I ADVISED VOLKSWAGEN THAT I HAD THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON. THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD FIX THE ISSUE FOR ME BUT IT WOULD COST ME ABOUT 900 DOLLARS TO FIX. I HAVE NOT FIXED THE ISSUE BECAUSE OF THE HIGH COST. THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE 2006 PASSAT I OWN. THE REP TOLD ME THAT A WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE PASSENGER SEA…
Read full complaint
I ADVISED VOLKSWAGEN THAT I HAD THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON. THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD FIX THE ISSUE FOR ME BUT IT WOULD COST ME ABOUT 900 DOLLARS TO FIX. I HAVE NOT FIXED THE ISSUE BECAUSE OF THE HIGH COST. THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE 2006 PASSAT I OWN. THE REP TOLD ME THAT A WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS BUILT WRONG. IT IS TO SHORT AND THE TSB THAT IS OUT FOR THIS ISSUE EXPLAINS THAT A WIRING HARNESS WITH LONGER WIRES IS NEEDED. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO AFFORD TO FIX THE ISSUE AND VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA DENIED MY CLAIM SAYING IT WAS NOT THERE FAULT AND THAT I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. AFTER LOOKING AT YOUR RECALLS I NOTICED THERE IS AN EXACT RECALL FOR THE VOLKSWAGEN CC WITH THE SAME ISSUE. PLEASE HELP ME . *TR
NHTSA ODI #10312426
19,400 miles · Jan 26, 2010
Air Bags
I OWN A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. IN THE LAST YEAR, I HAVE HAD TO HAVE IT SERVICED FOR DRIVERS AIRBAG FAULTS FIVE TIMES. THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NO GUARANTY THAT THE AIRBAG WILL EVER DEPLOY IN CASE OF A CRASH. WHAT CAN I DO? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10302343
53,000 miles · Jan 20, 2010
Air Bags
VOLKSWAGEN HAS ACKNOWLEDGED TO ME, BOTH THE DEALER (DEAN TEAM IN KIRKWOOD) AND THEIR CUSTOMER SUPPORT GROUP 800-822-8987) THAT IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSATS THAT THEIR IS A WIRING PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG IGNITER SWITCH - THE PROBLEM CONVENIENTLY TENDS TO OCCUR RIGHT AT THE TIME WHEN THE CAR EXCEEDS IT'S 50,000…
Read full complaint
VOLKSWAGEN HAS ACKNOWLEDGED TO ME, BOTH THE DEALER (DEAN TEAM IN KIRKWOOD) AND THEIR CUSTOMER SUPPORT GROUP 800-822-8987) THAT IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSATS THAT THEIR IS A WIRING PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG IGNITER SWITCH - THE PROBLEM CONVENIENTLY TENDS TO OCCUR RIGHT AT THE TIME WHEN THE CAR EXCEEDS IT'S 50,000 WARRANTY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT THEY ARE WELL AWARE OF YET ARE IGNORING IT AND REFUSING TO ASSIST WITH THE COST OF THE REPAIR (UNLESS YOU HAVE BEEN A VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER THAT HAS OWNED AT LEAST 3 OF THEIR CARS - THEY ACTUALLY TOLD ME THIS!) I'M NOT ONE TO TYPICALLY COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS BUT IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF AND SHOULD BE HELP ACCOUNTABLE AS THEY PREACH HOW 'SAFE' THEIR CARS ARE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10300390
24,000 miles · Nov 28, 2008
Air BagsCrashInjury
ME AND MY WIFE WERE TRAVELING RT. 80 WEST BOUND TO EXIT 61 ELMWOOD PARK AT ABOUT 12:45 AM, WEATHER CONDITION WAS WET WITH RAIN AND ROADS WERE SLICK. AS MY WIFE(DRIVER) MERGED TOWARDS THE EXIT THE JEEP IN FRONT OF US DEAD STOPPED BECAUSE AS WE LATER FOUND OUT THERE WAS A CAR BEFORE IT THAT SPUN OUT EARLIER. OUR CAR COLLIDED WIT…
Read full complaint
