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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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
230,000 miles · Jul 3, 2012
EnginePower Train

CAR CONTINUES TO STOP WHILE BEING DRIVEN. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10464061

2,011 miles · Jun 26, 2012
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine

TRUNK HAS DIFFICULTY CLOSING. SEAT BELT DON'T WORK PROPERLY. AIRBAG LIGHT ALONG WITH THE MOTOR LIGHT TURN ON. THESE LIGHTS WERE NEVER REALLY FIXED BY THE CAR DEALER. THE PASSENGER BACK DOOR DOES NOT LOCK MOST OF THE TIME LEAVING THE CAR WITHOUT THE ALARM WORKING. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10463098

11,000 miles · Jun 15, 2012
Engine

IT'S VERY COMMON KNOWLEDGE THAT THE MODEL YEAR 2006 AND 2007 3.6 ENGINES HAVE A FATAL FLAW. THE OIL PUMP BOLT AS INSTALLED FROM THE FACTORY WAS EITHER SPECIFIED WRONG, INSTALLED WRONG, OR HAS SOME OTHER DEFECT. THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I GOT MISFIRING CODES IN ALL CYLINDERS. THE ENGINE IN MY CAR WAS …

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IT'S VERY COMMON KNOWLEDGE THAT THE MODEL YEAR 2006 AND 2007 3.6 ENGINES HAVE A FATAL FLAW. THE OIL PUMP BOLT AS INSTALLED FROM THE FACTORY WAS EITHER SPECIFIED WRONG, INSTALLED WRONG, OR HAS SOME OTHER DEFECT. THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I GOT MISFIRING CODES IN ALL CYLINDERS. THE ENGINE IN MY CAR WAS REPLACED AT 11K ACORDING WITH VW RECORDS BECAUSE OF THIS SAME ISSUE THAT RESULTED IN AN FATAL ENGINE FAILURE. THE ISSUE IS THE BOLT THAT HOLD THE OIL PUMP IN PLACE. IT COMES LOOSE OR BRAKES IN HALF. VW NEEDS TO RECALL THIS SINCE IT IS A FACTORY ISSUE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10461904

81,000 miles · Jun 13, 2012
EnginePower Train

2006 VW PASSAT 3.6L 4MOTION, 81K MILES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (CEL) AND ELECTRONIC POWER CONTROL (EPC) LIGHTS CAME ON AT CRUISING SPEED. CODES POINTED TO A CAM/CRANK TIMING ISSUE. ACCESS TO TIMING CHAIN ON THIS MODEL/TRIM REQUIRES REMOVAL OF TRANSMISSION. UPON REMOVAL, TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED THAT THE OIL PUMP BOLT HAD COMPLETELY…

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2006 VW PASSAT 3.6L 4MOTION, 81K MILES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (CEL) AND ELECTRONIC POWER CONTROL (EPC) LIGHTS CAME ON AT CRUISING SPEED. CODES POINTED TO A CAM/CRANK TIMING ISSUE. ACCESS TO TIMING CHAIN ON THIS MODEL/TRIM REQUIRES REMOVAL OF TRANSMISSION. UPON REMOVAL, TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED THAT THE OIL PUMP BOLT HAD COMPLETELY SHEARED OFF WHICH COULD HAVE LED TO COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE; THE ONLY THING KEEPING THE OIL PUMP ASSEMBLY IN PLACE WAS THE COVER. THE OIL PUMP BOLT FOR THIS MODEL/TRIM APPEARS TO BE DEFECTIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10461638

91,000 miles · May 19, 2012
Engine

DRIVING CAR NORMALLY THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND EPC LIGHT CAME ON AND ENGINE LOST POWER AND FAILED TO SHIFT NORMALLY. BROUGHT TO VW DEALER WHO TOLD ME THAT THE OIL PUMP BOLT HAD WORKED ITSELF LOOSE AND RUINED THE VALVE TIMING CHAINS AND ADJUSTERS AND OIL PUMP. VW OF NORTH AMERICA FAILED TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FA…

