Model year guide

2006 Volkswagen Passat

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2006 Volkswagen Passat is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 219 on record.

2006 Volkswagen Passat at a glance

Safety recalls7
Owner complaints576
Combined22 mpg
Typical price$3,359

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2006 Volkswagen Passat recalls 7

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #18V247000 · 18/04/2018

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.

Fix: 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 rec…

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump NHTSA Campaign #17V509000 · 16/08/2017

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.

Fix: 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 NHTSA Campaign #16V079000 · 10/02/2016

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.

Fix: 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.

Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly NHTSA Campaign #05V540000 · 30/11/2005

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE LEFT AND RIGHT TIE ROD SECURING NUT MAY BE INSUFFICIENTLY TORQUED.

Fix: 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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum NHTSA Campaign #06V472000 · 12/12/2006

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.

Fix: 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 NHTSA Campaign #06V470000 · 12/12/2006

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.

Fix: 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.

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #24V834000 · 30/10/2024

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.

Fix: 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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2006 Volkswagen Passat common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 576 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2006 Volkswagen Passat safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2006 Volkswagen Passat 4-DR. w/SAB. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2006 Volkswagen Passat MPG & running costs

Combined22 mpg
City19 mpg
Highway28 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,467

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2006 Volkswagen Passat worth?

Low
$1,700
Typical price
$3,359
High
$5,300

From 219 comparable 2006 Volkswagen Passat listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2006 Volkswagen Passat costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$17,335
Depreciation (5 yrs)$1,900
Total$19,235
Per mile$0.26

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($3,359) with the same model 5 model-years older ($1,443), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2006 Volkswagen Passat trims & engines on record

Trims
2.0T · 3.6 · 3.6 4Motion · 4Motion · w/ Luxury Pkg
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl 200 hp · 3.6L 6-cyl 280 hp

2006 Volkswagen Passat vehicles on record

Other Volkswagen Passat model years

2006 Volkswagen Passat — frequently asked questions

Does the 2006 Volkswagen Passat have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls for the 2006 Volkswagen Passat. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Volkswagen Passat?

Based on 576 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, engine, power train.

What is the 2006 Volkswagen Passat safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2006 Volkswagen Passat crash-test ratings of frontal 4★, side 5★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2006 Volkswagen Passat get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2006 Volkswagen Passat at about 22 mpg combined (19 city / 28 highway).

How much is a 2006 Volkswagen Passat worth?

Comparable 2006 Volkswagen Passat listings run roughly $1,700–$5,300, typically around $3,359 (from 219 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.