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2006 Volkswagen Gti

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

40 reports with mileage · 3 unknown

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.

  • Power Train. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 7 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 reports3 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

43 reports
120,200 miles · Jan 23, 2013
Engine

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILURE THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE CAM FOLLOWER AND THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILURE THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE CAM FOLLOWER AND THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 120,200.

NHTSA ODI #10494462

67,000 miles · Oct 17, 2012
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS SHE NOTICED LOUD NOISES COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL FOR THE CAM FOLLOWER IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. AFTER HAVING THE REPAIRS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS SHE NOTICED LOUD NOISES COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL FOR THE CAM FOLLOWER IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. AFTER HAVING THE REPAIRS DONE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE METAL SHAVINGS FROM THE RECALLED COMPONENT THAT GOT INTO THE MOTOR AND AS A RESULT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE RECALL REPAIRS HAD BEEN PERFORMED ONCE BEFORE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 71,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10480818

100,000 miles · Jan 3, 2012
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ROOF HEADLINER WAS FALLING DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ADHESIVE ON THE HEADLINER WAS FAILING. AS A RESULT, THE HEADLINER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTAN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ROOF HEADLINER WAS FALLING DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ADHESIVE ON THE HEADLINER WAS FAILING. AS A RESULT, THE HEADLINER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10442297

69,800 miles · Jun 7, 2011
Air BagsCrashInjury

I LOST CONTROL ON A VERY SHARP TURN BY A STEEP DROP-OFF IN THE NORTH CAROLINA MOUNTAINS. WHEN FIRST LEAVING THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH, THE FRONT LEFT CORNER OF THE CAR HIT A TREE A FEW FEET OFF THE PAVEMENT. AFTER ROLLING OFF A STEEP EMBANKMENT, APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET, THE FRONT GRILL AND BUMPER MADE FULL CONTACT WITH T…

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I LOST CONTROL ON A VERY SHARP TURN BY A STEEP DROP-OFF IN THE NORTH CAROLINA MOUNTAINS. WHEN FIRST LEAVING THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH, THE FRONT LEFT CORNER OF THE CAR HIT A TREE A FEW FEET OFF THE PAVEMENT. AFTER ROLLING OFF A STEEP EMBANKMENT, APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET, THE FRONT GRILL AND BUMPER MADE FULL CONTACT WITH THE GROUND AND SMALL TREES, STOPPING THE CAR FROM ITS PLUNGE. THE FRONT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, YET THE IMPACT WAS ENOUGH TO CRUNCH THE HOOD (PICTURES AVAILABLE). MY WIFE WAS TREATED AND RELEASED FROM THE LOCAL HOSPITAL WITH A GASH ON HER HEAD. MOST SURPRISING WAS WHEN THE REAR DRIVER-SIDE PART OF THE VEHICLE LATERALLY SLAMMED INTO A TREE, NO SIDE/CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE IMPACT WAS JUST BEHIND THE BACK EDGE OF THE DRIVER DOOR AND SMASHED IN THE FRAME FROM THE ROOF TO THE TOP CENTER OF THE WHEEL WELL, DEEPEST AT THE TOP OF THE CAR FRAME. THERE WAS ALSO A SMALLER IMPACT IN THE SAME AREA ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CAR. MY HEAD SLAMMED INTO THE TOP INSIDE PART OF THE DOOR/ROOF WHERE AN AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED, AND I AM STILL FEELING THE BRUISING AND STIFFNESS TODAY. THE AIRBAGS IN THE CAR WERE A KEY SELLING POINT; THEY FAILED. I UNDERSTAND THERE MUST BE A CERTAIN FORCE TO CAUSE DEPLOYMENT, BUT THIS FORCE SHOULD HAVE BEEN MET FROM THE SIDE IMPACT AND FROM ONE OF THE TWO IMPACTS AT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. IT CERTAINLY FAILED MY WIFE AND ME AT A CRITICAL TIME. A CLAIMS ADJUSTER IS STILL EVALUATING MY VEHICLE (ESTIMATED TO BE TOTALED). WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF FRONT AND SIDE AIRBAGS IF THE SENSOR WOULD NOT DEPLOY THEM IN AN ACCIDENT GIVEN THIS SPEED AND THE SIDE/FRONT COLLISIONS WITH ENOUGH FORCE LIKELY TO TOTAL THE CAR VW OF AMERICA, AFTER CONSULTING WITH AN ENGINEER, SAID ALL FOUR WHEELS MUST BE ON THE GROUND FOR THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. BECAUSE THE PASSENGER TIRES WEREN'T ON GROUND, THAT'S WHY THEY SAID AIRBAGS WERE PROGRAMMED NOT TO DEPLOY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10405472

