2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT Power Train Problems

Transmission clunks into gear and loses traction while shifting.

We owned vehicle approx 8yrs and in late 2022 will driving/on highway 55mph or local roads like Broadway 15-20mph the vehicle goes into neutral. VErY dangerous it wil work as it should after a restart

HAVE REPLACED NUMEROUS PARTS ...THE EPX LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON WHICH MAY REFERENCE TO THE OIL PUMP BOLT FAILING...CRANKSHAFT AND CAM SHAFTS CODES KEEP COMING ON EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE REPLACED...TRANSMISSION SHIFTING SLIGHTLY HARD.. OVERHEATING EVEN THOUGH NEW PARTS WERE INSTALLED...AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON..BRAKES HAVE BEEN BLEED OVER 10 TIMES AND ARE STILL TOO SOFT CAUSE ME TO BRAKE AT A FURTHER DISTANCE TO AVOID A WRECK....I AM ON A FIXED INCOME AND CANT AFFORD A MASSAGE BILL TO FIX IT AND VW IS AWARE OVER THESE YEARS OF THE ISSUES AND WONT RECALL TO REPAIR ANY OF THE ISSUES...I HAVE ALL RECEIPTS FOR THE PARTS REPLACED... *TR

Mileage: 211,742

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS USED IN THE B6 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2.0T ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHER VW MODELS ARE NOTORIOUSLY PROBLEMATIC. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT NEEDING A SOFTWARE UPDATE WHICH WAS DONE ON MY VEHICLE, HOWEVER THIS DOES NOT ADDRESS THE REAL ISSUE WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS. THE WIDESPREAD AND MORE SERIOUS ISSUE WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS IS THE VALVE BODY ASSEMBLY PART OF THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING HARD SHIFTS USUALLY BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND OR THIRD AND FOURTH GEAR. THESE HARD SHIFTS CAUSE THE ENTIRE CAR AND IT'S PASSENGERS TO JERK VIOLENTLY DURING UPSHIFTS AND SOMETIMES DOWNSHIFTS BETWEEN THESE GEARS. AT ONLY 91,000 MILES AND WELL TAKEN CARE OF MY CAR HAS DEVELOPED THIS PROBLEM BETWEEN THIRD AND FOURTH GEAR MAKING IT FEEL VERY DANGEROUS AND UNSETTLING FOR THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS OF THE VEHICLE WHEN GETTING UP TO SPEED ESPECIALLY ON ON-RAMPS TO THE HIGHWAY. I ALSO WANT TO MENTION THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS DESTROYED MY MOTOR MOUNTS AS WELL. VW SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DEFECTIVE PART OF THE TRANSMISSION SIMILAR TO THE WAY HONDA DID WITH THEIR ODYSSEY, ONLY THIS DOES NOT REQUIRE THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION TO BE REPLACED LIKE WITH THE ODYSSEY. THIS IS AN ENORMOUS SAFETY CONCERN THAT NEEDS TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED AND ADDRESS BY VOLKSWAGEN, THE LARGEST AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURER IN THE WORLD. *TR

Mileage: 91,000

MISSES SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO SECOND SPEED AND 2ND TO 3RD. ROUGH SHIFTS. DIFFICULTY TO ENGAGE IN THE NEXT SPEED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE PROPULSION. MALFUNCTION OBSERVED WHEN IN MOTION.

Mileage: 999,976

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

THIS IS MY 2ND TIME WRITING ONLY BECAUSE THE PROBLEM SEEMS AS IF IT MAY BE MORE THEN JUST ONE THING! THINKING IT WAS ECM OR SOMETHING ELECTRICAL, NOW MAY BE THE TIMING CHAIN OR FUEL PUMP OR COMBINATION OF ALL! THE CAR JUST RANDOMLY SHUTS OFF! ON THE HIGHWAY, OR AT A STOP, OR JUST AT CURSING SPEED! SOME TIMES IT COMES BACK ON, OTHER TIME IT TURNS OVER AND SHUTS RIGHT OFF AGAIN! I NOTICED A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL, ALSO NOTICED A RECALL FOR EXACT SYMPTOM MY CAR HAS, AND FOR THE SAME MAKE MODEL AND YEAR AS MY CAR BUT MY VIN IS NOT LISTED IN THE RECALL??? HOPE SOMETHING IS DONE TO FIX THIS SITUATION SOON SO THAT I CAN REMAIN A LOYAL VOLKWAGEN CUSTOMER!

Mileage: 165,000

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

WHEN STARTING THE CAR THIS MORNING THE ENGINE CRANKED HARD BEFORE STARTING. THE BATTERY IS LOW. WHEN TRYING TO DRIVE IT THIS MORNING THE CAR TOLD ME I NEEDED TO DEPRESS MY CLUTCH PEDDLE. THE CAR IS AN AUTOMATIC, THERE IS NO CLUTCH. THE CAR IS UNUSABLE. I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY AT THE TIME.

