2006 Volkswagen Passat complaints

I BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT. EVERY TIME I HAD IT CHECKED, IT CODED SOMETHING DIFFERENT (PO455, PO171, PO441) WITH THESE RESULTS: FUEL CAP LIGHT CAME ON, HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM , AND LEAN BANK 02 CENSOR BEFORE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. IT BECAME HARD TO CRANK, AND ONCE SHOOK WHEN IT DID CRANK. THE STEERING WHEEL MODULE AND COMFORT CONTROL MODULE WERE REPLACED IN 2008 UNDER WARRANTY AFTER I TOOK VOLKSWAGEN TO SMALL CLAIMS COURT. I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP IN ATLANTA (THERE ISN'T ONE CLOSE TO WHERE I LIVE) AND THEY COMPLETED THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS: CODE PO444, THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM PURGE CONTROL VALVE CIRCUIT; CODE PO193, FUEL MEASURING SYSTEM 2 ABNK 1; AND P2187 SYSTEM TOO LEAN AT IDLE. TOTAL= $884.84 ($619.95 LABOR; $204.31 PARTS; $43.25 WASTE DISPOSAL CHARGE; AND $17.33 TAX). AT NO CHARGE, THEY CHECKED THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT WHICH I HAD TO REPLACE @ TWICE A YEAR AND INSPECTED HIGH PRESSURE PUMP, GFF GUIDED FUNCTIONS AND A COURTESY VISUAL SERVICE INSPECTION. *TR

THE OIL PUMP BROKE AND DESTROYED THE MOTOR. I HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP; THEY TOOK A MONTH TO REPLACE PARTS AND REPAIR THE MOTOR. THERE HAVE BEEN A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF SUCH INCIDENTS; THIS HAS BEEN ADMITTED BY VW TO BE A MANUFACTURER PART FAULT, BUT THEY FAIL TO RECALL '06-'07 PASSATS AND COVER THE COSTS. I JUST SAW THIS SITE OR I WOULD HAVE REPORTED IT SOONER. I DID NOT OTHERWISE FIND ANY OTHER SUPPORT. *TT

DRIVING IN THE S CITY 45 MILES/P/H GIVING A WAY TO AMBULANCE I ACCELERATE THE CAR PULLING RIGHT LANE, CAR FELL ON HIS FACE NO POWER AMBULANCE ALMOST WAS GOING TO HIT ME SAME TIME EPC LIGHT CAME ON. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS KIND LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. *TR

BOLT FAILURE IN CAM SYSTEM, COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE "OIL PUMP BOLT FAILURE". THE "CHECK ENGINE" & "EPC" LIGHTS CAME ON. THE ENGINE WENT INTO IT'S "SAFE" MODE, LIMITING ACCELERATION AND POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY & TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE BOLT FAILURE AND REPAIRS WERE MADE AND COVERED BY WARRANTY. THE REPAIRS TOOK APPROXIMATELY 1 MONTH TO MAKE. MAJOR COMPONENTS REPLACED WERE AS FOLLOWS: 2 - TIMING CHAINS OIL PUMP GEARS OIL PUMP BOLT TIMING CHAIN COVER TENSIONERS SOFTWARE UPDATE THE REPAIRS REQUIRED THE REMOVAL OF SOME MAJOR COMPONENTS, INCLUDING THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, VALVE COVER, TRANSMISSION AND SIDE COVERS. IN MY CASE, THE TIMING CHAIN COVER PREVENTED THE TIMING CHAIN SYSTEM FROM COMPLETELY FALLING APART. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN COMPLETE DESTRUCTION OF THE INTERNAL COMPONENTS OF THE ENGINE REQUIRING COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENGINE. MY VEHICLE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3 WEEKS AND 2000 MILES INSIDE THE WARRANTY PERIOD. IN FACT, MY WARRANTY RAN OUT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR THE REPAIRS.

TRUNK WON'T LATCH WHEN COLD. *TR

IN AUGUST, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD BEEN COMING ON AND OFF FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP. THEY FOUND SEVERAL FAULTS AND RECALLS (MY CAR ONLY HAD 39,000 MILES) AND TOLD ME THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD BE AROUND $800. I PAID THIS AMOUNT ONLY FOR THE LIGHT TO COME ON ABOUT A WEEK LATER. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO MAKE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT BUT THE LIGHT WENT OFF AND STAYED OFF ABOUT A MONTH AND WAS TOLD TO TRY CHANGING OR TIGHTENING THE GAS CAP. I DID BOTH, HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND STAYED ON AND IN NOVEMBER, I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE CAM SHAFT AND THAT THE CAR WAS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE CAM SHAFT ATTACHED TO THE HIGH PERFORMANCE FUEL SHAFT WAS COMPLETELY WORN THROUGH. ADDITIONALLY, THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER FOR A FEW WEEKS!!! OBVIOUSLY VW IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND HAS DONE NOTHING TO NOTIFY OWNERS. I HAVE BEEN TO THE SAME DEALER THREE TIMES AND WAS ONLY TOLD RECENTLY AFTER COMPLAINING ABOUT SEVERAL STRANGE NOISES AND ENGINE LIGHT ISSUES. 1) HOW DID YOU NOT SEE THIS BEFORE? 2) IF THIS WAS COVERED BY THE WARRANTY, THEN WHY DIDN'T IT GET FIXED THE FIRST TIME? I BELIEVE THAT THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY THIS "CAMSHAFT" ISSUE AND I WAS RIPPED OFF. *TR

