2006 Volkswagen Passat complaints

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND LOSE POWER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WOULD FLASH INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION CORD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000. *TR

I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO HAVE THE HEADLIGHT REPAIRED. BOTH HAD STOPPED WORKING OVER THE WEEKEND DUE TO THE INSULATION BECOMING BRITTLE AND BREAKING OFF OF BOTH WIRES TO THE PLUG THAT HOLDS THE LIGHT BULB. THE WIRES WERE SHORTING OUT PREVENTING THE HEADLIGHTS FROM WORKING. I MADE A TEMPORARY FIX BY APPLYING ELECTRICAL TAPE TO THE WIRES THAT ALLOWED THE LIGHTS TO WORK. THE CAR HAS ABOUT 120000 MILES ON IT. THE SERVICE PEOPLE AT WEST HOUSTON VW, [XXX], INDICATED THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM AND THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF ABOUT $ 800. I SEE THIS AS A DEFECT WITH THE WIRES USED FOR THE ASSEMBLY. I CHECKED ON-LINE AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF PROBLEMS WITH THE 2006 PASSAT HEADLIGHTS FAILING. I CONTACTED VW CUSTOMER CARE FOR ASSISTANCE AND WAS DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE DUE TO THE AGE OF THE CAR AND THE MILEAGE. THEY ALSO INDICATED THERE WAS NO RECALL OR SERVICE ALERT ON THE PROBLEM. I FIND THIS HARD TO BELIEVE SINCE THE STAFF AT WEST HOUSTON VW KNEW EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS ONCE WE DESCRIBED IT TO THEM. IT SEEMED TO BE A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM THAT THEY HAVE SEEN WITH THE HEADLIGHTS FAILING. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE BOTH FROM THE LACK OF LIGHTS AND THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE. I HAVE WORKED FOR A WIRE MANUFACTURER AND THE INSULATION DOES NOT JUST BECOME BRITTLE AND FALL OFF OF THE WIRE. THERE IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WITH THE INSULATION ON THE WIRE. VW NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AND ISSUE A SA

ELECTRONIC EMERGENCY BRAKE FAULT; WAS DRIVING ON JANUARY 18,2014. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN THIS EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING YELLOW. ALSO THERE WAS A RED BRAKE LIGHT THAT WAS FLASHING AND BEEPING THREE TIMES. SHE GOT THE CAR UNDER CONTROL MIND YOU SHE IS ONLY 17 AND SHE JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM CAMPUS AUTO HERE IN FORT DODGE, IA ON THE 10TH AND HE TOLD HER NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. EVERYTHING HAS WENT WRONG WITH THIS CAR THAT CAN GO WRONG. SHE PULLED OVER AND READ IN HER MANUAL THAT WITH THE BEEPING 3 TIMES AND THE RED LIGHT INDICATOR SAID THAT SHE WAS SUPPOSE TO GET IT TO A TRUSTED MECHANIC RIGHT AWAY. SO SHE DID THE SMART THING AND CALLED ME TO HAVE THE CAR TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. BUT WHAT IF SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY AND THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED. SHE WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THIS CAR ON A HIGHWAY. PLEASE LOOK INTO THESE PASSAT. THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH THEM. WHEEL BEARINGS ARE BAD IN THE REAR. FUEL PUMP WENT BAD. COILS BURN. THESE ARE ALL DANGEROUS THINGS. PLEASE HELP. *TR

I WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON THE MAINE TURNPIKE AT 55-60 MPH DUE TO SOME BLACK ICE IN AREAS. TEMP WAS 35, CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR, VISIBILITY GOOD. AFTER PASSING EXIT 75, WITHOUT WARNING MY VW PASSAT ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE ENGAGING, CAUSING MY BRAKES TO LOCK UP AND CAUSING ME TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, SWERVING SIDE TO SIDE FOR APPROXIMATELY 50 YARDS. DURING THIS TIME, THE PARKING BRAKE LIGHT WAS FLASHING AS WELL AS A PARKING BRAKE FAULT MESSAGE ON THE DASH WAS DISPLAYED. I WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULL OFF TO THE SHOULDER. I PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK, REFERRED TO MY MANUAL, WHICH WAS NO HELP. I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, LOOKED AROUND IT AND THEN CALLED A FEW PEOPLE TO DISCUSS THE PROBLEM. NO ONE HAD EVER HEARD OF THIS ISSUE BEFORE AND I SAW NO OBVIOUS SIGN OF ERROR. THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH AN ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE BUTTON ON THE DASH. I BELIEVE ITS ELECTRONIC MALFUNCTION AND A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. IF THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN VEHICLES NEAR MINE, WE WOULD OF COLLIDED. I HAD MY DAUGHTER AND HER FRIEND IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND WE WERE ALL VERY SCARED DURING THIS ENTIRE INCIDENT. AFTER 10 MIN OF SHUT OFF, I RESTARTED, THE DASH STILL DISPLAY PARKING BRAKE FAULT. I WAS ABLE TO MANUALLY DISENGAGE THE BRAKING BRAKE. BUT THE "FAULT" ERROR ON DASH WOULD NOT GO AWAY. I THEN OPERATED THE VEHICLE AT 30-35 MPH WITH HAZARDS ON TO EXIT GRAY. I PARKED THE VEHICLE AT A LOCAL RESTAURANT AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE FOR OVER 30 MINUTES. WHEN I TURNED THE VEHICLE BA

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON WHEN CAR STARTED IN 2006 VW PASSAT. I CALLED THE DEALER SINCE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE AIRBAG, THEY CLAIMED THAT THEY FIXED MY AIRBAG A FEW APPOINTMENTS BACK AND IT WOULDN'T BE A PART OF THIS RECALL. WHEN I ASKED IF IT WOULD HAVE A RECALL DUE TO IT BEING A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE, VOLKSWAGEN ADVISED ME THAT I CAN PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED. MY CAR IS "TOO OLD FOR A WARRANTY EXTENSION". THIS BOTHERS ME SINCE I HAVE 9 AIRBAGS IN WHICH NONE WILL DEPLOY AND THEY REFUSE TO SERVICE THIS SAFETY ISSUE FOR FREE. UPON GOOGLING THE ISSUE, IT SEEMS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH NOT ONLY THE PASSAT BUT THE JETTA'S MADE THE SAME YEAR. *TR

WINDOWS CONTINUE TO COMPLETELY FOG UP CAUSING VERY LITTLE VISIBILITY. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE VEHICLE. I HAVE A YOUNG CHILD AND AM VERY CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY. THERE IS ALSO A STRONG ODOR. *TR

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, WE TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP AND HAD REPAIRS DONE INCLUDING OIL CHANGE, AFTER A DAY OF DRIVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, RETURNED TO DEALER, MORE REPAIRS WERE DONE, PAID AROUND $3,000 IN REPAIRS TO TIMING BELT, TENSIONER, GUIDE PULLEYS, AND WATER PUMP. AFTER THAT REPAIR, THE LIGHT AGAIN CAME ON AND RETURNED TO DEALER, WAS TOLD THAT METAL WAS FOUND IN OIL FILTER HOUSING AND ENGINE WILL NEED REPLACED TO ADDRESS THE CONCERN. COULD NOT AFFORD AT THAT TIME AND WAS NOT INFORMED IT COULD NOT BE DRIVEN, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS OFF AND WERE TOLD THAT UPON ACCELERATION FROM STOP THE METALS WOULD SCRAPE. CAR WAS STILL OPERABLE, C/E LIGHT WAS OFF AND NEEDED FOR TRANSPORTATION TO WORK AND AFTER 3 TRIPS TO AND FROM REPAIR SHOP (3 RIVERS VOLKSWAGEN) AND ALL OF THE MONEY ALREADY SPENT ON REPAIRS TO "FIX" THE SAME ISSUE LEADING UP TO THIS, I WAS NOT ABLE TO DO THAT AT THE TIME, AS WELL AS BEING SKEPTICAL OF PAYING $9K MORE! WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE OIL PUMP BOLT FAILED COMPLETELY AND CAUSED ENGINE TO CEASE. LATER LEARNED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON ISSUE ON THE 2006 VW PASSAT 2.0T ENGINES AND THAT IT CAN CAUSE CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE, THAT VW WAS AWARE OF THE DESIGN FLAW AND HAS MANUFACTURED A REPLACEMENT BOLT BUT HAS NEVER ISSUED A RECALL AND DOES NOT INFORM OWNERS OF THESE CARS THAT THERE IS POTENTIAL FOR THIS ENGINE FAILURE. HTTP://WWW.FAQS.ORG/CAR/VOLKSWAGEN-PASSAT-2006/ENGINE/#IXZZ2MCKGQSG2 I WAS LUCKY NOT TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT AS THE ENGINE