Mileage: 120,000

HAVE BEEN GETTING STEERING LOCK MALFUNCTIONS WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS. TODAY, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHILE DRIVING. UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE AT ALL. WAS ABLE TO STOP AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. SEEMS THIS IS/ WAS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS MODEL VOLKSWAGEN AND A VOLUNTARY RECALL WAS AVAILABLE UNTIL 2013. UNFORTUNATELY, THE PREVIOUS OWNERS OF THE CAR NEVER DID ANY RECALLS OR EVEN REMEMBERS EVER BEING NOTIFIED OF ANY RECALLS. THIS PROBLEM IS ONE OF MANY FOR THIS MODEL. I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN AND THEY WERE NO HELP. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. MY 17 YEAR OLD SON DRIVES THIS CAR. I CANT ALLOW HIM TO DRIVE IT NOW AFTER THIS. HOW CAN VOLKSWAGEN ALLOW THIS? THEY BASICALLY DONT CARE IF WE CRASHED AND HURT OTHERS BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. A VOLUNTARY RECALL FOR A STEERING ISSUE?? DOES THAT SOUND SAFE??

Mileage: 80,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVES INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.

Mileage: 119,000

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND CAR WOULD RATTLE LOUDLY. ONE DAY THE CAR JUST STARTS DRIVING SLOW AND SHUTS OFF. I TOOK IT TO MECHANIC AND AFTER SEVERAL TESTS, IT WAS NOTED THAT THE ENGINE COILS AND TURBO CAP WAS BROKEN. HEFTY PRICE TO GET IT FIX. AFTER TWO DAYS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS BACK ON. I RESEARCH AND TALKED WITH MECHANIC, IT SEEMS TO BE A GROWING PROBLEM WITH VW CARS.

Mileage: 92,300

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED SHIFTING INTO FIRST GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVERY DAY DURING THE SUMMER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Mileage: 90,000

TURBO CHARGER IS FAULTY. I STILL OWE $12,00 ON THIS CAR. IT IS APPEARING THRU THE FORUMS ONLINE THAT THE DIESEL ENGINE IS NOT THE ONLY ENGINE AFFECTED BY THE RECENT EMMISION FAILURE OF VOLKSWAGON CAR. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND RECALL FOR 2006...NOT JUST 2009 THRU 2014 CARS. THIS IS NOT FAIR. CAR IS SMOLING SO BADLY YOU CANT SEE THE CAR BEHIND YOU AND MECHANIC SAID THAT EVEN THO I ONLY HAVE 60,000 MILES MY TURBO CHARGER IS TOAST.

Mileage: 60,000

HAS I WAS DRIVEN THE CAR WILL CAME UP WITH NEED SERVICES SOON AND WILL SHOW BRAKE LIGHT ON AND DEAD SYSTEMS FAILED CHECK PARKING BRAKE AND IF YOU PRESS THE PARKING BRAKE BUTTON ON AND OFF THE CAR WILL NEARLY SUCH GEARS OR NEARLY MOVE AT ALL WHERE IF YOU SHOUT IT OF THE CAR AND THEN WAIT FOR 5_10 MIN AND TURN IT BACK ON IT WILL GO LIKE NOTHING WRONG AT ALL . TRANSMISSION HAS OIL AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS. *TR

Mileage: 130,537

I'M HAVING CONCERNS WITH OPEN ROAD VOLKSWAGEN OF BRIDGEWATER NJ IN REFERENCE TO WHAT I BELIEVE WAS NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. MY CAR WAS SERVICED IN JUNE 2014 AND THEN AGAIN IN OCTOBER 2014. ON OCTOBER 13TH, I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THEM STATING MY TRANSMISSION WAS GONE AND WOULD COST $10,000 TO REPLACE. THIS PRICE IS EXTREMELY HIGH! AFTER THAT NEWS, WE WERE TOLD THAT MY CAR HAD TRANSMISSION ISSUES IN JUNE WHEN IT WAS SERVICED, BUT THE OPEN ROAD VOLKSWAGEN OF BRIDGEWATER DID NOT TELL US "BECAUSE THEY KNEW I WOULDN'T PAY." SO, INSTEAD OF TELLING ME IN JUNE 2014 WHEN I COULD HAVE RESOLVED THE ISSUE FOR LESS THAN $10,000, THEY TELL ME IN OCTOBER WHEN THE COST IS HIGH. NOT TO MENTION I COULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT AND INJURED MY FAMILY OR ANOTHER VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THEY WERE NEGLIGENT IN THIS MATTER. I WROTE A LETTER TO THE GENERAL MANAGER, [XXX]. AND WOULD LIKE YOU TO ASSIST HIM WITH RESOLVING THIS MATTER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 138,360

