Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Volkswagen Passat owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
On September 25th, 2017 my stepdaughter was involved in a vehicular accident on I-75 n. In macon, georgia. She was driving a 2006 vw Passat, 3.6 l. The accident occurred due to sudden acceleration on its own. The accelerator quickly, and without notice, engaged by itself. This resulted in her crashing into the guardrail on both sides of the interstate, in macon, ga. Fortunately, she was wearing her seat belt and survived. She suffered lacerations, bruises, neck and arm injury, and some immediate short term memory loss when she hit her head. The vehicle was a total loss. Volkswagen said they would come to examine the accelerator to determine if there is a problem with it.
I was backing out of a parking space with the car in reverse. I lifted my foot from the brake and started to apply the accelerator at which point the vehicle accelerated to full speed and hit a staircase rail behind me. I then slammed the brake and put the car into drive to avoid reversing into anyone. I applied the accelerator and once again it accelerated forward at full speed, this time hitting a concrete column which disabled the vehicle.
I was stopped at a traffic light on a slight uphill grade when the car's engine suddenly started to race. The car surged forward before I could brake and hit the car in front of me. I had to practically stand on the brake to stop it. Fortunately there was no damage and even more fortunately there wasn't a pedestrian crossing in front of me. The temperature that afternoon was 98 degrees which, I understand from the vw forums is relevant. Other people have experienced this problem in very hot temperatures as well. This has happened to me once before but I already had my foot on the brake and only had to stand on it to restrain the car.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle unintended accelerated without warning. The contact also stated that when the failure was occurring, the brake pedal required being depressed with both feet in order to completely stop the vehicle. The failure was persistent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 29,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that the vehicle unintentionally accelerated and jerked as the rpms revved. The contact stated that force was constantly applied to the brake pedal when the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on four occasions where the throttle body and the electronic control module were replaced, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
Has I was driven the car will came up with need services soon and will show brake light on and dead systems failed check parking brake and if you press the parking brake button on and off the car will nearly such gears or nearly move at all where if you shout it of the car and then wait for 5_10 min and turn it back on it will go like nothing wrong at all . Transmission has oil and I don't know what it is.
Check engine (MIL) light turned on, car all of a sudden idles at a higher RPM while we were driving!!! Vehicle was taken into the dealership. Car is only under warranty for 36,000 miles or 3 years! Dealership ran diagnostic, came up with: code p0123 (throttle high input), p0299 (turbo under boost), p0456 (EVAP leak), p1098 (intake turning valve short to b+), code p2004 (intake runner stuck), code p3237 (intake runner basic settings). Dealer recommended intake runner motor replacement & replacement of turbo & n80 valve, also cv boot needs replacement. Total cost of repairs over $1200!!! We always take care of our vehicles and have them serviced at the dealership. Vehicle has also had defective interior parts. Interior trim (all switches - lock, window & radio are bubbling and chipping). Door panel trim (rubber is peeling). …
Electronic emergency brake fault; was driving on January 18,2014. My daughter was driving about 35 MPH when this emergency brake light started flashing yellow. Also there was a red brake light that was flashing and beeping three times. She got the car under control mind you she is only 17 and she just bought this car from campus auto here in fort Dodge, ia on the 10th and he told her nothing was wrong with the car. Everything has went wrong with this car that can go wrong. She pulled over and read in her manual that with the beeping 3 times and the red light indicator said that she was suppose to get it to a trusted mechanic right away. So she did the Smart thing and called me to have the car taken to a mechanic. But what if she would have been on the highway and this would have happened. She would have lost control of this car on a highway. Please look into these Passat. …
Dt*: the contact stated that while driving at low speeds of 0-5mph the engine jumps to RPM's of 900 to 1000 RPM's causing the vehicle to lunge forward. This occurs more often when the vehicle has been running for a while and the engine is hot. The RPM's go down only when the engine is placed in neutral and the motor is revved up, or when the vehicle shifts into second gear. The vehicle idles roughly and hesitates. While stopped at a light or stop sign, there is lag between when the accelerator is depressed and the when the engine kicks into gear. When this occurs, the vehicle lunges forward. The dealership cannot duplicate the problem. While parked, at low speeds, or turning the vehicle right or left, there is a grinding sound coming from the right suspension area. …
My car was simply idling in park and all of a sudden I heard the idle rev up and the tachometer went up a few 100 RPM's. I thought, hmm that's strange. Then it started affecting the was my car shifts and makes it hard to stop. While at a stop in drive I can feel the idle is rough. I replaced my maf sensor, which was really expensive, hoping it would resolve the problem. Then while researching recalls on this model, I came across this,vehicle speed control problem on the 2006 Volkswagen Passat. I never got a notification of any recall. My car is out of warrant and I have a change of address. So I don't know what to do at this time. Any feedback would be very much, appreciated. [redacted]
Acceleration complaints in other Passat years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2006 Volkswagen Passat?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2006 Volkswagen Passat, 6% of the model year's 576 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Volkswagen Passat acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2006 Volkswagen Passat, though it has 7 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Volkswagen Passat acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 28,000 miles, and 50% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.