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2006 Volkswagen Passat Airbags Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the airbag system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Airbags reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
148
Latest Oct 9, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
26%
of 576 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
7
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
4

What this page shows

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2006 Volkswagen Passat submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 148 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming airbag

The 25 most recent of 148, in the owner's own words

Airbags
Filed Oct 9, 2025

The contact owned a 2006 Volkswagen Passat . The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V834000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.

NHTSA ID
11692301
Incident
Oct 9, 2025
Airbags
Filed Jul 4, 2025

recalled airbag

NHTSA ID
11671216
Incident
Apr 1, 2018
Airbags
Filed Dec 16, 2024

The contact owns a 2006 Volkswagen Passat. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V834000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer was contacted however, the manufacturer was not.

NHTSA ID
11631089
Incident
Dec 16, 2024
AirbagsElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 15, 2024

My family and I have been VW owners for over 60 years. Unfortunately, the 2006 VW Passat has been layered with defects, negligent manufacturing issues, faulty wiring, electrical problems, computer glitches, to mention a few. There have been many recalls including an official recall by the NHTSA, for steering linkage problems and tie rod assembly which caused a loss of steering, crashes and deaths. Over 292 complaints are filed with Consumer Affairs, over 561 defects reported, and thousands of horror stories like mine about this car. It's considered a lemon by many car professionals. Many dealerships in the USA offered to inspect, and replace the electronic steering column lock free of charge and address any other concerns, which should be standard, reasonable behavior for all VW dealerships, mandated by this Federal agency. Shortly after this car almost killed me in 2013, VW put me through countless stressful hours of calls, emails and the like and still refused to be fully accountable. Shortly after my almost end of life, the notorious VW Emissions Scandal spoke volumes. VW was well aware of their defects including the electrical system in the steering column/immobilizer, (the system won’t recognize the key; a module in the car that connects the key and starts the engine is defective). In many cases, the entire steering column is defective and has to be completely replaced because the car’s pistons, internal combustion and engine are all subpar. Even the Sunroof and drains are defective and every time it rains, there is a flood in my car which has caused life threatening mold and mildew. I am respectfully asking for your help in having VW provide me, a near [XXX] woman, a safe, reliable, car without another defective sunroof and without defective water drains. It can be used as long as it's reliable and without deadly mold and mildew. I have photos. Thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11577635
Incident
Jan 10, 2024
AirbagsEngine
Filed Sep 6, 2022
Crash reportedFire reported

The contact owned a 2006 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while her husband was driving in traffic, he rear-ended a vehicle at approximately 25 MPH. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. While her husband was exchanging information with the other driver, the other driver alerted him that his vehicle had caught fire. As her husband attempted to retrieve a fire extinguisher from the truck, he was alerted that the fire had worsened and was instructed to move away from the vehicle. Within minutes, the vehicle became engulfed in flames and was incinerated. A police report was filed. No injuries were reported. The contact had the vehicle towed to her home where it remained in her possession. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle was a total loss. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID
11483092
Incident
Sep 1, 2022
Airbags
Filed Jul 19, 2022

Stalled out as I started to accelerate from a stop light. It's like not getting and fuel. Possibly some type of issue pertaining to that Then my airbag light keeps flashing. Floor board lights cut on an off for no reason. Electrical equipment Possibly incorrect?

NHTSA ID
11474741
Incident
Jul 18, 2022
Airbags
Filed Sep 29, 2021

The contact owns a 2006 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that the passenger’s side frontal air bag failed to function as designed. The passenger’s side frontal air bag light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

NHTSA ID
11434870
Incident
Jun 1, 2018
Mileage
50,000 mi
AirbagsBrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 25, 2019

THERE WAS A VALVE BODY RECALL FOR ROUGH SHIFTS. I HAD NOTICED THESE A COUPLE OF TIMES. ALSO THE VACUUM PUMP, AIRBAGS ECTS.

NHTSA ID
11182226
Incident
Aug 15, 2018
AirbagsSteering
Filed Oct 26, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG MIGHT DEPLOY WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JOSEPH VOLKSWAGEN OF CINCINNATI (LOCATED AT 3813 MONTGOMERY RD, CINCINNATI, OH 45212, (513) 914-1785) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CURTAIN AIR BAGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V247000 (AIR BAGS). IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBERS: 180151960, 181324957, AND 08125390. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ID
11142991
Incident
Feb 6, 2018
Mileage
200,000 mi
AirbagsFuel system
Filed Sep 22, 2018

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 ID
11130804
Incident
Aug 19, 2018
Mileage
123,000 mi
AirbagsFuel system
Filed Jul 30, 2018

HI I HAVE A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2.0T AND IT HAS TWO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN TO FIX THE RECALLS BUT THEY SAYING THEY CAN'T FIX MY CAR BECAUSE IT WON'T START. I TOLD THEM THAT THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE RECALL COULD BE THE REASON IT WON'T START AND THAT THEY NEED TO FIX IT EVEN IF IT DOESN'T START. THE GUY NAME RYAN SAY HE WILL HAVE TO CHARGE ME $130 TO SEE WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE CAR BEFORE HE CAN FIX THE RECALLS. I THINK HE FULL OF IT AND JUST WANT TO FIND SOMETHING ELSE WRONG WITH MY CAR SO HE CAN SAY OH THIS THE PROBLEM AND TRY TO CHARGE ME A ARM AND A LEG. I FEEL LIKE JUST BECAUSE MY CAR WON'T START DOESN'T MEAN HE CAN'T FIX MY RECALLS. AM I WRONG BECAUSE I THOUGHT BY LAW NO MATTER THE CIRCUMSTANCES OR CONDITION OF THE VEHICLE THE RECALLS HAVE TO BE FIXED.

