Problems with 2006 Volkswagen Passat STEERING

06 vw passat steering column lock indicator light on. message reads" steering column locked take to workshop. we have had the message a couple times before. wondering about a recall to have this very common problem fixed. *tr

My 2006 vw passat 2.0 turbo has steering column issues. the car will not start without moving the steering wheel, and then waiting and keep on trying. the car will start then immediately stall, with an error in the message board that the steering column is defective. this happens 9 times out of 10 when going to start the car. the car has died while driving on the highway, and then restarts. i have seen this issue reported by many other consumers on various forums and complaint sites, but vw refuses to recall for the issue. *tr

Vw, 2006 passat, now has a "steering column defect" warning, and the car doesn't start. the car has 60,000 miles on it, and this started just after the 50,000 mile warranty expired. the car also stalls at high speed when this light comes on without warning, and can cause a serious accident. the car also has a problem with downshifting when on the highway, and slams into low gear as though the car hit something. the dealer cannot find the problem when the car is put on the diagnostic computer. i have read many other complaints on the internet about these same issues with the 2006 passat, and found that the fix for the steering column alone costs between $1400 and $2000. because this appears to be a factory defect, and it is a safety issue, i wanted to report it as such. although there hasn't been an accident caused in my case, the potential for disaster is huge. i'm afraid to drive the car, because this is a recurring problem, and can happen at any time. *tr

Vw passat 2006 2.0t steering wheel lock failure light. comes on and does not allow you to start the car. *tr

My 2006 vw passat has a "steering column lock" error and the dealership said that there has been lots of the 2006 vw passats with the same problem but no recall yet. if i don't get it fix it will stop while driving, and this is a huge safety issue. *tr

My car keeps getting the message, "steering column defective" message in the mfd. the car will not start on more than six times now. whenever, the message "steering column defective" comes on, the car will not start. i did a google search regarding this problem, and many people online expressed the same problem with their vehicles. *tr

Steering wheel column lock error on computer of 2006 vw passat. i did research on the internet regarding this and its an known issue among many owners of this troublesome car. its not fair to have to pay of $ 1500 for something the mfg built defectively. *tr

2006 vw passat "defective steering column lock" warning sign and the car won't start at once. *tr

1a. i inserted the key fod and the "steering wheel" light on the instrument panel flashed yellow and the mfd on the instrument panel said, "steering column lock malfunction. go to vw dealer immediately" 1b. other times, it's the same, but the "steering wheel" light flashes with red light. 1c. other times, i must insert the key fod anywhere from 5-20 times before the car even starts. the car won't start and i must repeat the process until it does. 2. it occurs at least 5-9 times per week with the yellow light flashing, 3-5 times a week with red light flashing, and 1-3 times per week when i must repeat the inserting of key fod to turn on. 3a. the vw dealer says they have seen this problem and it usually runs $1500-$2200 to fix. they said they usually replace the steering column module (computer board stuff) and the steering column as well. they say the problem is cause by the module going bad and not responding and telling the computer to turn the car on. 3b. the vw corporate customer care said they cannot help because warranty has expired. i have about 60k miles and warranty expired at 50k miles. please go to this thread to see how common this problem is: http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3656214. *tr

I am very disappointed with the fact that vw has failed to offer a recall for 2006 passat steering column and comfort module malfunction. thousands have been replaced, safety issue is a potentially stranded driver. *tr

For the past few months my steering column light has been flashing on and off. it states steering column defect. sometimes the light turns off after i restart my car a few times. i figured it was an electric issue. now for the past week or so, my car has problems turning on and it continues to state steering column defective. it took 10 times to get my car started today. my steering column light, battery light, parking brake light and engine all came on each time i tried to start my car without success. i took it to the dealership and before i finished explaining myself, they knew exactly what was wrong. they will have to replace my steering column. they told me it would be very expensive to fix, but my car is certified so it may be covered. there are over 40 complaints regarding this issue and volkswagen needs to recall whatever is causing this problem! *tr

