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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
200 miles · May 17, 2007
Power Train

2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 3.6L HESITATED FROM A SLOW ROLLING. WHEN SLOWING BUT NOT STOPPING THE CAR COMPLETELY, THE CAR HESITATED WHEN THE THROTTLE WAS APPLIED. WHEN THROTTLE INPUT WAS REALIZED THE CAR MAY LURCHED FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. THIS APPEARED TO BE A COMBINATION ENGINE / TRANSMISSION ISSUE, BUT MAY BE MORE RELATED TO T…

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2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 3.6L HESITATED FROM A SLOW ROLLING. WHEN SLOWING BUT NOT STOPPING THE CAR COMPLETELY, THE CAR HESITATED WHEN THE THROTTLE WAS APPLIED. WHEN THROTTLE INPUT WAS REALIZED THE CAR MAY LURCHED FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. THIS APPEARED TO BE A COMBINATION ENGINE / TRANSMISSION ISSUE, BUT MAY BE MORE RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION NOT BEING IN THE CORRECT GEAR. VOLKSWAGEN ISSUED A PROGRAMMING UPDATE FOR THE ECU IN OCTOBER 2006 , WHICH REDUCED, BUT DID NOT ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM. THE INCIDENT DATE REALLY DID NOT N APPLY AS THIS WAS A CONSTANT PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10191062

1,000 miles · May 16, 2007
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 3.6L FWD AUTOMATIC. HESITATION FROM A SLOW ROLL. WHEN SLOWING BUT NOT STOPPING THE CAR COMPLETELY THE CAR HESITATED WHEN THE THROTTLEWAS APPLIED. WHEN THROTTLE INPUTWAS REALIZED THE CAR LURCH ED FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. THIS APPEARED TO BE A COMBINATION OF ENGINE / TRANSMISSION ISSUE BUT MAY BE MORE R…

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2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 3.6L FWD AUTOMATIC. HESITATION FROM A SLOW ROLL. WHEN SLOWING BUT NOT STOPPING THE CAR COMPLETELY THE CAR HESITATED WHEN THE THROTTLEWAS APPLIED. WHEN THROTTLE INPUTWAS REALIZED THE CAR LURCH ED FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. THIS APPEARED TO BE A COMBINATION OF ENGINE / TRANSMISSION ISSUE BUT MAY BE MORE RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION NOT BEING IN THE CORRECT GEAR. VOLKSWAGEN ISSUED A PROGRAMMING UPDATE FOR THE ECU IN OCT 2006, WHICH REDUCED, BUT DID NOT ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM. THE INCIDENT DATE REALLY DID NOT APPLY AS THIS WAS A CONSTANT PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10190904

300 miles · May 15, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control

CONTINUING DANGEROUS SLOW ROLL HESITATION WHEN APPLYING THROTTLE. 1-2 SECOND DELAY BETWEEN THROTTLE APPLICATION AND ACCELERATION. TSB PCM UPDATE FOR SAID ISSUE APPLIED AND RESULTING LITTLE NOTICEABLE IMPROVEMENT. CAN LEAD TO A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN EMERGENCY MANEUVERS INVOLVING SLOW ROLL ACCELERATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10190791

6,500 miles · May 15, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control

THROTTLE LAG AT STOP PRESENTS DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN ENTERING TRAFFIC. MANUFACTURE IS AWARE OF ISSUE, BUT HAS NOT PRESENTED FIX. MY VEHICLE IS 3.6L 4 MOTION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10190745

9,000 miles · Apr 9, 2007
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingParking Brake

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PUSH KEY BECOMES STUCK AND THE GEARS MUST BE SHIFTED IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. ALSO, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY, AND THE VEHICLE'S INTERIOR SMELLED LIKE ROTTEN EGGS. ON APRIL 9, 2007 THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO A DEALER FOR A…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PUSH KEY BECOMES STUCK AND THE GEARS MUST BE SHIFTED IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. ALSO, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY, AND THE VEHICLE'S INTERIOR SMELLED LIKE ROTTEN EGGS. ON APRIL 9, 2007 THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS, 10,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10187319

