2006 Volkswagen Passat Problems, Recalls & Reliability
779 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2006 Volkswagen Passat, alongside 7 recall campaigns and 1 defect investigation. It scores 64/100 on the trouble index — one of the years to avoid for this model. Airbags leads the reports, typically around 90,000 miles.
Avoid this year if you can. The 2006 Volkswagen Passat sits at the top of this model's complaint rankings. Quieter picks in the same family: 1990–1997, 2005, 2009–2010, 2016–2018.
Avoid
Where 2006 sits among all Passat years
What owners report
“"takata recall" when will i be notified by volkswagen when this airbag will be repaired?”— owner report to NHTSA, 2006 Passat
“Lost power while driving and the epc light came on. Now the "stop no oil pressure light came on and engine is not of normal sound. Had to have towed to garage and the engine needs replaced. Oil pump bad along with many other parts.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2006 Passat
“My vw has been hard to start and getting the steering lock fault warning. I understand there was a voluntary recall, but i was the original owner and do not remember getting the recall notice.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2006 Passat
“Takata recall-fuel pump control module: my car won't start, my keys get stuck in the ignition this happens when its stationary. My battery keeps draining. The coolant and water pump are leaking. There are sensor issues. Defective lightbulbs. The vehicle shakes when driving on the highway or street.…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2006 Passat
“Fuel pump control module causes consistent stalling at startup. Recall states could cause a loss of power while in motion.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2006 Passat
“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…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2006 Passat
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 556 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 65,281 miles. Half of those reports fall between 38,394 and 105,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (7)
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…
Fix: 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…
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.
Fix: 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 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.
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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…
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.
Fix: 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.
Fix: 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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE LEFT AND RIGHT TIE ROD SECURING NUT MAY BE INSUFFICIENTLY TORQUED.
Fix: 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.
Federal defect investigations
Technical service bulletins
521 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on engine and electrical — are on file for the 2006 Volkswagen Passat. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 2006 Passat TSB list →
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2006 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
The 2006 Volkswagen Passat drew 779 complaints in federal safety records — one of the years to avoid for this model. Its trouble index is 64/100, scored against the model's worst year (2003).
What are the most common 2006 Volkswagen Passat problems?
The top reported problems for the 2006 Volkswagen Passat are airbags (151 complaints), engine (131), and steering (113).
At what mileage do 2006 Volkswagen Passat problems show up?
Owners most often report 2006 Volkswagen Passat problems around 65,281 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 38,394 and 105,000 miles.
Does the 2006 Volkswagen Passat have recalls?
7 recall campaigns apply to the 2006 Volkswagen Passat. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.