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 F…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #10578325
64,000 miles · Jan 21, 2014
Air Bags
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 C…
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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
NHTSA ODI #10560807
60,000 miles · Oct 17, 2012
Air Bags
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…
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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
NHTSA ODI #10480812
2,011 miles · Jun 26, 2012
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine
TRUNK HAS DIFFICULTY CLOSING. SEAT BELT DON'T WORK PROPERLY. AIRBAG LIGHT ALONG WITH THE MOTOR LIGHT TURN ON. THESE LIGHTS WERE NEVER REALLY FIXED BY THE CAR DEALER. THE PASSENGER BACK DOOR DOES NOT LOCK MOST OF THE TIME LEAVING THE CAR WITHOUT THE ALARM WORKING. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10463098
Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2012
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HORN STOPPED FUNCTIONING WHEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE AIR BAG AND A B…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HORN STOPPED FUNCTIONING WHEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE AIR BAG AND A BOLT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER DID NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE, BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PREVIOUS WIRING HARNESS REPLACEMENT WAS NOT RELATED TO THE CURRENT FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
NHTSA ODI #10454857
38,775 miles · Apr 11, 2012
Air Bags
APRIL 6, 2012 WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE AIRBAG FAULT LIGHT CAME ON - DROVE IT IMMEDIATELY TO THE CLOSEST VW DEALER WHO SAID THE REPAIRS WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY ANY WARRANTY, AND THE ENTIRE BILL WOULD BE MY RESPONSIBILITY. PROBLEM COULD BE CAUSED BY ONE OF SIX POSSIBILITIES, AND THE COST TO REPAIR COULD NOT BE DETERMINED UNT…
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APRIL 6, 2012 WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE AIRBAG FAULT LIGHT CAME ON - DROVE IT IMMEDIATELY TO THE CLOSEST VW DEALER WHO SAID THE REPAIRS WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY ANY WARRANTY, AND THE ENTIRE BILL WOULD BE MY RESPONSIBILITY. PROBLEM COULD BE CAUSED BY ONE OF SIX POSSIBILITIES, AND THE COST TO REPAIR COULD NOT BE DETERMINED UNTIL IT WAS DIAGNOSED BY A SHOP TECH. COMPLAINT MADE DIRECTLY TO VW THE FOLLOWING DAY, WITH NO REPLY YET. AM NOW DRIVING A CAR WITH 8 AIRBAGS THAT WON'T WORK IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT - A CAR I PURCHASED NEW IN 06 WITH CASH SPECIFICALLY FOR THE AIRBAG SAFETY FEATURES AND WHICH HAS HAD ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER EARNING IT THE LEMON DESIGNATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10454838
30,925 miles · Mar 15, 2011
Air BagsCrashInjury
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 HIGHW…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #10390275
Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 2011
Air Bags
AIRBAGS HAVE FAILED FIVE TIMES ON PASSAT BECAUSE OF BAD SENSORS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10381454
65,000 miles · Oct 21, 2010
Air Bags
I OWN A 2006 VW PASSAT WITH JUST OVER 60K MILES. THE AIR BAG FAULT INDICATOR LIGHT HAS COME ON AND I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALER'S SOLUTION WAS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE AIRBAG UNIT AT A COST OF NEARLY $1000. IT SEEMS TO ME FROM READING THE POSTS ON THIS SITE AND NUMEROUS OTHERS THAT THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM ON A…
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I OWN A 2006 VW PASSAT WITH JUST OVER 60K MILES. THE AIR BAG FAULT INDICATOR LIGHT HAS COME ON AND I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALER'S SOLUTION WAS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE AIRBAG UNIT AT A COST OF NEARLY $1000. IT SEEMS TO ME FROM READING THE POSTS ON THIS SITE AND NUMEROUS OTHERS THAT THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM ON A CRITICAL SAFETY COMPONENT THAT IT IS OCCURRING AFTER ONLY A COUPLE OF YEARS OF OWNERSHIP (FAR TOO EARLY IN THE CAR'S LIFETIME) AND VW IS NOT DOING ANYTHING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO GET VW TO ISSUE A SERVICE BULLETIN TO CORRECT THE ISSUE AT THEIR EXPENSE AND ALSO TO WARN DRIVERS ABOUT A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ISSUE WITH THIS SAFETY EQUIPMENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10361494
68,000 miles · Jul 14, 2010
Air BagsVehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY SOMETIMES WHEN I PUSHING ON THE GAS, IT WILL JUST DIE, I HAVE TO EITHER FLOOR IT TO GET IT BACK AND GOING OR RELEASE THE GAS ALL TOGETHER AND THEN PUSH ON IT AGAIN FOR THE CAR TO PICK UP SPEED. I HAVE NO IDEA WHY AND I CANT AFFORD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO SEE HOW MUCH IT WOULD BE TO GET FIXED. I A…
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WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY SOMETIMES WHEN I PUSHING ON THE GAS, IT WILL JUST DIE, I HAVE TO EITHER FLOOR IT TO GET IT BACK AND GOING OR RELEASE THE GAS ALL TOGETHER AND THEN PUSH ON IT AGAIN FOR THE CAR TO PICK UP SPEED. I HAVE NO IDEA WHY AND I CANT AFFORD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO SEE HOW MUCH IT WOULD BE TO GET FIXED. I AM ALSO GETTING THE AIR BAG FAULT AND I HAD GOTTEN IT FIXED ONCE BEFORE FOR ABOUT $300 AND THEN A WEEK LATER IT CAME BACK ON. THE WAY IT CAME BACK ON IS AFTER I REPROGRAMMED MY KEY BECAUSE THAT WASN'T WORKING EITHER... *TR
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2006 Volkswagen Passat Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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