2006 Volkswagen Passat Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING ON A BRIDGE AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, AND THEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. AFTER A FEW MINUTES HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. HE WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER, BUT HE WAS NOT PROVIDED WITH ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 72,000.

2006 PASSAT STARTS AND STALL IMMEDIATELY. "STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEFECT". DEALER WANTS $2000.00 TO REPLACE IT ALONG WITH COMFORT SENSOR. *TR

FUEL PUMP MODULE BURNED OUT UNEXPECTEDLY CAUSING ENGINE TO CEASE OPERATING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON APPROXIMATELY 5 MIN. BEFORE FAILURE. ONCE ENGINE STOPPED,VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER TO SIDE OF ROAD, HAD TO COAST TO SAFE SHOULDER. *TR

2006 PASSAT SEDAN DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN MESSAGE IN DASHBOARD MONITOR. *TR

MY CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING. LUCKILY I WAS DRIVING IN LOCAL ROADS AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER VERY QUICKLY. IF THIS WAS TO HAPPEN WHILE ON THE FREEWAY, I COULD SERIOUSLY HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *TR

I BOUGHT MY CAR WITH 65000 MILES ON IT. OWNED IT FOR MONTH AND A HALF, THEN THE PIECE CONNECTED TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, CLAMP AND GASKET BROKE. I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED AND THEY REPAIRED THIS BECAUSE OF THE FEDERAL LAW STATING IT WAS COVERED UP TO 80,000 MILES OR 8 YEARS. WHILE IT WAS AT VW BEING REPAIRED THEY CHECKED FOR ANY OTHER PROBLEMS AND INFORMED ME THAT MY HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP LOBE AND FOLLOWER WERE ALSO IN NEED OF REPAIR SOON. AND BEGAN TELLING ME VW OF AMERICA HAS ADMITTED THAT THE CAMSHAFT LOBE (AND HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP LOBE) WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT, BUT THE BULLETIN WAS ONLY ISSUED TO THE DEALERSHIP (NOT THE PUBLIC). THIS ALSO AFFECTS THE EVAP SYSTEM. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW A COMPANY CAN KNOW OF A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND NOT HAVE A RECALL ON A CAR? THE WARRANTY SPECIALIST SUGGESTED THAT I CALL VW CUSTOMER CARE, BUT THEY DID NOT SHOW ANY CONCERN... WHAT HAS TO BE DONE TO GET A RECALL ON THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE BECAUSE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS THIS ISSUE. *TR

MY 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT SOMETIMES WILL NOT START-- STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEFECT IS THE ERROR MESSAGE. THIS HAS LEFT MY CAR INOPERABLE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS,... EVENTUALLY IT DOES START. I AM PLANNING TO HAVE THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED FOR $1500. THIS HAPPENS ALMOST EVERYDAY NOW. *TR

2006 PASSAT SECURITY SYSTEM SENSOR BETWEEN KEY AND COMPUTER IN COLUMN FAILS CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME WHILE STARTING, BUT NOT YET WHILE DRIVING. MANY POSTS ON HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2006/VOLKSWAGEN/PASSAT REPORT IT HAPPENING WHILE DRIVING. *TR

2006 VW PASSAT STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEFECTIVE DUE, EVIDENTLY TO COMPUTER MODULE MALFUNCTION INSIDE STEERING COLUMN WHICH PREVENTS THE CAR FROM STARTING RELIABLY. NOT COVERED BY RECALL OR WARRANTY. DEALER WANT $2,000 FOR NEW STEERING COLUMN, NEW STEERING COLUMN, LOCK, NEW STEERING COLUMN MODULE AND THEN THE CONVENIENCE MODULE HAS TO BE REPLACED TO SYNC THEM. WITH 8-10 HOURS OVER LABOR OVER 2 DAYS ESTIMATE IS $2,000. ALL BECAUSE THEIR CRAPPY DESIGN PUT THE DEFECTIVE COMPUTER MODULE INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN AND THEY WON'T UPDATE THE SOFTWARE OR REPLACE THE MODULE. THEY REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN! *TR

