2006 Volkswagen Passat brake problems

SERVICE BRAKES

I PURCHASED THIS CAR 2 YEARS AGO AND HAVE HAVE THE PARKING BRAKE FAIL AND BREAK THREE TIMES. THE FIRST TIME WAS SHORTLY AFTER THE PURCHASE AND THE CAR CAME OUT OF GEAR IN MY DRIVEWAY AND BEGAN ROLLING. MY 65 YO MOM HAD TO STOP IT AND PUSH IT UP AS SHE WAS HOME ALONE. IT TURNED ON ANOTHER TIME WHILE I WAS CROSSING AN INTERSECTION AND I WAS ALMOST T-BONED. I HAD IT REPLACED AFTER THIS INCIDENT. IN MAY 2020 THE PARKING BRAKE WOULD NOT DISENGAGE AND I NEEDED TO HAVE IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. THE BRAKE WAS STUCK ON AND THE COMPUTER CONTROL UNIT BROKE. I PAID $2500 TO HAVE THE UNIT REPLACED. IN DEC 2020 (ONLY 7 MONTHS LATER) THE EXACT THING HAPPENED AGAIN. I WAS UNABLE TO DISENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE AND NEEDED TO TOW IT TO MY MECHANIC. THE CALIPER AND COMPUTER BROKE AGAIN. THE COST IS SIMILAR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IF YOU LOOK AT ANY VW FORUMS YOU WILL SEE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH MANY PEOPLE HAVING THEIR BRAKE STUCK AND UNABLE TO ENGAGE/DISENGAGE THE UNIT. I REACHED OUT TO VW AND HAD NO RESOLUTION. I REQUEST THE PARKING BRAKE BE RECALLED AND EVERYONE WHO HAD WORK DONE ON IT, INCLUDING MYSELF, RECEIVED A FULL REFUND.

NHTSA complaint #11385604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

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...

NHTSA complaint #11329365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

WHEN STOPPED AND START GOING AND GET TO ABOUT 30 MPH AND SHIFTS INTO THIRD GEAR THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SYSTEM ENGAGES AND I CAN BARELY MOVE. I HAVE TO TURN MY VW PASSAT OFF, WAIT A COUPLE MINUTES AND TURN IT BACK ON FORM THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO DISLODGE. EXAMPLE: I'M IN VEGAS AT A STOP LIGHT IT TURNS GREEN SO IM GOING UP A ON RAMP TO GET ON FREEWAY AND AS SOON AS I ACCELERATE AND CAR SHIFTS INTO 3RD GEAR A YELLOW P WITH A CIRCLE AROUND IT COMES ON MY DASH AND WHEN I PUSH ON THE GAS ( I HAD MANY CARS BEHIND ME) MY CAR REVVED UP BUT WOULD NOT GO BECAUSE THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE CAME ON. AND IT CONTINUES TO DO IT TO ME. IF I CAN GET PAST THIRD GEAR IT'S FINE AND 1ST AND 2ND GEAR ARE OK. I JUST PURCHASED THE CAR AND CALLED ON RECALLS THERE WEREN'T ANY. THIS ALMOST MADE ME HAVE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT ON MY WAY HOME THE SAME DAY. BECAUSE I HAVE TO GO OVER A PASS TO GET HOME IT DID IT TO ME 4 TIMES AND THE LAST TIME CP8LD OF KILLED ME. IVE BEEN READING THE PROBLEM OTHERS ARE HAVING WITH VEHICLE AND THEY ARE THE SAME AS MINE. BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE ON 2006 VOLKSWAGON PASSAT. PLEASE HELP US WHO CAN NOT AFFORD TO PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED. AND I CANT SELL IT BECAUSE I CANT LET SOMONE ELSE GET HURT. THIS IS MY ONLY TRANSPORTATION AND I LOVE MY CAR. BUT NOW I'M SCARED TO DRIVE NOW. I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX IT AND CAN'T RISK SELLING IT AND NOW HAVE NOTHING TO GET TO WORK. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU

NHTSA complaint #11298582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

MY VEHICLE DOES. SUDDEN STOP WHILE I'M DRIVING EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHTS UP ND THEN ON DASH IT STATE TO STOP VEHICLE PULL OVER AND DOESN'T WANT TO ADVANCE TO MOVE OUT OF DANGER FROM TRAFFIC ON STREETS AND FREEWAY. THEN I WON'T WANT TO ADVANCED AT TIME AND THE PRND ALL LIGHT UP AT ONE OR NONE AT ALL AT TIME. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT X 4 TIMES LAST YEAR AND NOW IT KEEPS DOING IT EVERY TIME. SO KNOW I JUST KEEP MY CAR PARKED BECAUSE I'M AFRAID OF PUTTING MY KIDS IN DANGER I CAN'T EVEN TAKE IT IN TO A DEALER FOR AIRBAG RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #11286835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

MY CAR WAS DRIVING AND BRAKES WERE WORKING FINE. THEN I TRIED TO STOP AS I CAME TO A RED LIGHT N BRAKES TOTALLY FAILED. I COULDN'T STOP N WENT RIGHT THROUGH THE RED LIGHT AND I BETWEEN 2 CAR B4 FINALLY COMING TO A STOP A HALF MILE LATER. I DROVE THE CAR ON BACKSTREETS AND THE BRAKES WILL WORK WHEN I START GOING BUT AFTER A FEW STOPS THEY START GETTING SOFT UNTIL THEY JUST TOTALLY FAIL. THEIR IS PLENTY OF BRAKE FLUID IN THE SYSTEM.

NHTSA complaint #11286344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

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

NHTSA complaint #11182226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

HELLO- PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT DISENGAGE, MAKING CAR UNDRIVEABLE. PARKING BRAKE ALSO TURNS ON ON ITS OWN WHEN THE CAR IS ON (STATIONARY ON MINE, IN MOTION ON OTHERS CARS) AND ALSO WHEN CAR IS OFF. MY CAR WAS ALSO PARKED AND THE BRAKE UNRELEASED AND THE CAR WENT BACKWARDS DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. MY 65 MOTHER WAS HOME ALONE AND RAN OUT AND STOPPED AND HELD THE CAR (AND PUSHED IT BACK UP DRIVEWAY) HERSELF. FORUMS HAVE STATED THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND THE PARKING BRAKE TURNS ON WHEN DRIVING WHICH HAS RESULTED IN CRASHES/ ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #11142114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

ABS SYSTEM IS FAILING. ANTI-LOCK BRAKES DO NOT WORK WELL, DASHBOARD ABS SIGNALS ARE CONSTANTLY ON. PARKING BRAKE LIGHT CONSTANTLY FLASHES. JUST CALLED VW USA CUSTOMER SERVICE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V-913) BUT THE RECALL COVERS MODEL YEARS 2009 AND 2010. MY CAR IS A 2006, BUT HAS THE EXACT SAME ISSUES. VOLKSWAGON WOULD NOT OFFER ANY REPAIRS OR DIAGNOSTICS SINCE MY VEHICLE WAS NOT LISTED ON THE RECALL. PERHAPS THE AMOUNT OF VEHICLES AFFECTED IS LARGER THAN THE RECALL POINTS OUT?

NHTSA complaint #10971718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

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.

