2006 Volkswagen Passat

Above average

Owners filed 576 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 7 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
64,000 milesMedian miles at failure

408 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags140
614
Steering91
000
Engine53
320
Electrical System39
122
Fuel/Propulsion System24
200
Vehicle Speed Control23
301
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine23
010
Engine and Engine Cooling22
000
Fuel System, Gasoline14
000
Power Train12
001

7 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module24V834000
Filed Oct 30, 2024248,330 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module18V247000
Filed Apr 18, 201871,335 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump17V509000
Filed Aug 16, 2017280,915 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module16V079000
Filed Feb 10, 2016151,767 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor06V470000
Filed Dec 12, 200657,291 vehiclesVolkswagen Of America, Inc

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum06V472000
Filed Dec 12, 200658,800 vehiclesVolkswagen Of America, Inc

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly05V540000
Filed Nov 30, 200515 vehiclesVolkswagen Of America, Inc

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE LEFT AND RIGHT TIE ROD SECURING NUT MAY BE INSUFFICIENTLY TORQUED.

Risk. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed Oct 9, 2025MD

The contact owned a 2006 Volkswagen Passat . The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V834000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 4, 2025MD

Recalled airbag

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed May 12, 2025FL

The contact owns a 2006 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V509000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure to obtain assistance with reimbursement. The failure mileage was not available. Parts distribution disconnect.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 16, 2024MN

The contact owns a 2006 Volkswagen Passat. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V834000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer was contacted however, the manufacturer was not.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 15, 2024NY

My family and I have been VW owners for over 60 years. Unfortunately, the 2006 VW Passat has been layered with defects, negligent manufacturing issues, faulty wiring, electrical problems, computer glitches, to mention a few. There have been many recalls including an official recall by the NHTSA, for steering linkage problems and tie rod assembly which caused a loss of steering, crashes and deaths. Over 292 complaints are filed with Consumer Affairs, over 561 defects reported, and thousands of horror stories like mine about this car. It's considered a lemon by many car professionals. Many dealerships in the USA offered to inspect, and replace the electronic steering column lock free of charge and address any other concerns, which should be standard, reasonable behavior for all VW dealerships, mandated by this Federal agency. Shortly after this car almost killed me in 2013, VW put me through countless stressful hours of calls, emails and the like and still refused to be fully accountable. Shortly after my almost end of life, the notorious VW Emissions Scandal spoke volumes. VW was well aware of their defects including the electrical system in the steering column/immobilizer, (the system won’t recognize the key; a module in the car that connects the key and starts the engine is defective). In many cases, the entire steering column is defective and has to be completely replaced because the car’s pistons, internal combustion and engine are all subpar. Even the Sunroof and drains a

Power Train
Filed May 24, 2023NV

Transmission clunks into gear and loses traction while shifting.

Engine
Filed Mar 30, 202345,000 milesNY

The contact owns a 2006 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while approaching an off ramp while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where an unknown diagnostic test and repair was completed. Additionally, the dealer fractured an unknown part underneath the hood and water entered the vehicle near the sun visor and there was water accumulating on the rear passenger’s side door location. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.

Power Train
Filed Jan 4, 2023MA

We owned vehicle approx 8yrs and in late 2022 will driving/on highway 55mph or local roads like Broadway 15-20mph the vehicle goes into neutral. VErY dangerous it wil work as it should after a restart

Air BagsCrashFire
Filed Sep 6, 2022PA

The contact owned a 2006 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while her husband was driving in traffic, he rear-ended a vehicle at approximately 25 MPH. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. While her husband was exchanging information with the other driver, the other driver alerted him that his vehicle had caught fire. As her husband attempted to retrieve a fire extinguisher from the truck, he was alerted that the fire had worsened and was instructed to move away from the vehicle. Within minutes, the vehicle became engulfed in flames and was incinerated. A police report was filed. No injuries were reported. The contact had the vehicle towed to her home where it remained in her possession. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle was a total loss. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 19, 2022LA

Stalled out as I started to accelerate from a stop light. It's like not getting and fuel. Possibly some type of issue pertaining to that Then my airbag light keeps flashing. Floor board lights cut on an off for no reason. Electrical equipment Possibly incorrect?