2006 PASSAT THAT WON'T START AND HAS STEERING COLUMN DEFECTIVE LIGHT COME ON. TOLD I NEED NEW COLUMN AND COMFORT CONTROL MODULE ALSO FOR $1500.00 THAT I DON'T HAVE. I AM SO SICK OF THIS CAR. LOTS OF BIG PROBLEMS BUT THEY WERE UNDER WARRANTY, NOW I AM OUT OF WARRANTY BY 5000 MILES. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL WITH SO MANY CUSTOMERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

I OWN A VW PASSAT 2006 AND KEEP GETTING A STEERING WHEEL COLUMN LOCK DEFECTIVE MESSAGE IN MY HUD. THIS STALLS OUT THE CAR AND TAKES RESTARTS OF IGNITION JUST TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE. I HAVE READ THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND COSTS AROUND1500 DOLLARS TO FIX. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND UNNECESSARY EXPENSE ON THE CONSUMER END WHEN VW SHOULD REALLY BACK THERE PRODUCT BETTER. *TR

EXPERIENCING AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH 2006 VW PASSAT WHERE IT WILL START BUT WILL NOT STAY RUNNING. HAVE CHECKED WEBSITE AND DETERMINED THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR/MODEL OF VW. AM CONCERNED AS THERE IS A MESSAGE THAT DISPLAYS THAT SAYS DEFECTIVE STEERING WHEEL LOCK. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS. THE CAR ONLY HAS 81K MILES. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE.

MY DASH KEEPS TELLING ME STEERING COLUMN LOCK IS DEFECTIVE. MY CAR WON'T START HALF THE TIME. I HAVE TO LEAVE MY CAR RUNNING IF I PLAN ON GETTING RIGHT BACK IN. *TR

1) THE CAR HAS 67,000 MILES AND IT HAS BEEN SERVICED EVERY 5,000 MILES AS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER. 2) THE CAR WOULDN'T START AND IT CAME UP WITH A WARNING MESSAGE THAT READ "STEERING COLUMN LOCK FAILURE." IT CAME ONLY ONCE, BUT FAILURE OF THIS STATIONARY PART COULD RESULT IN LOCKING THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING. AS PER THOUSANDS OF BLOG THREADS, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON VOLKSWAGEN PASSATS. 3) THE PART HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE MANUFACTURER (VOLKSWAGEN) NO LONGER USES THE SAME PART. THEY USE A NEW IMPROVED PART THAT DOESN'T SEEM TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. *TR

EVERY COUPLE OF DAYS, 'STEERING COLUMN DEFECTIVE' MESSAGE APPEARS ON 2006 VW PASSAT SCREEN, AND CAR WON'T START. AFTER 5 OR 6 TRIES THE CAR EVENTUALLY STARTS. I SEE POSTINGS SIMILAR TO THIS IN MANY INTERNET FORUMS REGARDING 2006 PASSAT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THEN A STEERING COLUMN LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER TEN MORE ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED; THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN MODULAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT AND BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE KEY ALSO BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.

VOLKSWAGEN 2006 2.0T PASSAT HAS A DEFECTIVE STEERING WHEEL LOCK THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS. I KNOW OF NUMEROUS PASSAT 2006 DRIVERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. IT IS UNSAFE AND THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED. THANK GOD I WAS NOT DRIVING WHEN IT OCCURRED. IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX AND I AM JUST OUT OF THE WARRANTY. IT IS UNFAIR AND UNSAFE. IT HAS HAPPENED TO SO MANY PASSAT DRIVERS. PLEASE DO SOMETHING. THE CAR WAS DIFFICULT TO TOW BECAUSE EVERYTHING IS LOCKED UP ON THE CAR, COULDN'T PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL, ALL WHEELS WERE LOCKED, BRAKES,ETC. THE SERVICE PERSON AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE KEYS ARE NOT BEING READ BY THE CAR AND THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR OVER $1300. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR THIS ESPECIALLY SINCE IT IS A VW DEFECT. *TR

CAR WILL NOT START, HAVE TO KEEP TRYING OVER AND OVER HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY DAY. AFTER A FEW MINS ANYWHERE FROM 2MIN TILL 15MIN OF RESTARTING IT WILL START. *TR

DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN LOCK MESSAGE KEEPS COMING UP ON 2006 VW PASSAT STARTED HAPPENING OVER THE SUMMER NOW 1 1/2 MONTHS LATER IT IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. *TR

WHEN STARTING VEHICLE AT MOST OF THE TIMES IT STARTS AND DIES IMMEDIATELY. *TR

2006 VW PASSAT 2.0T. STEERING COLUMN LOCK FAILURE. *TR

2006 VW PASSAT 3.6 4-MOTION. 65K MILES. STEERING COLUMN LOCK FAILURE. WHILE ON MY HONEYMOON TRIP WITH MY NEW WIFE TO VANCOUVER B.C. MY CAR FAILED TO START AS USUAL. KEY IS PLACED IN DASH AND PRESSED INTO STARTING POSITION. CAR STARTS AND THEN ABRUPTLY ENGINE STOPS. VERY INTERMITTENT. PROBLEM IS WORRYING BECAUSE IT COULD POTENTIALLY HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. *TR

CAR WOULD NOT START WHEN KEY WAS INSERTED. PROBLEM WAS VERY INTERMITTENT AT FIRST AND THEN BECAME MORE AND MORE COMMON. THEN SOMETIMES THE CAR WOULD START BUT STOP IMMEDIATELY. DEALERS AT FIRST TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS BUT NOW STATE THAT THE CAR REQUIRES A NEW STEERING COLUMN. *TR

20 AFTER I PURCHASED MY CAR AT CARMAX IN LAUREL, MD IN JUNE 2009 I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK BECAUSE MY AC WAS BLOWING HOT AIR, AFTER A DIAGNOSIS CARMAX SENT MY CAR TO A FITZGERALD VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP IN ANNAPOLIS, MD WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED IT FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND IN TURN HAD TO REPLACE MY AC COMPRESSOR, CONDENSOR AND CLUTCH. I RAN THE AC FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS (JULY & AUG 2009) THAT YEAR, SINCE WE WERE ALREADY HALF WAY THROUGH THE SUMMER. IN MAY 2010 WHEN I TURNED MY AC ON AGAIN IT BLEW HOT AIR, I SENT IT BACK TO CARMAX WHO DIAGNOSED IT AGAIN AND SAID THE AC COMPRESSOR AND PRESSURE SWITCH SHOULD BE REPLACE, LESS THAN A YEAR SINCE THE INITIAL AC WAS REPLACED THE FIRST TIME. AT THIS POINT, I CALLED FITZGERALD AND WAS TOLD I WAS PAST MY 12,000 MILES PER THE REPLACEMENT WARRANTY AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE WORK WHICH WAS QUOTED AT $2300 AND $1700. AFTER I COMPLAINED TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFICE, THE DEALER OFFERED A GOOD WILL ONE TIME OFFER DECREASING THE ESTIMATED COST TO $900. I DECLINED THE OFFER SINCE I DON'T BELIEVE I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT CLEARLY WAS NOT DONE CORRECTLY THE FIRST TIME. AFTER PURCHASING AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR ANOTHER ISSUE, I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER, THEY DIAGNOSED WITH THE SAME PROBLEM I AGREED TO HAVE THEM FIX IT BASED ON MY WARRANTY COVERAGE HOWEVER, I WAS DENIED COVERAGE BY THE WARRANTY COMPANY BECAUSE VOLKSWAGEN PREVIOUSLY ISSUED A TSB REGARDING AC ISSUES IN 2006 VW PASSAT. THIS TSB WAS ISSUED IN 2007, MY CAR WAS PURCHASED IN 2009. SO AS OF TODAY 7/20/2011 I AM STILL WITHOUT A WORKING AC SYSTEM AND I AM CURRENTLY DRIVING AROUND IN HEAT ADVISORY WEATHER WITH NO AC. I AM FORCED TO MAKE ALTERNATE ARRANGEMENTS FOR TRANSPORTATION AS A RESULT, SINCE THE EXCESSIVE HEAT EXPOSURE CAUSES ME HEADACHES & DIZZINESS. *KB

