2006 Volkswagen Passat: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 576 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (24% of complaints); the 2004 and 2005 and 2007 and 2008 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2024
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 576 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owned a 2006 Volkswagen Passat . The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V834000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2025
“The contact owns a 2006 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V509000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure to obtain assistance with reimbursement. The failure mileage was not available. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Engine · May 2025
“The contact owns a 2006 Volkswagen Passat. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V834000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer was contacted however, the manufacturer was not.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2024
Show 7 more owner reports
“We owned vehicle approx 8yrs and in late 2022 will driving/on highway 55mph or local roads like Broadway 15-20mph the vehicle goes into neutral. VErY dangerous it wil work as it should after a restart”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2023
“Stalled out as I started to accelerate from a stop light. It's like not getting and fuel. Possibly some type of issue pertaining to that Then my airbag light keeps flashing. Floor board lights cut on an off for no reason. Electrical equipment Possibly incorrect?”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2022
“We have 2006 3.6l vw passat with 55k miles for my daughter. Just recently the oil light came on and the engine seized while driving under 30 mph. It had been running good and no oil was leaking. This seems to be related to an issue many other passat owners experienced where the oil pump bolt becomes lose and causes a fatal failure.”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2020
“I have a gas leak coming from the top of the gas tank. Very heavy fumes coming in the car and around the car. When the car is in motion and stationary.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jun 2020
“Trying to start car and won't turn on with key all my keys don't work says steering wheel lock defective can't get my car to turn my radio on I am parked in my drive way and can't even tow it to dealer now because it won't go into neutral. *tr”Owner report · Steering · May 2020
“My vehicle does. Sudden stop while I'm driving emergency brake lights up nd then on dash it state to stop vehicle pull over and doesn't want to advance to move out of danger from traffic on streets and freeway. Then I won't want to advanced at time and the prnd all light up at one or none at all at time. This has happened about x 4 times last year and now it keeps doing it every time. So know I just keep my car parked because I'm afraid of putting my kids in danger I can't even take it in to a dealer for airbag recall.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Dec 2019
“My car was driving and brakes were working fine. Then I tried to stop as I came to a red light n brakes totally failed. I couldn't stop n went right through the red light and I between 2 car b4 finally coming to a stop a half mile later. I drove the car on backstreets and the brakes will work when I start going but after a few stops they start getting soft until they just totally fail. Their is plenty of brake fluid in the system.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Nov 2019
When filing, owners marked a crash in 21 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q8. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-079.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2006 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Passat by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
NHTSA has 576 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 2006 Volkswagen Passat. The most complained-about area is air bags (24% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2006 Volkswagen Passat problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 66,173 miles or less.
Does the 2006 Volkswagen Passat have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.