SERVICE BRAKES

THIS VEHICLE HAS AN ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE (EBRAKE) SYSTEM. THE PARKING BRAKE IS SET/RELEASED BY PRESSING A BUTTON ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASH BOARD. WHEN I CAME TO A STOP AT HOME, I PRESSED THE EBRAKE AND THE EBRAKE LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH AND I WAS UNABLE TO SET IT. SO I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY FOR A FEW MINUTES WHICH APPARENTLY RESET THE SYSTEM AND IT WORKED PROPERLY AGAIN. THEN A FEW DAYS LATER MY WIFE HAD THE VEHICLE IN TOWN. SHE GOT IN TO LEAVE THE MARKET AND TRIED TO RELEASE THE EBRAKE BUT IT BEGAN TO FLASH AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO RELEASE IT. SHE CALLED ME BECAUSE SHE WAS STUCK THERE AND DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I TOLD HER TO TRY AND DISCONNECT THE BATTERY AND THEN RECONNECT IT. SHE WAS NEAR A GAS STATION SO SHE BORROWED A WRENCH AND DID WHAT I TOLD HER TO DO. AGAIN THE VEHICLE RESET ITSELF AND MY WIFE WAS THEN ABLE TO RELEASE THE BRAKE AND COME HOME. NOW I AVOID USING THE EBRAKE FOR FEAR OF THAT HAPPENING AGAIN, BUT NOW I FEEL THAT I'M OUT A PARKING BRAKE AND I'M NOT SURE IF I'LL HAVE AN ISSUE WITH IT WHILE DRIVING IT. I SAW COMPLAINTS ON LINE ABOUT PEOPLE WITH THIS CAR MODEL HAVING THE EBRAKE ENGAGE WHILE DRIVING CAUSING IMMEDIATE CORRECTIVE STEERING TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT! PLEASE CONSIDER THIS AS A VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE, WORTHY OF RE-CALL STATUS.

NHTSA complaint #10668101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

PARKING BRAKE (BUTTON PUSH) RANDOMLY ENGAGES WITHOUT THE BUTTON PUSHED. SOMETIMES I ENGAGED THE PARKING BRAKE WHEN I PARK THE CAR, BUT WHEN I COME BACK TO THE CAR AND TRY TO DISENGAGE IT, IT WILL NOT DISENGAGE.

NHTSA complaint #10595866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

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.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON THE MAINE TURNPIKE AT 55-60 MPH DUE TO SOME BLACK ICE IN AREAS. TEMP WAS 35, CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR, VISIBILITY GOOD. AFTER PASSING EXIT 75, WITHOUT WARNING MY VW PASSAT ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE ENGAGING, CAUSING MY BRAKES TO LOCK UP AND CAUSING ME TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, SWERVING SIDE TO SIDE FOR APPROXIMATELY 50 YARDS. DURING THIS TIME, THE PARKING BRAKE LIGHT WAS FLASHING AS WELL AS A PARKING BRAKE FAULT MESSAGE ON THE DASH WAS DISPLAYED. I WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULL OFF TO THE SHOULDER. I PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK, REFERRED TO MY MANUAL, WHICH WAS NO HELP. I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, LOOKED AROUND IT AND THEN CALLED A FEW PEOPLE TO DISCUSS THE PROBLEM. NO ONE HAD EVER HEARD OF THIS ISSUE BEFORE AND I SAW NO OBVIOUS SIGN OF ERROR. THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH AN ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE BUTTON ON THE DASH. I BELIEVE ITS ELECTRONIC MALFUNCTION AND A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. IF THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN VEHICLES NEAR MINE, WE WOULD OF COLLIDED. I HAD MY DAUGHTER AND HER FRIEND IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND WE WERE ALL VERY SCARED DURING THIS ENTIRE INCIDENT. AFTER 10 MIN OF SHUT OFF, I RESTARTED, THE DASH STILL DISPLAY PARKING BRAKE FAULT. I WAS ABLE TO MANUALLY DISENGAGE THE BRAKING BRAKE. BUT THE "FAULT" ERROR ON DASH WOULD NOT GO AWAY. I THEN OPERATED THE VEHICLE AT 30-35 MPH WITH HAZARDS ON TO EXIT GRAY. I PARKED THE VEHICLE AT A LOCAL RESTAURANT AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE FOR OVER 30 MINUTES. WHEN I TURNED THE VEHICLE BACK ON THE "FAULT" LIGHT HAD GONE OFF AND THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO BE RUNNING OK. BUT I WAS UNSURE IF I SHOULD VENTURE FURTHER AND TOOK ROUTE 100 BACK TO MY HOME IN LEW. THE NEXT DAY I DID NOT USE THE VEHICLE AND CALLED VW ON MON AFTER NOTING NUMEROUS VW FORUMS WITH COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME SAFETY ISSUE. CASE #[XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10560919 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

