FaultScore

2006 Volkswagen Passat acceleration problems

32 of the 779 complaints about the 2006 Volkswagen Passat are about the throttle and cruise control — 4% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 24,953 miles.

C

32

Complaints

3

Crashes

0

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Vehicle Speed Control 31 96.9%
Accelerator Pedal 1 3.1%

Acceleration & Cruise Control across every Volkswagen Passat year

1999 32 16.8%
2000 15 7.9%
2001 19 9.9%
2002 16 8.4%
2003 14 7.3%
2006 32 16.8%
2012 14 7.3%
2013 15 7.9%
2014 13 6.8%
2015 10 5.2%
2016 11 5.8%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 150,000 miles Buena Park, CA Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE WITH THE CAR IN REVERSE. I LIFTED MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE AND STARTED TO APPLY THE ACCELERATOR AT WHICH POINT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO FULL SPEED AND HIT A STAIRCASE RAIL BEHIND ME. I THEN SLAMMED THE BRAKE AND PUT THE CAR INTO DRIVE TO AVOID REVERSING INTO ANYONE. I APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR AND ONCE AGAIN IT ACCELERATED FORWARD AT FULL SPEED, THIS TIME HITTING A CONCRETE COLUMN WHICH DISABLED THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #11140332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 170,000 miles Bonaire, GA Crash 1 injured

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ON SEPTEMBER 25TH, 2017 MY STEPDAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN A VEHICULAR ACCIDENT ON I-75 N. IN MACON, GEORGIA. SHE WAS DRIVING A 2006 VW PASSAT, 3.6 L. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED DUE TO SUDDEN ACCELERATION ON ITS OWN. THE ACCELERATOR QUICKLY, AND WITHOUT NOTICE, ENGAGED BY ITSELF. THIS RESULTED IN HER CRASHING INTO THE GUARDRAIL ON BOTH SIDES OF THE INTERSTATE, IN MACON, GA. FORTUNATELY, SHE WAS WEARING HER SEAT BELT AND SURVIVED. SHE SUFFERED LACERATIONS, BRUISES, NECK AND ARM INJURY, AND SOME IMMEDIATE SHORT TERM MEMORY LOSS WHEN SHE HIT HER HEAD. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. VOLKSWAGEN SAID THEY WOULD COME TO EXAMINE THE ACCELERATOR TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH IT.

NHTSA complaint #11032572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Fayetteville, NC

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATED AND JERKED AS THE RPMS REVVED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FORCE WAS CONSTANTLY APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON FOUR OCCASIONS WHERE THE THROTTLE BODY AND THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA complaint #10882019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 29,000 miles Atlanta, GA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE UNINTENDED ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN THE FAILURE WAS OCCURRING, THE BRAKE PEDAL REQUIRED BEING DEPRESSED WITH BOTH FEET IN ORDER TO COMPLETELY STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 29,000.

NHTSA complaint #10808440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,537 miles Holiday, FL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

NHTSA complaint #10691397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 160,000 miles Bassett, VA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

MY CAR WAS SIMPLY IDLING IN PARK AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD THE IDLE REV UP AND THE TACHOMETER WENT UP A FEW 100 RPM'S. I THOUGHT, HMM THAT'S STRANGE. THEN IT STARTED AFFECTING THE WAS MY CAR SHIFTS AND MAKES IT HARD TO STOP. WHILE AT A STOP IN DRIVE I CAN FEEL THE IDLE IS ROUGH. I REPLACED MY MAF SENSOR, WHICH WAS REALLY EXPENSIVE, HOPING IT WOULD RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THEN WHILE RESEARCHING RECALLS ON THIS MODEL, I CAME ACROSS THIS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM ON THE 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. I NEVER GOT A NOTIFICATION OF ANY RECALL. MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANT AND I HAVE A CHANGE OF ADDRESS. SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO AT THIS TIME. ANY FEEDBACK WOULD BE VERY MUCH, APPRECIATED. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10655143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 119,000 miles Pompano Beach, FM