NHTSA ID
11114652
Incident
Jun 3, 2018
Airbags
Filed Apr 24, 2018

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V383000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR AS THE RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED OVER SIX MONTHS AGO. THE DEALER (VOLKSWAGEN OF CRYSTAL LAKE, 5213 NORTHWEST HWY, CRYSTAL LAKE, IL 60014) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11089957
Incident
Apr 24, 2018
AirbagsEngineFuel system
Filed Mar 9, 2018

TAKATA RECALL FOR AIR BAG AND FAULTY AIR BAG SYSTEM, FAULTY FUEL PUMP RECALL STILL NOT ACTIVATED AND I HAVE NOT BEEN REIMBURSED FOR EXPENSIVE REPAIRS THAT ARE VOLKSWAGEN'S FAULT.

NHTSA ID
11078305
Incident
Jun 27, 2017
AirbagsBody & structureBrakes+3 more
Filed Jan 30, 2018

2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. ATTORNEY REPRESENTING CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO EMERGENCY/ SIGNAL LIGHTS MALFUNCTION, SUNROOF PROBLEMS AND OTHER VEHICLE ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY FAILS TO RECOGNIZE THE ELECTRONIC KEY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE. THE BLINKER/TURN SIGNALS FAIL TO TURN OFF WHEN PROMPTED. THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THAT THE SIGNALS WOULD NOT TURN OFF UNLESS THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED COMPLETELY STRAIGHT. THE SUNROOF OPENS UNPROMPTED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS ROTTED UNDERNEATH. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHTS FLASHED INCESSANTLY. *JS

NHTSA ID
10929049
Incident
May 15, 2015
AirbagsFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 7, 2017

I HAVE RECEIVED SEVERAL RECALL NOTICES BUT THEY ARE NOT AVAILABLE AND I AM AFRAID MY KIDS COULD HAVE A FATAL ACCIDENT

NHTSA ID
11053350
Incident
Jun 8, 2015
AirbagsElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Oct 30, 2017

TAKATA RECALL I WENT IN TO GET THE REPAIR A WEEK LATER AN AIRBAG FAULT CAME ON AND STILL ON. THEN TWICE WHILE I WAS DRIVEING ON HIGHWAY CAR CUTS OFF COMPLETELY THEN I HAVE TO PULL OVER WITH IT JUST ROLLING. THE STEERING SOMETIMES COMES ON AND SAYS DEFECTIVE THEN THE SUN ROOF OPEN CLOSES BY ITSELF. ALOT OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ALWAYS HAVE TO GET SOMETHING FIX JUST PRAY THAT I DONT GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. THE HEATED SEATS DONT WORK NOMORE FOR SOME REASON ON DAY THEY WAS GOOD NOW NO AND ITS NOT THE FUSE.

NHTSA ID
11041069
Incident
Sep 16, 2016
Mileage
140,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 25, 2017

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR THE CONTACT CALLED JIM ELLIS VOLKSWAGEN KENNESAW AT (770) 370-4900 (LOCATED AT 950 ERNEST W BARRETT PKWY NW, KENNESAW, GA) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
11019779
Incident
Feb 10, 2016
Airbags
Filed Aug 10, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUNSET MOTORS INCORP (740-264-1696 LOCATED AT 2218 SUNSET BLVD STEUBENVILLE, OH 43952) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG WAS RECENTLY REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL AND WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG COULD ALSO BE DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT NO RECALL WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,830. UPDATED 10/17/17*LJ UPDATED 10/30/2017*JS

NHTSA ID
11014176
Incident
Aug 2, 2017
Mileage
63,830 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 4, 2017

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE LOCAL DEALER (FLAGSHIP VOLKSWAGEN, BAYAMON, 00959, PUERTO RICO) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 10/24/17*LJ UPDATED 10/25/2017*JS

NHTSA ID
11012768
Incident
Mar 13, 2017
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Jul 6, 2017

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE, HEADLIGHT, AND EPC WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE AUTO NATION DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER CANCELLED APPROXIMATELY FOUR APPOINTMENTS DUE TO NO PART AVAILABILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
11003234
Incident
Apr 6, 2016
Mileage
124,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 28, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. VOLKSWAGEN OF CLEARWATER, FLORIDA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 08/22/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 8/25/2017*JS

NHTSA ID
11001961
Incident
Apr 1, 2017
Airbags
Filed May 30, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR THE AIR BAGS AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS ALREADY ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT PERFORMED BECAUSE THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED AND A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS NEEDED FIRST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID
10992210
Incident
May 2, 2017
Mileage
100,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 22, 2017

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WOULD ARRIVE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 08/23/17*LJ *CN

NHTSA ID
10991061
Incident
Feb 9, 2016
Airbags
Filed May 19, 2017

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. IN ADDITION THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE LAST SPOKE WITH THE DEALER IN APRIL WHO STATED THAT PARTS HAD NOT BEEN PROVIDED TO THEIR REGION AT THE TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
10990644
Incident
Apr 22, 2016
Airbags
Filed May 17, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO DEALERS STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
10986236
Incident
May 2, 2017

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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