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DRIVING CAR NORMALLY THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND EPC LIGHT CAME ON AND ENGINE LOST POWER AND FAILED TO SHIFT NORMALLY. BROUGHT TO VW DEALER WHO TOLD ME THAT THE OIL PUMP BOLT HAD WORKED ITSELF LOOSE AND RUINED THE VALVE TIMING CHAINS AND ADJUSTERS AND OIL PUMP. VW OF NORTH AMERICA FAILED TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAILURE AND REFUSED ANY MONETARY HELP WITH THE REPAIR THAT IS ESTIMATED TO BE $3500. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10459008

118,420 miles · Apr 30, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

OIL PUMP BOLT BACKED OUT/BROKE CAUSING ENGINE DAMAGE. CAR LOSS OIL PRESSURE FORTUNATELY WAS NEAR AN EXIT TO AVOID THE ENGINE COMPLETELY STOPPING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY GETTING INVOLVED IN A POTENTIAL DANGEROUS WRECK. DEALER SAYS IT WILL COST $11,000.00 TO REPLACE ENGINE. VW KNOWS THIS IS AN ISSUE BUT WILL NOT TAKE ANY RESP…

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OIL PUMP BOLT BACKED OUT/BROKE CAUSING ENGINE DAMAGE. CAR LOSS OIL PRESSURE FORTUNATELY WAS NEAR AN EXIT TO AVOID THE ENGINE COMPLETELY STOPPING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY GETTING INVOLVED IN A POTENTIAL DANGEROUS WRECK. DEALER SAYS IT WILL COST $11,000.00 TO REPLACE ENGINE. VW KNOWS THIS IS AN ISSUE BUT WILL NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY. THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING SEEING I AM OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY AND STATED WOULD NOT DO A THING BECAUSE I AM THE SECOND OWNER. ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR TWO YEARS AND BOUGHT IT AS A PRE-CERTIFIED OWNED USED VEHICLE FROM THE VW DEALERSHIP. I HAVE SEARCHED ON LINE AND MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE. LINK TO VIEW NUMEROUS ISSUE HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?4321376-**OFFICIAL-24V-3.6L-ENGINE-(OIL-PUMP-BOLT)-FAILURE-THREAD**. ALSO ANOTHER LINK: HTTP://WWW.PASSATWORLD.COM/FORUMS/74-VOLKSWAGEN-PASSAT-B6-DISCUSSION/331097-OIL-PUMP-BOLT-FAILURE-74K-MILES.HTML THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND WE THE CONSUMERS A RE PAYING FOR IT. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10456864

Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2012
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HORN STOPPED FUNCTIONING WHEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE AIR BAG AND A B…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HORN STOPPED FUNCTIONING WHEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE AIR BAG AND A BOLT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER DID NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE, BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PREVIOUS WIRING HARNESS REPLACEMENT WAS NOT RELATED TO THE CURRENT FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

NHTSA ODI #10454857

38,046 miles · Apr 11, 2012
Electrical System

ALMOST HOME ON A SATURDAY AFTERNOON WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL (CC) ON, AND IT SUDDENLY GOES OFF - CAR RUNNING FINE BUT IT WON'T GO BACK ON CC. CHECKED OTHER ELECTRICAL CONTROLS AT THE STEERING WHEEL, AND NONE WERE WORKING - NO HORN, NO TURN SIGNALS, NO W/S WIPERS, NO LIGHTS (HEADLIGHTS STILL WORKED AS THEY ARE ALWAYS ON WHEN THE E…