I PURCHASED A 2006 PASSAT 3.6 ON FEBRUARY 20TH,2014 AND MAKING PAYMENTS ON IT. TWO WEEKS LATER I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE IDLE WAS UP AND DOWN. THEY CHARGED ME $700 BECAUSE THE CAR WAS AS IS. ONCE I GOT THE CAR BACK I STARTER SEEING THE EPC LIGHT WHICH IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH VOLKSWAGEN AND NOW THE CAR WONT GO OVER 40MPH , TWO WEEKS AGO I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND OIL WAS ALL OVER THE PLACE AND I CANT LOCATE ANY TYPE OF LEAK. HERE A LINK OF OTHER PASSAT OWNER WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND AS OF NOW THERE'S NO RECALL ON IT, I AM BEGGING FOR YOU GUYS HELP HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/VOLKSWAGEN/PASSAT/2006/DRIVETRAIN/POWER_TRAIN.SHTML. *TR

Mileage: 119,000

STARTED DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, AT 55MPH SUDDENLY THE CAR LOST POWER AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON CAR WOULDN'T START AFTER I PULLED OVER, LOUD NOISE AND VIBRATING CAME FROM ENGINE ALSO CRA INDICATED LOW OIL PRESSURE. *TR

Mileage: 109,000

I WAS GETTING ONTO THE HIGHWAY IN MY 2006 3.6 PASSAT. THE CAR LOST POWER, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT & EPC LIGHT CAME ON IN THE CAR. THE CAR WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO GO OVER 40MPH, SO I EXITED THE HIGHWAY & DROVE CAR TO THE MECHANIC. THEY REMOVED THE TRANSMISSION TO FIND THE ISSUE OF THE BOLT HOLDING THE OIL PUMP WAS PARTIALLY REMOVED. THE CAR DETECTED A TIMING ISSUE & WAS THE REASON THAT IT WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO GO OVER 40 MPH. WHEN THE MECHANIC REMOVED THE BOLT TO REPLACE IT, IT CAME OFF IN TWO PIECES. HE STATED THAT THE BOLT WAS NOT THE APPROPRIATE BOLT & THE NEW GUIDELINES REQUIRED A DIFFERENT BOLT WITH ADDITIONAL TORQUE. THIS WAS AN ENGINEERED MANUFACTURER DEFECT WITH VOLKSWAGEN & SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO BE RECALLED. *TR

Mileage: 62,185

OIL PUMP BOLT BROKEN AS IN THE OTHER VW PASSATS FROM 2006 & 7 AND REPORTED ON THIS SITE. DAMAGED TIMING CHAIN COVER, TIMING CHAIN AND A NUMBER OF OTHER PARTS. CAR WAS SERVICED AND INSPECTED 5,000 MILES PREVIOUSLY. ALL SERVICE UP TO THIS POINT COMPLETED PER OWNERS MANUAL AT VW DEALER. THIS PROBLEM IS COVERED EXTENSIVELY AT HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?4321376-**OFFICIAL-24V-3.6L-ENGINE-%28OIL-PUMP-BOLT%29-FAILURE-THREAD** AS WELL AS HTTP://WWW.PASSATWORLD.COM/FORUMS/74-VOLKSWAGEN-PASSAT-B6-DISCUSSION/327507-3-6-OIL-BOLT-FAILURE-REFERENCE-MATERIAL.HTML. NOT ONLY IS THIS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AND KNOWN PROBLEM INVOLVING FAILURE OF MECHANICAL SYSTEMS, BUT EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. I RECEIVED A QUOTE FOR $6300 FOR A CAR WITH 78,000 MILES. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON 3.6L V6S THAT IS BEING IGNORED BY VW OF AMERICA WHO REFUSED TO HELP EVEN COVER REPLACEMENT PARTS. *TR

Mileage: 78,000

LIKE MANY OTHERS, THE OIL BOLT IN MY TRANSMISSION SHEARED-OFF. APPARENTLY VW IS AWARE OF THE DESIGN FLAW AND HAS MANUFACTURED A REPLACEMENT BOLT, BUT VW STILL EXPECTS UNSUSPECTING OWNERS TO PAY $1,000'S TO REPLACE IT. I BOUGHT THE CAR AS A CERTIFIED USED CAR FROM VW ON 9/11/10 AND WAS NOT TOLD OF THIS ISSUE. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IN A RECALL IF VW WILL NOT WARN CUSTOMERS OR FIX THE ISSUE ON THEIR OWN. HTTP://WWW.PASSATWORLD.COM/FORUMS/74-VOLKSWAGEN-PASSAT-B6-DISCUSSION/327507-3-6-OIL-BOLT-FAILURE-REFERENCE-MATERIAL.HTML. *TR

Mileage: 75,000

CAR CONTINUES TO STOP WHILE BEING DRIVEN. *JS

Mileage: 230,000

2006 VW PASSAT 3.6L 4MOTION, 81K MILES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (CEL) AND ELECTRONIC POWER CONTROL (EPC) LIGHTS CAME ON AT CRUISING SPEED. CODES POINTED TO A CAM/CRANK TIMING ISSUE. ACCESS TO TIMING CHAIN ON THIS MODEL/TRIM REQUIRES REMOVAL OF TRANSMISSION. UPON REMOVAL, TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED THAT THE OIL PUMP BOLT HAD COMPLETELY SHEARED OFF WHICH COULD HAVE LED TO COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE; THE ONLY THING KEEPING THE OIL PUMP ASSEMBLY IN PLACE WAS THE COVER. THE OIL PUMP BOLT FOR THIS MODEL/TRIM APPEARS TO BE DEFECTIVE. *TR