I HAVE CODE STEERING LOCK COLUMN DEFECTIVE THIS IS MY SECOND VW PASSAT WITH SAME PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER 05V540000 (STEERING) AND CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

ELECTRONIC EMERGENCY BRAKE FAULT -- IT IS NOW THE 3RD TIME MY ELECTRONIC EMERGENCY BRAKE HAS FAILED (UNABLE TO DISENGAGE/RELEASE). THE SECOND TIME WAS LAST JUNE OF 2012 THE DEALER REPLACED THE MODULE, CALIPER, HOUSING, WIRING TO THE TUNE OF $1800. YESTERDAY IT HAPPENED AGAIN WHERE THE ELECTRONIC SWITCH WAS FLASHING AND WOULD NOT RELEASE AND ALSO THE RED BRAKE LIGHT INDICATOR IN DISPLAY WAS ALSO FLASHING HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER. I HAVE READ OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT HAVE BEEN POSTED AND WONDERING WHY THIS HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. IT APPEARS THERE IS A SAFETY CONCERN WITH THIS ELECTRONIC EMERGENCY BRAKE DESIGN. THERE IS SOMETHING VERY WRONG WITH THIS DESIGN. PLEASE ADDRESS THIS WITH THE MANUFACTURER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I CAN'T AFFORD TO PURCHASE A NEW CAR BUT AT THE SAME TIME HAVE A CONCERN FOR MY SAFETY. *TR

3.6 OIL BOLT FAILURE REQUIRES COMPLETE MOTOR REPLACEMENT. *TR

ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS (ALMOST EVERY DAY) I WILL TRY TO START THE CAR AND IT WILL DIE THE SHOW A "STEERING WHEEL LOCK COLUMN" ON THE DASH BOARD, AFTER SEVERAL TRIES IT WILL EVENTUALLY START AND RUN. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS I HAVE BEEN TRAVELING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT THE AVERAGE OF 60-75 MPH AND THE CAR WILL JUST SHUT COMPLETELY OFF. THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE!!! I HAVE READ THIS IS A COMMON ERROR, THERE SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS ISSUE! *TR

MY CAR SEEMS LIKE ITS LOOSES POWER OR DON'T WANT TO GO AT ANY SPEED WHEN I NEED TO SPEEDUP AND WHEN I PUT IT IN PARK POSITION THE RPM NEEDLE KEEPS GOING UP OR DOWN I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC HE CHECK FOR ANY CODES AND CAME OUT THAT COIL #1 AND #3 WERE BAD. *TR

WENT TO START MY CAR AFTER WORK, IT TURNED OVER AND STALLED IMMEDIATELY. I GET THE ERROR MESSAGE 'STEERING COLUMN LOCK IS DEFECTIVE' FOLLOWED BY 3 LOUD BEEPS. THIS ISSUE HAD ME STRANDED FOR ABOUT A HALF HOUR UNTIL MANY TIMES OF TRYING, IT FINALLY STARTED AND RAN. FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE AND VW DEALERS ARE WANTING ON AVERAGE $1800 TO REPAIR. *TR

IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AND TRAVELING AT AN EXTREMELY SLOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE BUMPED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT IGNITED THE VW PASSAT INTO FLAMES DESTROYING THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. IMPORTANTLY, THE OTHER VEHICLE INVOLVED HAS ZERO DAMAGE AS THE BUMP WAS EXTREMELY LIGHT. WE ARE AWARE THE MODEL YEAR 2006 VW PASSAT HAS A HISTORY OF THIS OCCURRING IN FRONT END COLLISIONS. WE STRONGLY REQUEST AND RECOMMEND A RECALL BE DEMANDED OF VW. *TR

I GOT A SEVERAL TIME OF SERVICE FROM VW DEALER, BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL RECURRING. I GOT MORE 100 TIMES OF SUDDENLY ENGINE OFF OR NOT ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING. I FOUND YOUTUBE LINK THAT IT IS EXTREMELY SAME WITH MY PROBLEM : WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=LYJB4ERLJES THE PROBLEM RECURS FOR A YEAR FROM THE FIRST RECOGNITION, I REPLACED FUEL PUMP, FUEL SENSOR, FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR AND SUCTION VALVE FOR THIS PERIOD. BUT THE PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED. I FOUND ANOTHER FORUM LINK FOR MY PROBLEM : 1) HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?3462993-ATTN-3.6L-OWNERS-HAS-YOUR-ENGINE-FAILED I GOT VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR MANY TIMES DUE TO THE PROBLEM. FOR EXAMPLE, I HAD TWICE THAT MY CAR WAS STOPPED WHEN I LEFT TURN AROUND ON CROSS WAY. ANOTHER CAR WAS COMING TO MY SIDE AND STOPPED BARELY. IF THE CAR COULDN'T STOP, I MIGHT GET SEVERE ACCIDENT. *TR

I WAS GETTING ONTO THE HIGHWAY IN MY 2006 3.6 PASSAT. THE CAR LOST POWER, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT & EPC LIGHT CAME ON IN THE CAR. THE CAR WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO GO OVER 40MPH, SO I EXITED THE HIGHWAY & DROVE CAR TO THE MECHANIC. THEY REMOVED THE TRANSMISSION TO FIND THE ISSUE OF THE BOLT HOLDING THE OIL PUMP WAS PARTIALLY REMOVED. THE CAR DETECTED A TIMING ISSUE & WAS THE REASON THAT IT WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO GO OVER 40 MPH. WHEN THE MECHANIC REMOVED THE BOLT TO REPLACE IT, IT CAME OFF IN TWO PIECES. HE STATED THAT THE BOLT WAS NOT THE APPROPRIATE BOLT & THE NEW GUIDELINES REQUIRED A DIFFERENT BOLT WITH ADDITIONAL TORQUE. THIS WAS AN ENGINEERED MANUFACTURER DEFECT WITH VOLKSWAGEN & SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO BE RECALLED. *TR

AFTER STARTING CAR IT WOULD IMMEDIATELY STALL THIS WOULD HAPPEN OVER AND OVER AGAIN UNTIL EVENTUALLY IT WOULD START DURING THIS TIME I WOULD SEE ON THE CARS DISPLAY A WARNING THAT THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK WAS DEFECTIVE. THIS ISSUE CONTINUES TO HAPPEN INTERMITTENTLY AND SOMETIMES THE KEY WILL GET STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND UNTIL YOU GET IT OUT IT WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO TRY AND RESTART THE CAR. THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED BY PRESSING THE BUTTON ON THE GEAR SHIFT THREE TIMES IN SUCCESSION. I FOUND THAT BIT OF INFORMATION ON A CAR FORUM BUT NOT IN THE VW MANUAL. AFTER LOOKING ON THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A PRETTY COMMON ISSUE WITH THE VW PASSAT SPANNING SEVERAL YEARS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND A DEFECT WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