I NOTICED THAT I WAS RECEIVING NOTIFICATIONS TO CHANGE THE OIL MORE OFTEN PRIOR TO 3000 MILES. WHEN I WENT TO DEALERSHIP TO DETERMINE WHY I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR SHOULD NOT REQUIRE AN OIL CHANGE USUALLY UNTIL 6000 MILES. I WAS TOTALLY BAFFLED BECAUSE I AM BARELY MAKING THE 3K MARK. SO, AFTER ANOTHER OIL CHANGE SHORTLY 3000 MILES...I GOT THE NOTIFICATION TO SHUT OFF ENGINE, OIL LEVEL TOO LOW. I PANICKED AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID IT WAS ALRIGHT AND SOME CAR ASORB MORE THAN OTHERS. A FEW WEEKS LATER, I RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THIS WAS SUPPOSEDLY THE CAM SHAFT. THIS WAS REPLACED IN FEB 2011. CONTINOUSLY I EXPERIENCED THE LOW OIL LEVEL AND HAVE HAD IT MONITORED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THE NEXT DAY AFTER IT WAS MONITORED. THE DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHY I AM EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE. I WENT TO A LOCAL AUTO STORE WHO STATED IT WAS THE CAM SHAFT. AT HALLS VOLKWAGEN, A VOLSKWAGEN SPECIALIST WAS THERE AT THE TIME AND SUGGESTED THAT THEY CLEAN MY ENGINE COMPLETELY. THIS WAS ONE WEEK AGO AND GUESS WHAT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS BACK. I WENT BACK TO ANOTHER AUTO STORE WHO CONFIRMED AGAIN IT WAS THE CAM SHAFT. YES, THERE IS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE CAM SHAFT. THIS IS TWICE IN A YEAR IT WILL REQUIRE REPLACING? MY WARRANTY IS ABOUT TO END. IM NOT COMING OUT OF POCKET TO GET A CAM SHAFT EVERY YEAR. SOMETHING ELSE HAS TO BE WRONG. ALSO, I WOULD LIKE IT NOTED THAT I PURCHASED THIS CAR AT CAR MAX. THE CAR FAX STATED THAT THE CA

I'VE ENCOUNTERED LOTS OF ISSUES WITH MY VEHICLE AND AM VERY TIRED OF TAKING IT TO THE SHOP LIKE IT IS AN OLD PIECE OF JUNK. THIS TIME I HAVE A NOISE WHICH IS COMING FROM THE UNDERHOOD. IT'S A CLICKING NOISE THAT IS VERY UNUSUAL. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP BUT THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. AND I ALSO FOUND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THAT NOISE, THERE ARE TONS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM THAT POSTED THEIR SAME PROBLEM ONLINE. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS. *TR

ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED CAUSING THE BRAKES TO AUTOMATICALLY COME ON. LED TO RAPID DECELERATION WHILE DRIVING. ONGOING PROBLEM. *TR

LOST MOST OF POWER WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. DROVE VEHICLE (2006 PASSAT 3.6L) TO VW DEALER WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED A "TIMING CHAIN ISSUE". VW DEALER CLAIMED THEY WOULD FIX ENGINE FOR $5000, USED REPLACEMENT FOR $8000, OR NEW ENGINE FOR $10,500... AFTER HEARING THAT GOOD NEWS, TOWED VEHICLE TO LOCAL VW PRO WHO ALSO DIAGNOSED "TIMING CHAIN ISSUE", AND WAS GIVEN THE GO-AHEAD TO FIX. PROBLEM ISOLATED TO INTERMEDIATE SHAFT BOLT, WHICH HAD BACKED OUT, ALLOWING TIMING SPROCKETS TO WANDER. BOLT ITSELF IS NEARLY SHEARED IN HALF - GOOD THING WE STOPPED WHEN WE DID. BOLT WAS ALSO RUBBING ON TIMING CHAIN COVER, AND WOULD HAVE LIKELY BROKE OR GROUND THRU TIMING CHAIN COVER. THIS PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED BY MY LOCAL VW GUY FOR $3300, WHICH INCLUDED ALL OEM PARTS, NEW WATER PUMP, PLUS PLUGS. IMHO, THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE FOR OWNERS WHICH MAY EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM. MINIMAL RESEARCH ON THE WEB INDICATES I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE. THE LOSS OF POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WAS ALARMING ENOUGH WITHOUT THINKING OF WHAT MAY HAVE HAPPENED HAD THE BOLT BROKE, OR WORN THRU THE TIMING COVER. FROM A MECHANICAL PERSPECTIVE, I'M EXTREMELY DISMAYED AT HOW THIS COULD HAPPEN IN THE FIRST PLACE. I HAVE ABOUT 30 YEARS OF MECHANICAL EXPERIENCE WITH CAR ENGINES - MOSTLY WITH 60'S AND 70'S ERA VEHICLES. MY EXPERIENCE WOULD HOLD SUSPICION THAT A BOLT BACKING OUT OF THE TIMING SPROCKET WOULD BE THE FAULT OF THE MECHANIC WHO INSTALLED IT, EITHER BY APPLYING THE INCORRECT TORQUE, OIL UNDER THE BOLT, OR NOT A

CRV BOOT--I HAD MY LEFT FRONT CRV BOOT REPLACED 12/2010. DEALERSHIP SAYS I NEED FRONT RIGHT AND TWO REAR CRV BOOTS REPLACED 10/2011. I DRIVE 14 MILES RT TO WORK-NO ROUGH TERRAIN-WITH ONLY 42000-48000 I NEED ALL REPLACED-DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT AND $200.00 PER BOOT. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW. *KB