Mileage: 81,000

CHECK ENGINE (MIL) LIGHT TURNED ON, CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN IDLES AT A HIGHER RPM WHILE WE WERE DRIVING!!! VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP. CAR IS ONLY UNDER WARRANTY FOR 36,000 MILES OR 3 YEARS! DEALERSHIP RAN DIAGNOSTIC, CAME UP WITH: CODE P0123 (THROTTLE HIGH INPUT), P0299 (TURBO UNDER BOOST), P0456 (EVAP LEAK), P1098 (INTAKE TURNING VALVE SHORT TO B+), CODE P2004 (INTAKE RUNNER STUCK), CODE P3237 (INTAKE RUNNER BASIC SETTINGS). DEALER RECOMMENDED INTAKE RUNNER MOTOR REPLACEMENT & REPLACEMENT OF TURBO & N80 VALVE, ALSO CV BOOT NEEDS REPLACEMENT. TOTAL COST OF REPAIRS OVER $1200!!! WE ALWAYS TAKE CARE OF OUR VEHICLES AND HAVE THEM SERVICED AT THE DEALERSHIP. VEHICLE HAS ALSO HAD DEFECTIVE INTERIOR PARTS. INTERIOR TRIM (ALL SWITCHES - LOCK, WINDOW & RADIO ARE BUBBLING AND CHIPPING). DOOR PANEL TRIM (RUBBER IS PEELING). SHIFT KNOB - METALLIC PIECE ON SHIFT KNOB, PEELED AND DUG INTO SKIN AND CAUSED INJURY. CARBON FIBER DASH IS PEELING APART. CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA, PER THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE REP, THEY ARE UNABLE TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS DUE TO THE AGE AND MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE. CAR IS A 2006 - 67,000 MILES. LESS THAN 5 YEARS OLD. I WOULD HAVE NEVER PURCHASED A VOLKSWAGEN HAD I KNOWN THEY WERE NOT RELIABLE VEHICLES. UNKNOWLEDGABLE SALES REPS, OR JUST AFTER CUSTOMERS TO MAKE A BUCK. SELLING PEOPLE UNRELIABLE VEHICLES AND VOLKSWAGEN CLEARLY DOES NOT TAKE CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS NOR DO THEY CARE ABOUT CUSTOMER LOYALTY OR SAFETY. *TR

Mileage: 67,000

VW, 2006 PASSAT, NOW HAS A "STEERING COLUMN DEFECT" WARNING, AND THE CAR DOESN'T START. THE CAR HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT, AND THIS STARTED JUST AFTER THE 50,000 MILE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE CAR ALSO STALLS AT HIGH SPEED WHEN THIS LIGHT COMES ON WITHOUT WARNING, AND CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THE CAR ALSO HAS A PROBLEM WITH DOWNSHIFTING WHEN ON THE HIGHWAY, AND SLAMS INTO LOW GEAR AS THOUGH THE CAR HIT SOMETHING. THE DEALER CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM WHEN THE CAR IS PUT ON THE DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER. I HAVE READ MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THESE SAME ISSUES WITH THE 2006 PASSAT, AND FOUND THAT THE FIX FOR THE STEERING COLUMN ALONE COSTS BETWEEN $1400 AND $2000. BECAUSE THIS APPEARS TO BE A FACTORY DEFECT, AND IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE, I WANTED TO REPORT IT AS SUCH. ALTHOUGH THERE HASN'T BEEN AN ACCIDENT CAUSED IN MY CASE, THE POTENTIAL FOR DISASTER IS HUGE. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR, BECAUSE THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM, AND CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME. *TR

Mileage: 55,000

2006 VW PASSAT. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN MAKING RATTLING AND LOUD POPPING NOISE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE LEAVING WORK, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAME TO A HALT. EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS ON, THE WHEELS WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THE RIGHT AXLE HAD BROKEN. PRIOR TO THE AXLE FAILING, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD TO BE REPLACED WHICH WAS THE CAUSE OF A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND IT ALSO CAUSED THE BRAKE BOOSTER PIPE TO MELT, WHICH LEFT THE CONSUMER WITH NO BRAKES. *JB

