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
What owners actually said
576 reports
73,500 miles · Nov 5, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel/propulsion System
DRIVING 65 ON THE FREEWAY IN HEAVY RAIN, CAR MADE HORRIBLE SOUND AND LOST ACCELERATION POWER. ALMOST INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT , HOWEVER MANAGED TO PULL TO SHOULDER WHEN THE CAR THEN FILLED WITH A GAS SMELL. CALLED FOR ASSISTANCE AND WAS TOWED 100 MILES BACK TO MY MECHANIC. UPON INSPECTION, MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE CATALYTIC CO…
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DRIVING 65 ON THE FREEWAY IN HEAVY RAIN, CAR MADE HORRIBLE SOUND AND LOST ACCELERATION POWER. ALMOST INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT , HOWEVER MANAGED TO PULL TO SHOULDER WHEN THE CAR THEN FILLED WITH A GAS SMELL. CALLED FOR ASSISTANCE AND WAS TOWED 100 MILES BACK TO MY MECHANIC. UPON INSPECTION, MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER DISCONNECTED AT THE TURBO FLANGE. HE ALSO STATED THAT HE HAD FIXED THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM IN MY EXACT VEHICLE MAKE/MODEL THE WEEK PRIOR. CONTACTED VW TO SEE IF THIS WAS COVERED UNDER THE 80K MILES EMISSIONS WARRANTY, ONLY TO DISCOVER THAT IN CALIFORNIA THE WARRANTY ONLY GOES TO 70K MILES. THE ENTIRE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF $1,150. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REPLACEMENT CATALYTIC CONVERTER FROM VW WAS MUCH MORE STURDY THAN THE ORIGINAL INSTALLED , INDICATING THAT VW IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. ADDITIONALLY, HE STATED IT WAS ODD THAT A CAR DEALERSHIP STOCKS THAT PART AS IT IS NOT TOO COMMON TO REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER UNDER 100K MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10652612
138,360 miles · Oct 27, 2014
Power Train
I'M HAVING CONCERNS WITH OPEN ROAD VOLKSWAGEN OF BRIDGEWATER NJ IN REFERENCE TO WHAT I BELIEVE WAS NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. MY CAR WAS SERVICED IN JUNE 2014 AND THEN AGAIN IN OCTOBER 2014. ON OCTOBER 13TH, I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THEM STATING MY TRANSMISSION WAS GONE AND WOULD COST $10,000 TO REPLACE. …
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I'M HAVING CONCERNS WITH OPEN ROAD VOLKSWAGEN OF BRIDGEWATER NJ IN REFERENCE TO WHAT I BELIEVE WAS NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. MY CAR WAS SERVICED IN JUNE 2014 AND THEN AGAIN IN OCTOBER 2014. ON OCTOBER 13TH, I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THEM STATING MY TRANSMISSION WAS GONE AND WOULD COST $10,000 TO REPLACE. THIS PRICE IS EXTREMELY HIGH! AFTER THAT NEWS, WE WERE TOLD THAT MY CAR HAD TRANSMISSION ISSUES IN JUNE WHEN IT WAS SERVICED, BUT THE OPEN ROAD VOLKSWAGEN OF BRIDGEWATER DID NOT TELL US "BECAUSE THEY KNEW I WOULDN'T PAY." SO, INSTEAD OF TELLING ME IN JUNE 2014 WHEN I COULD HAVE RESOLVED THE ISSUE FOR LESS THAN $10,000, THEY TELL ME IN OCTOBER WHEN THE COST IS HIGH. NOT TO MENTION I COULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT AND INJURED MY FAMILY OR ANOTHER VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THEY WERE NEGLIGENT IN THIS MATTER. I WROTE A LETTER TO THE GENERAL MANAGER, [XXX]. AND WOULD LIKE YOU TO ASSIST HIM WITH RESOLVING THIS MATTER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10650430
115,000 miles · Oct 20, 2014
Steering
STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEFECTIVE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR WOULD RANDOMLY DIE OUT TURN BACK ON AND RANDOMLY DIE OUT AGAIN. ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10648753
Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2014
Engine
THE OIL PUMP "OFF" WARNING LIGHT HAS COME ON 3 TIMES SINCE 10/01/2014. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2006 & 2007 3.6 PASSATS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10648671
112,000 miles · Aug 13, 2014
Visibility
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 06V470000 (VISIBILITY); HOWEVER, TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 06V470000 (VISIBILITY); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.