I HAVE A 3.6 ENGINE AND THE OIL PUMP BOLT THAT HOLDS TIMING CHAIN AND CRANK CHAIN CAME LOOSE AND CAUSE MAJOR ENGINE PROBLEMS. DEALER SAYS I NEED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AND IT'S GOING TO COST ME OVER $7000.00 DOLLARS FOR A USED ENGINE OR $16000.00 FOR A NEW ENGINE AND VW OF AMERICA WON'T TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY. *KB

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM 2006 VW PASSAT 3.6L VR6 MODEL. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED IN LATE 2010 AT FIRST A FEW MONTHS AFTER THE CAR WAS PURCHASED. THE PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS AT A SET OF LIGHTS, THE RPM ARE NORMALLY AROUND 650-700 RPM, WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS THE RPM GO TO 1250-1300 WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED, THIS MAKES SO THE DRIVER HAS TO APPLY MUCH MORE FOOT STRENGTH TO HOLD THE CAR. RAISING THE RISKS OF A CAR CRASH. THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY, IF I DRIVE A DAY IT MIGHT NOT HAPPEN, THEN I DRIVE THE NEXT DAY AT THE SECOND SET OF LIGHTS IT HAPPENS. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THIS AT VW IN NH BUT THEY DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM AND CLAIMED THE CAR "IS NOT REALLY AN AUTOMATIC, BUT A MANUAL" AND CHANGED GEAR BOOT CONNECTORS OR SOME SOMETHING, AND THE SAME WEEK THE PROBLEM RESUMED. I FEEL I CANNOT GO TO VW TO REPAIR THIS AS THIS WILL GIVE ME EXCUSES, PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS, I FEEL THIS IS DETRIMENTAL TO MY AND MY FAMILY'S SAFETY. THANK YOU. *TR

VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A KNOCKING/RATTLING NOISE THAT MADE THE ENGINE SOUND LIKE IT WAS A DIESEL. THE ENGINE IN THIS CAR IS A 3.6 V6 GASOLINE ENGINE. I BROUGHT IT INTO MY MECHANIC AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND HE ADVISED AGAINST DRIVING IT ANY MORE AS IT SOUNDED LIKE THE TIMING CHAIN WAS LOOSE. AFTER ATTEMPTING TO GET AT THE NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD HE FOUND OUT HE HAD TO GET UNDER THE COVER ON THE BACK OF THE ENGINE TO GET TO THE LOWER CHAIN. THIS WOULD REQUIRE REMOVAL OF THE TRANSMISSION IN THE FRONT SINCE THE CAR IS A 4MOTION AWD. AT THAT POINT I HAD TO PUT $2000 DOWN BECAUSE OF THE LABOR TO TAKE EVERYTHING APART. I'VE SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE, DUE TO AN OIL PUMP BOLT THAT FAILS. THERE ARE LINKS TO THESE FAILURES HERE: HTTP://WWW.PASSATWORLD.COM/FORUMS/74-CLUB-B6/327507-3-6-OIL-BOLT-FAILURE-REFERENCE-MATERIAL.HTML I CALLED VW CUSTOMER CARE AND THE PERSON ON THE PHONE KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM, BUT SAID THEY RECOMMENDED THE TIMING CHAIN BE REPLACED AT 100,000 MILES. WITH MY SERVICE BILL CURRENTLY UPWARDS OF $2,000 WITH JUST THE LABOR TO GET TO THAT CHAIN, I DON'T THINK ITS RIGHT THAT IT SHOULD COST THAT MUCH FOR A 100,000 MILE MAINTENANCE ITEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE COLUMN STEERING LOCK WARNING LIGHT. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING (2006 PASSAT 3.6 4MOTION) FOLLOWED BY EPC LIGHT (INDICATING E-GAS "LIMP MODE"). VEHICLE WOULDN'T DRIVE ANY FASTER THAN ~40 MPH. CAR REQUIRED OVER $3300 IN REPAIRS (EXCLUDING RENTAL), COVERED BY A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED WARRANTY. DEALERSHIP TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME THAT THE CAUSE WAS THE OIL PUMP BOLT BACKING OUT. THIS ISSUE SEEMS TO BE WIDESPREAD AND HAS BEEN WELL DOCUMENTED WITH DOZENS OF REPORTED INCIDENTS ON VWVORTEX.COM AS WELL AS PASSATWORLD.COM. *TR

CHECK ENGINE (MIL) LIGHT TURNED ON, CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN IDLES AT A HIGHER RPM WHILE WE WERE DRIVING!!! VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP. CAR IS ONLY UNDER WARRANTY FOR 36,000 MILES OR 3 YEARS! DEALERSHIP RAN DIAGNOSTIC, CAME UP WITH: CODE P0123 (THROTTLE HIGH INPUT), P0299 (TURBO UNDER BOOST), P0456 (EVAP LEAK), P1098 (INTAKE TURNING VALVE SHORT TO B+), CODE P2004 (INTAKE RUNNER STUCK), CODE P3237 (INTAKE RUNNER BASIC SETTINGS). DEALER RECOMMENDED INTAKE RUNNER MOTOR REPLACEMENT & REPLACEMENT OF TURBO & N80 VALVE, ALSO CV BOOT NEEDS REPLACEMENT. TOTAL COST OF REPAIRS OVER $1200!!! WE ALWAYS TAKE CARE OF OUR VEHICLES AND HAVE THEM SERVICED AT THE DEALERSHIP. VEHICLE HAS ALSO HAD DEFECTIVE INTERIOR PARTS. INTERIOR TRIM (ALL SWITCHES - LOCK, WINDOW & RADIO ARE BUBBLING AND CHIPPING). DOOR PANEL TRIM (RUBBER IS PEELING). SHIFT KNOB - METALLIC PIECE ON SHIFT KNOB, PEELED AND DUG INTO SKIN AND CAUSED INJURY. CARBON FIBER DASH IS PEELING APART. CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA, PER THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE REP, THEY ARE UNABLE TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS DUE TO THE AGE AND MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE. CAR IS A 2006 - 67,000 MILES. LESS THAN 5 YEARS OLD. I WOULD HAVE NEVER PURCHASED A VOLKSWAGEN HAD I KNOWN THEY WERE NOT RELIABLE VEHICLES. UNKNOWLEDGABLE SALES REPS, OR JUST AFTER CUSTOMERS TO MAKE A BUCK. SELLING PEOPLE UNRELIABLE VEHICLES AND VOLKSWAGEN CLEARLY DOES NOT TAKE CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS NOR DO THEY CARE ABOUT CUSTOMER LOYALTY OR SAFETY. *TR