HAVING ISSUES WITH STEERING COLUMN LOCK, CAR NEVER STARTS, TAKES MULTIPLE TRIES TO GET IT TO START. SAVING MONEY TO PAY FOR 1500.00 REPAIR. WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON MONDAY JUNE 22 @ 72 MPH, THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF. THIS WAS EXTREMELY SCARY DUE TO BEING ON MAJOR HIGHWAY AT SUCH A SPEED. I ALMOST DID NOT MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT BEING STRUCK FROM BEHIND. THE VEHICLE TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS FROM THERE TO START AGAIN. *TR

CAR WILL NOT START, DASHBOARD WARNING "STEERING COLUMN LOCK FAILURE" I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR QUITE SOME TIME AND I THINK IT'S ABOUT TIME TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT AS THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH B6 PASSAT OWNERS. THE PROBLEM IS MOST LIKELY FAULTY CONTACTS YET THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN IS REPLACED BY VOLKSWAGEN AND COULD COST UP TO $2000.. *TR

HUMID DAY, BEGAN RAINING. WINDSHIELD WIPERS DID NOT FUNCTION IN 2006 VW PASSAT. CAR HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY RECALLED ON THIS ISSUE AND A MOISTURE KIT INSTALLED BY DEALER. NOW THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WILL BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. SHE REMOVED ALL OF THE FUSES, BUT THE BRAKE LIGHTS STILL ILLUMINATED. SHE FEELS THAT THE FAILURE WILL DRAIN THE BATTERY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 46,000.

SEAT POSITION MOTOR INSTALLED ON 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 3.6L. FRONT SEAT WILL NOT RECLINE UP AND DOWN. *TR

I HAVE A 2006 VW PASSAT, AMONG MANY ISSUES WITH THIS MODEL AND YEAR, THE MOST RECENT AND MY SERIOUS CONCERN FOR SAFETY IS THE ""STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEFECTIVE" THE CAR SOMETIMES WILL NOT START AT ALL OR WILL START AND IMMEDIATELY DIE. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND WAS SHOCKED BY THE NUMBER OF VW CUSTOMERS THAT HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE YET! THE COST TO FIX THIS IS IN THE UPWARDS OF $1500. ONE THE CAR IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD AND TWO THERE SEEMS TO BE A PATTERN HERE THAT THIS IS A VW DEFECTIVE ISSUE! THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN, I AM PREGNANT AND CAN'T EVEN GET HOME AFTER DRIVING TO WORK OR THE STORE! I FEEL VW HAS AN ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX THIS RECURRING PROBLEM! I HOPE YOU CAN PURSUE THIS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED. THE COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $1,200. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY OFFERED TO ASSIST WITH 30% OF THE REPAIR COST. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 78,000.

WHEN I ATTEMPT TO START MY CAR, IT WILL INITIALLY TURN OVER BUT WILL THEN SHUT DOWN. THE IN DASH COMPUTER STATES A STEERING WHEEL LOCK FAILURE. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH A MODULE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND THAT THE REPAIR BILL WOULD BE $2000.00. THEY ALSO CONFIRMED THAT ANOTHER ONE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, EXCEPT THAT THE STEERING LOCKED UP ON THEM WHILE DRIVING. THE GENTLE I SPOKE WITH EXPLAINED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP CAN ALSO OCCUR WITH MINE. HE THEN STATED THAT VW AMERICA WAS GOING TO PAY FOR APPROXIMATELY 800.00 OF THE REPAIR BILL AND I WILL HAVE TO COVER THE REST. *TR

CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE CAUSED BY A FAULTY BOLT. THE OIL PUMP BOLT FAILS ON 3.6'S AND THE ENGINE SELF-DESTRUCTS DUE TO NO OIL PRESSURE. *TR

