YearToAvoid

2006 Volkswagen Passat Steering Problems

NHTSA has 112 owner complaints about steering problems in the 2006 Volkswagen Passat, 19% of all 576 complaints for this model year. That is the highest steering complaint count among 18 Passat model years. Median mileage at failure: 63,250 miles.

Steering complaints
112
19% of 576
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
63,250 mi
Related recalls
1

When 2006 Volkswagen Passat steering complaints were filed

First complaint Jun 4, 2008, latest May 10, 2020.

2006 Volkswagen Passat steering complaints: complaints filed per quarter152008 Q22009 Q22010 Q22011 Q32014 Q12015 Q22016 Q42018 Q4
112 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2008 Q2 to 2020 Q2; peak 2009 Q2 (15).

Steering recalls for the 2006 Volkswagen Passat

  1. NHTSA 05V540000Nov 30, 2005Steering15 vehicles

    Steering:linkages:tie rod assembly

    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.

    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.

Steering complaints by Passat model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20052 (1%)
  2. 2006112 (19%)
  3. 200715 (6%)
  4. 200812 (7%)
  5. 200920 (14%)
  6. 201013 (8%)
  7. 20112 (13%)
  8. 201246 (10%)
  9. 201351 (7%)
  10. 201444 (7%)
  11. 201526 (11%)
  12. 201619 (18%)
  13. 201716 (15%)
  14. 20182 (4%)
  15. 20191 (8%)
  16. 20202 (11%)
  17. 20212 (11%)
  18. 20222 (15%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2006 Volkswagen Passat have steering problems?
NHTSA has 112 owner complaints about the steering in the 2006 Volkswagen Passat, 19% of all complaints for this model year. Median mileage at failure is 63,250 miles.
Which Volkswagen Passat year has the most steering complaints?
The 2006 Volkswagen Passat has the most steering complaints (112), compared with 112 for the 2006.
Is there a steering recall for the 2006 Volkswagen Passat?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for the 2006 Volkswagen Passat concerns the steering: 05V540000.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.