VehicleVerdict

2006 Volkswagen Passat problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 779 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.4 times the median Passat year — the 2006 model ranks #5 of 35 Passat years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across airbags (151), engine (131), and steering (113), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

779

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

1

Investigations

24

Crash-involved

7

Fires reported

9

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Passat years?

See all Passat years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Volkswagen Passat problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags15119%
Engine13117%
Steering11315%
Electrical System8911%
Fuel System658%
Brakes517%
Transmission476%
Speed Control324%
Visibility & Wipers213%
Other182%
Lighting142%
Latches & Locks111%
Body & Structure101%
Suspension81%
Seat Belts61%
Seats51%
Tires & Wheels41%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)30%

Does the 2006 Volkswagen Passat have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

24V834000AirbagsOctober 30, 2024 · 248,330 units

Defect

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

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.

18V247000AirbagsApril 18, 2018 · 71,335 units

Defect

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

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.

17V509000Fuel SystemAugust 16, 2017 · 280,915 units

Defect

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

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.

16V079000AirbagsFebruary 10, 2016 · 151,767 units

Defect

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

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.

06V472000BrakesDecember 12, 2006 · 58,800 units

Defect

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

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.

06V470000Visibility & WipersDecember 12, 2006 · 57,291 units

Defect

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

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.

05V540000SteeringNovember 30, 2005 · 15 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

TAKATA RECALL I WAS IN A FRONT END COLLISION WITH ANOTHER CAR GOING ABOUT 70 MPH WITH THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC AROUND 3:15PM PST WHEN MY DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT ACTIVATE AT ALL. THERE IS A KNOW RECALL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG FOR MY CAR BUT NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AVAILABLE. THIS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · July 2, 2016 · crash

BAD IGNITION COILS AND MISFIRES. CAM FOLLOWER AND CAMSHAFT WEAR PROBLEMS. DIVERTER VALVE (DV) FAILURE. HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP (HPFP). CARBON BUILD UP AND COLD START MISFIRES. INTAKE MANIFOLD RUNNER CONTROL (IMRC) MOTOR. TIMING CHAIN, CHAIN ADJUSTER AND TENSIONER. VW AND AUDI FUEL PUMP CONTROL…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 22, 2016 · crash

2006 PASSAT THAT WON'T START AND HAS STEERING COLUMN DEFECTIVE LIGHT COME ON. TOLD I NEED NEW COLUMN AND COMFORT CONTROL MODULE ALSO FOR $1500.00 THAT I DON'T HAVE. I AM SO SICK OF THIS CAR. LOTS OF BIG PROBLEMS BUT THEY WERE UNDER WARRANTY, NOW I AM OUT OF WARRANTY BY 5000 MILES. THIS SHOULD BE A…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · October 19, 2009

I HAD A 2006 PASSAT THAT I BOUGHT NEW IN NOV. 2006. THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE AFTER I PARKED IT AT WORK. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON WHILE DRIVING IT AND I MAINTAINED MY CAR. MY CAR IS TOTALED AND THE FIRE WAS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I AM NOW WITHOUT A CAR. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 14, 2008 · fire

BAD IGNITION COILS AND MISFIRES. CAM FOLLOWER AND CAMSHAFT WEAR PROBLEMS. DIVERTER VALVE (DV) FAILURE. HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP (HPFP). CARBON BUILD UP AND COLD START MISFIRES. INTAKE MANIFOLD RUNNER CONTROL (IMRC) MOTOR. TIMING CHAIN, CHAIN ADJUSTER AND TENSIONER. VW AND AUDI FUEL PUMP CONTROL…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · June 22, 2016 · crash

2006 Volkswagen Passat — common questions

Is the 2006 Volkswagen Passat reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 779 complaints put the 2006 model at #5 of 35 Passat years. It is one of the Passat years to avoid.

What are the most common 2006 Passat problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (151 complaints), engine (131 complaints), steering (113 complaints).

Does the 2006 Volkswagen Passat have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 Volkswagen Passat. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2006 Volkswagen Passat under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Volkswagen Passat years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Passat years to avoid are 2013, 1999, 2003, 2014, 2006, 2002, 2012, 2000, 2001, 1998, 2015, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2011. The cleanest record among Passat years belongs to 1989.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.