8,000 miles · Mar 12, 2007
Visibility

IN NOVEMBER 2006, ON ONE OCCASION THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURNED ON WITHOUT ME TURNING THEM ON AND I HAD NO CONTROL OVER CHANGING THEIR SPEED OR TURNING THEM OFF. FOR MY DRIVE FROM HOME TO THE DEALERSHIP (APPROXIMATELY FIVE MILES), THE WIPERS RANDOMLY TURNED ON HIGH SPEED, LOW SPEED, AND INTERMITTENT, AND THERE WAS NOTHING I COUL…

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IN NOVEMBER 2006, ON ONE OCCASION THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURNED ON WITHOUT ME TURNING THEM ON AND I HAD NO CONTROL OVER CHANGING THEIR SPEED OR TURNING THEM OFF. FOR MY DRIVE FROM HOME TO THE DEALERSHIP (APPROXIMATELY FIVE MILES), THE WIPERS RANDOMLY TURNED ON HIGH SPEED, LOW SPEED, AND INTERMITTENT, AND THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO TO CONTROL THEIR FUNCTION. AT DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD BY SERVICE THAT THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM, PROBABLY BECAUSE I HAD TURNED THE CAR OFF, AND THE COMPUTER SYSTEM SHOWED NO SIGN OF A PROBLEM WITH THE WIPER SYSTEM. SERVICE MADE NO REPAIRS AND THEIR ONLY RECOMMENDATION WAS THAT IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN, I SHOULD TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT. IN JANUARY 2007, THE WIPERS BECAME COMPLETELY INOPERABLE AND THE WIPER MOTOR WAS REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10184828

14,000 miles · Feb 12, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ON JANUARY 23, 2007, I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH CRESTMONT VW IN POMPTON LAKES, NJ TO PERFORM THE BRAKE LINE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 06V472000 ) AND WIPER MOTOR (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 06V470000 ) RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE. I INTENTIONALLY MADE THE ADVANCE APPOINTMENT FOR NINE BUSINESS DAYS LATER, FEBRUARY 2, 2007, TO GIVE CR…

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ON JANUARY 23, 2007, I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH CRESTMONT VW IN POMPTON LAKES, NJ TO PERFORM THE BRAKE LINE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 06V472000 ) AND WIPER MOTOR (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 06V470000 ) RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE. I INTENTIONALLY MADE THE ADVANCE APPOINTMENT FOR NINE BUSINESS DAYS LATER, FEBRUARY 2, 2007, TO GIVE CRESTMONT VW TIME TO ORDER THE NECESSARY PARTS. DURING THE FIRST VISIT ON FEBRUARY 2, 2007, CRESTMONT VW WAS ONLY ABLE TO REPAIR THE WIPER MOTOR BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE TO SECURE THE NECESSARY PART FOR THE BRAKE LINE RECALL, EVEN WITH THE ADVANCE NOTICE OF NINE BUSINESS DAYS. SHORTLY AFTER MY FIRST VISIT, ON FEBRUARY 4, 2007, THE BRAKE PART COVERED BY THE RECALL FAILED AND RENDERED MY PASSAT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO CRESTMONT VW, AND ON FEBRUARY 6, 2007, I WAS INFORMED THAT CRESTMONT VW HAD BROKEN ANOTHER PART WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR THE BRAKE VACUUM LINE. AT THIS TIME, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE NECESSARY PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL AT LEAST THE MIDDLE OF MARCH. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10182369

11,800 miles · Feb 11, 2007
Service Brakes, HydraulicVisibility

2/5 NOON: AS I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY APARTMENT COMPLEX ON TO A MAIN ROAD, MY BRAKES WENT OUT. FORTUNATELY, I WAS GOING 10 MPH SO WAS ABLE TO COME TO A STOP SIMPLY BY LETTING OFF THE GAS AND PUSHING THE WHEEL AGAINST A CURB. ENGINE BEGAN TO MISFIRE AND EMI CAME ON. 12:07: IN MY ATTEMPT TO REACH VW ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, I WAS…