GOT WARNING MESSAGE THAT 'STEERING LOCK WAS DEFECTIVE'. *TR

CAR DIED AFTER GOING UP HILL AT NIGHT IN THE RAIN. HAD TOWED TO SERVICE STATION. WAS ADVISED OIL BOLT DISINTEGRATED AFTER OIL PLUG FILTER GOT CLOGGED. HEAD BLOWN IN CAR NEED NEW ENGINE. WAS ADVISED VW IS FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROBLEM BUT CHOSE NOT TO FIX IT. *TR

OIL PUMP BOLT BROKEN AS IN THE OTHER VW PASSATS FROM 2006 & 7 AND REPORTED ON THIS SITE. DAMAGED TIMING CHAIN COVER, TIMING CHAIN AND A NUMBER OF OTHER PARTS. CAR WAS SERVICED AND INSPECTED 5,000 MILES PREVIOUSLY. ALL SERVICE UP TO THIS POINT COMPLETED PER OWNERS MANUAL AT VW DEALER. THIS PROBLEM IS COVERED EXTENSIVELY AT HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?4321376-**OFFICIAL-24V-3.6L-ENGINE-%28OIL-PUMP-BOLT%29-FAILURE-THREAD** AS WELL AS HTTP://WWW.PASSATWORLD.COM/FORUMS/74-VOLKSWAGEN-PASSAT-B6-DISCUSSION/327507-3-6-OIL-BOLT-FAILURE-REFERENCE-MATERIAL.HTML. NOT ONLY IS THIS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AND KNOWN PROBLEM INVOLVING FAILURE OF MECHANICAL SYSTEMS, BUT EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. I RECEIVED A QUOTE FOR $6300 FOR A CAR WITH 78,000 MILES. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON 3.6L V6S THAT IS BEING IGNORED BY VW OF AMERICA WHO REFUSED TO HELP EVEN COVER REPLACEMENT PARTS. *TR

THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP (VOLKSWAGEN) THEY SAID IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED THE FIRST TIME THEY QUOTED $900.00. I DID NOT HAVE IT DONE DO TO THE CAR WAS NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT TO AFFECT THE AIRBAG. I TOLD THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS VOLKSWAGENS PROBLEM AND THEY SHOULD FIX IT WITHOUT CHARGE. THEY DENIED. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR THE 80,000 MILE CHECK AND ONCE AGAIN THEY STATED THE AIRBAG SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND NOW THEY QUOTED $750.00. ONCE AGAIN I TOLD THEM IT WAS VOLKSWAGENS PROBLEM AND THEY SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR CARS. ONCE AGAIN NO SATISFACTION (THE LIGHT IS STILL ON). *TR

MY CAR IS EXHIBITING THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT MANY OTHER CONSUMERS ARE EXPERIENCING. THE ENGINE OIL PUMP BOLT FAILS AND BACKS-OUT, WHICH CAN SHEER OFF THE BOLT AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO EXPERIENCE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. MY EPC LIGHT, ENGINE LIGHT, AS WELL AS EXCLAMATION LIGHT ARE ON. THE CAR HAS VERY LITTLE POWER, AND ALTHOUGH IT DOES RUN, THE ACCELERATION NEEDED TO DRIVE THE CAR MAKES IT DANGEROUS. THE ISSUES HAS BEEN HIGHLIGHTED BY MANY CONSUMERS AND HAVE CONTACTED THE PERSON NOTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST: HTTP://WWW.PASSATWORLD.COM/FORUMS/74-VOLKSWAGEN-PASSAT-B6-DISCUSSION/327507-3-6-OIL-BOLT-FAILURE-REFERENCE-MATERIAL.HTML THE COST TO REPLACE THIS PART IS ON AVERAGE $2000.00. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING ISSUE AND HAS BEEN REPORTED BY MANY PEOPLE. VW HAS YET TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THE PROBLEM AND I AM AWAITING A RESPONSE FROM [XXX] OR [XXX] ABOUT THE ISSUE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING ON TOP NEAR THE VENT. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE SHE NOTICED LIQUID ON THE GROUND AND A FUEL SMELL NEAR THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V156000: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL IN 2008 WHERE THE DEALER INSTALLED ADDITIONAL UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELDS TO COVER THE DAMAGED AREAS AND FLASH THE ENGINE WITH A PRECAUTIONARY SOFTWARE UPDATE. APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS AGO THERE WAS FUEL ODOR AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THEY REPAIRED THE RECALL PREVIOUSLY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THEY WILL NOT REPAIR THE FAILURE AGAIN AND OFFERED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 229,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW AND HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. IN ADDITION, THE INTERIOR ROOF HEADLINER HAD BECOME SEPARATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