Mileage: 83,000

WHEN BRAKING OR IDLE, MY 2006 VW PASSAT (3.6L) WILL IDLE AT AN INCREASED RPM (JUST LESS THAN 1000, TYPICALLY IT IS AT 600-700 WHEN RUNNING CORRECTLY). THIS WILL MAKE THE CAR DIFFICULT TO BRAKE AND HOLD STOPPED AND HAS ALMOST RESULTED IN A ACCIDENT NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CAR WILL CONTINUE TO IDLE AT THIS HIGHER RPM UNTIL YOU BEGIN DRIVING AGAIN AND THE PROBLEM WILL LIKELY OCCUR AT THE NEXT TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE ONLY SOLUTION FOR WHEN THIS HAPPENS IS TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO HOLD DOWN THE BRAKE PEDAL UNDER THIS INCREASED ENGINE IDLE AND MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO BRING THE CAR TO A STOP. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE EXTREMELY FREQUENT WHEN UNDER HOT TEMPERATURES OR WHEN THE AC IS BEING RUN. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR YEARS BUT THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIX IT. THERE ARE OTHER REPORTS OF THIS HAPPENING FROM OTHER DRIVERS. *TR

Mileage: 50,000

ON HOT DAY (90 DEGREE +/-) THE 3.6 ENGINE WILL SUDDENLY BEGIN TO IDLE AT 1000 RPM AFTER BEING DRIVEN FOR A WHILE. IN MY LATEST EPISODE, I HAD BEEN DRIVING IN STOP AND GO CITY TRAFFIC FOR 30-45 MINUTES WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO RACE. THE FIRST NOTICE IS WHEN YOU ARE STOPPING OR STOPPED. WHEN STOPPED IT TAKES EXTRA BRAKE. PRESSURE AND CONCENTRATION TO KEEP THE CAR BRAKED. THIS HAS HAPPENED A NUMBER OF TIMES BUT, I ONLY RECENTLY LINKED THE CAR'S BEHAVIOR WITH THE HIGH AIR TEMPS. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE AND DID NOT DETECT ANY ERROR CODES WHEN THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE. *TR

Mileage: 58,000

2006 VW PASSAT 2.0T. 53,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION MAKES HARD KNOCK WHEN DOWNSHIFTING ON COMING TO A STOP AFTER FREEWAY TYPE TRAVEL. THIS IS BECOMING MORE FREQUENT. IF THIS CONTINUES, I AM EXPECTING THE CV JOINTS OR TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. HAVE REPORTED THIS TO DEALER ON FOUR OCCASIONS, AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR FIX IT. *TR

Mileage: 53,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 TO 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; PROCEEDING FROM A TRAFFIC SIGNAL WITH PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THERE WAS NO POWER. THERE WERE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,742. UPDATED 3/8/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE AND THEN STALL. THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED AS WELL.

Mileage: 8,742

FAILURE OF BOLT FOR OIL PUMP AND TIMING CHAIN CAUSED SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. CAR CURRENTLY AT DEALER AWAITING PARTS INCLUDING NEW REINFORCED BOLT. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF VEHICLE AND HAS LEAD TO CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURES DUE TO LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE. ACCORDING TO DEALER PARTS ARE RESTRICTED DUE TO THE FREQUENCY OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 55,500

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHEN IDLING ON AN INCLINE, THE VEHICLE LUNGES BACKWARDS SEVERAL FEET. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING BACKWARDS IS TO APPLY EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO OFFSET THE STEADY DECLINE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE DUE TO A POTENTIAL DESIGN FLAW WITH THE COMBINATION MANUAL AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. A PERMANENT REMEDY HAS NOT YET BEEN DISCOVERED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

Mileage: 4

I HAVE A 2006 VW PASSAT 3.6L. DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS OR DURING HOT DAYS I TURN ON MY A/C TO HIGH. WHEN I DO THIS OCCASIONALLY, MY CARS ENGINE WILL RACE AND THE RPM'S WILL SHOOT UP FROM ABOUT 600 TO AROUND 900-1000. THIS IDLE RAISE CAUSES THE CAR TO SURGE FORWARD THUS MAKING ME THE DRIVER HAVE TO REALLY PUSH HARD ON THE BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING FORWARD. I UNDERSTAND THAT IS WHAT BRAKES ARE FOR, BUT I HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN 3 OR 4 MINOR FENDER BENDERS BECAUSE OF THIS. I AM CONSCIOUS OF THIS ON A DAILY BASIS IN PHOENIX. I KNOW OTHERS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND THERE IS A RECALL OUT FOR SOME OF THE NEWER PASSAT VEHICLES, BUT NONE FOR MY 2006. I MUST STRESS THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME WHEN THE A/C IS ON HIGH AND DURING THE HOTTER TIMES OF THE YEAR. *TR

Mileage: 15,000

I BOUGHT A CAR BRAND NEW AND EVER SINCE 1700 MILES IT'S BEEN HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. FIRST IT STARTED WITH WINDOWS NOT WANTING TO ROLL UP, THEY'D ROLL DOWN FIRST THEN UP. MY RADIO WAS STUCK ON LOUD AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF OR DOWN OR CHANGE RADIO STATIONS. THE PARKING BRAKE (ELECTRICAL) ENGAGED ON ME WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, A HOSE CAME UNDONE AT 18K MILES ON THE FREEWAY AND CAUSED HEAVY CONVULSING. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK RANDOMLY HAD "ERRORS", THE AIRBAG HAS "ERRORS", THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED VERY ROUGH WHICH MADE ME JOLT IN THE CAR AND STARTED MAKING MY NECK SORE. FOR EVERY INCIDENT MY CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER TO BE FIXED, THEY FIX THE PROBLEM AND A NEW ONE HAPPENS A WEEK LATER. I AM A VALET AND OTHER VW OWNERS SAY THE SAME THINGS HAPPEN TO THEIR CARS. SO I KNOW I HAVE A LEGIT COMPLAINT HERE. *TR