NHTSA ODI #10621932
105,000 miles · Jul 30, 2014
Air BagsSeat Belts
BROKEN SEATBELT SENSOR CAUSES AIRBAG FAULT. I AM NOT SURE NOW IF AIRBAG WILL WORK. ONLINE SEARCH INDICATES MANY PEOPLE HAVE SAME PROBLEM. AIRBAG FAULT SHOULD BE COVERED BY RECALL BECAUSE SEATBELTS SHOULD NOT FAIL UNDER NORMAL USE AFTER 105000 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10617491
67,000 miles · Jul 10, 2014
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER SEPARATED FROM THE FLANGE CONNECTING IT TO THE TURBOCHARGER. SEEMS COMMON FROM WHAT IS SEE ON THE INTERNET, BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN DONE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10609566
107,228 miles · Jun 23, 2014
Engine
DRIVING DOWN MAJOR RD AND GET A MESS ON DASH THAT SAYS STOP SHUT OFF OIL PRESSURE OWNERS MANUAL. HAD CAR TOWED TO VOLKSWAGEN TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM AND THEY STATE IT'S A TURBO CHARGER EXHAUST HOSE LOOSE. THEY TELL ME CAR IS FIXED NOW AND SHOULDN'T HAVE ANYMORE PROBLEMS. PAID FOR REPAIR DROVE CAR AWAY WITHIN 59 MINS THE SAME MESS CO…
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DRIVING DOWN MAJOR RD AND GET A MESS ON DASH THAT SAYS STOP SHUT OFF OIL PRESSURE OWNERS MANUAL. HAD CAR TOWED TO VOLKSWAGEN TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM AND THEY STATE IT'S A TURBO CHARGER EXHAUST HOSE LOOSE. THEY TELL ME CAR IS FIXED NOW AND SHOULDN'T HAVE ANYMORE PROBLEMS. PAID FOR REPAIR DROVE CAR AWAY WITHIN 59 MINS THE SAME MESS COMES ON WITH DAUGHTER IN CAR. CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN BC I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE CAR. THEY HAVE IT TOWED NEXT MORNING AND TELL ME IT'S THE ENGINE. THEY MISDIAGNOSED CAR BC NOW ENGINE HAS STOPPED COMPLETELY. CAR SHUT DOWN ON BUSY INTERSTATE CAR HAS BEEN GIVING ME ISSUES SINCE DAY 1. NOT SAFE AT ALL! PLS HELP CONSUMERS. I READ THIS ENGINE DOES THIS A LOT. RECALLS ARE NEED!! VOLKSWAGEN KNOWS ITS A DEFECT BUT DOES NOTHING. ESPECIALLY IF WARRANTY IS OUT. LEMON AND DANGEROUS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10605225
65,000 miles · Jun 20, 2014
Engine
OIL PUMP BOLT FAILURE. BOLT SIMPLY BACKED OUT CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE AND COULD HAVE CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SEIZE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND VW REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE OR REMEDY THE PROBLEM. AFTER A COSTLY REPAIR IN 2011, IT APPEARS TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM NOW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10604763
138,000 miles · Jun 19, 2014
Engine
ON THE HIGHWAY GOING OVER A HILL APPARENTLY THE OIL PUMP BOLT THAT HOLDS THE SPROCKET BROKE CAUSING THE CAR TO DRIVE WITH A SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF POWER AND ROUGH IDLE. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO A QUALIFIED REPAIR SHOP THAT WAS ABLE TO FIX IT BEFORE IT RUINED THE ENGINE. THE REPAIR SHOP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS COMPLETELY…
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ON THE HIGHWAY GOING OVER A HILL APPARENTLY THE OIL PUMP BOLT THAT HOLDS THE SPROCKET BROKE CAUSING THE CAR TO DRIVE WITH A SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF POWER AND ROUGH IDLE. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO A QUALIFIED REPAIR SHOP THAT WAS ABLE TO FIX IT BEFORE IT RUINED THE ENGINE. THE REPAIR SHOP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS COMPLETELY DUE TO A FAULTY OIL PUMP BOLT. THEY SAID I WAS LUCKY THAT THE BOLT MANAGED TO STAY MORE OR LESS IN PLACE EVEN THOUGH IT WAS SNAPPED IN HALF OTHERWISE IT WOULD HAVE DESTROYED THE ENGINE. I HAVE SUPPORTING REPAIR DOCUMENTATION. *TR
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
1
EA11002 · 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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