BEWARE OF THE 2006 VW PASSAT. I HAVE HAD ONGOING ISSUES WITH THIS CAR. MAJOR ISSUE: STALLING OUT WITHOUT WARNING. MY CAR WAS WORKED ON 6 MONTHS AGO APPROX DATE OF 1/11 FOR STALLING. CAR RAN GREAT, JULY 7TH,11 TRAVELING HIGH RATE OF SPEED ON INTERSTATE, CAR STALLS, ALMOST GOT HIT! TAKEN TO (2) TWO DIFF DEALERSHIPS AND (2) DIFF OPINIONS. DROPPED OFF AT DEALERSHIP ON JULY 14TH,11 PART NEEDED IS ON BACK ORDER UNTIL JULY 25,11) THEY SAY THE STALLING IS CAUSED FROM CAM SHAFT HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP! AND APPARENTLY THEY (VW) HAS DECIDED TO COVER THIS UNDER AND EXTENSION OF THE WARRANTY UP TO 120,000 MILES! NO RECALL. HMMMM WONDER WHY? THEY WOULD BE OUT ALOT OF MONEY! THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM ON THIS CAR. THE WAY IT WAS DESIGNED IS A JOKE! SIX MONTHS AGO MY FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED AND NOW ANOTHER PROBLEM EXISTS. MY POINT IS THIS: MY CAR HAS STALLED OUT ON THE INTERSTATE AND VARIOUS OTHER PLACES. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED. I HAVE READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE! THIS CAR IS UNSAFE. I MADE A COMPLAINT TO VW AND THEY BASICALLY STATED IT WAS MY PROBLEM! I HAVE HAD MY CAR ON THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE 2 TIMES AND ALL HAVE COME BACK WITH DIFF ISSUES! WHEN SPEAKING TO THE REP FROM VW, I ADVISED THEY ALL GAVE ME DIFF OPINIONS DUE TO DIAGNOSTIC READINGS AND SHE STATED "MAYBE YOUR CAR HAS ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS" MAYBE? SO I PAY FOR ALL OF THESE "MAYBE'S" TO GET MY CAR FIXED AND "MAYBE" IT WILL RUN THE WAY ITS SUPPOSED TO, OR "MAYBE" IT WONT! I'M NOT THE ONLY CONSUMER

20 AFTER I PURCHASED MY CAR AT CARMAX IN LAUREL, MD IN JUNE 2009 I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK BECAUSE MY AC WAS BLOWING HOT AIR, AFTER A DIAGNOSIS CARMAX SENT MY CAR TO A FITZGERALD VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP IN ANNAPOLIS, MD WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED IT FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND IN TURN HAD TO REPLACE MY AC COMPRESSOR, CONDENSOR AND CLUTCH. I RAN THE AC FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS (JULY & AUG 2009) THAT YEAR, SINCE WE WERE ALREADY HALF WAY THROUGH THE SUMMER. IN MAY 2010 WHEN I TURNED MY AC ON AGAIN IT BLEW HOT AIR, I SENT IT BACK TO CARMAX WHO DIAGNOSED IT AGAIN AND SAID THE AC COMPRESSOR AND PRESSURE SWITCH SHOULD BE REPLACE, LESS THAN A YEAR SINCE THE INITIAL AC WAS REPLACED THE FIRST TIME. AT THIS POINT, I CALLED FITZGERALD AND WAS TOLD I WAS PAST MY 12,000 MILES PER THE REPLACEMENT WARRANTY AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE WORK WHICH WAS QUOTED AT $2300 AND $1700. AFTER I COMPLAINED TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFICE, THE DEALER OFFERED A GOOD WILL ONE TIME OFFER DECREASING THE ESTIMATED COST TO $900. I DECLINED THE OFFER SINCE I DON'T BELIEVE I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT CLEARLY WAS NOT DONE CORRECTLY THE FIRST TIME. AFTER PURCHASING AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR ANOTHER ISSUE, I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER, THEY DIAGNOSED WITH THE SAME PROBLEM I AGREED TO HAVE THEM FIX IT BASED ON MY WARRANTY COVERAGE HOWEVER, I WAS DENIED COVERAGE BY THE WARRANTY COMPANY BECAUSE VOLKSWAGEN PREVIOUSLY ISSUED A TSB REGARDING AC ISSUES IN 2006 VW PASSAT. THIS TSB WAS ISSUED IN 2007, MY CAR WAS P

