2006 Volkswagen Passat
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Airbags & Restraints
Airbags & Restraints leads by volume: 151 of 576 complaints (26%) mention it.
Complaints filed rose from 148 in 2005 to 576 in 2006.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | vs. 2006 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,300–4,300 | 3,300–4,100 | 3,250–4,100 | 3,250–4,100 | 3,250–4,100 | |
| Combined MPG | 18–27 | 19–27 | 19–24 | 19–24 | 19–24 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 15–23 / 22–34 | 17–23 / 24–34 | 16–21 / 24–29 | 16–21 / 24–29 | 16–20 / 24–29 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 377–494 | 377–468 | 370–468 | 370–468 | 370–468 | |
| Complaints filed | 279 | 148 | 576 | 262 | 168 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 9 | 7 | 21 | 4 | 3 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 25 | 11 | 6 | 6 | 6 | |
| Injuries reported | 23 | 4 | 9 | 2 | 2 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 10 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2006 Volkswagen Passat have?
7 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2006 Volkswagen Passat?
Airbags & Restraints: 151 of 576 NHTSA complaints (26%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Volkswagen Passat get?
EPA rates it 19–24 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2006 Volkswagen Passat?
EPA estimates $3,250–$4,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 21 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | 24 mpg (high) | $3,250 (low) | 370 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 19 mpg | 28 mpg | 22 mpg | $3,500 | 404 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 17 mpg | 26 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.6L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 16 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | $4,100 (high) | 468 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 130 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 47 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 64 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 79 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Brakes | 56 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 112 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 151 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 32 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 25 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 31 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 22 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (7)
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 24V834000 · Nov 6, 2024
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 18V247000 · Apr 20, 2018
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP · Campaign 17V509000 · Aug 17, 2017
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 16V079000 · Feb 10, 2016
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM · Campaign 06V472000 · Dec 12, 2006
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED VACUUM LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 12, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-893-5298.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR · Campaign 06V470000 · Dec 12, 2006
Defect: 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.
Consequence: THIS COULD LEAD TO REDUCED VISIBILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: 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.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY · Campaign 05V540000 · Nov 29, 2005
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE LEFT AND RIGHT TIE ROD SECURING NUT MAY BE INSUFFICIENTLY TORQUED.
Consequence: 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.