2006 Volkswagen Passat Electrical Problems

Which parts fail

• Wiring
  2
• Ignition › Switch
  2
• Ignition
  2
• Instrument cluster/panel
  1
• Wiring › Interior/under dash
  1
• Ignition › Anti-theft › Control module
  1

Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  1218%
• 25k–50k
  1117%
• 50k–75k
  2030%
• 75k–100k
  69%
• 100k–150k
  1421%
• 150k+
  35%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Volkswagen Passat owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

My family and I have been VW owners for over 60 years. Unfortunately, the 2006 VW Passat has been layered with defects, negligent manufacturing issues, faulty wiring, electrical problems, computer glitches, to mention a few. There have been many recalls including an official recall by the NHTSA, for steering linkage problems and tie rod assembly which caused a loss of steering, crashes and deaths. Over 292 complaints are filed with Consumer Affairs, over 561 defects reported, and thousands of horror stories like mine about this car. It's considered a lemon by many car professionals. Many dealerships in the USA offered to inspect, and replace the electronic steering column lock free of charge and address any other concerns, which should be standard, reasonable behavior for all VW dealerships, mandated by this Federal agency. …

I have a vos wagon 2016 and I have an electrical problem. They changed a model that goes before the bomb of the gasoline. That a recall that occurred in the dealer. I know the car has an electrical problem, but I do not know the cause. I checked the bomb manually and it works. There seems to be no electricity and the only thing that works are the lights and the sunroof. Parts of the car inside do not work. When I was checking the vehicle, on the carpet in the driver's seat, it was humid. There was water in revising the cause. I took out buckets of water from the car, and I think that's what causing the electrical problem. The only thing I could think would result in this much water would be through the sunroof. A friend recommended me a place to check this out, and he said he could fix it. Without telling this guy any big details, he confirmed my doubts about the cause. …

When starting the vehicle (inserting the fob), the car will start but a few seconds later, the car completely shuts off and displays the following message: "steering column lock defective." this problem has happened when first starting the car for the day and also when starting after being run. After searching about this complaint online on numerous forums relating to the Volkswagen, I found this was a common problem experienced by other owners across different years. This problem has even occurred while people are driving and it shuts off the car. I contacted Volkswagen thinking that they should be held liable for this defect affecting many people because of the potential safety threat it poses to the drivers. Well, they did not care that this problem is happening and they do not think it is a safety issue and will not pay to fix it. But how can it not be when it turns the car off??

Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that the check engine, headlight, and epc warning indicators illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V079000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The auto nation dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The contact stated that the dealer cancelled approximately four appointments due to no part availability. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts would be available. The failure mileage was 124,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

My car suffers from a "steering column lock defective" issue for which vw of America has issued a recall as it is a very common problem on this year of the car. For some reason my car was not included in the recall (by VIN), and now that the piece is starting to fail they will not cover it. It is a clear defect and it is well documented, but they still want me to pay out of pocket ($800) to cover the repair costs. If this part fails, I will be left stranded with no way of turning the car on. A lot of money has already been spent fixing this car as this was a problematic year for this model. I do not want to spend more money fixing what is clearly a defect and something that vw has recognized is a problem and is fixing in other calls from the same year. Thank you.

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Volkswagen Passat. While at a traffic light, the vehicle began to lose power without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the battery failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V509000 (fuel system, gasoline). The local dealer (david maus Volkswagen north, 1050 lee road, orlando fl, 32810) was contacted, but was unable to confirm when parts would be available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 169,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

This is my 2nd time writing only because the problem seems as if it May be more then just one thing! Thinking it was ECM or something electrical, now May be the timing chain or fuel pump or combination of all! The car just randomly shuts off! On the highway, or at a stop, or just at cursing speed! Some times it comes back on, other time it turns over and shuts right off again! I noticed a lot of people having similar problems with this make and model, also noticed a recall for exact symptom my car has, and for the same make model and year as my car but my VIN is not listed in the recall??? Hope something is done to fix this situation soon so that I can remain a loyal volkwagen customer!

While driving, the car began hesitating and the "check engine" light began flashing. Upon pulling over and opening the hood, the top-rear passenger side of the engine was glowing red and within 30 seconds or so burst into flames. The fire was extinguished by an off-duty volunteer fireman who arrived prior to the fire department. Subsequent review by the fire department and the insurance company found the ignition coil was the origin and cause of the fire. Perhaps this is similar to NHTSA action number : ea07014, however that action only covered 1999-2005 passats; this is a 2006 Passat.

Takata recall first I would like to say my sunroof opens and closes it self then. Sometimes when I turn car on it shuts off says steering defected then its takes a couple seconds to come on. My wind shield wipers keep sayin I need water but its full then my daytime lights are off this car has many problems I keep getting the same parts fixed over and over. And then I have no recalls what the only way if we crash and die then we will get it fixed im putting so much money into car so can you please help thank you. This happen in different places the car shuts off different times.

2006 Passat purchased October 2009 with 48,000 miles, already out of warranty. The car now starts and cuts off immediately and has cut off around 6 or 7 times while driving at high speeds on the freeway! I have to pull off safely but in a hurry to avoid possible collisions. I would like to start a class action suit against vw for negligence. This part should have been recalled, it's a known issue these models have. I'm going to contact an attorney for this. If not I will sue myself to recover the cost associated with this defect. To all the other owners, be safe!!

NHTSA investigations

Electrical complaints in other Passat years