I HAVE A VW PASSAT 3.6 AND AM ALWAYS HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THE PARKING BRAKE. CURRENTLY I AM UNABLE TO GET THE PARKING BRAKE TO RELEASE AND DON'T KNOW WHY. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND THE ONLY PLACE I GO TO GET IT SERVICED IS VOLKSWAGEN. ON ABOUT 5 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE NOR DISENGAGE. *TR

FUEL PUMP FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE FUEL PUMP CUT OFF COMPLETELY CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. ALSO CUT OUT WHILE PULLING OUT IN FRONT OF A VEHICLE NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *TR

LIKE MANY OTHERS, THE OIL BOLT IN MY TRANSMISSION SHEARED-OFF. APPARENTLY VW IS AWARE OF THE DESIGN FLAW AND HAS MANUFACTURED A REPLACEMENT BOLT, BUT VW STILL EXPECTS UNSUSPECTING OWNERS TO PAY $1,000'S TO REPLACE IT. I BOUGHT THE CAR AS A CERTIFIED USED CAR FROM VW ON 9/11/10 AND WAS NOT TOLD OF THIS ISSUE. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IN A RECALL IF VW WILL NOT WARN CUSTOMERS OR FIX THE ISSUE ON THEIR OWN. HTTP://WWW.PASSATWORLD.COM/FORUMS/74-VOLKSWAGEN-PASSAT-B6-DISCUSSION/327507-3-6-OIL-BOLT-FAILURE-REFERENCE-MATERIAL.HTML. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY IN PHILADELPHIA PA (SCHUYLKILL EXPRESSWAY), MY 2006 VW PASSAT 3.6L 4 MOTION LOST POWER AND LIMPED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ALMOST CAUSING SEVERAL ACCIDENTS IN THE PROCESS. AFTER TAKING THE AUTO TO TWO DIFFERENT NON-DEALER SPECIALIST AND THEN A VW DEALER - ALL THREE STATED THAT THE DEFAULT CODE (P0016 -008-INCORRECT CORRELATION - MIL ON) MEANT THAT THE OIL PUMP BOLT FAILED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO GO INTO LIMP MODE. ONE SPECIALIST SAID I WAS LUCKY TO GET TO 110,000 MILES AS MOST OF THESE BOLTS FAIL AT A RANGE FROM 60,000 TO 70,000 AND THAT THIS BOLT THAT WAS USED BEING OF POOR QUALITY WILL, AND HAS CAUSED CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE AND COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF POWER AND A REAR END COLLISION - ALL THREE (THE TWO NON-DEALER AND THE VW DEALER SERVICE MANGER WERE WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, STATED IT WAS COMMON ON 2006/2007 PASSAT AND AS MORE AND MORE OF THESE 2006/2007 GET OLDER - MORE WILL FAIL AND COULD CAUSE ACCIDENTS OR WORSE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF AN INVESTIGATION COULD BE DONE AND A RECALL ESTABLISHED. THERE IS A WIDE RANGE OF REPAIR COST, POTENTIAL FOR PROPERTY DAMAGE AND ULTIMATELY LOSS OF LIFE FOR A $5.00 BOLT THAT THE MANUFACTURER KNOWS IS FLAWED AND WILL NOT FIX IT. *TR

CAR CONTINUES TO STOP WHILE BEING DRIVEN. *JS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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