THE CAR SUDDENLY WOULDN'T START. THERE WAS NO FOREWARNING. "STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEFECTIVE" WARNING APPEARED ON THE IN-DASH CONSOLE. THE CAR WOULDN'T START. I REMOVED THE KEY AND TRIED AFTER A FEW MINUTES, AND THE CAR STARTED OKAY. THIS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES IN THE STRETCH OF ONE WEEK OR SO. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE IGNITION AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO LOCK UP. THERE WERE TWO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE MESSAGES DISPLAYED WERE "EMBOLIZATER ACTIVATED MOVE STEERING WHEEL" AND "STEERING LOCK DEFECTIVE". IN ADDITION, THE IGNITION KEY WAS STUCK AND FAILED TO RELEASE. THE FAILURES OCCURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER DISCONNECTED AND RECONNECTED THE BATTERY CABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STALLED BETWEEN SIX TO TEN TIMES WHILE IN OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM HER RESIDENCE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 69,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKS UP ON HER VEHICLE AND PREVENTS IT FROM BEING DRIVEN. SHE ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINE AND AN INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, WHICH STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED A MODULE. THE REPAIR WOULD COST $1,300. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000. UPDATED 05/27/09 *BF UPDATED 06/08/09 *BF UPDATED 6/16/09 *NJ THE LEFT REAR CALIPER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED,THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE TRANSMISSION WAS MAKING A LOUD NOISE, THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL DID NOT WORK, THE LEFT WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THE HOOD RELEASE LEVER INSIDE THE VEHICLE WAS INOPERATIVE. UPDATED 06/17/09.*JB

TAKATA RECALL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE HEAT SHIELDS ON THE TURBO FAILED, CAUSING THE BRAKE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE CONTACT'S FACTORY WARRANTY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 47,000.

2006 VW PASSAT 2.0T STEERING COLUMN PROBLEM INDICATED BY WARNING MESSAGE IN DASHBOARD. WE'VE SEEN THIS MESSAGE ON AND OFF OVER SEVERAL DAYS. ACCORDING TO SERVICE ADVISOR AT THE VW DEALER THE STEERING COLUMN WILL LOCK. THEREFORE, IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE ESTIMATE IS 1,500.00 DLLS. I DID A WEB SEARCH TO SEE IF OTHER OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I WAS AMAZED BY THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS AND SO FAR THERE IS NO RECALL FROM VW FOR WHAT IS APPEARS A DESIGN ERROR. *TR

I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF A 2006 VW PASSAT, WHO HAS HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE LATEST BEING OF MOST CONCERN. WHEN I ATTEMPT TO START THE CAR, IT WILL EITHER NOT TURN OVER AT ALL, OR THE ENGINE TURN OVER, THEN DIE. THIS HAPPENS NEARLY EVERYTIME I AM IN THE CAR. MY VEHICLE IS 4,000 MILES OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY, SO NEITHERVOLKSWAGON, NOR MY LOCAL VW DEALER WILL ASSIST ME WITH THE COST (BEING AN '!@#$% AMOUNT OF $1643.00 OUT OF POCKET), NOR HAS A RECALL BEEN ISSUED. I HAVE CALLED AND EMAILED NUMEROUS INDIVIDUALS AT VW CORPORATE LEVEL, WITH NO RESULTS. IN DOING RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND MANY FORUMS, WITH MULTIPLE POSTS OF CUSTOMERS HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THIS CAR, SPECIFICALLY THE 2006 MODEL. I HAVE ALSO WENT THROUGH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU TO ATTEMPT TO GET ANSWERS ON WHY VW IS NOT DOING MORE FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS WITH A PART THAT IS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE. BELOW IS THE REPLY EMAIL I GOT FROM THEM, INSTRUCTING ME TO CONTACT YOUR COMPANY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION AND TIME ON THIS MATTER. COPY OF EMAIL FROM BBB-- {I AM IN RECEIPT OF YOUR EMAIL SENT TO THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU, INC. UPON REVIEW OF YOUR EMAIL, IT DOESN'T APPEAR AS THOUGH YOU HAVE FILED A CLAIM WITH THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. I SUGGEST YOU BEGIN THERE. THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) IS AN OFFICE WITHIN THE NHTSA. ODI CONDUCTS DEFECT INVESTIGATIONS AND ADMINISTERS SAFETY RECALLS TO SUPPORT THE NHTSA'S MISSION TO IMPROVE SAFETY ON OUR NATION'S HIGHWAYS. NHTSA IS AUTHORIZED TO ORDER MANUFACTURERS TO RECALL AND REPAIR VEHICLES OR ITEMS OF MOTOR VEHICLE EQUIPMENT WHEN ODI INVESTIGATIONS INDICATE THAT THEY CONTAIN SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECTS IN THEIR DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, OR PERFORMANCE. ODI ALSO MONITORS THE ADEQUACY OF MANUFACTURERS' RECALL CAMPAIGNS. BEFORE INITIATING AN INVESTIGATION, ODI CAREFULLY REVIEWS THE BODY OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OTHER AVAILABLE DATA TO DETERMINE WHETHER A DEFECT TREND MAY EXIST. WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV}. *TR

