How to Take Out the Center Console on a Passat

If your Passat's center console is damaged in an accident, or if you wish to modify the console's color or material, you can easily remove it from your vehicle in just under an hour. The center console on your Passat is comprised of several components that must be removed in a certain order to completely remove the console from the vehicle. The components of your Passat's center console are each held in place by either bolts or Torx screws.

Instructions

1

Open the Passat's hood and disconnect the battery with a socket wrench.

2

Open the ashtray on the center console and remove the red plastic panel. Use a flat-head screwdriver to pry off the top part of the ashtray, and pull it upwards to remove it. The ashtray housing is held in by two plastic tabs. Use a flat-head screwdriver to pry off the tabs and remove the housing.

3

Push down on the two plastic tabs on the rear cup holder, and slide it out of the console. Release the tabs on the driver's side armrest using a flat-head screwdriver. Pull off the armrest on the driver's side by lifting it up and pulling it out at a right angle. Remove the armrest by using a socket wrench to uninstall the 13-mm bolt securing the armrest to the console.

4

Use a Torx screwdriver to remove the two Torx screws on the rear of the console. Use a flat-head screwdriver to remove the circular tabs on the sides of the console. Remove the Torx screws underneath the tabs.

5

Raise the console up as high as it will go, and slide it towards the dashboard. You will need to release the four locking tabs on the rear of the console with a flat-head screwdriver. Once the tabs are released, lift the center console out of the Passat.