Mileage: 1,700

LEASED 2006 VW PASSAT IN NOV 05. IT'S BEEN TO THE SHOP 12 TIMES ALTHOUGH THE LOCAL VW REP ADMITS ONLY 4 OR 5. IT'S BEEN TOWED IN 3 TIMES AND WOULD HAVE BEEN 4 IF WE HAD NOT FINALLY GOTTEN IT JUMPED OFF AS OF YESTERDAY. THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WOULD NOT RELEASE OR CRANK VEHICLE ONCE. INTERNAL PROBLEM WITH A SENSOR ON ANOTHER OCCASION AND HAD TO BE IN SHOP OVER 1 WEEK. EXPERIENCED WHAT SEEMED TO BE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND HAD TO BE TOWED ON ANOTHER. DEALERSHIP CLAIMED IT WAS A GAS FILTER OR SENSOR AND TOOK OVER A WEEK TO REPAIR. HOSE PROBLEM ON ANOTHER OCCASION; GAS SENSOR ON ANOTHER (WRONG SENSOR ACTUALLY INSTALLED). INTERNAL PROBLEM ON ANOTHER OCCASION AND PART HAD TO BE ORDERED. IT ARRIVED TIMELY BUT TOOL TO COMPLETE REPAIR HAD TO BE ORDERED FROM GERMANY. TWO WEEKS IN SHOP ON THAT OCCASION. THE BRAKES ALSO RUST OVER AND SCREECH IF YOU DON'T DRIVE IT FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS AND IT RAINS. UNK IF IT CAUSES ANY DANGER IN STOPPING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND SERVICE NOW INDICATORS COME ON AT RANDOM AND ON A REGULAR BASIS BUT WE'VE BEEN TOLD ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION THERE ARE NO "CODES" TO EXPLAIN. *TR

WHEN THE CAR IS TRAVELING APPROXIMATED 2-10 MPH, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ACCELERATES AND BRAKES AS THE AUTOMOBILE BUCKS A FEW TIMES. THEIR IS A LOUD THUNKING NOISE AND THEN GOES BACK TO NORMAL. FROM TIME TO TIME THE CAR GETS STUCK IN 2ND GEAR, WHICH FORCES ME TO PULL OVER AND RESTART THE ENGINE. WINDOWS ARE SUPPOSEDLY AUTOMATIC UP AND DOWN, BUT DON'T WORK PROPERLY 50% OF THE TIME. REAR BACK SPEAKER PLAYS INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN PARKING AND SHUTTING DOWN ENGINE, THE EMERGENCY BRAKES TURN ON AND OFF. THE ENGINE KEY IS GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION. OVERALL ISSUES SEEM TO BE ELECTRICAL OR COMPUTER RELATED. I HAVE TAKEN BACK TO DEALER TWICE IN THE LAST 6 MOTHS AND THE PROBLEMS KEEP BUILDING. *TR

Mileage: 59,244

I LEASED A 2006 VW 2.0 ON JAN 4, 2006, AND IT HAS BEEN A CHOIR. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER 3 MONTHS, THE CAR BUCKS AS IF I AM RIDING A DONKEY, LUNGING VERY UNSAFE TO THE POINT OF ALMOST CAUSING WHIPLASH - WITH NO RHYME OR REASON. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER IN BRAINTREE, MA SEVERAL TIMES - UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM. ON JAN 4 , 2007 A YEAR LATER I TOOK THE CAR IN TO BE SERVICE - I WAS TOLD THAT IT WENT OUT FOR A TEST DRIVE - AGAIN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM - AS SOON AS I HIT THE HIGHWAY THE CAR STARTED JERKING (SO MUCH FOR THE TEST DRIVE) 2ND VW WITH THROTTLE PROBLEMS I WILL NEVER PURCHASE OR RECOMMEND VW TO ANYONE. *TR

Mileage: 60

OVER THE PAST 2 YEARS OF LEASING MY NEW 2006 VW PASSAT, FROM TIME TO TIME WHEN THE CAR DOWN SHIFTS TO FIRST GEAR IT MAKES A VERY NOTICEABLE "HARD" DOWN SHIFT. THE NOISE ASSOCIATED WITH THE HARD DOWN SHIFT IS VERY STARTLING -- IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING IS COMING THROUGH THE FLOORBOARD. I'M NOT AWARE OF ANY PARTICULAR CONDITION THAT CAUSES THE CAR TO DO THIS...IT SEEMS RANDOM..IT ALWAYS SEEM TO HAPPEN WHEN I'M SLOWING DOWN TO STOP FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE VW DEALERSHIP IN DULLES, VA AND THEY SAID THEY CAN'T FIX THE PROBLEM UNLESS THEY CAN EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEM. *TR