ME AND MY WIFE WERE TRAVELING RT. 80 WEST BOUND TO EXIT 61 ELMWOOD PARK AT ABOUT 12:45 AM, WEATHER CONDITION WAS WET WITH RAIN AND ROADS WERE SLICK. AS MY WIFE(DRIVER) MERGED TOWARDS THE EXIT THE JEEP IN FRONT OF US DEAD STOPPED BECAUSE AS WE LATER FOUND OUT THERE WAS A CAR BEFORE IT THAT SPUN OUT EARLIER. OUR CAR COLLIDED WITH THE STOPPED VEHICLE HITTING IT ON THE REAR RIGHT SIDE AND OURS WAS THE LEFT SIDE FRONT . MY WIFE HIT HER CHEST ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND I HIT MY KNEES IN THE DASHBOARD NEEDLESS TO SAY THE AIRBAGS ON OUR VEHICLE DIDN'T DEPLOY. IT WAS A 2006 VW PASSAT. I CALLED VW OF AMERICA AND ACCORDING TO THEM THE OTHER SAFETY FEATURES DID WORK AND THAT AIR BAGS WERE THE LAST RESORT TO SAVE LIVES. THIS COLLISION AND IMPACT WOULD HAVE SERIOUSLY INJURED US IF WE DIDN'T WEAR OUR SEATBELTS. I BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE PRODUCT LIABILITY OF VW OF AMERICA WITH THIS, THEIR DEFECTIVE AIR BAGS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10250058
Mileage unknown · Nov 25, 2008
Air Bags
DEFECTED AIRBAG. MY LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON MY 06 VW PASSAT. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP NUMEROUS TIMES (LIKE ONCE A MONTH) TO HAVE THEM REPLACE SENSORS. THE PROBLEM KEEPS RE-OCCURRING AND IS GETTING EXPENSIVE. THE DEALERSHIPS SOLUTION IS OBVIOUSLY TEMPORARY AND CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10249766
48,000 miles · Sep 26, 2008
Air Bags
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAS HAD HIS AIR BAGS REPAIRED AT LEAST SEVEN TIMES WITHIN TWO YEARS. AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATES APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK LATER. THE CONTACT HAS TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER EVERY TIME THE ILLUMINATION OCCURS. THE FAILUR…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAS HAD HIS AIR BAGS REPAIRED AT LEAST SEVEN TIMES WITHIN TWO YEARS. AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATES APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK LATER. THE CONTACT HAS TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER EVERY TIME THE ILLUMINATION OCCURS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 48,000.
NHTSA ODI #10243527
942 miles · Jul 8, 2008
Air Bags
AIR BAG FAULT LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME IT HAS COME ON. FIRST CAME ON 10/2006 DEALER REPLACED MALFUNCTIONING R/FRONT SIDE AIRBAG, CONNECTERS TO HARNESS WERE FAULTY AS WELL. 1/2008 CAME ON AGAIN, DEALER REPAIRED FAULTY WIRING FOR PASSENGER SIDE. 5/2008 CAME ON AGAIN, DEALER DIO FOUND UPPER LIMIT EXCEEDED …
Read full complaint
AIR BAG FAULT LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME IT HAS COME ON. FIRST CAME ON 10/2006 DEALER REPLACED MALFUNCTIONING R/FRONT SIDE AIRBAG, CONNECTERS TO HARNESS WERE FAULTY AS WELL. 1/2008 CAME ON AGAIN, DEALER REPAIRED FAULTY WIRING FOR PASSENGER SIDE. 5/2008 CAME ON AGAIN, DEALER DIO FOUND UPPER LIMIT EXCEEDED DRIVERS SIDE UNIT, FAULTY ELECTRICAL WIRING AGAIN. 6/2008 AIR BAG LIGHT ON AGAIN, DEALER INSPECTION FOUND WIRES FOR DRIVERS SIDE FRONT CRASH SENSOR FAULTY/POOR CONTACT. 6/2008 TO PRESENT MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AGAIN, HAVE NOT TAKEN IT IN YET CAUSE I'M QUITE ANNOYED. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE WHOLE AIRBAG SYSTEM AND I PRAY TO GOD THAT IF I DO HAVE AN ACCIDENT ALL OF MY AIRBAGS WILL DEPLOY BUT WITH ALL THE REPAIRS DONE I DON'T THINK THEY WILL. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR HELP *TR
NHTSA ODI #10233531
11,000 miles · Jul 14, 2006
Air Bags
2006 VW PASSAT 2.0T AIRBAG FAILURE. TWO PREVIOUS AIRBAG FAULT WARNING LIGHTS, DEALER SIMPLY RESET. ON THIRD FAILURE LIGHT WARNING, I WAS ADVISED THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS BROKEN. VW OF AMERICA ADVISED ME TO "JUST DRIVE" WITH THE WARNING LIGHT ON AND THAT EVERYTHING WAS OK! *JB
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
Illustration