2006 Volkswagen Passat Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 112about this part
- Share
- 19%of 576 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 63,250miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 112 complaints about the steering of the 2006 Volkswagen Passat, 19% of the 576 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 63,250 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My vw has been hard to start and getting the steering lock fault warning. I understand there was a voluntary recall, but I was the original owner and do not remember getting the recall notice.”
NHTSA complaint #11253959, filed 2019-09, 212,000 miles“Car will not start, dashboard warning steering column lock failure I have had this problem for quite some time and I think it's about time to do something about it as this appears to be a common problem with b6 Passat owners. The problem is most likely faulty contacts yet the whole steering column is replaced by Volkswagen and could cost up to $2000..”
NHTSA complaint #10273995, filed 2009-06, 55,000 miles“2006 vw Passat 3.6 4-motion. 65k miles. Steering column lock failure. While on my honeymoon trip with my new wife to vancouver b.c. My car failed to start as usual. Key is placed in dash and pressed into starting position. Car starts and then abruptly engine stops. Very intermittent. Problem is worrying because it could potentially happen while driving in traffic.”
NHTSA complaint #10279780, filed 2009-08, 64,000 miles“The problem that I am having with my 2006 Volkswagen Passat is that while I am driving the car shuts down completely. This has happened to me about five times this year. It has almost caused me to be in two accidents and to have to quickly pull off the road. The dealer wants me to pay $1,700 to repair it.”
NHTSA complaint #10370478, filed 2010-12, 55,328 miles“My car has had starting issues since I have had it. Sometimes, everytime I would try to start it would not start and give me the locked steering column message. It would stop doing this for several months and then start again. Finally, after 100,000 it stopped completely and would not start. It is $600 to fix it but it seems like a lot of people have this issue and they had a recall on the steering column. What can I do?”
NHTSA complaint #10358488, filed 2010-09, 50,000 milesRelated recalls
- 05V540000Nov 30, 2005On certain passenger vehicles, the left and right tie rod securing nut may be insufficiently torqued.Covers: Volkswagen Passat 2006
Related service bulletins
- 10181413Oct 2, 2020Mandatory fastener.
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2 | 15% |
| 2021 | 2 | 10% |
| 2020 | 2 | 11% |
| 2019 | 1 | 8% |
| 2018 | 2 | 4% |
| 2017 | 16 | 15% |
| 2016 | 19 | 18% |
| 2015 | 26 | 11% |
| 2014 | 44 | 7% |
| 2013 | 51 | 7% |
| 2012 | 46 | 10% |
| 2011 | 2 | 13% |
| 2010 | 13 | 8% |
| 2009 | 20 | 14% |
| 2008 | 12 | 7% |
| 2007 | 15 | 6% |
| 2006 | 112 | 19% |
| 2005 | 2 | 1% |
| 2004 | 2 | 1% |
| 2003 | 10 | 2% |
| 2002 | 1 | 0% |
| 2001 | 13 | 3% |
| 2000 | 25 | 5% |
| 1999 | 76 | 11% |
| 1998 | 52 | 16% |
| 1995 | 4 | 4% |
| 1994 | 2 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2006 Volkswagen Passat
148 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