MY 2006 PASSAT 3.6 HAS SHIFTING PROBLEMS WHEN DOWN SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 1ST.. CAR SOUNDS LIKE SLEDGE HAMMER HITTING UNDER HOOD WHEN DOWN SHIFTING.. THIS HAS HAPPENED 6 TIMES NOW WHEN COMING TO A STOP FROM HIGH SPEEDS.. THIS WILL CAUSE CAR TO PUSH FORWARD WHEN PROBLEMS STARTS.. COULD CAUSE ACCIDENT. *JB

Mileage: 8,601

MY 2006 PASSAT 3.6 HAS PROBLEMS WHEN PRESSING GAS PEDAL.. VEHICLE SEEMS TO HAVE A DELAY WHEN PUSHING PEDDLE.. YOU CAN PUSH PEDAL DOWN 1/4 WAY BEFORE VEHICLE EVEN JUMPS RPM'S.. VEHICLE WILL THEN JUST JUMP FORWARD.. THIS HAS CAUSED ME TO ALMOST GET INTO 3 OR 4 ACCIDENTS BECAUSE I HAVE PULLED OUT AND CAR JUST SITS THERE THEN WILL JUST TAKE OFF.. VEHICLE WAS AT DEALERSHIP AND HAD UPDATE DONE BUT THIS DIDN'T HELP MY PROBLEM.. UPDATE CAUSED ME TO NOW HAVE SAME PROBLEM BUT ALSO HAVE SHIFTING PROBLEM.. *JB

Mileage: 6,800

MY 2006 PASSAT 3.6 HAS HAD PROBLEMS SHIFTING IN SPORTS MODE.. TRANSMISSION WILL GET STUCK IN 1ST GEAR AND NOT SHIFT INTO 2ND.. THE REV LIMITER WILL KEEP IN BECAUSE RPM'S JUMP OVER 7,000.. NOT ONLY IS THIS GOING TO CAUSE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS BUT IT WILL ALSO CAUSE ENGINE DAMAGE SINCE RPM'S ARE ABOVE NORMAL AND HIT THE RED AREA(NOT SAFE).. *JB

Mileage: 9,923

HARD SHIFT IN 6 SPEED VW PASSAT2006 WHEN YOU COME TO A STOP FROM HIGH SPEED 50-60)MPH. IT FEELS LIKE SLEDGE HAMMER HITS THE CAR. VW SAYS THEY DON'T HAVE AN ANSWER FOR IT AND THEY ARE WORKING ON IT. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT. PLEASE HELP. *TR

Mileage: 24,000

2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 3.6L HESITATED FROM A SLOW ROLLING. WHEN SLOWING BUT NOT STOPPING THE CAR COMPLETELY, THE CAR HESITATED WHEN THE THROTTLE WAS APPLIED. WHEN THROTTLE INPUT WAS REALIZED THE CAR MAY LURCHED FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. THIS APPEARED TO BE A COMBINATION ENGINE / TRANSMISSION ISSUE, BUT MAY BE MORE RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION NOT BEING IN THE CORRECT GEAR. VOLKSWAGEN ISSUED A PROGRAMMING UPDATE FOR THE ECU IN OCTOBER 2006 , WHICH REDUCED, BUT DID NOT ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM. THE INCIDENT DATE REALLY DID NOT N APPLY AS THIS WAS A CONSTANT PROBLEM. *AK

Mileage: 200

2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 3.6L FWD AUTOMATIC. HESITATION FROM A SLOW ROLL. WHEN SLOWING BUT NOT STOPPING THE CAR COMPLETELY THE CAR HESITATED WHEN THE THROTTLEWAS APPLIED. WHEN THROTTLE INPUTWAS REALIZED THE CAR LURCH ED FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. THIS APPEARED TO BE A COMBINATION OF ENGINE / TRANSMISSION ISSUE BUT MAY BE MORE RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION NOT BEING IN THE CORRECT GEAR. VOLKSWAGEN ISSUED A PROGRAMMING UPDATE FOR THE ECU IN OCT 2006, WHICH REDUCED, BUT DID NOT ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM. THE INCIDENT DATE REALLY DID NOT APPLY AS THIS WAS A CONSTANT PROBLEM.*AK

Mileage: 1,000

VEHICLES THROTTLE- BY- WIRE SYSTEM CREATES UNSAFE DELAY IN ACCELERATION AND AN EXAGGERATED LUNGING EFFECT WHEN UNEXPECTED. UNSAFE IN THE EVENT OF AN EVASIVE MANEUVER, MERGING, PASSING AND STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. *JB