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2/5 NOON: AS I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY APARTMENT COMPLEX ON TO A MAIN ROAD, MY BRAKES WENT OUT. FORTUNATELY, I WAS GOING 10 MPH SO WAS ABLE TO COME TO A STOP SIMPLY BY LETTING OFF THE GAS AND PUSHING THE WHEEL AGAINST A CURB. ENGINE BEGAN TO MISFIRE AND EMI CAME ON. 12:07: IN MY ATTEMPT TO REACH VW ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, I WAS PUT ON AUTOMATED HOLD FOR OVER 25 MINUTES. 12:35: I CALLED THE GENERAL CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE AND AT THAT POINT WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE REGARDING VACUUM HOSE TO THE BRAKE LINES BUT THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE RESULTED IN TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. RE-DIRECTED ME TO ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AGAIN. 12:40: PLACED ON AUTOMATED HOLD WITH ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE FOR 15+ MINUTES AGAIN AND AT THAT POINT BEGAN LOOKING FOR ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS. 1:15: RECEIVED A CALL FROM THIRD PARTY MOC ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE CONFIRMING SOMEBODY WAS ON THEIR WAY TO PICK ME UP AND SHOULD BE THERE WITHIN THE HOUR. 2:25: CAR WAS DROPPED OFF AT TOM WOOD VOLKSWAGON OF INDIANAPOLIS, IN. I WAS GIVEN A RENTAL CAR FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS. 2/9 WENT TO GET MY CAR. THEY HAD FIXED THE PROBLEM AND HAD NO EXPLANATION WHY I DIDN'T RECEIVE A RECALL LETTER. THEY SAID THE RECALL HAD BEEN MADE PUBLIC 26 DECEMBER 2005 AND THAT I SHOULD CHECK MY MAILING ADDRESS WITH VAG (IRONIC HOW ALL MY FINANCING STATEMENTS COME ON TIME THOUGH!). THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE WIPER SYSTEM ISSUED AT THE SAME TIME (ALSO OF WHICH I WAS NOT NOTIFIED). WHEN THEY PERFORMED THIS RECALL AT THIS TIME ALSO, THEY RETURNED THE CAR TO ME W/O THE WIPERS FUNCTIONING! I WAS OUTRAGED THAT THEY DIDN'T CHECK THE WIPER SYSTEM BEFORE TELLING ME IT WAS O.K. IT TOOK THEM A FEW MINUTES TO GET THE WIPERS GOING AND I WAS ON MY WAY. IT WASN'TT DOING ANY GOOD TO SPEAK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAVE BEGUN TO CONSULT LAWYERS REGARDING ACTIONS AGAINST VAG DUE TO THE FACT THAT I WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THIS SAFETY RECALL. SUFFERING: MENTAL ANGUISH, FEAR OF UNSAFE CAR, LOST PRODUCTIVITY AT WORK. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10182277

9,200 miles · Feb 5, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VW PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON JANUARY 25, 2007 RE: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM. THE DEALER HONORED THE RECALL. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DIDN'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. FIVE DAYS AFTER RECEIVING THE RECALL THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE A FAMILY MEMBER WAS DRIVI…

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TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VW PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON JANUARY 25, 2007 RE: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM. THE DEALER HONORED THE RECALL. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DIDN'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. FIVE DAYS AFTER RECEIVING THE RECALL THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE A FAMILY MEMBER WAS DRIVING 10 MPH. THE BRAKES WOULDN'T ENGAGE. THE BRAKES REMAINED IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. VOLKSWAGEN WILL HONOR THE WARRANTY. THE CONTACT REQUESTED TO TERMINATE THE LEASE AND ACCEPT A DIFFERENT VEHICLE OR AN ALLOWANCE FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE. ALSO, THE CONTACT'S RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 200 MILES AND HE FELT THE VEHICLE WAS A LEMON. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10181719

6,663 miles · Feb 5, 2007
Seat Belts

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, CAR WAS TAKEN FOR SERVICE AND DRIVER'S SEAT RECEPTACLE WAS REPLACED. ELECTRONIC PARKING ASSIST HAS SUFFERED REPEATED MALFUNCTIONS, EVEN AFTER TWO ATTEMPTED REPAIRS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10181696

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.