ELECTRONIC EMERGENCY BRAKE FAULT -- IT IS NOW THE 3RD TIME MY ELECTRONIC EMERGENCY BRAKE HAS FAILED (UNABLE TO DISENGAGE/RELEASE). THE SECOND TIME WAS LAST JUNE OF 2012 THE DEALER REPLACED THE MODULE, CALIPER, HOUSING, WIRING TO THE TUNE OF $1800. YESTERDAY IT HAPPENED AGAIN WHERE THE ELECTRONIC SWITCH WAS FLASHING AND WOULD NOT RELEASE AND ALSO THE RED BRAKE LIGHT INDICATOR IN DISPLAY WAS ALSO FLASHING HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER. I HAVE READ OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT HAVE BEEN POSTED AND WONDERING WHY THIS HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. IT APPEARS THERE IS A SAFETY CONCERN WITH THIS ELECTRONIC EMERGENCY BRAKE DESIGN. THERE IS SOMETHING VERY WRONG WITH THIS DESIGN. PLEASE ADDRESS THIS WITH THE MANUFACTURER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I CAN'T AFFORD TO PURCHASE A NEW CAR BUT AT THE SAME TIME HAVE A CONCERN FOR MY SAFETY.

NHTSA complaint #10547782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

PARKING BRAKE

I HAVE A VW PASSAT 3.6 AND AM ALWAYS HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THE PARKING BRAKE. CURRENTLY I AM UNABLE TO GET THE PARKING BRAKE TO RELEASE AND DON'T KNOW WHY. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND THE ONLY PLACE I GO TO GET IT SERVICED IS VOLKSWAGEN. ON ABOUT 5 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE NOR DISENGAGE.

NHTSA complaint #10474127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

I HAVE A VW PASSAT 3.6 AND AM ALWAYS HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THE PARKING BRAKE. CURRENTLY I AM UNABLE TO GET THE PARKING BRAKE TO RELEASE AND DON'T KNOW WHY. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND THE ONLY PLACE I GO TO GET IT SERVICED IS VOLKSWAGEN. ON ABOUT 5 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE NOR DISENGAGE.

NHTSA complaint #10474127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT. EVERY TIME I HAD IT CHECKED, IT CODED SOMETHING DIFFERENT (PO455, PO171, PO441) WITH THESE RESULTS: FUEL CAP LIGHT CAME ON, HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM , AND LEAN BANK 02 CENSOR BEFORE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. IT BECAME HARD TO CRANK, AND ONCE SHOOK WHEN IT DID CRANK. THE STEERING WHEEL MODULE AND COMFORT CONTROL MODULE WERE REPLACED IN 2008 UNDER WARRANTY AFTER I TOOK VOLKSWAGEN TO SMALL CLAIMS COURT. I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP IN ATLANTA (THERE ISN'T ONE CLOSE TO WHERE I LIVE) AND THEY COMPLETED THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS: CODE PO444, THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM PURGE CONTROL VALVE CIRCUIT; CODE PO193, FUEL MEASURING SYSTEM 2 ABNK 1; AND P2187 SYSTEM TOO LEAN AT IDLE. TOTAL= $884.84 ($619.95 LABOR; $204.31 PARTS; $43.25 WASTE DISPOSAL CHARGE; AND $17.33 TAX). AT NO CHARGE, THEY CHECKED THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT WHICH I HAD TO REPLACE @ TWICE A YEAR AND INSPECTED HIGH PRESSURE PUMP, GFF GUIDED FUNCTIONS AND A COURTESY VISUAL SERVICE INSPECTION.

NHTSA complaint #10448600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED CAUSING THE BRAKES TO AUTOMATICALLY COME ON. LED TO RAPID DECELERATION WHILE DRIVING. ONGOING PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10434954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM 2006 VW PASSAT 3.6L VR6 MODEL. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED IN LATE 2010 AT FIRST A FEW MONTHS AFTER THE CAR WAS PURCHASED. THE PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS AT A SET OF LIGHTS, THE RPM ARE NORMALLY AROUND 650-700 RPM, WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS THE RPM GO TO 1250-1300 WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED, THIS MAKES SO THE DRIVER HAS TO APPLY MUCH MORE FOOT STRENGTH TO HOLD THE CAR. RAISING THE RISKS OF A CAR CRASH. THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY, IF I DRIVE A DAY IT MIGHT NOT HAPPEN, THEN I DRIVE THE NEXT DAY AT THE SECOND SET OF LIGHTS IT HAPPENS. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THIS AT VW IN NH BUT THEY DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM AND CLAIMED THE CAR "IS NOT REALLY AN AUTOMATIC, BUT A MANUAL" AND CHANGED GEAR BOOT CONNECTORS OR SOME SOMETHING, AND THE SAME WEEK THE PROBLEM RESUMED. I FEEL I CANNOT GO TO VW TO REPAIR THIS AS THIS WILL GIVE ME EXCUSES, PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS, I FEEL THIS IS DETRIMENTAL TO MY AND MY FAMILY'S SAFETY. THANK YOU.