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

NHTSA complaint #10595517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 145,990 miles Fort Dodge, IA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ELECTRONIC EMERGENCY BRAKE FAULT; WAS DRIVING ON JANUARY 18,2014. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN THIS EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING YELLOW. ALSO THERE WAS A RED BRAKE LIGHT THAT WAS FLASHING AND BEEPING THREE TIMES. SHE GOT THE CAR UNDER CONTROL MIND YOU SHE IS ONLY 17 AND SHE JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM CAMPUS AUTO HERE IN FORT DODGE, IA ON THE 10TH AND HE TOLD HER NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. EVERYTHING HAS WENT WRONG WITH THIS CAR THAT CAN GO WRONG. SHE PULLED OVER AND READ IN HER MANUAL THAT WITH THE BEEPING 3 TIMES AND THE RED LIGHT INDICATOR SAID THAT SHE WAS SUPPOSE TO GET IT TO A TRUSTED MECHANIC RIGHT AWAY. SO SHE DID THE SMART THING AND CALLED ME TO HAVE THE CAR TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. BUT WHAT IF SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY AND THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED. SHE WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THIS CAR ON A HIGHWAY. PLEASE LOOK INTO THESE PASSAT. THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH THEM. WHEEL BEARINGS ARE BAD IN THE REAR. FUEL PUMP WENT BAD. COILS BURN. THESE ARE ALL DANGEROUS THINGS. PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA complaint #10562979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 67,000 miles Folsom, CA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

NHTSA complaint #10417114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 92,000 miles Stantonsburg, NC

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS OR IDLING, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE ABNORMALLY AND THE ENGINE WOULD EXHIBIT AN UNUSUAL INCREASE IN RPMS. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO MAINTAIN PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES WHEN THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM SURGING FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

NHTSA complaint #10389700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 20,000 miles Raliegh, NC

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHEN AIR IIS ON AND WE ARE DRIVING FOR ONLY 10 MINUTES THE CAR RACES WHEN YOU PUT YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE AT A STOP LIGHT AND FEELS AS THOUGH IT WILL ACCELERATE BEFORE YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. VERY SCARY AND HAPPENS ALL THE TIME.

NHTSA complaint #10347776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 68,000 miles Costa Mesa, CA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY SOMETIMES WHEN I PUSHING ON THE GAS, IT WILL JUST DIE, I HAVE TO EITHER FLOOR IT TO GET IT BACK AND GOING OR RELEASE THE GAS ALL TOGETHER AND THEN PUSH ON IT AGAIN FOR THE CAR TO PICK UP SPEED. I HAVE NO IDEA WHY AND I CANT AFFORD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO SEE HOW MUCH IT WOULD BE TO GET FIXED. I AM ALSO GETTING THE AIR BAG FAULT AND I HAD GOTTEN IT FIXED ONCE BEFORE FOR ABOUT $300 AND THEN A WEEK LATER IT CAME BACK ON. THE WAY IT CAME BACK ON IS AFTER I REPROGRAMMED MY KEY BECAUSE THAT WASN'T WORKING EITHER...

NHTSA complaint #10343115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 58,000 miles Lakeville, MA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

NHTSA complaint #10340312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 58,000 miles Louisville, KY

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

SYMPTOM #1) CAR WILL NOT START OR IF IT DOES START IT WILL IMMEDIATELY STALL AND STEERING COLUMN WILL LOCK. AFTER MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH REPEATEDLY, REOPENING THE DOOR SEVERAL TIMES AND ATTEMPTING TO START THE PUSH IGNITION 5-10 TIMES IT WILL EVENTUALLY START AND RUN. SYMPTOM #2) MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE! CAR WILL LOSE ALL POWER WITHOUT WARNING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS DEFECT CAUSES THE ENGINE TO STALL IMMEDIATELY, THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND THE LOSS OF ALL POWER CONTROLS AT SPEEDS AT LEAST UP TO 70 MPH. THERE IS NO WARNING FROM THE CAR ITSELF. THERE IS NO STUTTERING OR NOISE. SUDDENLY THE CAR IS JUST DEAD AND ROLLING ALONG AT EXTREME SPEEDS. THE FIX IS TO SHIFT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND ATTEMPT TO RESTART BY REMOVING AND REINSERTING THE KEY UNTIL IT STARTS AGAIN. THE DASHBOARD WILL LIGHT UP "STEERING COLUMN DEFECT" AND PROMPT A WARNING LIGHT FOR THE STEERING COLUMN AS IF IT WERE LOCKED FROM A CAR ALARM PROMPT. OCCASIONALLY, I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO RESTART THE CAR WHILE IN MOTION AND HAVE HAD TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS IS DONE WITHOUT THE AID OF POWER STEERING AND CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS IN TRAFFIC AND AT HIGH SPEEDS AS THERE IS NO WAY OF "KNOWING" WHEN THE DEFECT WILL OCCUR. THIS DEFECT IS OCCURRING DAILY. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. WAS TOLD IT WAS A DEFECT IN THE STEERING COLUMN REQUIRING A COMPLETE REPLACEMENT. ESTIMATED COST TO MYSELF WAS $1,000-2,000. CAR IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY (58,000 MILES). I BELIEVE THIS DEFECT IS NOT A RESULT OF ANY HABIT OF MYSELF AS THE DRIVER BUT RATHER A DEFECT IN THE WORKMANSHIP OF THE VEHICLE AND THE DEALER SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO A RECALL. A SEARCH ON GOOGLE ABOUT THIS ISSUE REVEALED THOUSANDS OF OTHER DRIVERS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM (STALL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, LOSS OF POWER STEERING, DIFFICULTY STARTING AND RESTARTING, POSSIBLE STRANDING OF THE DRIVER). I URGE A RECALL TO MOVE FORWARD IMMEDIATELY!

