Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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).
The contact owns a 2006 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V509000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure to obtain assistance with reimbursement. The failure mileage was not available. Parts distribution disconnect.
Recall no. 17V509 in November 2015, while driving on a city street, my car stalled. When I took it to a local dealership, they said the fuel pump was faulty and replaced it. At the end of December 2015, while driving up a steep road, all of a sudden the car lost power and began reversing, before crashing into a barrier. I was fortunate that the barrier prevented the car from going over a hill into the river. Once again a local dealership later told me the fuel pump was at fault. It was not until September 2017 that I learned of a recall that "cause a loss of motive power while the vehicle is in motion, which could increase the risk of a crash." this is exactly what happened to my vehicle.
Received a recall notice 10/2017 my vehicle experienced a loss of motive power - almost crashed - had repair completed sent letter to Volkswagen 12/2017 - no response, action or reimbursement - called vw today - still no response,action or reimbursement for part the know would fail. Could have been a large safety concern - feel vw is shirking responsability - I have copies of all my bills and recall notice -NHTSA:17V509
"in relation to fuel pump recall"....since the year started my car has been hesitant to start and sometimes needs a second start. On January 9th I started my car up in the morning and about 3 symbols popped: the gas cap, engine check, and the warning symbols. I turned it off securing my gas cap and waited a few mins and turned it back on. Now the engine check is gone so I continue my morning commute. Eventually the gas cap symbol is off, warning is still on but now the engine check is back on so I went to get it checked out at advance auto parts with emission and leakage codes identified. So then I bring it to a local shop who specializes in vw and they tell me I have fuel, oil, and coolant leakage. They cant fix the fuel leak but the other two is fixable which only brings to me concern about this recent recall. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Volkswagen Passat. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V509000 (fuel system, gasoline). While driving approximately 80 MPH, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was towed to autobarn city Volkswagen (5330 w irving park rd, chicago, il 60641, [phone]) where it was confirmed that the fuel pump control module needed to be replaced. The parts to do the repair were unavailable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided with case number: 171754896. No further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available/parts distribution disconnect.
Takata recall. The past two weeks my vehicle has not started as it normally does. It takes two or three key pushes to get my engine to start upon starting my car, and then it fires up. It is difficult to get up to and maintain speeds on the highway. If and when I am maintaining speed on the highway its common for the engine to hiccup and then return back to its speed without any change in acceleration. Going up hills it lacks power and if there is more than one person in the car when going up a hill the car will misfire. On top of all of this it is practically drinking gas like water and I normally get great gas mileage. It is starting to give off a fuel smell while driving too and my mechanic does not know why.
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.
I own a 2006 vw Passat, and I had an accident in the parking lot, at 5 miles/hour. My Passat would not stop in the parking spot, it went slowly forward, hit the light poll on the left side, then it went head on to the car parked in front of the spot I chose to park. It hit this car and it pushed the car for 8 feet before my Passat stopped. It all happened at very low speed so I could have the time to see my foot being on the right pedal, on the brake, and I kept pumping the brake, but the car wouldn't stop. And all this was caused by a failed fuel pump. So it seems that vw did not fix it's older problem, they had a recall for the 2003 Passat. The problem persists in the newer models, too.
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!
The car hesitates roughly in a jerking way. Mostly when driving from a stopped position in 1st gear the car would hesitate then get a burst & start to move properly. Sometimes on the highway I wouldn't be able to accelerate if I'm trying to pass someone. The car would hesitate for a second, so I release the gas for a second then press again to continue. I already replaced fuel pump controller (very expensive) now it's going out again & my engine light goes off & on for long periods of time. The mechanic says it's the same problem, now I'm trying to wait for this recall to be active so I can drive my car without fear of car failure in the worst moment with my kids in the car.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
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.
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.
Fuel System complaints in other Passat years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2006 Volkswagen Passat?
NHTSA has 64 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2006 Volkswagen Passat, 11% of the model year's 576 complaints. The component named most often is storage › tank assembly (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Volkswagen Passat fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 17V-509 (fuel pump, Aug 16, 2017). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2006 Volkswagen Passat fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 93,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to fuel & propulsion system 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.