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2006 Volkswagen Passat airbags problems

148 complaints (26% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 90,000. 6 crashes reported.

owner complaints
148
of this car's complaints
26%
typical mileage
90,000
crashes
6
recalls
3

Which part fails

  • Frontal
    5
  • Side/window
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Volkswagen Passat airbags problems in other years

199720002005201020152021

Specific symptoms reported on the 2006 Volkswagen Passat airbags

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Airbag light 29

Related recalls

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported October 30, 2024 · 248,330 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Beetle, Beetle Convertible, 2012-2014 Passat, 2017 Passat Wagon, and 2006-2007 Passat Sedan vehicles. The driver's side frontal air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the driver's side front air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69EG, 69GQ, and 69E6.

Recall number 24V834000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported April 18, 2018 · 71,335 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2007 Volkswagen Passat sedan and wagon vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on April 30, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q8. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V‑079.

Recall number 18V247000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported February 10, 2016 · 151,767 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2006 Volkswagen Passat sedans and wagons, 2005-2013 Audi A3, and 2006-2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834.

Recall number 16V079000 · Recall details

What 2006 Volkswagen Passat owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 9, 2025 · Airbags · MD

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

Filed Jul 4, 2025 · Airbags · MD

recalled airbag

Filed Dec 16, 2024 · Airbags · MN

The contact owns a 2006 Volkswagen Passat. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Mar 15, 2024 · Airbags, Electrical · NY

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 federal safety agency, 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)

Filed Sep 6, 2022 · Airbags, Engine · PA · crash · fire

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.

Filed Jul 19, 2022 · Airbags · LA

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?

Filed Sep 29, 2021 · Airbags · 50,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Feb 25, 2019 · Airbags, Brakes · MA

There was a valve body recall for rough shifts. I had noticed these a couple of times. Also the vacuum pump, airbags ects.

Filed Oct 26, 2018 · Airbags, Steering · 200,000 miles · OH

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 the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Sep 22, 2018 · Airbags, Fuel system · 123,000 miles · NC

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

Questions about the 2006 Volkswagen Passat airbags

Does the 2006 Volkswagen Passat have airbags problems?

Owners have filed 148 complaints about the airbags of the 2006 Volkswagen Passat, 26% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2006 Volkswagen Passat airbags problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 90,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2006 Volkswagen Passat airbags?

Yes, 3 recalls: 24V834000, 18V247000, 16V079000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Volkswagen Passat have bad airbags?

The Volkswagen Passat model years with the most airbags complaints are 2013 (382 complaints), 2014 (354 complaints) and 2012 (296 complaints).

Other 2006 Volkswagen Passat problems

Engine 130Steering 112Electrical 79Fuel system 64Brakes 49Transmission 47Acceleration 32Visibility 21Lights 12Locks 11Body 10Driver assistance 9Suspension 8Seat belts 6Seats 5Tires 4

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