The 2006 Volkswagen Passat has 113 steering complaints filed with NHTSA — 15% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.
113
Steering complaints
15%
Share of year
0
Crash-involved
1
Related recalls
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.
“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…”
NHTSA has 113 complaints about the 2006 Volkswagen Passat steering — 15% of all complaints filed for that model year.
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the steering: 05V540000.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.