURNED IT OFF. I TOOK THE CAR TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND THEY DETERMINED THE ISSUE WAS ENGINE SLUDGE. AFTER CONTACTIN…
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WHILE DRIVING IN-CITY, I EXPERIENCED SUDDEN INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER. MY MIL INDICATOR STARTED FLASHING A YELLOW ENGINE LIGHT. AFTER LIMPING THE CAR HOME (<1MILE) MY VEHICLE DEVELOPED A HAMMERING NOISE BEFORE I TURNED IT OFF. I TOOK THE CAR TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND THEY DETERMINED THE ISSUE WAS ENGINE SLUDGE. AFTER CONTACTING VW REGARDING THE ISSUE THEY REFUSED TO TAKE ANY ACTIONS. I HAVE FULLY MAINTAINED THE VEHICLE BASED ON MANUFACTURER SCHEDULED SERVICE INTERVALS, OFTEN MORE FREQUENTLY THAN LISTED. I DID LEARN THERE WAS AN ACTIVE RECALL FOR THE POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION SYSTEM WHICH CAN DIRECTLY EFFECT THE DEVELOPMENT OF ENGINE SLUDGE. DESPITE THIS CONNECTION, VW STILL REFUSED TO TAKE ANY ACTION ON THE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10702219
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 ↗
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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