My wife's car 2006 passat has been starting and then stalling immediately. a warning light comes on indicating "steering column lock defect". it was fine for a week or two, then it started occurring several times a week. i took car to repair shop and was told that problem would need a dealership repair shop to correct. after doing some online searches for problems of this nature i noticed many owners were having same problem and were told that the steering column and comfort sensor would both have to be replaced, estimates from $1200 to $2000 dollars for repair. our car is out of warranty as of feb, 2010 but has less than 50,000 miles on it. reports from mechanics say a person can get stranded at any time, but if car starts it will not fail while driving. this replacement should not be at the cost of the owner. please investigate occurrences and request a recall for defective new vehicle electrical equipment/ steering column. *tr

All of a sudden car would not start, would try over and over and it would finally start. eventually it would not start at all. was told i had a defective steering column. was also told that there would likely be a recall and i would be reimbursed the $2000 i had to spend to get it fixed. *tr

I have a 2006 vw passat 2.0t with 30,000 miles. i've had the following problems over the last year, key will not come out in park, steering wheel locks, car continues to run even without the key in the ignition. i brought these items to the dealer's attention, but was brushed off because they couldn't get the vehicle to "do it again." now the power steering warning light is on. vw dealership says i need a new steering column. if not replaced, the steering wheel could lock while driving. i was told replacing the steering column should fix all the above problems. *tr

For 2 times the steering column lock and a warning light on the dash had appeared. may cause steering well malfunction. risk of lose control. after restart the engine the problem was gone, no errors on ecu. *tr

My 2006 passat will shut down while driving and he steering lock light will come on prior to this happening. very concerned about my family's safety. *tr

Vw 2006 passat 2.0 t steering column defective signal and the car doesn't start. after doing internet search, it seems many other customers are having the same problem with passats and jettas. it seems the vw company should have a recall and fix this problem this seems to be generalized. many of us are being told to replace the whole unit to have solution. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 volkswagen passat. while driving on a bridge at approximately 40 mph the power steering warning light illuminated on the instrument control panel, and then the vehicle stalled. after a few minutes he was able to restart the vehicle. he will take the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed. a report was filed with the manufacturer, but he was not provided with any assistance. the failure and current mileages were 72,000.

2006 passat starts and stall immediately. "steering column lock defect". dealer wants $2000.00 to replace it along with comfort sensor. *tr

2006 passat sedan defective steering column message in dashboard monitor. *tr

My 2006 volkswagen passat sometimes will not start-- steering column lock defect is the error message. this has left my car inoperable on several occasions,... eventually it does start. i am planning to have the steering column replaced for $1500. this happens almost everyday now. *tr

2006 vw passat steering column lock defective due, evidently to computer module malfunction inside steering column which prevents the car from starting reliably. not covered by recall or warranty. dealer want $2,000 for new steering column, new steering column, lock, new steering column module and then the convenience module has to be replaced to sync them. with 8-10 hours over labor over 2 days estimate is $2,000. all because their crappy design put the defective computer module inside the steering column and they won't update the software or replace the module. they replace the entire steering column! *tr

2006 passat that won't start and has steering column defective light come on. told i need new column and comfort control module also for $1500.00 that i don't have. i am so sick of this car. lots of big problems but they were under warranty, now i am out of warranty by 5000 miles. this should be a recall with so many customers having the same problem. *tr

I own a vw passat 2006 and keep getting a steering wheel column lock defective message in my hud. this stalls out the car and takes restarts of ignition just to be able to drive. i have read this is a very common problem and costs around1500 dollars to fix. this is unacceptable and unnecessary expense on the consumer end when vw should really back there product better. *tr

My dash keeps telling me steering column lock is defective. my car won't start half the time. i have to leave my car running if i plan on getting right back in. *tr

1) the car has 67,000 miles and it has been serviced every 5,000 miles as advised by the manufacturer. 2) the car wouldn't start and it came up with a warning message that read "steering column lock failure." it came only once, but failure of this stationary part could result in locking the steering wheel while driving. as per thousands of blog threads, this is a common problem on volkswagen passats. 3) the part had to be replaced and the manufacturer (volkswagen) no longer uses the same part. they use a new improved part that doesn't seem to have this problem. *tr

Every couple of days, 'steering column defective' message appears on 2006 vw passat screen, and car won't start. after 5 or 6 tries the car eventually starts. i see postings similar to this in many internet forums regarding 2006 passat. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2006 volkswagen passat. while driving approximately 75 mph, the vehicle stalled. the contact pulled over but the vehicle would not restart after several attempts. then a steering column light illuminated. after ten more attempts, the vehicle restarted; the contact took the vehicle to the dealer where the contact was informed that the steering column modular needed to be replaced. the failure was intermittent and became progressively worse. the key also became stuck in the ignition because of the failure. the vehicle had not been repaired. the failure mileage was approximately 56,000 and the current mileage was approximately 90,000.

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. *tr

Defective steering column lock message keeps coming up on 2006 vw passat started happening over the summer now 1 1/2 months later it is happening more frequently. *tr

2006 vw passat 2.0t. steering column lock failure. *tr

2006 vw passat 3.6 4-motion. 65k miles. steering column lock failure. while on my honeymoon trip with my new wife to vancouver b.c. my car failed to start as usual. key is placed in dash and pressed into starting position. car starts and then abruptly engine stops. very intermittent. problem is worrying because it could potentially happen while driving in traffic. *tr

Car would not start when key was inserted. problem was very intermittent at first and then became more and more common. then sometimes the car would start but stop immediately. dealers at first told me that they had never heard of this but now state that the car requires a new steering column. *tr

Having issues with steering column lock, car never starts, takes multiple tries to get it to start. saving money to pay for 1500.00 repair. while driving to work on monday june 22 @ 72 mph, the vehicle turned off. this was extremely scary due to being on major highway at such a speed. i almost did not make it to the side of the road without being struck from behind. the vehicle took several attempts from there to start again. *tr

Car will not start, dashboard warning "steering column lock failure" i have had this problem for quite some time and i think it's about time to do something about it as this appears to be a common problem with b6 passat owners. the problem is most likely faulty contacts yet the whole steering column is replaced by volkswagen and could cost up to $2000.. *tr

I have a 2006 vw passat, among many issues with this model and year, the most recent and my serious concern for safety is the ""steering column lock defective" the car sometimes will not start at all or will start and immediately die. i did some research online and was shocked by the number of vw customers that had the same issue and nothing has been done yet! the cost to fix this is in the upwards of $1500. one the car is only 3 years old and two there seems to be a pattern here that this is a vw defective issue! this is a safety concern, i am pregnant and can't even get home after driving to work or the store! i feel vw has an ethical responsibility to fix this recurring problem! i hope you can pursue this. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2006 volkswagen passat. the contact stated that the check steering light illuminated on the instrument panel. she took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that the steering column failed. the column needed to be replaced at the cost of $1,200. a report was filed with the manufacturer and they offered to assist with 30% of the repair cost. the current and failure mileages were 78,000.

When i attempt to start my car, it will initially turn over but will then shut down. the in dash computer states a steering wheel lock failure. the dealership informed me that the problem was with a module in the steering column and that the repair bill would be $2000.00. they also confirmed that another one of their customers had the same problem, except that the steering locked up on them while driving. the gentle i spoke with explained that the steering wheel locking up can also occur with mine. he then stated that vw america was going to pay for approximately 800.00 of the repair bill and i will have to cover the rest. *tr

The car suddenly wouldn't start. there was no forewarning. "steering column lock defective" warning appeared on the in-dash console. the car wouldn't start. i removed the key and tried after a few minutes, and the car started okay. this happened a few times in the stretch of one week or so. i took the car to the dealer and they replaced the entire steering column. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2006 volkswagen passat. the contact attempted to start the ignition and the steering wheel began to lock up. there were two warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. the messages displayed were "embolizater activated move steering wheel" and "steering lock defective". in addition, the ignition key was stuck and failed to release. the failures occured without warning. the driver disconnected and reconnected the battery cable to start the vehicle. the vehicle stalled between six to ten times while in operation. the failure occurred intermittently. the vehicle was towed from her residence to an independent mechanic. the vin was unknown. the failure and current mileages were 69,000.