Mileage: 20

MY WIFE AND I LEASED A 2006 PASSAT VALUE EDITION ON 06/24/06 FOR THIS COMPANY. IT CAME TO MY WIFE'S ATTENTION ON 07/20/06 WHILE AT WORK THAT THE CAR IS LEAKING OIL. SHE CALLED ME AND I CALLED THE DEALER. PAUL AUERBACH OF MOUNTAIN STATES INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. I SCHEDULED THE APPOINTMENT FOR MY WIFE AT 6-6.30PM SINCE SHE USES THE VEHICLE. THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT CLOSES AT 7.00PM. HE ALSO ADVISED ME THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE DEPENDING ON THE PROBLEM SO THEY WOULD GIVE US A LOANER IF NECESSARY. MY WIFE TOOK THE CAR IN AT AROUND 5.40PM ON 07/20/06. WHEN SHE GOT THERE SOMEONE TOLD HER THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT TIL 07/21/06 TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT.THIS WAS NOT THE AGREEMENT. MY WIFE CALLED ME WHEN SHE GOT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I TOLD HER TO TELL THEM THAT WE WEREN'T GOING TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. SHE TOLD PAUL THAT IN THE PRESENCE OF THE SALES GUY WHO SOLD US THE CAR(KENNY). THEN PAUL WENT TO THE SERIVCE GUY AND HE INFORMED HIM THAT THE DAMAGAE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I ACCEPT THAT, BUT THIS PAUL A SALES MANAGER SPECIFICALLY TOLD MY WIFE THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR IT AT NO COST TO US. UNLESS HE AND KENNY ARE WILLING TO CALL MY WIFE A LIAR I CONSIDER THAT A VERBAL CONTRACT. THEY WANT US TO PAY $506.00 TO HAVE IT FIXED. NOW MY WIFE AND I HAVE OWNED A FEW VEHICLES IN OUR LIFE AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM LIKE THIS. I THINK THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND THE DEALER SHOULD FIX IT AT NO COST TO US BECAUSE THEY SAID THEY WOULD, SEEING THAT THE CAR IS BARND NEW. ALSO THE SALES GUY, KENNY WAS NTO FORTH COMING WITH US WHEN HE TOLD US THAT THE CAR TAKES ANY TYPE OF FUEL. GRADE 87 OR HIGHER OF COURSE. THAT IN IT SELF IS TURE, BUT HE FAILED TO MENTION THAT IT WAS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO USE ONLY PREMIUM FUEL. NO PROBLEM.

THERE IS AN UNSAFE PROLONGED HESITATION WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ON THE 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 3.6 LITER 4 MOTION. WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, NOTHING HAPPENS UNTIL YOU'VE DEPRESSED THE PEDAL APPROX. 3/4 TO AN INCH OF PEDAL TRAVEL, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE CAR LURCHES AND ACCELERATES AT WHAT FEELS LIKE HALF TO FULL THROTTLE. IT IS A RANDOM HESITATION, YET OCCURS AT PROBABLY 30% OF THE TIME. IT IS MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP, YET WILL HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY, IF ACCELERATING TO PASS. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS MALFUNCTION. IF THIS ABRUPT ACCELERATION OCCURS IN SNOWY OR ICY CONDITIONS, IT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF CONTROL. I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES, WHEN I EXPECTED MY CAR TO MOVE FORWARD WHEN I DEPRESSED THE GAS PEDAL, ONLY TO HAVE IT HESITATE AND NEARLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THIS CAR HAS A DRIVE BY WIRE ACCELERATOR, WHICH I BELIEVE IS A FAIRLY RECENT DESIGN CHANGE. WE HAVE ANOTHER CAR WITH THE SAME TYPE OF SYSTEM WHICH DOES NOT DO THIS. I HAVE READ 2 NEW CAR REVIEWS THAT HAVE MENTIONED THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR MODEL. AFTER TAKING DELIVERY, I CALLED TO TELL THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THIS PROBLEM. AFTER TRYING TO CONVINCE ME THAT THIS WAS "NORMAL", THEY TOOK MY CAR IN TO TRY TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. IT WAS THERE FOR 10 DAYS, DURING WHICH TIME 2 ENGINEERS CAME OUT FROM VOLKSWAGEN TO LOOK AT THE CAR. THEY AGREED THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING AMISS, AND FELT THAT THEY NEEDED A SOFTWARE UPDATE INSTALLED. THERE WAS NOT ONE AVAILABLE, AND I WAS TOLD ON MARCH 30TH THAT IT WOULD BE READY WITHIN 30 DAYS. IT HAS NOW BEEN 3 MONTHS SINCE THEN, AND MULTIPLE PHONE CALLS LATER, A FIX IS STILL NOT READY. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT IS READY, BUT WAITING GOVERNMENT APPROVAL, AND THEN TOLD THAT NOTHING IS READY. NO ONE AT VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER SERVICE HAS BEEN ABLE TO GIVE ME AN ESTIMATED TIME WHEN MY CAR CAN BE REPAIRED. THERE IS REALLY NO "INCIDENT" TO REPORT, OTHER THAN AN UNSAFE MALFUNCTION WHICH NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. *NM