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.

- Kingman, AZ, USA

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.

- Montgomery Village, MD, USA

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.

- Arlington, VA, USA

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.

- Highland Village, TX, USA

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.

- Miami, FL, USA

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.

- Olympia, WA, USA

2006 VW Passat 2.0T. Steering column lock failure.

- Watervliet, NY, USA

On several occasions leading up to 07-30-08, vehicle would not start properly. VW reprogrammed keys but refused to cover costs even though vehicle was still under warranty. Around April 2009, vehicle began having problems cranking again. Vehicle would start then the engine would immediately die, but not every time. Condition got worse at the beginning of June and had the battery and alternator checked out. They were fine. On one occasion the vehicle computer gave a "steering wheel lock defective" error. Took vehicle back to dealer on 06-16-2009. This time they said steering column control module and comfort module would need to be replaced and that this problem was not related to earlier problem that should have been covered under warranty. Had vehicle repaired at different VW dealer at own cost. I kept the old parts.

- Alexandria, AL, USA

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.

- Toronto, 00, USA

Having issues with steering column lock, car never starts, takes multiple tries to get it to start. Saving money to pay for $1500 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.

- Canfield, OH, USA

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.

- Centennial, CO, USA

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.

- Salinas, CA, USA

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..

- Charlotte, NC, USA

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.

- Haddonfield, NJ, USA

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. 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 of the repair bill and I will have to cover the rest.

- Little Elm , TX, USA

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 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}.

- Lebanon Junction, KY, USA

Vehicle will not start 70% of the time. Vehicle stalls once started. Problem is getting worse. Quote was provided to repair, but parts are very expensive.

- Canfield, OH, USA

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 updated 06/08/09 updated 6/16/09 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.

- Fredericksburg, VA, USA

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.

- Cranston, RI, USA

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 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.

- Chula Vista, CA, USA