Oil pump bolt failure. Bolt simply backed out causing major damage and could have caused the engine to seize. This is a common problem with this model and VW refuses to acknowledge or remedy the problem. After a costly repair in 2011, it appears to have the same problem now.

- Meraux, LA, USA

On the highway going over a hill apparently the oil pump bolt that holds the sprocket broke causing the car to drive with a significant loss of power and rough idle. Fortunately I was able to get it to a qualified repair shop that was able to fix it before it ruined the engine. The repair shop diagnosed the problem as completely due to a faulty oil pump bolt. They said I was lucky that the bolt managed to stay more or less in place even though it was snapped in half otherwise it would have destroyed the engine. I have supporting repair documentation.

- Medford, OR, USA

Started driving on the highway, at 55mph suddenly the car lost power and check engine light came on car wouldn't start after I pulled over, loud noise and vibrating came from engine also cra indicated low oil pressure.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

Engine is dead thanks to Volkswagen who have not make a official recall over this defective oil pump bolt - lots of people most of them get this cars out of warranty like my case who are getting this car preowned will face same issues unless VW take action.

- Springfield, MA, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle began to shake violently and lose power. The contact mentioned that the check engine warning light would flash intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ignition cord needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired but the failure was not remedied. The approximate failure and current mileage was 107,000.

- Lockport, IL, USA

Check engine light came on, we took it to dealership and had repairs done including oil change, after a day of driving the check engine light came on again, returned to dealer, more repairs were done, paid around $3,000 in repairs to timing belt, tensioner, guide pulleys, and water pump. After that repair, the light again came on and returned to dealer, was told that metal was found in oil filter housing and engine will need replaced to address the concern. Could not afford at that time and was not informed it could not be driven, the check engine light was off and were told that upon acceleration from stop the metals would scrape. Car was still operable, C/E light was off and needed for transportation to work and after 3 trips to and from repair shop (3 rivers Volkswagen) and all of the money already spent on repairs to "fix" the same issue leading up to this, I was not able to do that at the time, as well as being skeptical of paying $9K more! was driving on the highway when the oil pump bolt failed completely and caused engine to cease. Later learned that this was a common issue on the 2006 VW Passat 2.0T engines and that it can cause catastrophic engine failure, that VW was aware of the design flaw and has manufactured a replacement bolt but has never issued a recall and does not inform owners of these cars that there is potential for this engine failure. www.faqs.org/car/Volkswagen-Passat-2006/engine/#ixzz2mckgqsg2 I was lucky not to have an accident as the engine failed while driving on the highway, and had to get a tow home. This is a potential accident waiting to happen for many like myself who were never told the engine may cease and could result in people being injured or killed. There needs to be a recall on this as there are many others having this exact issue on this car.

- Monongahela , PA, USA

3.6 oil bolt failure requires complete motor replacement.

- South St Paul, MN, USA

On multiple occasions (almost every day) I will try to start the car and it will die the show a "steering wheel lock column" on the dash board, after several tries it will eventually start and run. On several occasions I have been traveling down the interstate at the average of 60-75 mph and the car will just shut completely off. This is extremely unsafe!!! I have read this is a common error, there should be a safety recall on this issue!

- Pearl, MS, USA

My car seems like its looses power or don't want to go at any speed when I need to speedup and when I put it in park position the RPM needle keeps going up or down I took it to my mechanic he check for any codes and came out that coil #1 and #3 were bad.

- Porterville, CA, USA

In stop and go traffic and traveling at an extremely slow speed, the vehicle bumped into the rear of another vehicle. The contact ignited the VW Passat into flames destroying the entire vehicle. Importantly, the other vehicle involved has zero damage as the bump was extremely light. We are aware the model year 2006 VW Passat has a history of this occurring in front end collisions. We strongly request and recommend a recall be demanded of VW.

- San Jose, CA, USA

I got a several time of service from VW dealer, but the problem is still recurring. I got more 100 times of suddenly engine off or not acceleration while driving. I found youtube link that it is extremely same with my problem : www.youtube.com/watch?V=lyjb4erljes the problem recurs for a year from the first recognition, I replaced fuel pump, fuel sensor, fuel pressure regulator and suction valve for this period. But the problem is not fixed. I found another forum link for my problem : 1) forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?3462993-attn-3.6L-owners-has-your-engine-failed I got very dangerous situation for many times due to the problem. For example, I had twice that my car was stopped when I left turn around on cross way. Another car was coming to my side and stopped barely. If the car couldn't stop, I might get severe accident.

