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2006 Volkswagen Passat

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Passat years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Volkswagen Passat are substantially higher than the model-year median of 110.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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
37,280 miles · Feb 11, 2011
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

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,…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10381647

Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 2011
Air Bags

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

NHTSA ODI #10381454

Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2011
Electrical System

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

NHTSA ODI #10380852

80,000 miles · Feb 2, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

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 THRO…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10380038

Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2011
Steering

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 ENCOU…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10378247

47,000 miles · Jan 21, 2011
EquipmentVisibility

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)…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10378225

78,700 miles · Jan 11, 2011
Steering

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 MANUF…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10376278

77,000 miles · Jan 11, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingSteering

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10376259

48,500 miles · Jan 7, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

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 WH…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10375116

50,037 miles · Jan 5, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

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

NHTSA ODI #10374760

Official recalls

7

24V834000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Oct 30, 2024

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.

18V247000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Apr 18, 2018

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.

17V509000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Aug 16, 2017

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.

16V079000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Feb 10, 2016

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.

06V470000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

Dec 12, 2006

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.

06V472000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum

Dec 12, 2006

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.

05V540000 · Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly

Nov 30, 2005

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.