Model year record

2006 Volkswagen Passat

7 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 783 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 24V834000

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

Component: Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected: 248,330
Reported to NHTSA: 2024-10-30
Owners notified: 2024-12-04

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 18V247000

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

Component: Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected: 71,335
Reported to NHTSA: 2018-04-18
Owners notified: 2018-04-30

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 17V509000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump

Component: Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected: 280,915
Reported to NHTSA: 2017-08-16
Owners notified: 2018-06-26

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

If the fuel pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 16V079000

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

Component: Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected: 151,767
Reported to NHTSA: 2016-02-10
Owners notified: 2017-03-10

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 06V470000

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor

Component: Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor
Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC
Vehicles affected: 57,291
Reported to NHTSA: 2006-12-12
Owners notified: 2007-01-12

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS COULD LEAD TO REDUCED VISIBILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 06V472000

Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum

Component: Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum
Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC
Vehicles affected: 58,800
Reported to NHTSA: 2006-12-12
Owners notified: 2007-01-12

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 05V540000

Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly

Component: Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly
Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC
Vehicles affected: 15
Reported to NHTSA: 2005-11-30
Owners notified: 2005-12-07

Defect description

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

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Air bags	147	93,674 mi
Steering	111	63,000 mi
Electrical system	68	61,000 mi
Engine	65	107,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	41	110,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	31	21,526 mi
Engine and engine cooling	28	67,000 mi
Power train	28	91,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	27	44,856 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	19	67,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	17	9,923 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	16	47,500 mi
Service brakes	14	128,000 mi
Unknown or other	13	50,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)	9	119,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages	9	38,000 mi
Parking brake	9	52,000 mi
Exterior lighting	6	18,000 mi
Visibility/wiper	6	100,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor	6	2,830 mi
Air bags: frontal	5	11,000 mi
Equipment	5	51,700 mi
Seat belts	5	65,562 mi
Structure	5	5,400 mi
Seats	4	100,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	4	9,491 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum	4	14,000 mi
Suspension	4	6,800 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline	3	200 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system	3	48,500 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner	3	24,336 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal	3	13 mi
Fuel system, other	3	63,000 mi
Structure: body	3	81,302 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly	3	81,302 mi
Electrical system: ignition	2	8,742 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch	2	9,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring	2	14,811 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system	2	24,336 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor	2	9,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights	2	46,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights	2	5,400 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	2	9,800 mi
Steering: column	2	78,000 mi
Suspension: front	2	25 mi
Tires	2	—
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems	2	17,815 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system	2	41,825 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer	2	5,400 mi
Air bags: side/window	1	942 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel	1	4,600 mi
Electrical system: horn	1	90,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module	1	56,000 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly	1	44,901 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash	1	700 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly	1	9,200 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger	1	47,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.	1	6,700 mi
Exterior lighting: fog lights	1	5,400 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump	1	—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system	1	71 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly	1	6,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch	1	2,011 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch	1	63,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly	1	83,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission	1	60 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly	1	6,663 mi
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler	1	—
Service brakes, electric	1	48,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light	1	3,700 mi
Structure: body: roof and pillars	1	9,491 mi
Structure: body: trunk lid	1	2,011 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing	1	63,000 mi
Suspension: rear	1	50,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal	1	—
Visibility	1	45,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls	1	59,244 mi

The 2005 model has 5 times as many complaints as this one. The 2007 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.