THERE ARE SEVERE TOXIC ODOR'S (VOC'S) COMING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE CARPET INSULATION OF THE INTERIOR IF THE CAR. IT IS SO POTENT THAT I HAVE SORE THROATS , HEADACHES AND FEEL LIGHT HEADED DURING AND AFTER I DRIVE THE 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THIS ODOR/VOC HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO FAINT DUE TO THE SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION I HAVE TO IT. I HAVE TO HAVE ALL WINDOWS OPEN TO EVEN DRIVE THE AUTOMOBILE. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET UNDER "VOLKSWAGEN CRAYON SMELL" THERE ARE HUNDREDS ARE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT VOLKSWAGEN CARS WHERE THEY HAVE FOUND THE INTERIOR SOUND INSULATION MAT UNDER THE CARPER FLOOR TO BE THE CAUSE. I NEED MY CAR AND I CAN'T DRIVE IT LIKE THIS AS IT IS UNSAFE FOR MY HEALTH AND I FEAR THIS "CRAYON ODOR" COULD CAUSE ME TO HAVE A CAR ACCIDENT. I HAVE TRIED TO ENLIST VW AMERICA AND THEY STATE THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF THE ISSUE , HOWEVER, THERE ARE HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSAND COMPLAINTS THAT THEY HAVE RECEIVED FROM THIS TOXIC ODOR THAT IS COMING INTO THE PASSENGER CABIN OF THEIR CARS ESPECIALLY THE 2006 PASSAT. THIS TOXIC CRAYON ODOR IS PRESENT AT ALL TIMES , IT IS NOT DEPENDENT ON THE CAR RUNNING (BEING ON) WHAT SO EVER.. PLEASE HELP!!! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOOSE POWER AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. A MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT THE HIGH AND LOW PRESSURE SENSORS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHEN HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENTIRE INTAKE AND MANIFOLD SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE AS QUICKLY AS IT DID PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 94,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

REAR PASSENGER (DRIVER SIDE) SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT AND THEREFORE COULD NOT BE APPLIED (BUCKLE IN) TO PASSENGER. SITUATION STILL EXISTS.

I'VE HAD MY 06 PASSAT FOR LITTLE UNDER 2 YEARS NOW, IT WAS BOUGHT USED FROM CARMAX AND IT HAS BEEN HORRIBLE FROM THE START. AS OTHER CONSUMERS HAVE NOTICED I HAVE A BIG PROBLEM WITH THE KEY GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION TO THE POINT THAT I HAVE TO START AND STOP THE CAR AT LEAST FIVE OR MORE TIMES BEFORE IT WILL DISLODGE. ALSO, IF THE KEY ISN'T STUCK THE ENGINE ITSELF WON'T CRANK, ALSO TAKING AT LEAST FIVE TRIES BEFORE THE ENGINE WILL START. I HAVE TO TAKE THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP REGULARLY, ABOUT ONCE EVERY TWO TO THREE MONTHS, FIXING THE SAME PROBLEMS REPEATEDLY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON AND NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I CHANGE THE HEADLIGHTS THEY NEVER LAST. MY MOST RECENT PROBLEM HAS BEEN THE NOISES MY CAR IS MAKING. IT'S LIKE A RATTLING, KNOCKING NOISE THAT HAS ONLY GOTTEN LOUDER SINCE TAKING IT TO THE SHOP. THE MECHANIC HAS SAID IT WOULD TAKE AROUND 3 TO 4 THOUSAND DOLLARS TO FIX, WHICH IS ONLY A SMALL AMOUNT LESS THAN I'VE PUT INTO BUYING THE CAR, NOT INCLUDING THE MONEY I'VE BEEN POURING INTO CONSTANT REPAIRS. THIS IS A HORRIBLE CAR AND NOW THAT I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND SEEN JUST HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS I HAVE (AND MORE SEVERE, POTENTIALLY DEADLY PROBLEMS IN SOME CASES) I MAKE IT MY BUSINESS TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE KNOWS WHAT A DUD THIS CAR IS AND HOW VW DOES NOT CARE ABOUT ITS CONSUMERS BY NOT DOING ANYTHING TO FIX THESE EVER PREVALENT PROBLEMS. *TR

2006 VW PASSAT VR6 3.6L 1./2. ON A HOT DAY (90 +/-) AND THE ENGINE IS IN IDLE (NORMAL AROUND 650 RPM) UNEXPECTEDLY THE REVS GO OVER 1000 RPM. TO KEEP THE CAR STOPPED THE FOOT BRAKE PRESSURE MUST BE INCREASED BY THE DRIVER. THIS IS QUITE HARD TO TIME BECAUSE THE PROBLEM DOES NOT OCCUR AT EVERY STOP/IDLE. IT LOOKS LIKE THAT THIS OCCURS MORE OFTEN WITH THE A/C ON. 3. SO FAR I DID NOTHING BUT I READ THAT OTHER VW PASSAT 2006 VR6 OWNERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. I WILL MAKE A SERVICE AND ASK MY DEALER IF HE IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM NEXT WEEK. *TR

MY VW 2006 PASSAT SEDAN HAS ALWAYS HAD A WINDSHIELD FOGGING PROBLEM WHEN THE DE-FOGGER IS TURNED ON, THE WINDSHIELD FOGGS UP COMPLETELY, THEN TAKES 30 TO 45 SECONDS TO CLEAR. I'VE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SITUATION TO TREND MOTORS OF ROCKAWAY NJ SEVERAL TIMES AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS NORMAL.AND I SHOULD PUT THE AIR CONDITIONER ON AND THAT WILL CLEAR UP THE PROBLEM. EVENTUALLY THE WINDSHIELD DOES CLEAR BUT, I CANNOT SEE THRU THE WINDSHIELD FOR 30 TO 45 SECONDS. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DANGEROUS HAZARD. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CRASH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO CRASH INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER AND DAMAGE THE FRONT END. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP WHEN IT CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL ON THE HIGHWAY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER CHEST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY WHERE IT WAS BEING INSPECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,925.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS OR IDLING, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE ABNORMALLY AND THE ENGINE WOULD EXHIBIT AN UNUSUAL INCREASE IN RPMS. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO MAINTAIN PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES WHEN THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM SURGING FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

