I had a 2006 Passat that I bought new in Nov. 2006. The car caught fire after I parked it at work. No warning lights came on while driving it and I maintained my car. My car is totaled and the fire was in the engine compartment. I am now without a car.

- San Leandro, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Volkswagen Passat. When the contact started the ignition, the engine stalled and the "important steering column defective" warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. She experienced difficulty starting the engine on separate occasions. Also, the ignition key would not disengage without making several attempts. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing and repaired for the malfunction. The contact is waiting for a response from the dealer. The contact was concerned of the safety risk involved. The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 66,700.

- Easton, PA, USA

While driving, the car began hesitating and the "check engine" light began flashing. Upon pulling over and opening the hood, the top-rear passenger side of the engine was glowing red and within 30 seconds or so burst into flames. The fire was extinguished by an off-duty volunteer fireman who arrived prior to the fire department. Subsequent review by the fire department and the insurance company found the ignition coil was the origin and cause of the fire. Perhaps this is similar to NHTSA action number : EA07014, however that action only covered 1999-2005 Passats; this is a 2006 Passat.

- Petersburg, NY, USA

Steering column lock failure, 2006 Volkswagen Passat 2.0T at 61,000 miles, vehicle started shutting itself off one second after starting with no message. Within 500 miles, diagnostic message reported steering column lock failure. Vehicle is 2,000 miles out of warranty (less then 1 year old), dealer insist on replacing steering column, steering column lock, steering column lock control module and the convenience control module for a total of $2400. I have found on various internet forums multiple identical incidents. This steering wheel lock is and was defective from the start and VW has an obligation to make it right.

- Longmont, CO, USA

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.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

2006 Volkswagen Passat 2.0T shortly after acquiring the vehicle I experienced that at times the vehicle would severely decelerate shortly after proceeding from a stop, followed by a rapid acceleration. Thankfully drivers behind me avoided rear end collisions. On one occasion a broad side collision was narrowly averted. Subsequent trips to the dealership could not duplicate the condition. No diagnostic fault codes were registered and service personnel mentioned the possibility of "turbo lag". after driving the vehicle for a few months I inadvertently duplicated the condition while creeping through a car wash with my left foot lightly on the brake while I accelerated with the right foot. I found that I could easily replicate the condition if I touched the brake pedal with my left foot as I began to accelerate with my right foot. I demonstrated this to a dealership tech as he accompanied me with an analyzer connected. No fault codes registered when the vehicle would "die and then accelerate". the tech had subsequent dialog with a regional VW rep with the end result being ----- "don't left foot brake" apparently this is a VW computer control module issue inherent to this model VW. I believe it to be a serious and potentially hazardous condition.

- Boise, ID, USA

ABS brakes have been pumping without inclement weather. It pumps randomly at any speed and any weather. Nothing has been resolved from the dealer. The brakes also make excessive noise, grinding or metal to metal type of sounds or contact. In addition, multiple electrical or malfunctions within the year I have owned the car- only 9491 miles. A. air bag light went on and stayed on until I brought it to the dealer. B. the driver sun visor shorted and was inoperative. C. ignition was weak and would not start after several times. Car would die. Brought the car to the dealer, no resolve. The computer could not duplicate problem. Finally as I am driving the other day, a malfunciton light appears and the car dies. I had the car towed to the dealer. D. after 5,000 miles check up, the service light appeared and stayed on until I brought it into the dealer to turn off. E. at this time, the car is in the dealer. They found that the ignition switch faulty and will be replacing it.

- Ny , NY, USA