2006 Volkswagen Passat problems and complaints

Owners have filed 576 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Volkswagen Passat. The most-reported areas: Air Bags (148), Steering (112), Electrical System (79).

Key takeaways

  • 576 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
  • 21 involve a crash, 6 a fire, 9 reported injuries.
  • Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
Complaints by component
ComponentComplaintsShare
Air Bags14826%
Steering11219%
Electrical System7914%
Engine And Engine Cooling6611%
Engine6411%
Power Train478%
Service Brakes417%
Fuel/Propulsion System417%
Vehicle Speed Control326%
Hydraulic265%
Fuel System244%
Gasoline214%

One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

NHTSA 5-Star crash ratings
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
2006 Volkswagen Passat 4-DR. w/SABNot ratedNot ratedNot ratedNot rated

Latest complaints, as filed

Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.

Air Bags - filed 2025-10-09

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.

Air Bags - filed 2025-07-04

recalled airbag

Fuel System, Gasoline,engine - filed 2025-05-12

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 ...

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More for the 2006 Volkswagen Passat

Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.