NHTSA complaint #10336075 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10,000 miles Seattle, WA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

BRAND NEW VEHICLE, 06 VW PASSAT, DROVE IT FOR ABOUT 9 MONTHS--THEN, CAR STARTING DYING SUDDENLY AFTER BEING STOPPED (AT A RED LIGHT) THEN ACCELERATING ONCE LIGHT TURNED GREEN. WOULDN'T SPUTTER OR CHOKE--JUST DIE. TOOK IT TO VW TO CHECK INTO IT--THEY TRIED TO CONVINCE ME IT WAS THE GAS I WAS PUTTING INTO MY CAR--BUT IT WASN'T. FINALLY, AFTER 34 CONSECUTIVE DAYS IN THE SHOP, THE DEALERSHIP ADMITTED THERE WAS A PROBLEM, BUT DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. I TALKED WITH VW HEADQUARTERS. THEY OFFERED ME $300. I EXPLAINED THAT THE CAR WAS DYING--COMPLETELY QUITTING ON ME--IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTIONS--AND HOW MANY NEAR MISS ACCIDENTS I HAD AVOIDED--SO $300 WASN'T GOING TO CUT IT--BUT VW CLAIMED IT WAS NOT A "SAFETY ISSUE". I EXPLAINED FURTHER THAT BECAUSE THE CAR WAS INTERMITTENTLY DOING THIS, I WOULD LOSE ALL STEERING, ALL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE--STILL, VW WOULD NOT ADMIT TO THERE BEING AN ISSUE. OUT OF SHEER PANIC, I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND CONVINCED THEM TO GET ME A NEW CAR. I BELIEVE THE DEALERSHIP RE-SOLD MY OLD CAR, THE ONE THEY DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO FIX. A YEAR LATER, A FRIEND OF MINE HAD THE EXACT SAME ISSUE HAPPEN WITH HER 92 JETTA. HER MECHANIC SAID IT WAS THE IGNITION COILS AND REPLACED THEM. NOW, A YEAR LATER, VW SENT A NOTICE TO ME IN THE MAIL SAYING IT IS "NOT A RECALL" BUT THEY WANTED US TO REPLACE THE IGNITION COILS "ONLY IF A CERTAIN LIGHT INDICATOR" GOES ON IN THE CAR. I NEVER HAD SUCH A LIGHT GO ON IN MY OLD CAR, SO I THOUGHT THIS WAS RIDICULOUS AND TOOK MY CURRENT VW VEHICLE IN TO REPLACE THE IGNITION COILS ANYWAY. THANKFULLY, THE DEALERSHIP DID IT FOR ME, BECAUSE THEY KNEW MY HISTORY. THE NOTICE FROM VW CLEARLY STATES THAT THEY ONLY WANT YOU TO REPLACE THEM IF THE LIGHT GOES ON IN YOUR CAR AND YOU ONLY HAD UNTIL A CERTAIN DATE (FEB. 28TH) TO DO IT. STILL SEEMS TO BE NO ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM VW THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AT HAND.

NHTSA complaint #10318007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Union, NJ

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THERE IS AN UNSAFE THROTTLE LAG ON THE 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 3.6 LITER. APPROX 4 SEC DELAY WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AFTER THE CAR COMES TO A STAND STILL OR IN THE EVENT OF AN EVASIVE MANEUVER, MERGING, PASSING AND STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. 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.

NHTSA complaint #10208587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 28,380 miles Derwood, MD

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE VEHICLE HAS A HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED FROM A STOP. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FOR THE DRIVER AND TO OTHERS WHEN DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AND OTHERWISE. THE DELAY IN THE VEHICLE MOVING FORWARD WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED IS TROUBLING ON NEW VEHICLES IN PROPER OPERATING CONDITION.

