NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
576 reports103,000 miles · Jun 8, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering
THE PROBLEM STARTED OFF SMALL. MY PASSAT ONE DAY STARTED AND SHUT OFF. OVER THE NEXT COUPLE MONTHS THE PROBLEM GOT MUCH WORSE. FIRST IT TOOK A COUPLE TRIES TO START AND NOW TYPICALLY TAKES ABOUT 15 MINUTES TO START. THE STEERING WHEEL LIGHT POPS UP AND THE CARS WARNING STATES "STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEFECTIVE". TODAY 6/8/14 I WAS …
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THE PROBLEM STARTED OFF SMALL. MY PASSAT ONE DAY STARTED AND SHUT OFF. OVER THE NEXT COUPLE MONTHS THE PROBLEM GOT MUCH WORSE. FIRST IT TOOK A COUPLE TRIES TO START AND NOW TYPICALLY TAKES ABOUT 15 MINUTES TO START. THE STEERING WHEEL LIGHT POPS UP AND THE CARS WARNING STATES "STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEFECTIVE". TODAY 6/8/14 I WAS DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR STALLS. LUCKILY WE MADE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. WITH A CRYING BABY IN THE BACKSEAT, I FINALLY GOT THE CAR TO START AFTER 2 HOURS OF TRYING! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10596971
60,000 miles · Jun 3, 2014
Service Brakes
PARKING BRAKE (BUTTON PUSH) RANDOMLY ENGAGES WITHOUT THE BUTTON PUSHED. SOMETIMES I ENGAGED THE PARKING BRAKE WHEN I PARK THE CAR, BUT WHEN I COME BACK TO THE CAR AND TRY TO DISENGAGE IT, IT WILL NOT DISENGAGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10595866
140,000 miles · Jun 3, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING COLUM LOCK DEFECTIVE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING COLUM LOCK DEFECTIVE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
NHTSA ODI #10595856
119,000 miles · Jun 2, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
I PURCHASED A 2006 PASSAT 3.6 ON FEBRUARY 20TH,2014 AND MAKING PAYMENTS ON IT. TWO WEEKS LATER I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE IDLE WAS UP AND DOWN. THEY CHARGED ME $700 BECAUSE THE CAR WAS AS IS. ONCE I GOT THE CAR BACK I STARTER SEEING THE EPC LIGHT WHICH IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH VOLKSWAGEN AND NOW THE CAR WONT …
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I PURCHASED A 2006 PASSAT 3.6 ON FEBRUARY 20TH,2014 AND MAKING PAYMENTS ON IT. TWO WEEKS LATER I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE IDLE WAS UP AND DOWN. THEY CHARGED ME $700 BECAUSE THE CAR WAS AS IS. ONCE I GOT THE CAR BACK I STARTER SEEING THE EPC LIGHT WHICH IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH VOLKSWAGEN AND NOW THE CAR WONT GO OVER 40MPH , TWO WEEKS AGO I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND OIL WAS ALL OVER THE PLACE AND I CANT LOCATE ANY TYPE OF LEAK. HERE A LINK OF OTHER PASSAT OWNER WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND AS OF NOW THERE'S NO RECALL ON IT, I AM BEGGING FOR YOU GUYS HELP HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/VOLKSWAGEN/PASSAT/2006/DRIVETRAIN/POWER_TRAIN.SHTML. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10595517
109,000 miles · May 9, 2014
EnginePower Train
STARTED DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, AT 55MPH SUDDENLY THE CAR LOST POWER AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON CAR WOULDN'T START AFTER I PULLED OVER, LOUD NOISE AND VIBRATING CAME FROM ENGINE ALSO CRA INDICATED LOW OIL PRESSURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10587384
153,000 miles · Apr 8, 2014
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR COULD NOT DETECT WHEN THE PASSENGER'S SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER F…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR COULD NOT DETECT WHEN THE PASSENGER'S SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR A SOFTWARE UPDATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000.
NHTSA ODI #10578325
81,302 miles · Apr 3, 2014
StructureVisibility
DRIVING SOUTH ON THE 57 FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 2:45 P.M. WITH MY GRANDDAUGHTER WHEN SUDDENLY FOR NO REASON THE SUNROOF POPPED OFF ONTO THE FREEWAY, WE DID NOT HAVE THE SUNROOF OPEN. WE ARE LUCKY IT DID HIT ANYONE AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. WE CALLED VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA & WAS TOLD TO TAKE CAR TO A VOLKSWAGEN DEALER, THE DEALER…
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DRIVING SOUTH ON THE 57 FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 2:45 P.M. WITH MY GRANDDAUGHTER WHEN SUDDENLY FOR NO REASON THE SUNROOF POPPED OFF ONTO THE FREEWAY, WE DID NOT HAVE THE SUNROOF OPEN. WE ARE LUCKY IT DID HIT ANYONE AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. WE CALLED VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA & WAS TOLD TO TAKE CAR TO A VOLKSWAGEN DEALER, THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. SPOKE WITH [XXX] THE REGIONAL CARE MANAGER AND HE SAID THAT HE COULD ONLY OFFER $2000.00 TOWARDS A NEW CAR AND WOULD NOT OFFER ANYTHING TOWARDS A REPAIR. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10577106
81,302 miles · Apr 1, 2014
Visibility
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE SUN ROOF DETACHED COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO INFORMED THAT THE MALFUNCTION WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE SUN ROOF DETACHED COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO INFORMED THAT THE MALFUNCTION WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,302.
NHTSA ODI #10576214
143,000 miles · Mar 28, 2014
Engine
ENGINE IS DEAD THANKS TO VOLKSWAGEN WHO HAVE NOT MAKE A OFFICIAL RECALL OVER THIS DEFECTIVE OIL PUMP BOLT - LOTS OF PEOPLE MOST OF THEM GET THIS CARS OUT OF WARRANTY LIKE MY CASE WHO ARE GETTING THIS CAR PREOWNED WILL FACE SAME ISSUES UNLESS VW TAKE ACTION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10575352
44,000 miles · Mar 6, 2014
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AS THE ENGINE, AIR BAG AND BRAKE SENSOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AS THE ENGINE, AIR BAG AND BRAKE SENSOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10567691
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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