NHTSA complaint #10428433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM 2006 VW PASSAT 3.6L VR6 MODEL. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED IN LATE 2010 AT FIRST A FEW MONTHS AFTER THE CAR WAS PURCHASED. THE PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS AT A SET OF LIGHTS, THE RPM ARE NORMALLY AROUND 650-700 RPM, WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS THE RPM GO TO 1250-1300 WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED, THIS MAKES SO THE DRIVER HAS TO APPLY MUCH MORE FOOT STRENGTH TO HOLD THE CAR. RAISING THE RISKS OF A CAR CRASH. THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY, IF I DRIVE A DAY IT MIGHT NOT HAPPEN, THEN I DRIVE THE NEXT DAY AT THE SECOND SET OF LIGHTS IT HAPPENS. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THIS AT VW IN NH BUT THEY DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM AND CLAIMED THE CAR "IS NOT REALLY AN AUTOMATIC, BUT A MANUAL" AND CHANGED GEAR BOOT CONNECTORS OR SOME SOMETHING, AND THE SAME WEEK THE PROBLEM RESUMED. I FEEL I CANNOT GO TO VW TO REPAIR THIS AS THIS WILL GIVE ME EXCUSES, PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS, I FEEL THIS IS DETRIMENTAL TO MY AND MY FAMILY'S SAFETY. THANK YOU.

NHTSA complaint #10428433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I OWN A 2006 VW PASSAT 3.6, ENGINE DIED SUDDENLY AFTER PULLING OUT ACROSS A 45MPH STATE ROUTE, AFTER ENGINE FAILED, THERE WAS NO STEERING OR BRAKES, HAD TO PUSH CAR OUT OF TRAFFIC WITH MY 2 YOUNG SONS INSIDE. YOUNG VW, EASTON PA. STATED THE FAILURE AS A OIL PUMP BOLT THAT HAD BACKED OUT AND SHEARED OFF, CAUSING THE CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I FOUND 58 FAILURE OF THIS TYPE OF THIS SAME YEAR AND ENGINE, AT: HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?3462993-ATTN-3.6L-OWNERS-HAS-YOUR-ENGINE-FAILED , - THIS IS CLEARLY AN ISSUE VW WAS AWARE OF SEVERAL YEARS AGO, AS EVIDENCED BY THE REPLACEMENT OR REPAIR OF SO MANY, 58+ ENGINES THAT I CAN DOCUMENT, AND CHOOSES NOT TO RECOGNIZE THE ISSUE, I BELIEVE DUE TO FINANCIAL REASONS AS THIS FIX IS $3,000 IN LABOR ALONE. I CONTACTED VWOA, (REF. # [XXX]) AND VW AG, (,REF. NO.: [XXX]) WITH THIS ISSUE AND NEITHER HAD RECOGNIZED THIS AS A KNOWN ISSUE, MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND VW ESTIMATED THE REPAIR AT $12,800 FOR A REBUILT ENGINE. ASIDE FROM BEING ABUSIVELY EXPENSIVE, THIS FAILURE SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO OCCUR RANDOMLY, IN TRAFFIC OR ANYWHERE CREATING A VERY UNSAFE AND LIFE THREATENING SITUATION, VWOA SHOULD BE WELL AWARE OF THESE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS YEAR ENGINE, BY THE MANY THEY HAVE REPLACED OR FIXED AND SHOULD MAKE THE PUBLIC AWARE AND EFFECT A FIX TO PREVENT A LOSS OF LIFE DUE TO THIS KNOWN ENGINE DEFECT. MY VIN # [XXX], 2006 VW PASSAT 3.6L 4MOTION. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10373182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE HEAT SHIELDS ON THE TURBO FAILED, CAUSING THE BRAKE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE CONTACT'S FACTORY WARRANTY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 47,000.

