2006 Volkswagen Passat Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2006 Volkswagen Passat has 576 complaints, a complaint index of 82, and 7 recalls, ranking 4th worst out of 18 model years. NHTSA data show Engine (28%) and Airbags (26%) as top problem areas, earning it an Avoid verdict relative to other Passat years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 82/100
- #4 of 18 Passat years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 576
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 7
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 21
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 6
- Injuries
- 9
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18 city / 27 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 9 / 0
Top 2006 Volkswagen Passat problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine160 (28%)
- Airbags148 (26%)
- Steering112 (19%)
- Electrical System89 (15%)
- Fuel System64 (11%)
- Brakes56 (10%)
- Transmission & Powertrain47 (8%)
- Structure & Body25 (4%)
- Other22 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers19 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe engine compartment fires starting near the rear passenger side of the engine, sometimes with a flashing check-engine light beforehand.
- Some report the engine racing or surging unexpectedly at low speed, causing the car to lunge forward and strike another vehicle.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during rear-end or side-impact crashes at moderate speeds like 25 or 55 mph.
- Several owners report engine coil components rattling, smoking, or catching fire during startup, sometimes requiring a fire extinguisher.
- Electrical system complaints describe the car stalling or cutting off suddenly at highway speed without warning.
- One owner reported a low-speed parking-lot incident where the car failed to stop and rolled into another vehicle.
2006 Volkswagen Passat recalls
7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V834000Oct 30, 2024Airbags248,330 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
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.
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.
- NHTSA 18V247000Apr 18, 2018Airbags71,335 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
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.
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.
- NHTSA 17V509000Aug 16, 2017Fuel System280,915 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
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.
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.
2006 Volkswagen Passat fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,825
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2006 compared with other Passat years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
- Compared to other Passat model years, the 2006 ranks 4th worst out of 18 with a complaint index of 82 and 576 complaints, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other years of the same model.
- What are the most common problems on the 2006 Passat?
- NHTSA complaint data show Engine problems lead at 28% of complaints (160 complaints, median mileage 73,500), followed by Airbags at 26% (148 complaints, median mileage 93,674) and Steering at 19%.
- Does the 2006 Passat have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2006 Passat, covering airbags, fuel system, brakes, steering, and wipers, including two separate airbag inflator recalls.
- How does the 2006 Passat compare to nearby model years?
- The 2005 Passat is rated Good with a complaint index of 41, while 2007 through 2010 are rated Caution; the 2006 stands out with a higher complaint index of 82 and an Avoid verdict.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2006 Passat?
- EPA rates the 2006 Passat at 21 mpg combined (18 city / 27 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,825.