NHTSA complaint #10208205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 14,000 miles High Point, NC

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE IDLING, THE ENGINE INCREASED TO 900 RPMS OR MORE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED TO 20 MPH AND WAS DIFFICULT TO STOP. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE THE RPM'S WERE NORMAL FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,000.M UPDATED 01/09/08. *LJ UPDATED 12/12/07

NHTSA complaint #10206535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 14,700 miles Alexandria, VA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ON HOT WEATHER DAYS (90 DEGREES OR MORE) THE ENGINE WILL INTERMITTENTLY RUN AT A HIGH IDLE OF APPROXIMATELY 1,000 RPM AT STOPS. THE ENGINE NORMALLY IDLES AROUND 600 RPM AT STOPS. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD AND REQUIRES EXCESSIVE FORCE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS IT IS AN INTERMITTENT CONDITION, THE DRIVER WILL BE CAUGHT UNAWARE OF HOW MUCH PRESSURE TO APPLY TO THE BRAKE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE ANTICIPATED DISTANCE. THIS HAS LED TO NEAR ACCIDENTS WITH VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS.

NHTSA complaint #10199338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 14,000 miles Alpharetta, GA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ENGINE IDLE INTERMITTENTLY SITS HIGHER THAN NORMAL (900-1000RPM) PERMITTING CAR TO WANT TO LURCH FORWARD (LIKE AT TRAFFIC STOPS) WHICH CAN CAUSE THE DRIVER TO HIT THE PERSON IN FRONT OF THEM.

NHTSA complaint #10199040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 6,800 miles Bridgewater, NJ Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT ON A SLIGHT UPHILL GRADE WHEN THE CAR'S ENGINE SUDDENLY STARTED TO RACE. THE CAR SURGED FORWARD BEFORE I COULD BRAKE AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I HAD TO PRACTICALLY STAND ON THE BRAKE TO STOP IT. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO DAMAGE AND EVEN MORE FORTUNATELY THERE WASN'T A PEDESTRIAN CROSSING IN FRONT OF ME. THE TEMPERATURE THAT AFTERNOON WAS 98 DEGREES WHICH, I UNDERSTAND FROM THE VW FORUMS IS RELEVANT. OTHER PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM IN VERY HOT TEMPERATURES AS WELL. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME ONCE BEFORE BUT I ALREADY HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND ONLY HAD TO STAND ON IT TO RESTRAIN THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10199113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 15,000 miles Voorhees, NJ

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

DURING HEAVY USAGE OF THE A/C SYSTEM (ESPECIALLY ON HOT DAYS), THE CAR INCREASES RPM'S, PRESUMABLY TO COMPENSATE FOR THE INCREASED LOAD ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE FEELS LIKE IT WANTS TO SURGE FORWARD THROUGH ANY NORMAL BRAKING OR THE OEM "AUTOHOLD" FEATURE. THIS HAPPENS MOST OFTEN DURING STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. I ASKED THE REGIONAL VW REPRESENTATIVE, THOMAS KERR ABOUT THE ISSUE THIS MORNING WHO SAID IT IS "NORMAL BEHAVIOR FOR THIS CAR."

NHTSA complaint #10198993 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,000 miles NEW Berlin, WI

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

NHTSA complaint #10190904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 6,500 miles Eden Prairie, MN

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THROTTLE LAG AT STOP PRESENTS DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN ENTERING TRAFFIC. MANUFACTURE IS AWARE OF ISSUE, BUT HAS NOT PRESENTED FIX. MY VEHICLE IS 3.6L 4 MOTION.

NHTSA complaint #10190745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 300 miles House Springs, MO

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

CONTINUING DANGEROUS SLOW ROLL HESITATION WHEN APPLYING THROTTLE. 1-2 SECOND DELAY BETWEEN THROTTLE APPLICATION AND ACCELERATION. TSB PCM UPDATE FOR SAID ISSUE APPLIED AND RESULTING LITTLE NOTICEABLE IMPROVEMENT. CAN LEAD TO A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN EMERGENCY MANEUVERS INVOLVING SLOW ROLL ACCELERATION.

NHTSA complaint #10190791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hartsville, SC

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

SHAKING ISSUE WHILE BRAKING AND AFTER RELEASING BRAKE. THE ENTIRE CAR VIBRATES. DEALER CONTACTED AND SAID THERE WAS NO WAY TO REPAIR AT THE CURRENT TIME.

