Passat 2006 steering column problem

[K A R M]

I have a 2006 Passat that now needs a steering column replaced due to problems starting. The problem will appear at around 60,000km and will be very intermittant, put the key fob in and the car will not start, then remove it, try again and again and the ignition catches. You might think that it is just the key fob, as I did. Sometimes the car starts but stops immediately. Eventually the problem will get worse. I visited two different dealers when the problem was relatively new and both dealers claimed never to have heard of this problem. Once I had a diagnosis I did a search on-line and found that it is a big issue with Passats. Beware if buying a used Passat as the cost of replacing a steering column is quoted to me at $2,600. My car is now out of warranty and VW Canada will not do anything because it was not formally registered with eh dealers while under warranty. If you own a Passat and have any of these problems with your ignition be sure to take the car in and have a work order completed and a new steering column put in.