Air Bags
Filed Sep 29, 202150,000 milesCA

The contact owns a 2006 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that the passenger’s side frontal air bag failed to function as designed. The passenger’s side frontal air bag light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 30, 2020140,000 milesNY

I PURCHASED THIS CAR 2 YEARS AGO AND HAVE HAVE THE PARKING BRAKE FAIL AND BREAK THREE TIMES. THE FIRST TIME WAS SHORTLY AFTER THE PURCHASE AND THE CAR CAME OUT OF GEAR IN MY DRIVEWAY AND BEGAN ROLLING. MY 65 YO MOM HAD TO STOP IT AND PUSH IT UP AS SHE WAS HOME ALONE. IT TURNED ON ANOTHER TIME WHILE I WAS CROSSING AN INTERSECTION AND I WAS ALMOST T-BONED. I HAD IT REPLACED AFTER THIS INCIDENT. IN MAY 2020 THE PARKING BRAKE WOULD NOT DISENGAGE AND I NEEDED TO HAVE IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. THE BRAKE WAS STUCK ON AND THE COMPUTER CONTROL UNIT BROKE. I PAID $2500 TO HAVE THE UNIT REPLACED. IN DEC 2020 (ONLY 7 MONTHS LATER) THE EXACT THING HAPPENED AGAIN. I WAS UNABLE TO DISENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE AND NEEDED TO TOW IT TO MY MECHANIC. THE CALIPER AND COMPUTER BROKE AGAIN. THE COST IS SIMILAR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IF YOU LOOK AT ANY VW FORUMS YOU WILL SEE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH MANY PEOPLE HAVING THEIR BRAKE STUCK AND UNABLE TO ENGAGE/DISENGAGE THE UNIT. I REACHED OUT TO VW AND HAD NO RESOLUTION. I REQUEST THE PARKING BRAKE BE RECALLED AND EVERYONE WHO HAD WORK DONE ON IT, INCLUDING MYSELF, RECEIVED A FULL REFUND.

Engine
Filed Dec 14, 202055,000 milesTX

WE HAVE 2006 3.6L VW PASSAT WITH 55K MILES FOR MY DAUGHTER. JUST RECENTLY THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE SEIZED WHILE DRIVING UNDER 30 MPH. IT HAD BEEN RUNNING GOOD AND NO OIL WAS LEAKING. THIS SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO AN ISSUE MANY OTHER PASSAT OWNERS EXPERIENCED WHERE THE OIL PUMP BOLT BECOMES LOSE AND CAUSES A FATAL FAILURE.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jul 7, 2020119,521 milesNC

I HAVE A GAS LEAK COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK. VERY HEAVY FUMES COMING IN THE CAR AND AROUND THE CAR. WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND STATIONARY.

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 17, 2020211,742 milesWV

HAVE REPLACED NUMEROUS PARTS ...THE EPX LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON WHICH MAY REFERENCE TO THE OIL PUMP BOLT FAILING...CRANKSHAFT AND CAM SHAFTS CODES KEEP COMING ON EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE REPLACED...TRANSMISSION SHIFTING SLIGHTLY HARD.. OVERHEATING EVEN THOUGH NEW PARTS WERE INSTALLED...AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON..BRAKES HAVE BEEN BLEED OVER 10 TIMES AND ARE STILL TOO SOFT CAUSE ME TO BRAKE AT A FURTHER DISTANCE TO AVOID A WRECK....I AM ON A FIXED INCOME AND CANT AFFORD A MASSAGE BILL TO FIX IT AND VW IS AWARE OVER THESE YEARS OF THE ISSUES AND WONT RECALL TO REPAIR ANY OF THE ISSUES...I HAVE ALL RECEIPTS FOR THE PARTS REPLACED... *TR

Power Train1 injured
Filed May 27, 202091,000 milesFL

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS USED IN THE B6 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2.0T ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHER VW MODELS ARE NOTORIOUSLY PROBLEMATIC. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT NEEDING A SOFTWARE UPDATE WHICH WAS DONE ON MY VEHICLE, HOWEVER THIS DOES NOT ADDRESS THE REAL ISSUE WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS. THE WIDESPREAD AND MORE SERIOUS ISSUE WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS IS THE VALVE BODY ASSEMBLY PART OF THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING HARD SHIFTS USUALLY BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND OR THIRD AND FOURTH GEAR. THESE HARD SHIFTS CAUSE THE ENTIRE CAR AND IT'S PASSENGERS TO JERK VIOLENTLY DURING UPSHIFTS AND SOMETIMES DOWNSHIFTS BETWEEN THESE GEARS. AT ONLY 91,000 MILES AND WELL TAKEN CARE OF MY CAR HAS DEVELOPED THIS PROBLEM BETWEEN THIRD AND FOURTH GEAR MAKING IT FEEL VERY DANGEROUS AND UNSETTLING FOR THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS OF THE VEHICLE WHEN GETTING UP TO SPEED ESPECIALLY ON ON-RAMPS TO THE HIGHWAY. I ALSO WANT TO MENTION THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS DESTROYED MY MOTOR MOUNTS AS WELL. VW SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DEFECTIVE PART OF THE TRANSMISSION SIMILAR TO THE WAY HONDA DID WITH THEIR ODYSSEY, ONLY THIS DOES NOT REQUIRE THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION TO BE REPLACED LIKE WITH THE ODYSSEY. THIS IS AN ENORMOUS SAFETY CONCERN THAT NEEDS TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED AND ADDRESS BY VOLKSWAGEN, THE LARGEST AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURER IN THE WORLD. *TR

