2006 Volkswagen Passat Latches, locks and linkages Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 2%of 576 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 38,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the latches, locks and linkages of the 2006 Volkswagen Passat, 2% of the 576 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 38,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I had persistent problems with the latch on the trunk of my 2006 Passat. Finally, the dealership found that pieces of the plastic coating of the latch mechanism were chipping off and fouling the latch. The latch was replaced with a bare metal piece and the problem resolved. This was not resolved, however, until after some anonymous do-gooder dented my trunk trying to shut it.”
NHTSA complaint #10262691, filed 2009-03, 6,000 miles“The trunk on my 06 Passat won't always stay closed. Nothing in particular precipitated the first event. I have to slam it shut every time and it's becoming harder and harder to close. I was rear-ended in march 2008 and the trunk was replaced. The interesting thing is that I had the exact same problem with the original trunk. The original trunk was not wanting to latch properly and the replacement trunk does the exact same thing. It must be something about 06 Passat trunks. …”
NHTSA complaint #10251913, filed 2008-12, 37,000 miles“2006 vw Passat 2.0t trunk will not latch when it's cold. Brought it to vw dealer who told me they've seen this happen before and they've replaced several locks and they could replace the lock for $305. They lubricated the lock in the hopes that it may resolve the latch issue. If this is happening with other passats it is obviously a defect. - I purchased the car new and have had the cam shaft replaced, cam seal leak repaired 4 times, cd player replaced, heater blower resistor replaced twice and blower motor replaced once. …”
NHTSA complaint #10250269, filed 2008-12, 56,000 miles“My trunk latch on my 2006 vw Passat will not latch. This causes the trunk to open unless I have it duck taped down. The problem started when I opened it to get something out and it would not shut. I taped it down and the next morning it was closed properly. After grocery shopping, I was able to open the trunk and put the stuff in it, but it would not close again. It has not been able to close since. I called the dealer who told me I was the 5th or 6th person that day with the problem. I called vw america who said there was no recall. …”
NHTSA complaint #10249768, filed 2008-11, 86,000 miles“Trunk has difficulty closing. Seat belt don't work properly. Airbag light along with the motor light turn on. These lights were never really fixed by the car dealer. The passenger back door does not lock most of the time leaving the car without the alarm working.”
NHTSA complaint #10463098, filed 2012-06, 2,011 milesLatches, locks and linkages: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 8% |
| 2013 | 2 | 0% |
| 2012 | 2 | 0% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 2 | 1% |
| 2006 | 11 | 2% |
| 2005 | 3 | 2% |
| 2004 | 1 | 0% |
| 2003 | 6 | 1% |
| 2002 | 6 | 1% |
| 2001 | 4 | 1% |
| 2000 | 1 | 0% |
| 1999 | 3 | 0% |
| 1998 | 5 | 2% |
| 1997 | 4 | 11% |
| 1996 | 5 | 13% |
| 1995 | 9 | 10% |
| 1992 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2006 Volkswagen Passat
148 complaintsSteering
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 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 Volkswagen Passat
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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