I HAVE A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN 2.0T & ON THE 18TH OF APRIL AS I CROSSED OVER A RAILROAD TRACK THE CAR EXHAUST GOT VERY LOUD. I HAD TO PULL OVER & SHUT CAR OFF. THIS HAPPENED ON A SATURDAY LATE AFTERNOON SO I HAD MY MECHANIC (NOT VOLKSWAGEN DEALER) LOOKED & FOUND THE FLANGE THAT BOLTS THE WHOLE EXHAUST TO THE MANIFOLD HAD BROKE (CLEAN BREAK ALL THE WAY AROUND ) @ THE FACTORY WELD, ALMOST LIKE IT HAD NEVER BEEN "TIG" WELDED COMPLETELY @ THE FACTORY. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCE. *TR

CAR INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT START FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, AND DISPLAY READS "STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEFECTIVE". HAS HAPPENED DOZENS OF TIMES. DEALER DENIES ANYTHING WRONG WITH CAR AFTER INSPECTION. *TR

ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN CONTINUES TO PRODUCE WARNING LIGHTS AFTER BEING SENT IN FOR SERVICE. WARNING MESSAGE THAT ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK IS DEFECTIVE CONTINUES COMING ON. ERROR MESSAGE CAUSES THE CAR TO NOT START, SOMETIMES TAKING 2-10 RESTARTS TO GET THE CAR RUNNING. POWER ASSISTANCE AND ELECTRONIC STEERING CAN FAIL (ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL) IF THIS PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED. COULD CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY TO SELF AND OTHERS OR DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE IF THIS IS NOT FIXED. HAVE RESEARCHED PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALERSHIPS SEEM TO HAVE DIFFICULTY DIAGNOSING AND REPAIRS ARE VERY COSTLY. ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1,500-2,600. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS YEAR AND MAKE, AND MAY CAUSE SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE IF NOT FIXED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPAIR FOR RECALL 06V470000 (VISIBILITY: WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER: MOTOR) WAS PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS MALFUNCTIONED DURING A HEAVY RAINSTORM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOVED VERY SLOWLY AND MADE THE VEHICLE INCAPABLE OF BEING DRIVEN IN THE RAIN. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL OVER AND WAIT FOR THE RAIN TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO COULD NOT EXPLAIN THE CAUSE FOR FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000. UPDATED 01/18/11 *BF THE DEALER AGREED TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. UPDATED 04/04/11

2006 VW PASSAT 3.6 L IN SHOP FOR TWO WEEKS NOW WITH SEIZED MOTOR AT JUST OVER 64K MILES - OIL LIGHT ALARM CAME ON SUDDENLY AT 70MPH ....IMMEDIATELY STOPPED VEHICLE AND HAD ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TOW TO VW DEALER...BEEN THERE EVER SINCE...STILL WAITING FOR VW TO DECIDE WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO FOR ME... *TR

IN APRIL 2009, WHILE DRIVING, THE "STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEFECT" MESSAGE APPEARED. AS DIRECTED, TOOK IT IMMEDIATELY TO DEALERSHIP. AFTER SERVICE, THEY INDICATED NO PROBLEM COULD BE FOUND. AFTER THIS, I WOULD HAVE THIS SAME ERROR MESSAGE APPEAR WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR. MANY TIMES, IT WOULD TAKE 5-10 MINUTES OF TRYING BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD START. HAD IT IN FOR OTHER SERVICE OVER THE PAST YEAR & EACH TIME RELAYED THE PROBLEM. THEY NEVER COULD DIAGNOSE IT & SAID IT WAS PROBABLY JUST AN ISSUE WITH THE COMPUTER. IN APRIL OF 2010, THE PROBLEM STARTED OCCURRING MORE & MORE FREQUENTLY. IN LATE MAY 2010, COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE TO START AFTER SAME STEERING COLUMN LOCK MESSAGE. THEN COULD NOT REMOVE THE KEY. FINALLY GOT THE KEY OUT; HOWEVER, THE DASH AND INTERNAL LIGHTS STAYED ON AND RAN DOWN THE BATTERY. WAS ABLE TO GET A CHARGE TO THE BATTERY BUT THEN THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM IMMOBILIZER ENGAGED RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNUSABLE. AFTER A YEAR OF REPEATEDLY TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, IT IS NOW BACK THERE BUT IT HAD TO BE TOWED. DOING RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF CAR; HOWEVER, NO RECALLS, ETC. HAVE BEEN ISSUED AND OBVIOUSLY THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE/FIX THE PROBLEM BEFORE IT CAME TO THE POINT OF THE CAR BEING TOTALLY UNUSABLE. *TR

EMERGENCY BRAKE AT TIMES DOES NOT DISENGAGE OR ENGAGE. I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF WAIT A WHILE AND SOMETIMES IT DOES AND SOMETIMES IT DOES NOT ENGAGE/RENGAGE. GIVES ME A PARKING BRAKE FAULT MESSAGE. *TR

I HAVE TWO PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR: 1. EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILURE CONTINUES TO GIVE ME PARKING BRAKE FAULT MESSAGE & PERIODICALLY WILL NOT ENGAGE OR DISENGAGE. 2. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS DURING BRAKING MY CAR IS SLIPPING AND TAKES LONGER TO BRAKE. I SEE THIS PROBLEM IS ALREADY A RECALL ON OTHER VW PASSATS BUT NOT ON MY MODEL PASSAT BUT THIS RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO MY MODEL AS WELL. BRAKE VACUUM PROBLEM. I WILL BE MAKING AN APPOINTED TO GET THIS LOOKED AT WITH DEALER BUT WANTED YOU TO HAVE A RECORD OF THIS AND INVESTIGATE THESE ISSUES. *TR

I ADVISED VOLKSWAGEN THAT I HAD THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON. THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD FIX THE ISSUE FOR ME BUT IT WOULD COST ME ABOUT 900 DOLLARS TO FIX. I HAVE NOT FIXED THE ISSUE BECAUSE OF THE HIGH COST. THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE 2006 PASSAT I OWN. THE REP TOLD ME THAT A WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS BUILT WRONG. IT IS TO SHORT AND THE TSB THAT IS OUT FOR THIS ISSUE EXPLAINS THAT A WIRING HARNESS WITH LONGER WIRES IS NEEDED. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO AFFORD TO FIX THE ISSUE AND VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA DENIED MY CLAIM SAYING IT WAS NOT THERE FAULT AND THAT I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. AFTER LOOKING AT YOUR RECALLS I NOTICED THERE IS AN EXACT RECALL FOR THE VOLKSWAGEN CC WITH THE SAME ISSUE. PLEASE HELP ME . *TR

THE GAS TANK OF MY CAR WAS DAMAGED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OF 380 NEAR THE SCRANTON, PA. AT THE BEGINNING I DID NOTICE THIS PROBLEM UNTIL I PARKED MY CAR IN THE CITY MALL NEARBY THE HIGHWAY. THE GAS LEAK WAS SIGNIFICANT. 10 GALLONS OF GAS WAS LEAKED OUT IN LESS THAN 15 MIN. THE FIRE-FIGHTER HELPED ME CLEAN THE PARKING AREA AND AVOID A POTENTIAL FIRE. BASED ON AN INSURANCE DAMAGE ADJUSTER'S INVESTIGATION, THE DAMAGE COULD RESULT FROM AN IMPACT OF A HARD OBJECT SUCH AS ICE OR A SMALL ROCK ON THE HIGHWAY. THE GAS TANK IS GOING TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $1400. I AM REALLY SURPRISED THAT GERMAN ENGINEERS HAVE NOT THOUGHT SUCH AN ACCIDENT DURING THE WINTER. OBVIOUSLY THE CHEAP MATERIAL OF THE GAS TANK AND LACK OF PROPER TANK SHIELD COULD CONTRIBUTE TO THIS DAMAGE. *TR