AIR CONDITIONING STOPPED WORKING AFTER 5 YEARS. CONDENSER CRACKED/BROKEN ACCORDING TO DEALER, REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF ALL AIR CONDITIONING COMPONENTS. TOTAL COST $1,700 INCL. LABOR. *TR

2006 VW PASSAT 2.0T AT LEAST EVERY 6 MONTH, THE MALFUNCTION INDICATE LIGHT ON WITHOUT ANY REASON. WHEN I GO TO THE REPAIR SHOP, THEY JUST RESET IT. IT BACK TO NORMAL. *TR

BOUGHT THE 2006 VW PASSAT IN FEB OF 2009 @ 11,000 MILES. THE PROBLEMS STARTED @ 22,900 BATTERY CABLE (HARNESS) NEEDED REPLACEMENT; @ 25,012 STEERING COLUMN AND CONTROL UNIT HAD TO BE REPLACED, SYSTEM WOULD LOCK THE WHEEL; @ 26,096 COULDN'T OPEN GAS DOOR, GAS ACTUATOR FAULTY AND REPLACED; @ 32,390 CAT CONVERTER INTERNALLY BROKEN, REPLACED; BUT THE SCARIEST WAS @ 37,280 TRACTION LIGHT AND EPC LIGHT POPS ON AND VEHICLE LOSES POWER, INTERNAL FAULT IN THROTTLE BODY, REPLACED BUT NOT REPAIRED AS OF TODAY 37,438 LIGHTS HAVE REAPPEARED. *TR

AIRBAGS HAVE FAILED FIVE TIMES ON PASSAT BECAUSE OF BAD SENSORS. *TR

2006 PASSAT, ENGINE LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF, CAR ON NUMEROUS EVENTS HAS STALED AFTER STARTING, DEALER HAS NO EXPLAINATION. *TR

STARTED VEHICLE IN NORMAL FASHION, NOTICED LARGE AMOUNT OF VIBRATION FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. UPON ACCELERATION, VEHICLE HESITATES DRASTICALLY. TOOK TO VW SERVICE CENTER AND THEY RAN DIAGNOSTICS. 3 FAULT CODES - PO300 MULTIPLE CYLINDER MISFIRE DETECTED, PO304 CYLINDER 4 MISFIRE DETECTED, P3073 THROTTLE TRANSFER PUMP ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION IN CIRCUIT. VW SERVICE CENTER SWAPPED IGNITION COILS AND PLUGS - DUPLICATED FAULTS. THEY WANTED TO PUT IN NEW INJECTORS, EXHAUST LIFTERS, EXHAUST ROCKERS AND FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE FOR $1800.00 - AND SINCE THEY WERE ALREADY IN THERE, THEY WANTED TO REPLACE TIMING BELT, TENSIONER, AND WATER PUMP FOR ANOTHER $340.00 I WAS TOLD THAT IF I DON'T MIND THE BAD PERFORMANCE/HESITATION THEN IT WON'T HURT THE ENGINE ANY MORE THEN IT ALREADY IS. THIS IS A 2006 VW PASSAT 2.0T LUX WITH 80,000 MILES. CRAZY THAT ALL THESE PROBLEM OCCUR JUST AFTER THE 75,000 WARRANTY WAS UP. *TR

WHEN I USE THE KEY TO START MY 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT IT WILL NOT START, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND THE CAR IMMOBILIZES. I CANNOT START THE CAR FROM 15 MINUTES TO 1 HOUR. THE KEY WILL NOT COME OUT. WHEN I CALL FOR HELP ALL ANYONE TELLS ME IS TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT, BUT THIS DOES NOT WORK. I HAVE ENCOUNTERED THIS PROBLEM ABOUT 3 TO 5 TIMES A DAY. I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN SEPT. 2010 AND THIS HAS HAPPENED EVERY DAY SINCE I PURCHASED THIS CAR. WHEN I TOOK IT BACK, I WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG AND THE CAR STARTED. THE ENGINE LIGHT ALSO COMES ON AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. AS I WRITE THIS, THE CAR IS IMMOBOLIZED IN MY GARAGE AND WILL NOT START, I HAVE MISSED APPOINTMENTS OVER AND OVER. I WENT ON HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?3656214 TO TRY TO FIND OUT HOW TO CORRECT THIS AND FOUND OUT THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE HAS OR HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT AND THE SOLUTION SEEMS TO BE TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN. I DO NOT HAVE ANY MONEY TO PAY FOR SUCH A BIG JOB, ESPECIALLY SINCE I HAVE NOT HAD THIS CAR FOR SIX MONTHS. THIS CAR WAS SOLD WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR

I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE A/C OF MY 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2.0. THE TECHNICIAN TELLS ME THAT BASICALLY ALL THE COMPONENTS OF MY A/C SYSTEM IS DAMAGED AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER I SEARCH THE INTERNET, A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS SINCE 2007 AND IT'S FOR MODELS FROM 2001 TO 2007 (AS FAR AS I CAN FIND NOW). PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE BECAUSE I BELIEVE IT'S A DESIGN PROBLEM INSTEAD OF A WEAR AND TEAR PROBLEM. HOPEFULLY WE AS CONSUMERS CAN RELY ON YOU TO HELP US FIGHT FOR JUSTICE. *TR