NHTSA complaint #10349705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

PARKING BRAKE

VOLKSWAGEN 2006 2.0T PASSAT HAS A DEFECTIVE STEERING WHEEL LOCK THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS. I KNOW OF NUMEROUS PASSAT 2006 DRIVERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. IT IS UNSAFE AND THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED. THANK GOD I WAS NOT DRIVING WHEN IT OCCURRED. IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX AND I AM JUST OUT OF THE WARRANTY. IT IS UNFAIR AND UNSAFE. IT HAS HAPPENED TO SO MANY PASSAT DRIVERS. PLEASE DO SOMETHING. THE CAR WAS DIFFICULT TO TOW BECAUSE EVERYTHING IS LOCKED UP ON THE CAR, COULDN'T PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL, ALL WHEELS WERE LOCKED, BRAKES,ETC. THE SERVICE PERSON AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE KEYS ARE NOT BEING READ BY THE CAR AND THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR OVER $1300. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR THIS ESPECIALLY SINCE IT IS A VW DEFECT.

NHTSA complaint #10280112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKS UP ON HER VEHICLE AND PREVENTS IT FROM BEING DRIVEN. SHE ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINE AND AN INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, WHICH STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED A MODULE. THE REPAIR WOULD COST $1,300. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000. UPDATED 05/27/09 *BF UPDATED 06/08/09 *BF UPDATED 6/16/09 *NJ THE LEFT REAR CALIPER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED,THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE TRANSMISSION WAS MAKING A LOUD NOISE, THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL DID NOT WORK, THE LEFT WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THE HOOD RELEASE LEVER INSIDE THE VEHICLE WAS INOPERATIVE. UPDATED 06/17/09.

NHTSA complaint #10269475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

POWER BRAKE ASSIST FAILURE IN LOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURES (WI WINTERS). OCCURS WHENEVER TEMPERATURES ARE IN THE 30'S OR LOWER. VACUUM HOSE HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. APPARENTLY CONDENSATION IS BUILDING INSIDE THE HOSE (REPORTED BY DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT.)

NHTSA complaint #10262699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I HAVE TWO PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR: 1. EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILURE CONTINUES TO GIVE ME PARKING BRAKE FAULT MESSAGE & PERIODICALLY WILL NOT ENGAGE OR DISENGAGE. 2. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS DURING BRAKING MY CAR IS SLIPPING AND TAKES LONGER TO BRAKE. I SEE THIS PROBLEM IS ALREADY A RECALL ON OTHER VW PASSATS BUT NOT ON MY MODEL PASSAT BUT THIS RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO MY MODEL AS WELL. BRAKE VACUUM PROBLEM. I WILL BE MAKING AN APPOINTED TO GET THIS LOOKED AT WITH DEALER BUT WANTED YOU TO HAVE A RECORD OF THIS AND INVESTIGATE THESE ISSUES.

NHTSA complaint #10261393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

EMERGENCY BRAKE AT TIMES DOES NOT DISENGAGE OR ENGAGE. I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF WAIT A WHILE AND SOMETIMES IT DOES AND SOMETIMES IT DOES NOT ENGAGE/RENGAGE. GIVES ME A PARKING BRAKE FAULT MESSAGE.

NHTSA complaint #10261394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

PARKING BRAKE

PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT RELEASE. HAS BEEN SERVICED THREE TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED FIRST TIME. THE OTHER TWO TIMES I WAITED A WHILE AND TRIED AGAIN AND THE BRAKE DID RELEASE. HAD TO HAVE THE ENTIRE BRAKE REPLACED. ALSO, PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED BY ITSELF ONCE. FORTUNATELY IT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS TURNING THE CAR OFF AND NOT WHILE I WAS DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #10254749 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.