2006 Volkswagen Passat

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2006 Volkswagen Passat
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2006: 576 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1988	0
1989	0
1990	34
1991	24
1992	39
1993	68
1994	25
1995	93
1996	40
1997	37
1998	331
1999	664
2000	507
2001	430
2002	636
2003	628
2004	279
2005	148
2006	576
2007	262
2008	168
2009	146
2010	163
2011	16
2012	481
2013	747
2014	592
2015	242
2016	106
2017	107
2018	45
2019	12
2020	15
2021	18
2022	11

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 25%

25% of complaints: air bags — 145 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

My family and I have been VW owners for over 60 years. Unfortunately, the 2006 VW Passat has been layered with defects, negligent manufacturing issues, faulty wiring, electrical problems, computer glitches, to mention a few.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240315

STEERING 19%

19% of complaints: steering — 111 distinct reports on file.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%

12% of complaints: electrical system — 68 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

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NHTSA ODI report, 20240315

ENGINE 11%

11% of complaints: engine — 64 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND CRASHED INTO A CURB AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FENDER WHEEL AND GRILL WERE CRACKED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171211

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, A LOUD POPPING SOUND WAS HEARD AND SMOKE AND FLAMES APPEARED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE, IT ENGULFED IN FLAMES.

NHTSA ODI report, 20160318

IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AND TRAVELING AT AN EXTREMELY SLOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE BUMPED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT IGNITED THE VW PASSAT INTO FLAMES DESTROYING THE ENTIRE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130611

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 7%

7% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 41 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

Show complaint excerpts

RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE 10/2017 MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER - ALMOST CRASHED - HAD REPAIR COMPLETED SENT LETTER TO VOLKSWAGEN 12/2017 - NO RESPONSE, ACTION OR REIMBURSEMENT - CALLED VW TODAY - STILL NO RESPONSE,ACTION OR...

NHTSA ODI report, 20180614

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20051207 — steering

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

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.

Campaign 05V540000 — check if this car was fixed

▮ 2006 — complaint volume: 576

R 20070112 — visibility

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.

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.

Campaign 06V470000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20070112 — service brakes, hydraulic

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.

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.

Campaign 06V472000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20110126 — EA (closed 20120217)

Engine Compartment Fire

R 20170310 — air bags

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.

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.

Campaign 16V079000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180430 — air bags

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.

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.

Campaign 18V247000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180626 — fuel system, gasoline

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.

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.

Campaign 17V509000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20241204 — air bags

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.

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.

Campaign 24V834000 — check if this car was fixed