Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 7 of 12 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
12 reports
14,500 miles · Sep 14, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE (ONLY 14,500 MILES) ALL OF A SUDDEN, THERE WAS A LOSS IN POWER AND A WHINING SOUND. THE WHINING SOUND INCREASED SPEED AND PITCH WHEN STEPPING ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THEN SOON AFTER, SMOKE CAME FROM THE TAIL PIPE. PARKED CAR AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER OF PURCHASE. DEALER WILL NOT INSPECT CAR FREE UND…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE (ONLY 14,500 MILES) ALL OF A SUDDEN, THERE WAS A LOSS IN POWER AND A WHINING SOUND. THE WHINING SOUND INCREASED SPEED AND PITCH WHEN STEPPING ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THEN SOON AFTER, SMOKE CAME FROM THE TAIL PIPE. PARKED CAR AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER OF PURCHASE. DEALER WILL NOT INSPECT CAR FREE UNDER WARRANTY UNLESS I CAN PROVE THAT I USED THE VW APPROVED MOTOR OIL. CALLED DEALER SERVICE MANAGER AND GOT SAME REPLY. CALLED VW CUSTOMER CARE NUMBER AND GOT THE SAME REPLY. BY THIS TIME, CAR WAS NOT OPERABLE FOR ALMOST 3 WEEKS JUST SITTING IN THE DEALER SERVICE LOT. DEALER SERVICE AND VW OF AMERICA REFUSE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR. DEALER SAID THEY WOULD INSPECT THE CAR FOR $625.00. IF FOUND TO BE A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT, I WOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY THE $625.00 NOW I AM WAITING FOR THE DEALER SERVICE TO TELL ME THAT IT WAS NOT A DEFECT AND THAT SOMEHOW THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS MY FAULT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10168303
Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2006
Vehicle Speed Control
SPEEDOMETER PROVIDES AN INCORRECT READING BY GERMAN LAW. THIS READING IS OFF BY 1-10 MPH, AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD. IT IS ALSO EASILY FIXED. *JB
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2007, AND WILL BE CONDUCTED IN SEVERAL STAGGERED MAILINGS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21, 2007. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2006 Volkswagen Golf Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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