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ALMOST HOME ON A SATURDAY AFTERNOON WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL (CC) ON, AND IT SUDDENLY GOES OFF - CAR RUNNING FINE BUT IT WON'T GO BACK ON CC. CHECKED OTHER ELECTRICAL CONTROLS AT THE STEERING WHEEL, AND NONE WERE WORKING - NO HORN, NO TURN SIGNALS, NO W/S WIPERS, NO LIGHTS (HEADLIGHTS STILL WORKED AS THEY ARE ALWAYS ON WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING). MADE IT SAFELY HOME, AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF - BUT, THE HEADLIGHTS WON'T GO OFF. TRIED IT SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT SUCCESS. THEN TRIED TO GET THE KEY OUT, BUT IT WOULD NOT COME OUT SO I WAS LEFT WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON AND UNABLE TO GET THE KEY OUT. DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY TO GET THE LIGHTS OFF. MONDAY PREPARED TO DRIVE THE CAR INTO THE NEAREST VW DEALER 35 MILES AWAY - CONNECTED THE BATTERY AND STARTED THE ENGINE, BUT IT QUIT RIGHT AWAY - TRIED IT SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT SUCCESS. FINALLY HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE VW DEALER AT MY EXPENSE. VW DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAULTY STEERING MODULE, AND SAID THE BILL WOULD BE OVER $1,000 BUT THAT I WOULD ONLY HAVE TO PAY FOR THE LABOR. DEALER REPLACED THE MODULE AND THEN FOUND THAT THE IGNITION/STARTER SWITCH WAS FAULTY. FINAL BILL CAME TO MUCH MORE THAN A $1,000.00, OF WHICH I WAS REQUIRED TO PAY $382.75 IF I WANTED MY CAR BACK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10454849

38,775 miles · Apr 11, 2012
Air Bags

APRIL 6, 2012 WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE AIRBAG FAULT LIGHT CAME ON - DROVE IT IMMEDIATELY TO THE CLOSEST VW DEALER WHO SAID THE REPAIRS WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY ANY WARRANTY, AND THE ENTIRE BILL WOULD BE MY RESPONSIBILITY. PROBLEM COULD BE CAUSED BY ONE OF SIX POSSIBILITIES, AND THE COST TO REPAIR COULD NOT BE DETERMINED UNT…

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APRIL 6, 2012 WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE AIRBAG FAULT LIGHT CAME ON - DROVE IT IMMEDIATELY TO THE CLOSEST VW DEALER WHO SAID THE REPAIRS WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY ANY WARRANTY, AND THE ENTIRE BILL WOULD BE MY RESPONSIBILITY. PROBLEM COULD BE CAUSED BY ONE OF SIX POSSIBILITIES, AND THE COST TO REPAIR COULD NOT BE DETERMINED UNTIL IT WAS DIAGNOSED BY A SHOP TECH. COMPLAINT MADE DIRECTLY TO VW THE FOLLOWING DAY, WITH NO REPLY YET. AM NOW DRIVING A CAR WITH 8 AIRBAGS THAT WON'T WORK IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT - A CAR I PURCHASED NEW IN 06 WITH CASH SPECIFICALLY FOR THE AIRBAG SAFETY FEATURES AND WHICH HAS HAD ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER EARNING IT THE LEMON DESIGNATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10454838

100,000 miles · Apr 4, 2012
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

AT THE MORNING OF 3/30/2012 WHILE WAS DRIVING TO WORK BRAKES FEEL FUNNY( SOMETIMES LIKE HARD, SOMETIMES SOFT) STARTED THAT MORNING. WHILE I WAS BARKING MY CAR BRAKES FAILED, HARDLY STOPPED AND CRASHED TO ELECTRIC POL. BROKE FRONT GRILL AND EMBLEM PUT A DENT ON CHROME PIECE ON THE FRONT.I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER. FOUND BRAKE…

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AT THE MORNING OF 3/30/2012 WHILE WAS DRIVING TO WORK BRAKES FEEL FUNNY( SOMETIMES LIKE HARD, SOMETIMES SOFT) STARTED THAT MORNING. WHILE I WAS BARKING MY CAR BRAKES FAILED, HARDLY STOPPED AND CRASHED TO ELECTRIC POL. BROKE FRONT GRILL AND EMBLEM PUT A DENT ON CHROME PIECE ON THE FRONT.I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER. FOUND BRAKE BOOSTER NEPRENE HOSE HAD MULTIPLE CRACKS.. THAT REPLACEMENT SHOULD BE FREE BUT THEY CHARGE ME SOME$200.00. I WOULD LIKE TO COMPLAIN VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA. GOOD THINK DID NOT HAPPENED ON HIGHWAY 70 MPH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10454179

Official recalls

7

24V834000 · 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

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.