Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
820–25K
5925–50K
9550–75K
6575–100K
84100–150K
26150K+
411 reports with mileage · 165 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Air Bags. Review the 148 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 112 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 79 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
21 crash reports6 fire reports7 injury reports
What owners actually said
576 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2017
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS) FOR THE DRIVER SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG. THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WA…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS) FOR THE DRIVER SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG. THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA ODI #10979457
Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2017
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURE. THE MANUF…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA ODI #10979342
Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2017
Air Bags
I'M WRITING BECAUSE I RECEIVED A RECALL ON APRIL 16TH 2017 BECAUSE MY 06 PASSAT HAS TAKATA AIR BAGS THAT IF TRIGGERED COULD KILL OR SERIOUSLY INJURE ME !!!!! I DID AS THE RECALL SAID AND TOOK IT TO MY DEALERSHIP . WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD BE OCTOBER OR NOVEMBER BEFORE THIS AIRBAG CAN BE REPLACED !!!! SO WHAT AM I SUPPOSED …
Read full complaint
I'M WRITING BECAUSE I RECEIVED A RECALL ON APRIL 16TH 2017 BECAUSE MY 06 PASSAT HAS TAKATA AIR BAGS THAT IF TRIGGERED COULD KILL OR SERIOUSLY INJURE ME !!!!! I DID AS THE RECALL SAID AND TOOK IT TO MY DEALERSHIP . WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD BE OCTOBER OR NOVEMBER BEFORE THIS AIRBAG CAN BE REPLACED !!!! SO WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO HERE DRIVE A CAR THAT COULD KILL ME FOR THE NEXT 6 MONTHS
NHTSA ODI #10978789
Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2017
Air Bags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MA…
Read full complaint
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. ..UPDATED 06/08/17 *BF *CN
NHTSA ODI #10978499
Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2017
Air Bags
TAKATA RECALL-I HAVE RECEIVED YET ANOTHER RECALL NOTICE ABOUT AIRBAG REPAIR BUT THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE. WALDORF VOLKSWAGEN DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO COMPLETE THIS REPAIR FOR MY VEHICLE. MY AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ILLUMINATED FOR OVER A YEAR AND I REALLY DON'T DRIVE THE CAR AS A RESULT OF THIS. WHY DOES VW OF AMERICA CONTINUE TO …
Read full complaint
TAKATA RECALL-I HAVE RECEIVED YET ANOTHER RECALL NOTICE ABOUT AIRBAG REPAIR BUT THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE. WALDORF VOLKSWAGEN DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO COMPLETE THIS REPAIR FOR MY VEHICLE. MY AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ILLUMINATED FOR OVER A YEAR AND I REALLY DON'T DRIVE THE CAR AS A RESULT OF THIS. WHY DOES VW OF AMERICA CONTINUE TO SEND THESE REPAIR NOTICES BUT THERE AREN'T ANY PARTS AVAILABLE YET? THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!
NHTSA ODI #10972386
Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2017
Air Bags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE O…
Read full complaint
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA ODI #10972251
Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2017
Air Bags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A …
Read full complaint
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. ..UPDATED 06/08/17 *BF UPDATED 06/16/17*JS
NHTSA ODI #10972244
Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2017
Air Bags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE O…
Read full complaint
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA ODI #10971743
128,000 miles · Apr 10, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes
ABS SYSTEM IS FAILING. ANTI-LOCK BRAKES DO NOT WORK WELL, DASHBOARD ABS SIGNALS ARE CONSTANTLY ON. PARKING BRAKE LIGHT CONSTANTLY FLASHES. JUST CALLED VW USA CUSTOMER SERVICE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V-913) BUT THE RECALL COVERS MODEL YEARS 2009 AND 2010. MY CAR IS A 2006, BUT HAS THE EXACT …
Read full complaint
ABS SYSTEM IS FAILING. ANTI-LOCK BRAKES DO NOT WORK WELL, DASHBOARD ABS SIGNALS ARE CONSTANTLY ON. PARKING BRAKE LIGHT CONSTANTLY FLASHES. JUST CALLED VW USA CUSTOMER SERVICE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V-913) BUT THE RECALL COVERS MODEL YEARS 2009 AND 2010. MY CAR IS A 2006, BUT HAS THE EXACT SAME ISSUES. VOLKSWAGON WOULD NOT OFFER ANY REPAIRS OR DIAGNOSTICS SINCE MY VEHICLE WAS NOT LISTED ON THE RECALL. PERHAPS THE AMOUNT OF VEHICLES AFFECTED IS LARGER THAN THE RECALL POINTS OUT?
NHTSA ODI #10971718
Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2017
Air Bags
TAKATA RECALL. I RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE IN THE SUMMER OF 2016. I CALLED THE LOCAL (RICHMOND, VIRGINIA) DEALER RECENTLY AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM, AND THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY IDEA OF WHEN A SOLUTION WOULD BE AVAILABLE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHEN TO EXPECT A SOLUTION.
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