Electrical System
Filed May 10, 2020128,000 milesTX

TRYING TO START CAR AND WON'T TURN ON WITH KEY ALL MY KEYS DON'T WORK SAYS STEERING WHEEL LOCK DEFECTIVE CAN'T GET MY CAR TO TURN MY RADIO ON I AM PARKED IN MY DRIVE WAY AND CAN'T EVEN TOW IT TO DEALER NOW BECAUSE IT WON'T GO INTO NEUTRAL. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 11, 2020150,000 milesNV

WHEN STOPPED AND START GOING AND GET TO ABOUT 30 MPH AND SHIFTS INTO THIRD GEAR THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SYSTEM ENGAGES AND I CAN BARELY MOVE. I HAVE TO TURN MY VW PASSAT OFF, WAIT A COUPLE MINUTES AND TURN IT BACK ON FORM THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO DISLODGE. EXAMPLE: I'M IN VEGAS AT A STOP LIGHT IT TURNS GREEN SO IM GOING UP A ON RAMP TO GET ON FREEWAY AND AS SOON AS I ACCELERATE AND CAR SHIFTS INTO 3RD GEAR A YELLOW P WITH A CIRCLE AROUND IT COMES ON MY DASH AND WHEN I PUSH ON THE GAS ( I HAD MANY CARS BEHIND ME) MY CAR REVVED UP BUT WOULD NOT GO BECAUSE THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE CAME ON. AND IT CONTINUES TO DO IT TO ME. IF I CAN GET PAST THIRD GEAR IT'S FINE AND 1ST AND 2ND GEAR ARE OK. I JUST PURCHASED THE CAR AND CALLED ON RECALLS THERE WEREN'T ANY. THIS ALMOST MADE ME HAVE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT ON MY WAY HOME THE SAME DAY. BECAUSE I HAVE TO GO OVER A PASS TO GET HOME IT DID IT TO ME 4 TIMES AND THE LAST TIME CP8LD OF KILLED ME. IVE BEEN READING THE PROBLEM OTHERS ARE HAVING WITH VEHICLE AND THEY ARE THE SAME AS MINE. BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE ON 2006 VOLKSWAGON PASSAT. PLEASE HELP US WHO CAN NOT AFFORD TO PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED. AND I CANT SELL IT BECAUSE I CANT LET SOMONE ELSE GET HURT. THIS IS MY ONLY TRANSPORTATION AND I LOVE MY CAR. BUT NOW I'M SCARED TO DRIVE NOW. I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX IT AND CAN'T RISK SELLING IT AND NOW HAVE NOTHING TO GET TO WORK. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 4, 2019CA

MY VEHICLE DOES. SUDDEN STOP WHILE I'M DRIVING EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHTS UP ND THEN ON DASH IT STATE TO STOP VEHICLE PULL OVER AND DOESN'T WANT TO ADVANCE TO MOVE OUT OF DANGER FROM TRAFFIC ON STREETS AND FREEWAY. THEN I WON'T WANT TO ADVANCED AT TIME AND THE PRND ALL LIGHT UP AT ONE OR NONE AT ALL AT TIME. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT X 4 TIMES LAST YEAR AND NOW IT KEEPS DOING IT EVERY TIME. SO KNOW I JUST KEEP MY CAR PARKED BECAUSE I'M AFRAID OF PUTTING MY KIDS IN DANGER I CAN'T EVEN TAKE IT IN TO A DEALER FOR AIRBAG RECALL.

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 2, 2019110,330 milesFL

MY CAR WAS DRIVING AND BRAKES WERE WORKING FINE. THEN I TRIED TO STOP AS I CAME TO A RED LIGHT N BRAKES TOTALLY FAILED. I COULDN'T STOP N WENT RIGHT THROUGH THE RED LIGHT AND I BETWEEN 2 CAR B4 FINALLY COMING TO A STOP A HALF MILE LATER. I DROVE THE CAR ON BACKSTREETS AND THE BRAKES WILL WORK WHEN I START GOING BUT AFTER A FEW STOPS THEY START GETTING SOFT UNTIL THEY JUST TOTALLY FAIL. THEIR IS PLENTY OF BRAKE FLUID IN THE SYSTEM.

20 of 576 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2013
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202213000Routine
202118110Routine
202018300Routine
201912100Routine
201845400Do not drive
2017110710Routine
2016106500Routine
2015243720Above average
20145941030Above average
2013748942Fatalities reported
20124831130Above average
201116011Fatalities reported
2010163410Routine
20091464120Routine
2008168460Routine
2007262760Above average
2006 — this page576760Above average
20051484110Routine
20042794250High concern
20036347940High concern
20026364462Fatalities reported
20014304140Above average
20005075251Fatalities reported
19996646132Fatalities reported
1998331541Fatalities reported
199770120Routine
1996142110Routine
199593110Routine
199425110Routine
1993683100Routine
199239110Routine
199124110Routine
199034230Routine

Compare every Passat year →

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Oct 30, 2024. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.