Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
We owned vehicle approx 8yrs and in late 2022 will driving/on highway 55mph or local roads like Broadway 15-20mph the vehicle goes into neutral. VErY dangerous it wil work as it should after a restart
The automatic transmissions used in the b6 Volkswagen Passat 2.0t along with several other vw models are notoriously problematic. There was a recall on the transmission control unit needing a software update which was done on my vehicle, however this does not address the real issue with these transmissions. The widespread and more serious issue with these transmissions is the valve body assembly part of the transmission causing hard shifts usually between first and second or third and fourth gear. These hard shifts cause the entire car and it's passengers to jerk violently during upshifts and sometimes downshifts between these gears. …
Have been getting steering lock malfunctions when trying to start the car for about two weeks. Today, the steering wheel locked while driving. Unable to steer the vehicle at all. Was able to stop and turn the vehicle off. Seems this is/ was a common problem for this model Volkswagen and a voluntary recall was available until 2013. Unfortunately, the previous owners of the car never did any recalls or even remembers ever being notified of any recalls. This problem is one of many for this model. I called Volkswagen and they were no help. This is a major safety issue. My 17 year old son drives this car. I cant allow him to drive it now after this. How can Volkswagen allow this? They basically dont care if we crashed and hurt others because of this issue. A voluntary recall for a steering issue?? Does that sound safe??
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!
Have replaced numerous parts ...the epx light keeps coming on which May reference to the oil pump bolt failing...crankshaft and cam shafts codes keep coming on even though they were replaced...transmission shifting slightly hard.. Overheating even though new parts were installed...air bag light stays on..brakes have been bleed over 10 times and are still too soft cause me to brake at a further distance to avoid a wreck....I am on a fixed income and cant afford a massage bill to fix it and vw is aware over these years of the issues and wont recall to repair any of the issues...I have all receipts for the parts replaced...
Turbo charger is faulty. I still owe $12,00 on this car. It is appearing thru the forums online that the diesel engine is not the only engine affected by the recent emmision failure of volkswagon car. Please investigate and recall for 2006...not just 2009 thru 2014 cars. This is not fair. Car is smoling so badly you cant see the car behind you and mechanic said that even tho I only have 60,000 miles my turbo charger is toast.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Volkswagen Passat. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the transmission stopped shifting into first gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but they were not able to duplicate the failure. The failure occurred every day during the summer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
Check engine light was on and car would rattle loudly. One day the car just starts driving slow and shuts off. I took it to mechanic and after several tests, it was noted that the engine coils and turbo cap was broken. Hefty price to get it fix. After two days, the check engine light is back on. I research and talked with mechanic, it seems to be a growing problem with vw cars.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Volkswagen Passat. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle suddenly shut off. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the valves inside the transmission was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 119,000.
Transmission complaints in other Passat years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2006 Volkswagen Passat?
NHTSA has 47 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2006 Volkswagen Passat, 8% of the model year's 576 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (17 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Volkswagen Passat transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 62,000 miles, and 32% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.