DecodedCars2006 Volkswagen Passat
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2006 models.
- Class
- Midsize Cars
- Body styles
- 4dr Sedan 2.0t FWD, 4dr Sedan 3.6 Vr6 AWD, 4dr Sedan 3.6 Vr6 FWD
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.6L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 24 combined · 21 city / 29 hwy
- Length
- 188.2 in
- Curb weight
- 3,305–3,829 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 4 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 24 MPG combined — 17% better than the average 2006 midsize car (20.5 MPG).
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 32 similar 2006 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2006 Volkswagen Passat is a midsize car offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 3.6L 6-cyl) and front-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 188 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 107-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,305 lb (4dr Sedan 2.0t FWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 24 MPG combined (21 city / 29 highway), 17% better than the 2006 midsize car average of 20.5 MPG, for an estimated $3,400 a year in fuel.
It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 234 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
What changed for 2006
- New body dimensions: 3.9 in longer — most likely a redesign or new generation
- No diesel version any more
- Engine added: 3.6L 6-cyl
- Engines dropped: 1.8L 4-cyl turbo and 2.8L 6-cyl
- Best combined MPG down from 27 to 24
Compared with 2005; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2005 Passat →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Sedan 2.0t FWD | 188.2 in | 71.7 in | 57.9 in | 106.7 in | 60.6 / 60.2 in | 3,305 lb | 59/41 |
| 4dr Sedan 3.6 Vr6 AWD | 188.2 in | 71.7 in | 57.9 in | 106.7 in | 60.6 / 60.2 in | 3,829 lb | 59/41 |
| 4dr Sedan 3.6 Vr6 FWD | 188.2 in | 71.7 in | 57.9 in | 106.7 in | 60.6 / 60.2 in | 3,576 lb | 59/41 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passat | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 29 / 24 | +17% | $3,400 | 370 |
| Passat | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 28 / 22 | +7% | $3,750 | 404 |
| Passat | 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 26 / 20 | -2% | $4,100 | 444 |
| Passat 4motion | 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 24 / 19 | -7% | $4,350 | 468 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2006 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2006 Volkswagen Passat under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2006 midsize cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 Volkswagen Passat (this car) | 24 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2006 Toyota Corolla | 31 MPG | Not rated | 8 |
| 2006 Ford Mustang | 20 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2006 Honda Accord | 26 MPG | Not rated | 9 |
| 2006 Toyota Camry | 25 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2006 Chevrolet Malibu | 24 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer | 26 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
Recalls (4)
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Oct 30, 2024
NHTSA campaign 24V834000 · 248,330 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Apr 18, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V247000 · 71,335 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Aug 16, 2017
NHTSA campaign 17V509000 · 280,915 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2016 Volkswagen CC, 2006-2010 Passat and Passat Wagon vehicles. Interruption of electrical power to the fuel pump control module may cause the fuel pump to fail.
- Risk
- If the fuel pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump control module, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20AE.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Feb 10, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V079000 · 151,767 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Not every 2006 Volkswagen Passat is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2006 Volkswagen Passat buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 127 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Engine — 38 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 37 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 110,330 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2006 Volkswagen Passat. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Passat years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Passat | 28 | 193.7 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 13 |
| 2021 Passat | 28 | 193.7 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 18 |
| 2020 Passat | 27 | 193.7 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 18 |
| 2019 Passat | 29 | 191.7 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 12 |
| 2018 Passat | 29 | 191.7 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 46 |
| 2017 Passat | 27 | 191.7 in | ★★★★★ | 7 | 110 |
| 2016 Passat | 29 | 191.7 in | Not rated | 5 | 106 |
| 2015 Passat | 34 | 191.7 in | Not rated | 7 | 243 |
| 2014 Passat | 34 | 191.7 in | Not rated | 10 | 565 |
| 2013 Passat | 34 | 191.7 in | Not rated | 9 | 670 |
| 2012 Passat | 34 | 191.7 in | Not rated | 11 | 415 |
| 2010 Passat | 25 | 188.2 in | Not rated | 4 | 140 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Volkswagen. How we calculate this →