- Cliffside Park, NJ, USA

I was getting onto the highway in my 2006 3.6 Passat. The car lost power, check engine light & epc light came on in the car. The car would not allow me to go over 40mph, so I exited the highway & drove car to the mechanic. They removed the transmission to find the issue of the bolt holding the oil pump was partially removed. The car detected a timing issue & was the reason that it would not allow me to go over 40 mph. When the mechanic removed the bolt to replace it, it came off in two pieces. He stated that the bolt was not the appropriate bolt & the new guidelines required a different bolt with additional torque. This was an engineered manufacturer defect with Volkswagen & should be required to be recalled.

- Centennial, CO, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer for a diagnostic. The dealer stated that the fuel pump was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer. The dealer could not find a defect with the vehicle. The failure mileage was 94,000. The VIN was not available.

- Beltsville, MD, USA

Car died after going up hill at night in the rain. Had towed to service station. Was advised oil bolt disintegrated after oil plug filter got clogged. Head blown in car need new engine. Was advised VW is familiar with this problem but chose not to fix it.

- Elma, WA, USA

Oil pump bolt broken as in the other VW Passats from 2006 & 7 and reported on this site. Damaged timing chain cover, timing chain and a number of other parts. Car was serviced and inspected 5,000 miles previously. All service up to this point completed per owners manual at VW dealer. This problem is covered extensively at forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?4321376-**official-24V-3.6L-engine-%28oil-pump-bolt%29-failure-thread** as well as www.passatworld.com/forums/74-Volkswagen-Passat-B6-discussion/327507-3-6-oil-bolt-failure-reference-material.html. not only is this a potentially dangerous and known problem involving failure of mechanical systems, but extremely expensive to repair. I received a quote for $6300 for a car with 78,000 miles. This is a known problem on 3.6L V6S that is being ignored by VW of America who refused to help even cover replacement parts.

- Happy Valley, OR, USA

My car is exhibiting the same problems that many other consumers are experiencing. The engine oil pump bolt fails and backs-out, which can sheer off the bolt and cause the engine to experience catastrophic failure. My epc light, engine light, as well as exclamation light are on. The car has very little power, and although it does run, the acceleration needed to drive the car makes it dangerous. The issues has been highlighted by many consumers and have contacted the person noted at the bottom of this post: www.passatworld.com/forums/74-Volkswagen-Passat-B6-discussion/327507-3-6-oil-bolt-failure-reference-material.html the cost to replace this part is on average $2000. This is a manufacturing issue and has been reported by many people. VW has yet to issue a recall for the problem and I am awaiting a response from [xxx] or [xxx] about the issue. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Mount Holly Springs, PA, USA

Like many others, the oil bolt in my transmission sheared-off. Apparently VW is aware of the design flaw and has manufactured a replacement bolt, but VW still expects unsuspecting owners to pay $1,000's to replace it. I bought the car as a certified used car from VW on 9/11/10 and was not told of this issue. This issue needs to be addressed in a recall if VW will not warn customers or fix the issue on their own. www.passatworld.com/forums/74-Volkswagen-Passat-B6-discussion/327507-3-6-oil-bolt-failure-reference-material.html.

- Washburn, WI, USA

While driving on a busy highway in philadelphia pa (schuylkill expressway), my 2006 VW Passat 3.6L 4 motion lost power and limped to the side of the road almost causing several accidents in the process. After taking the auto to two different non-dealer specialist and then a VW dealer - all three stated that the default code (P0016 -008-incorrect correlation - mil on) meant that the oil pump bolt failed and caused the engine to go into limp mode. One specialist said I was lucky to get to 110,000 miles as most of these bolts fail at a range from 60,000 to 70,000 and that this bolt that was used being of poor quality will, and has caused catastrophic engine failure and could cause a loss of power and a rear end collision - all three (the two non-dealer and the VW dealer service manger were well aware of the problem, stated it was common on 2006/2007 Passat and as more and more of these 2006/2007 get older - more will fail and could cause accidents or worse. I would like to know if an investigation could be done and a recall established. There is a wide range of repair cost, potential for property damage and ultimately loss of life for a $5 bolt that the manufacturer knows is flawed and will not fix it.

- King Of Prussia, PA, USA

Car continues to stop while being driven.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

Trunk has difficulty closing. Seat belt don't work properly. Airbag light along with the motor light turn on. These lights were never really fixed by the car dealer. The passenger back door does not lock most of the time leaving the car without the alarm working.

- Salinas, CA, USA