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Model year record

2006 Volkswagen Passat recalls & problems

The 2006 Volkswagen Passat has 7 safety recalls and 576 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (151 complaints).

Recalls7safety recalls
Complaints576filed by owners
Crashes · fires21 · 6reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths9 · 0reported in complaints
2006 Volkswagen Passat in an NHTSA crash test
NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Air bagsOct 30, 2024

Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

Recall 24V834000248,330 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
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.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69EG, 69GQ, and 69E6.
Air bagsApr 18, 2018

Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

Recall 18V24700071,335 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
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.
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.
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 customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q8. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-079.
Fuel system, gasolineAug 16, 2017

Delivery › Fuel pump

Recall 17V509000280,915 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
If the fuel pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20AE.
Air bagsFeb 10, 2016

Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

Recall 16V079000151,767 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
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.
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.
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 at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
VisibilityDec 12, 2006

Windshield wiper/washer › Motor

Recall 06V47000057,291 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
THIS COULD LEAD TO REDUCED VISIBILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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.
Service brakes, hydraulicDec 12, 2006

Power assist › Vacuum

Recall 06V47200058,800 vehicles

Problem
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.
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.
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.
SteeringNov 30, 2005

Linkages › Tie rod assembly

Recall 05V54000015 vehicles

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

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2006 Volkswagen Passat 4-DR. w/SAB

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
RolloverNot Rated
2006 Volkswagen Passat NHTSA side crash test
NHTSA side barrier crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Passat

24mpg combined
City / highway21 / 29 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,400/year to fuel

Passat

22mpg combined
City / highway19 / 28 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,750/year to fuel

Passat

20mpg combined
City / highway17 / 26 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel

Passat 4motion

19mpg combined
City / highway16 / 24 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Air bagsFrontal; Side/window15161490,000 mi
SteeringColumn11300063,500 mi
Electrical systemWiring; Ignition › Switch7912259,244 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline6701050,037 mi
Engine64430107,114 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Manual transmission4700162,185 mi
Fuel/propulsion system41300110,000 mi
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal3230124,953 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Power assist › Vacuum2720025,763 mi
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly; Fuel injection system2100053,000 mi
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer › Motor; Sun/moon roof assembly1500043,412 mi
Exterior lightingTurn signal; Headlights1400018,000 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations