2006 Volkswagen Passat Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 148about this part
- Share
- 26%of 576 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 93,674miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 148 complaints about the air bags of the 2006 Volkswagen Passat, 26% of the 576 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 93,674 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 3 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Takata recall. I purchased a 2006 vw Passat for my daughter 2 years ago and received a letter april 2016. My daughter is pregnant and driving this car to work, im extremely afraid for her safety and the safety of my grandchild. I cant understand how vw isnt doing anything to save someones life! Im pleading with you to please help, what ig this was your child and grand child!!!”
NHTSA complaint #10908602, filed 2016-09, 160,000 miles“Takata recall I was in a front end collision with another car going about 70 MPH with the flow of traffic around 3:15pm pst when my driver's side airbags did not activate at all. There is a know recall on the driver's side airbag for my car but no repairs have been made available. This non-activation of this safety feature of my car caused me to hit my steering wheel hard with my chest.”
NHTSA complaint #10882972, filed 2016-07, 230,000 miles“The airbag light came on and when I took the care in to get checked out I was told that something on the inside rubs the wires and due to that turns off the entire airbag system. It is not an issue caused by consumers since it is internal and a very critical safety issue. They pass on the charge to the consumer which is right around $1,200.00. This is completely unacceptable on multiple levels.”
NHTSA complaint #10778659, filed 2015-09, 153,000 miles“Takata recall called my dealer to get an update on the takata recall, and still no available date, vw customer service is telling me is safe to drive the car despite several cases of fatal injury. Vw is also not providing with a rental or immediate solution to the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10925532, filed 2016-11, 112,764 miles“There is 2 safety recalls on my cars VIN number an my dealership I got it from wobt fix it I've asked over an over I've only had the car for about 8 or 9 months. Im still making payments on it but rarely driving it”
NHTSA complaint #11130804, filed 2018-09, 123,000 milesRelated recalls
- 24V834000Oct 30, 2024Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Beetle, Beetle Convertible, 2012-2014 Passat, 2017 Passat Wagon, and 2006-2007…Covers: Volkswagen Passat 2006–2007, 2012–2014, 2017, Beetle 2017–2019, Beetle Convertible 2017–2019
- 18V247000Apr 18, 2018Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2007 Volkswagen Passat sedan and wagon vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's…Covers: Volkswagen Passat 2006–2007, Passat Wagon 2006–2007
- 16V079000Feb 10, 2016Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2006 Volkswagen Passat sedans and wagons, 2005-2013 Audi A3, and 2006-2009 Audi…Covers: Volkswagen Passat 2006, Audi A3 2005–2013, A4 Cabriolet 2006–2009
Related service bulletins
- 10233240Mar 13, 2023In conjunction with the New Mexico DMV, Volkswagen will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 363 Volkswagen owners in the State of New Mexico on…
- 10233239Mar 13, 2023In conjunction with the Massachusetts DMV, Volkswagen will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 1,498 Volkswagen owners in the State of Massachusetts…
- 10231847Feb 13, 2023In conjunction with the Colorado DMV, Volkswagen will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 1,414 Volkswagen owners in the State of Colorado on…
- 10224368Oct 17, 2022In conjunction with the New York DMV, Volkswagen will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 2,743 Volkswagen owners in the State of New York on…
- 10222092Sep 19, 2022In conjunction with the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, Volkswagen is sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 1,824 Volkswagen owners in the…
- 10216857Jul 25, 2022In conjunction with the Georgia Department of Revenue - Motor Vehicle Division and Department of Driver Services, Volkswagen sent Takata airbag recall reminder notices to…
- 10216552Jul 25, 2022In conjunction with the Georgia Department of Revenue - Motor Vehicle Division and Department of Driver Services, Volkswagen sent Takata airbag recall reminder notices to…
- 10216553Jul 21, 2022In conjunction with the Virginia DMV, Audi will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 2,217 VW owners in the State of Virginia on July 21, 2022
- 10214740Jun 23, 2022In conjunction with the Georgia Department of Revenue - Motor Vehicle Division and Department of Driver Services, Volkswagen sent Takata airbag recall reminder notices to…
- 10211686May 4, 2022In conjunction with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), Volkswagen sent Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 7,152 Volkswagen owners in the State…
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3 | 15% |
| 2020 | 4 | 22% |
| 2018 | 5 | 11% |
| 2017 | 28 | 25% |
| 2016 | 25 | 24% |
| 2015 | 88 | 36% |
| 2014 | 354 | 60% |
| 2013 | 382 | 51% |
| 2012 | 296 | 61% |
| 2011 | 5 | 31% |
| 2010 | 45 | 28% |
| 2009 | 12 | 8% |
| 2008 | 32 | 19% |
| 2007 | 106 | 40% |
| 2006 | 148 | 26% |
| 2005 | 4 | 3% |
| 2004 | 8 | 3% |
| 2003 | 23 | 4% |
| 2002 | 11 | 2% |
| 2001 | 26 | 6% |
| 2000 | 17 | 3% |
| 1999 | 21 | 3% |
| 1998 | 8 | 2% |
| 1997 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2006 Volkswagen Passat
112 complaintsElectrical system
79 complaintsEngine cooling
66 complaintsEngine
64 complaintsFuel system
64 complaintsBrakes
49 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
47 complaintsVehicle speed control
32 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
21 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaintsExterior lighting
12 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
11 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 Volkswagen Passat
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology