What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2006 Volkswagen Passat

Typical pattern

6.8% of complaints about the 2006 Volkswagen Passat came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2006 vehicle — around the middle of the 250 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 5.8 yr in service. The most-reported system is air bags (151 complaints), typically at 10.6 yr or about 90,000 miles.

Complaints
777
Median age at failure
5.8 yr
Median mileage
63,000 n=575
Crash / fire / tow
4.5% of reports
Safety recalls
7

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Air bags
151 reports · 90,000 mi
10.6 yr
4.6%
Steering
113 reports · 63,500 mi
4.6 yr
0.9%
Electrical system
79 reports · 59,244 mi
5.0 yr
3.8%
Engine cooling
67 reports · 50,037 mi
4.6 yr
1.5%
Engine
64 reports · 107,228 mi
9.8 yr
9.4%
Power train
47 reports · 62,185 mi
5.8 yr
4.3%
Fuel / propulsion
41 reports · 110,000 mi
12.0 yr
9.8%
Speed control
32 reports · 28,380 mi
2.1 yr
9.4%
Service brakes, hydraulic
26 reports · 30,000 mi
2.3 yr
7.7%
Fuel system
21 reports · 53,000 mi
5.8 yr
4.8%
Visibility
15 reports · 45,000 mi
3.6 yr
0%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

24V834000 2024-10-30
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

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.

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

18V247000 2018-04-18
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

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.

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.

17V509000 2017-08-16
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

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.

If the fuel pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

16V079000 2016-02-10
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

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.

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.

06V472000 2006-12-12
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum

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.

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.

06V470000 2006-12-12
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor

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.

THIS COULD LEAD TO REDUCED VISIBILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

05V540000 2005-11-30
Steering:linkages:tie rod assembly

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE LEFT AND RIGHT TIE ROD SECURING NUT MAY BE INSUFFICIENTLY TORQUED.

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.

In owners’ own words

Visibility 45,000 mi 3.8 yr in service
HUMID DAY, BEGAN RAINING. WINDSHIELD WIPERS DID NOT FUNCTION IN 2006 VW PASSAT. CAR HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY RECALLED ON THIS ISSUE AND A MOISTURE KIT INSTALLED BY DEALER. NOW THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WILL BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Visibility 47,000 mi 5.3 yr in service
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
Visibility 41,825 mi 5.6 yr in service
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
Fuel system 71 mi 8 mo in service
THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING FORWARD THERE IS A ONE TO TWO SECOND DELAY BEFORE THE VEHICLE MOVES FORWARD. I SERVICED THE VEHICLE WITH VOLKSWAGEN AND THEY SAID THAT THIS IS NORMAL. *NM

Other Passat model years

2017201620152014201320122010200920082007200620052004200320022001200019991998

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