I GOT 2006 VW PASSAT 2.0T - 77,000MILES. LAST WEEK, I GOT ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON DURING THE DRIVE AND WENT TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY CHECKED COMPUTER SYSTEM THEN FIXED AIR FILTER HOUSING. I PAID $585.00. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW IT CAN BREAK, BUT I DON'T HAVE CHOICE. AND NEXT DAY ON THE DRIVING IT HAPPEN AGAIN AND I WENT TO DEALERSHIP AGAIN. THIS TIME THEY TOLD ME PCV VALVE WAS NOT WORKING SO ANOTHER FIX COST $281.00. LAST SEPTEMBER I DID REGULAR MAINTENANCE SERVICE AND THEY TOLD ME EVERYTHING GOOD. BUT AFTER EVERY MONTH IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND AGAIN, FIRST PROBLEM WAS STEERING COLUMNS......I PAID $485.00 SECOND PROBLEM WAS BATTERY........I PAID $130.00 THIRD PROBLEM WAS ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON I PAID $585.00 AND THIS TIME ANOTHER ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON $281.00 WITHIN TWO DAY. NOW I KNEW VW CARS ARE PIECES OF JUNKS. IT IS REALLY JUNKS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 346. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR HIM TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHO STATED THAT THE LEFT TIE ROD ARM KNOT BECAME LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THEY REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL ( 05V540000) SINCE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 78,700.

I HAVE A 2006 VW PASSAT THAT HAD A CRANKCASE BREATHER VALVE FOUL UP FOR NO REASON. THE VEHICLE WAS MAINTAINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE VW RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE AND THIS IS DOCUMENTED, HOWEVER, THE VW SERVICE REP INDICATED THIS WAS A RESULT OF NOT PROPERLY MAINTAINING THE VEHICLE. SPECIFICALLY HE STATED THAT THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE OWNER FAILS TO CHANGE THE ENGINE OIL. (NOTE: VW RECOMMENDS CHANGING THE OIL EVERY 10K MILES AND CALLS FOR THE USE OF SYNTHETIC OIL. BOTH RECOMMENDATIONS WERE FOLLOWED IN THIS CASE). THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 48,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN UNDER "NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS"--PRIMARILY HIGHWAY DRIVING IN A NON SNOW, NON DESERT ENVIRONMENT. AS A RESULT OF THIS DEFECT, THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN EMISSIONS. ALSO, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SEIZE UP WHILE I WAS TRAVELING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY THUS PUTTING ME AND MY FAMILY IN DANGER. *TR

1. STARTED HEARING "TICKING" NOISE FROM ENGINE 2. "TICKING" BECAME LOUDER, SLOW PERFORMANCE 3. REPLACED INTAKE CAM / LIFTERS, H.P. FUEL PUMP, VALVE COVER GASKET AND SEALANT, VACUUM PIPE TO LEAK DETECTION PIPE (ALL 2 TIMES EACH). *TR

I OWN A 2006 VW PASSAT 3.6, ENGINE DIED SUDDENLY AFTER PULLING OUT ACROSS A 45MPH STATE ROUTE, AFTER ENGINE FAILED, THERE WAS NO STEERING OR BRAKES, HAD TO PUSH CAR OUT OF TRAFFIC WITH MY 2 YOUNG SONS INSIDE. YOUNG VW, EASTON PA. STATED THE FAILURE AS A OIL PUMP BOLT THAT HAD BACKED OUT AND SHEARED OFF, CAUSING THE CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I FOUND 58 FAILURE OF THIS TYPE OF THIS SAME YEAR AND ENGINE, AT: HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?3462993-ATTN-3.6L-OWNERS-HAS-YOUR-ENGINE-FAILED , - THIS IS CLEARLY AN ISSUE VW WAS AWARE OF SEVERAL YEARS AGO, AS EVIDENCED BY THE REPLACEMENT OR REPAIR OF SO MANY, 58+ ENGINES THAT I CAN DOCUMENT, AND CHOOSES NOT TO RECOGNIZE THE ISSUE, I BELIEVE DUE TO FINANCIAL REASONS AS THIS FIX IS $3,000 IN LABOR ALONE. I CONTACTED VWOA, (REF. # [XXX]) AND VW AG, (,REF. NO.: [XXX]) WITH THIS ISSUE AND NEITHER HAD RECOGNIZED THIS AS A KNOWN ISSUE, MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND VW ESTIMATED THE REPAIR AT $12,800 FOR A REBUILT ENGINE. ASIDE FROM BEING ABUSIVELY EXPENSIVE, THIS FAILURE SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO OCCUR RANDOMLY, IN TRAFFIC OR ANYWHERE CREATING A VERY UNSAFE AND LIFE THREATENING SITUATION, VWOA SHOULD BE WELL AWARE OF THESE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS YEAR ENGINE, BY THE MANY THEY HAVE REPLACED OR FIXED AND SHOULD MAKE THE PUBLIC AWARE AND EFFECT A FIX TO PREVENT A LOSS OF LIFE DUE TO THIS KNOWN ENGINE DEFECT. MY VIN # [XXX], 2006 VW PASSAT 3.6L 4MOTION. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFO

I AM FILING A COMPLAINT REGARDING THE STALLING ISSUES I'VE EXPERIENCED ON MY 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 3.6L MODEL. THE DESCRIPTION BELOW IS A HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE PROBLEM AND HOW IT PROGRESSED TO THE CURRENT STATE. I FIRST NOTICED THE ISSUE AROUND 8000 MILES OR SO WHERE THE KEY FOB WOULD GET STUCK IN THE IGNITION. AFTER READING SOME POSTS ON VWFORUM, I WORKED AROUND THE INTERMITTENT ISSUE BY CLICKING THE GEAR SHIFT 3 TIMES TO DISENGAGE THE KEY FOB FROM THE IGNITION. AROUND 24K MILE OR SO, I NOTICED THE STALLING ISSUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CAR WAS STARTED. THIS PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT AS WELL AND SEEMED TO OCCUR DURING EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS - COLD OR HOT. AT THIS TIME, THE ERROR 'STEERING COLUMN FAILURE' WOULD REGISTER INTERMITTENTLY. AROUND 60K THE PROBLEM PROGRESSED AND THE FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE INCREASED. I REPORTED THE ISSUE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE ISSUE. LOOKING BACK AT THE MULTIPLE BLOGS AND FORUMS ON THIS TOPIC, I BELIEVE THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD HAVE BEEN FAMILIAR ENOUGH WITH THE ISSUE THAT FURTHER RESEARCH INTO THE PROBLEM WOULD HAVE BEEN WARRANTED. I WAS NOT AWARE OF THE WIDESPREAD ISSUE AT THE TIME AND DID NOT INSIST ON HAVING THE DEALER RESEARCH THE ISSUE WHILE THE CAR WAS STILL IN WARRANTY. THE INSPECTION FEE WAS ENOUGH TO DETER ME FROM PUSHING FURTHER SPECIALLY IF THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE REPRODUCED. CURRENTLY, AT 88K MILES, THE PROBLEM OF STALLING WHEN STARTING CAN BE REPRODUCED AT WILL. THERE IS A WORKAROUND POSTED ON TH

THE PROBLEM THAT I AM HAVING WITH MY 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT IS THAT WHILE I AM DRIVING THE CAR SHUTS DOWN COMPLETELY. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME ABOUT FIVE TIMES THIS YEAR. IT HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO BE IN TWO ACCIDENTS AND TO HAVE TO QUICKLY PULL OFF THE ROAD. THE DEALER WANTS ME TO PAY $1,700 TO REPAIR IT. *TR

2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT - "STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEFECTIVE " ERROR MESSAGE. 1. CAR WILL NOT START IMMEDIATELY; SOMETIMES UP TO 20 MINUTES AFTER INITIATING THE STARTING PROCEDURE. 2. FAILURE OCCURS SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK. CONSEQUENCE FOR FIRST INCIDENT WAS A LOST CONTRACT FOR AN INDEPENDENT CONSULTING POSITION. CAR IS CURRENTLY OUT OF SERVICE REQUIRING ME TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND/OR WALK TO WORK AND APPOINTMENTS. 3. ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. CAR IS CURRENTLY OUT OF SERVICE. *TR

ATTEMPTED TO START 2.0T ENGINE, HEARD ODD NOISES COMING FROM ENGINE BAY...SOUNDED LIKE A DIESEL ENGINE THOUGH IT WAS A GASOLINE/PETROL ENGINE, SHUT OFF AND TURNED ON AGAIN, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT ACTIVATED...SHUT ENGINE OFF AGAIN AND HAD TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. BOLT THAT HOLDS OIL PUMP SHEARED OFF, OIL PAN SHOWS METAL DEBRIS, DRIVE SPROCKET LOOSE, ENGINE NEEDED TOTAL REPLACEMENT, ENGINE IS TOTAL LOSS, VW CLAIMS NO FAULT FOR REPAIRS, VW NEEDS TO RECALL ISSUE, WITHOUT DEALER WARRANTY, REPAIRS WOULD HAVE COST OVER $7K IF THIS HAPPENED ON THE ROAD IT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A LOSS OF POWER AND BECOME A POTENTIAL ROAD HAZARD/ACCIDENT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPAIR FOR RECALL 06V470000 (VISIBILITY: WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER: MOTOR) WAS PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS MALFUNCTIONED DURING A HEAVY RAINSTORM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOVED VERY SLOWLY AND MADE THE VEHICLE INCAPABLE OF BEING DRIVEN IN THE RAIN. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL OVER AND WAIT FOR THE RAIN TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO COULD NOT EXPLAIN THE CAUSE FOR FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000. UPDATED 01/18/11 *BF THE DEALER AGREED TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. UPDATED 04/04/11

MY CAR IS 2006 VW PASSAT - 2.0T. AROUND 60,000MILES, CAR BECAME INCREASINGLY HARDER TO START. BUT IT WORKS. AND AT 75,000MILES IT LOOKS LIKE THE BATTERY DIED AND "STEERING COLUMN LOCK" IS DEFECTIVE. SO I TALKED TO THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE GUY, HE TOLD ME THE BATTERY HAD LOW VOLTAGE. SO I CHANGED, BUT IT HAPPENED SAME PROBLEM WITH NEW BATTERY. I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED ONLY MY CAR OR OTHER VW ALSO HAS SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE 73,000 MILES, I DID IT REGULAR MAINTENANCE SERVICE, AFTER THAT THE CAR WASN'T THE SAME BECAUSE WHEEL SIDE HAD MORE NOISE BUT I TRUSTED DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING, SO I THOUGHT EVERYTHING WAS OK. BUT THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

2006 VW PASSAT "DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN LOCK" WARNING SIGN AND THE CAR WON'T START AT ONCE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THEN A STEERING COLUMN LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER TEN MORE ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED; THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN MODULAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT AND BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE KEY ALSO BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE CONTACT STATED A LITTLE RED LIGHT BLINKED ON AND OFF AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT LOOKED IN THE MANUAL AND IT STATED THAT IF THIS LIGHT CAME ON THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK. THE MANUAL STATED THAT THE COILS IN THE DASHBOARD CONTROL THE STEERING AND DASHBOARD FUNCTIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE TOWED SINCE EVERYTHING LOCKED, INCLUDING THE WHEELS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 37000.