NHTSA complaint #10164154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hartsville, SC

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

THROTTLE LAG. WHEN TURNING INTO TRAFFIC, SOMETIMES THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD INSTEAD OF EASING FORWARD. THE THROTTLE SHOULD BE ADJUSTED SO THAT SOFTLY PRESSING THE PEDAL MOVES THE CAR INSTEAD OF HAVING TO PRESS THE PEDAL HARD (WHICH LEADS TO THE DANGEROUS LURCHING).

NHTSA complaint #10164155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 20 miles Alpharetta, GA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

NHTSA complaint #10163885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 300 miles Clearwater, FL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS OF 0-5MPH THE ENGINE JUMPS TO RPM'S OF 900 TO 1000 RPM'S CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD. THIS OCCURS MORE OFTEN WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR A WHILE AND THE ENGINE IS HOT. THE RPM'S GO DOWN ONLY WHEN THE ENGINE IS PLACED IN NEUTRAL AND THE MOTOR IS REVVED UP, OR WHEN THE VEHICLE SHIFTS INTO SECOND GEAR. THE VEHICLE IDLES ROUGHLY AND HESITATES. WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, THERE IS LAG BETWEEN WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED AND THE WHEN THE ENGINE KICKS INTO GEAR. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD. THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. WHILE PARKED, AT LOW SPEEDS, OR TURNING THE VEHICLE RIGHT OR LEFT, THERE IS A GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE RIGHT SUSPENSION AREA. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER STRUT BEARING WHICH SEEMED TO HELP FOR A WHILE, BUT NOW THE GRINDING SOUND IS BACK. THE GRINDING SOUND IS NOW COMING FROM THE LEFT SUSPENSION AREA.

NHTSA complaint #10163435 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 25 miles Clearwater, FL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ON 7/13/06 I PURCHASED A NEW 2006 VW PASSAT FROM BERT SMITH VW IN ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA. I TOOK DELIVERY AT 5PM ON FRIDAY 7/14/2006. I HAVE 4 MAJOR PROBLEMS. BERT SMITH VW SERVICE PERSON (NOEL APONTE AND HIS SERVICE MANAGER MICHAEL) AND THEY SAY THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THE BELOW ISSUES. FIRST ISSUE: I HAVE EXTREME IDLE SHAKING OF THE ENGINE. THIS IS CONSTANT - MEANING YOU WOULD HAVE TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION TO STOP IT. I CAN SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL AND STILL FEEL THE SHAKING. I CAN PUT THE GEAR IN PARK OR IN DRIVE AND IT IS STILL SHAKING. SOMETIMES THE SHAKING IS MILD (LIKE THE SHAKING WHILE BRAKING) OTHER TIMES IT IS SEVERE...SO SEVERE YOU CAN SEE THE ENTIRE CAR SHAKE. SECOND MAJOR ISSUE: I DRIVE MY CAR OF A PARKED POSITION (OR AFTER COMING TO A ROLLING STOP AT A LIGHT) AND THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT IS TRYING TO PULL OR LUNGE FORWARD WHILE MY FOOT WAS PREVIOUSLY ON THE BRAKE. AT THIS TIME I HAVE TO PUT EXTREME PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES TO KEEP IT FROM MOVING FORWARD. THE LIGHT TURNS GREEN AND I AM OFF. I COME TO ANOTHER LIGHT, THE SAME THING HAPPENS. REGARDING THESE 2 ISSUES, HERE IS A THREADED DISCUSSION ON THE WEBSITE VWVORTEX.COM. HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/ZEROTHREAD?ID=2619540 ALL OF THESE OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. ALL FEEL VW IS GIVING THEM THE RUN AROUND. I AM NOT HAPPY ABOUT THIS. IS THERE A TSB ON THIS PROBLEM? THESE ISSUES ARE ON-GOING THE MOMENT I LEFT THE BERT SMITH DEALERSHIP ON FRIDAY 7/14/06. THIRD ISSUE: THE CAR SEEMS TO HAVE SEVERE THROTTLE LAG WHILE DRIVING AND AT A STAND STILL. I AM AT A LIGHT, I PRESS THE GAS PEDAL AND THERE'S SIGNIFICANT LAG TIME BETWEEN THE TIME THE CAR BEGINS TO ROLL. FOURTH ISSUE: THE FRONT END SQUEAKING REALLY BAD. IT BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND BERT SMITH REPLACED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE STRUT BEARING ON THURSDAY 7/21. IT'S HAPPENING AGAIN. THE 2ND FRONT BEARING HAS TO BE REPLACED, AND MAYBE THE ONE THAT WAS ALREADY REPLACED HAS TO BE FIXED AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #10163311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2006 Volkswagen Passat problems

← Full 2006 Volkswagen Passat report