2006 Volkswagen Passat recalls and problems
The 2006 Volkswagen Passat has 7 safety recalls and 576 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Volkswagen dealer.
Recalls may cover only some 2006 Volkswagen Passat vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.
2006 Volkswagen Passat recalls
Recall 24V-834: Air Bags
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.
Recall 18V-247: Air Bags
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.
Recall 17V-509: Fuel System, Gasoline
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.
Recall 16V-079: Air Bags
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.
Recall 06V-470: Visibility
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.
Recall 06V-472: Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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.
Recall 05V-540: Steering
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.
2006 Volkswagen Passat problems reported by owners
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 151 | |
| Steering | 113 | |
| Electrical System | 79 | |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 67 | |
| Engine | 64 | |
| Power Train | 47 | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 41 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 32 | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 27 | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 21 | |
| Visibility | 15 | |
| Exterior Lighting | 14 |
Most reported parts
- Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 27
- Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 17
- Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor — 6
- Air Bags › Frontal — 5
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — 4
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum — 4
- Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline — 3
- Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal — 3
Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 64,000 miles (median of owner reports).
Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.
Recent 2006 Volkswagen Passat complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Other Volkswagen Passat years
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2006 Volkswagen Passat have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2006 Volkswagen Passat: 24V-834 (air bags), 18V-247 (air bags), 17V-509 (fuel system, gasoline), 16V-079 (air bags), 06V-470 (visibility) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What is the most common problem with the 2006 Volkswagen Passat?
Owners report air bags problems most often (151 reports), followed by steering (113). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 64,000 miles.
Are Volkswagen recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Volkswagen dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.