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.*jb

2006 vw passat 2.0t steering column problem indicated by warning message in dashboard. we've seen this message on and off over several days. according to service advisor at the vw dealer the steering column will lock. therefore, it needs to be replaced. the estimate is 1,500.00 dlls. i did a web search to see if other owners have the same problem. i was amazed by the number of people complaining about this and so far there is no recall from vw for what is appears a design error. *tr

i am the second owner of a 2006 vw passat, who has had multiple issues with this vehicle. the latest being of most concern. when i attempt to start the car, it will either not turn over at all, or the engine turn over, then die. this happens nearly everytime i am in the car. my vehicle is 4,000 miles outside of the warranty, so neithervolkswagon, nor my local vw dealer will assist me with the cost (being an '!@#$% amount of $1643.00 out of pocket), nor has a recall been issued. i have called and emailed numerous individuals at vw corporate level, with no results. in doing research, i have found many forums, with multiple posts of customers having this same issue with this car, specifically the 2006 model. i have also went through the better business bureau to attempt to get answers on why vw is not doing more for their customers with a part that is obviously defective. below is the reply email i got from them, instructing me to contact your company. thank you for your attention and time on this matter. copy of email from bbb-- {i am in receipt of your email sent to the better business bureau, inc. upon review of your email, it doesn't appear as though you have filed a claim with the national highway traffic safety administration. i suggest you begin there. the office of defects investigation (odi) is an office within the nhtsa. odi conducts defect investigations and administers safety recalls to support the nhtsa's mission to improve safety on our nation's highways. nhtsa is authorized to order manufacturers to recall and repair vehicles or items of motor vehicle equipment when odi investigations indicate that they contain serious safety defects in their design, construction, or performance. odi also monitors the adequacy of manufacturers' recall campaigns. before initiating an investigation, odi carefully reviews the body of consumer complaints and other available data to determine whether a defect trend may exist. www.safercar.gov}. *tr

Car intermittently will not start for several minutes, and display reads "steering column lock defective". has happened dozens of times. dealer denies anything wrong with car after inspection. *tr

Electronic steering column continues to produce warning lights after being sent in for service. warning message that electronic steering lock is defective continues coming on. error message causes the car to not start, sometimes taking 2-10 restarts to get the car running. power assistance and electronic steering can fail (according to the owner's manual) if this problem is not fixed. could cause personal injury to self and others or damage to the vehicle if this is not fixed. have researched problem on the internet and found several other owners with the same problem. dealerships seem to have difficulty diagnosing and repairs are very costly. entire steering column must be replaced at a cost of $1,500-2,600. seems to be a common problem for this year and make, and may cause significant damage if not fixed. *tr

In april 2009, while driving, the "steering column lock defect" message appeared. as directed, took it immediately to dealership. after service, they indicated no problem could be found. after this, i would have this same error message appear when trying to start the car. many times, it would take 5-10 minutes of trying before the vehicle would start. had it in for other service over the past year & each time relayed the problem. they never could diagnose it & said it was probably just an issue with the computer. in april of 2010, the problem started occurring more & more frequently. in late may 2010, could not get the vehicle to start after same steering column lock message. then could not remove the key. finally got the key out; however, the dash and internal lights stayed on and ran down the battery. was able to get a charge to the battery but then the anti-theft system immobilizer engaged rendering the vehicle unusable. after a year of repeatedly taking the car to the dealership, it is now back there but it had to be towed. doing research i have found that this seems to be a very common occurrence with this make and model of car; however, no recalls, etc. have been issued and obviously the local dealership was unable to diagnose/fix the problem before it came to the point of the car being totally unusable. *tr

I was driving my vw passat 2006 2.0t today with my two children in the car. we stopped for a short break. when i restarted the car, i got the "steering column lock defective" message on the car computer. after i restarted the car a couple of times, the message was gone. when i checked the passat owners forum, i realized this is a very common problem for this car. i decided to inform nhtsa about it. i will see the dealer tomorrow to rectify the problem. *tr

2006 vw passat steering lock failure..will cost me 1500 to fix even though there are countless pages of people have the same problem with car. volkswagen does not recognize it as big enough for a recall. *tr

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. *tr

Back in the summer of 2008, i was having minimal issues with having the key stick into the ignition. i was able easily push the key in and take it back out without a problem. around december 2008 i had a "steering column lock defective" appear on my dashboard and my car shut off. this continues to happen about once every 10 times i turn the car on. i took it to the volkswagen dealership and it was stated that the electronic steering column needs to be replaced as well as the comfort system module. total cost: $1,500. *tr