33,000 miles · Feb 20, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

2006 VOLKSWAGEN GTI - CAM FOLLOWER DEFECT IN OCTOBER, 2010 I PURCHASED A USED 2006 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR, I TOOK IT TO A VW MECHANIC TO HAVE IT LOOKED OVER. EVERYTHING LOOKED GOOD BUT HE REQUESTED TO INSPECT THE CAM FOLLOWER AS HE KNEW THERE WAS A DEFECT IN ITS DESIGN THAT COULD CAUSE MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE ENGI…

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2006 VOLKSWAGEN GTI - CAM FOLLOWER DEFECT IN OCTOBER, 2010 I PURCHASED A USED 2006 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR, I TOOK IT TO A VW MECHANIC TO HAVE IT LOOKED OVER. EVERYTHING LOOKED GOOD BUT HE REQUESTED TO INSPECT THE CAM FOLLOWER AS HE KNEW THERE WAS A DEFECT IN ITS DESIGN THAT COULD CAUSE MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE IF NOT MONITORED. I HAD TO PAY HIM $75 IN LABOR TO REMOVE THE CAM FOLLOWER SO THAT IT COULD BE INSPECTED. IT WAS FINE. HE MENTIONED IT LOOKED SO NEW THAT IT PROBABLY HAD BEEN REPLACED. ANYWAYS, HE SUGGESTED THAT I HAVE IT INSPECTED EVERY TIME I HAVE THE OIL CHANGED OTHERWISE I WOULD RISK UP TO $2,500 IN REPAIR COSTS TO REPLACE ENGINE PARTS THAT COULD BE DAMAGED IF THE FOLLOWER FAILS. I CAN'T BELIEVE THERE'S NO RECALL FOR THIS? I HAVE TO PAY AN EXTRA $75 EVERY OIL CHANGE TO HAVE THIS INSPECTED DUE TO THE NEGLIGENCE OF VW. I KNOW THAT IN NEWER GTI MODELS THEY'VE REDESIGNED THE FOLLOWER. THIS DEFECT IS DANGEROUS AS IF THE FOLLOWER FAILS WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE ENGINE SEIZES, A MAJOR ACCIDENT COULD OCCUR. VW TSB #15 07 04. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10383406

80,050 miles · Dec 22, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train

OWNER OF A 2006 VW GTI, THREW ENGINE CODE FOR KNOWN TSB REGARDING CAM FOLLOWER AND CAM SHAFT WEAR AT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. MECHANIC INSPECTED SITE AND DISCOVERED THAT CAM SHAFT WEAR/ DAMAGE WAS EXTREME AND WOULD REQUIRE REPLACEMENT OF HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, CAM SHAFT, AND CAM FOLLOWER ALL OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY. THIS IS A …

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OWNER OF A 2006 VW GTI, THREW ENGINE CODE FOR KNOWN TSB REGARDING CAM FOLLOWER AND CAM SHAFT WEAR AT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. MECHANIC INSPECTED SITE AND DISCOVERED THAT CAM SHAFT WEAR/ DAMAGE WAS EXTREME AND WOULD REQUIRE REPLACEMENT OF HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, CAM SHAFT, AND CAM FOLLOWER ALL OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND SHOULD HAVE SOME EXTENSION ON FACTORY WARRANTIES FROM VW OF AMERICA INSTEAD OF EXPECTING OWNERS TO PONY UP $1600-2400 IN REPAIR COSTS WHEN IT INEVITABLY FAILS. FOR NOTE OF KNOWN ISSUE, SEE VW TSB #2013147/8. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10372176

59,279 miles · May 5, 2010
Electrical SystemFire

CAR INFORMATION: 2006 VOLKSWAGEN GTI 2.0T, 59,279 MILES. INCIDENT: WENT TO START CAR AFTER EATING IN A RESTAURANT, IGNITION COIL EXPLODED. MELTED THE WIRING HARNESS, VALVE COVER AND DAMAGED OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS CAR FIRE AND ENDANGERED PEOPLE'S LIVES. THERE IS CURRENTLY A RE…

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CAR INFORMATION: 2006 VOLKSWAGEN GTI 2.0T, 59,279 MILES. INCIDENT: WENT TO START CAR AFTER EATING IN A RESTAURANT, IGNITION COIL EXPLODED. MELTED THE WIRING HARNESS, VALVE COVER AND DAMAGED OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS CAR FIRE AND ENDANGERED PEOPLE'S LIVES. THERE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL ON THESE IGNITION COILS FOR EMISSIONS PROBLEMS, BUT I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE INVESTIGATING DONE. VOLKSWAGEN IS COVERING PARTS AND LABOR TO FIX ISSUES RESULTING FROM EXPLOSION, BUT WILL NOT PROVIDE RENTAL CAR OR OTHER TRANSPORTATION WHILE CAR IS BEING WORKED ON. I AM WORRIED ABOUT FUTURE ELECTRICAL ISSUES AS A RESULT FROM THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10328973

Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2010
Air Bags

IN FOUR YEARS OF OWNERSHIP, MY 2006 VW GTI MARK V CAR HAS HAD SIX OCCASIONS WHEREBY THE AIRBAG FAULT LIGHT HAS COME ON. EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AND THE LIGHT STAYED OFF FOR A PERIOD OF MONTHS BEFORE RETURNING. MOST RECENTLY, MY VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THIS REASON IN DECEMBER AND THE AIRBAG FAULT LIGHT STAYED OFF UN…

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IN FOUR YEARS OF OWNERSHIP, MY 2006 VW GTI MARK V CAR HAS HAD SIX OCCASIONS WHEREBY THE AIRBAG FAULT LIGHT HAS COME ON. EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AND THE LIGHT STAYED OFF FOR A PERIOD OF MONTHS BEFORE RETURNING. MOST RECENTLY, MY VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THIS REASON IN DECEMBER AND THE AIRBAG FAULT LIGHT STAYED OFF UNTIL THIS WEEK. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS MATTER TO THE ATTENTION OF MY DEALER AND AM AWAITING GUIDANCE ON HOW TO PROCEED. ALTHOUGH THE CAR JUST WENT OFF WARRANTY, I AM REQUESTING THAT VW MAKE REPAIRS AT ITS EXPENSE SINCE THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN A REPEATED PROBLEM THROUGHOUT MY OWNERSHIP OF THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10314171

84,000 miles · Feb 12, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. THE CONTACT NOTICED A REDUCTION IN POWER ALONG WITH A SHUDDERING OF THE VEHICLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CRANK CASE BREATHER HOSE AND A FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR; HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM INTENSIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS ALMOST INOPERABLE. THE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. THE CONTACT NOTICED A REDUCTION IN POWER ALONG WITH A SHUDDERING OF THE VEHICLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CRANK CASE BREATHER HOSE AND A FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR; HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM INTENSIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS ALMOST INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE VACUUM HOSE WAS REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO PERFORMED THE IGNITION COIL RECALL REPAIR ON THE VEHICLE. WHEN HE PICKED UP THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN HE TURNED THE VEHICLE ON; HOWEVER, THE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT HE HAD A VALVE LASH AND FUEL PUMP MODULE REPAIR. WHILE DRIVING LONG A DISTANCE, THE VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE BEGAN TO BLINK ON AND OFF. THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED BY A SECOND DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A MAJOR FAILURE WITH THE CAMSHAFT SYSTEM WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, AND A CAM FOLLOWER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST HIM. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 84,000.

NHTSA ODI #10308911

81,000 miles · Jan 20, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY 2006 VW GTI HAS BEEN SERVICED EVERY 5000 MILES BY A VW DEALER. I PURCHASED THE CAR UNDER THE ASSUMPTION THAT IT WOULD BE IN GOOD CONDITION SINCE THE DEALER WAS THE ONE WHO PERFORMED ALL SERVICE. I TOOK THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP OFF TO CHECK THE CONDITION OF THE CAMSHAFT FOLLOWER. THE CAMSHAFT FOLLOWER WAS COMPLETELY MISSING…

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MY 2006 VW GTI HAS BEEN SERVICED EVERY 5000 MILES BY A VW DEALER. I PURCHASED THE CAR UNDER THE ASSUMPTION THAT IT WOULD BE IN GOOD CONDITION SINCE THE DEALER WAS THE ONE WHO PERFORMED ALL SERVICE. I TOOK THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP OFF TO CHECK THE CONDITION OF THE CAMSHAFT FOLLOWER. THE CAMSHAFT FOLLOWER WAS COMPLETELY MISSING THE TOP, THE HPFP WAS COMPLETELY MISSING IT'S TIP AND THE CAMSHAFT HAS LARGE GOUGES IN THE METAL. THIS IS AN AWFUL DESIGN, AND SHOULD BE RECTIFIED BY VOLKSWAGEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10300486

Official recalls

2

07V442000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

Sep 24, 2007

CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." SOME VEHICLES MAY NOT HAVE HAD A REQUIRED CAP INSTALLED WHICH DISABLES THE HEADLIGHT HORIZONTAL AIM AND SOME VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN A CAP THAT DISABLES THE VERTICAL AIMING SCREW.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: NONCOMPLIANCE CAN INHIBIT PROPER HEADLAMP AIM ADJUSTMENT FOR ROADWAY ILLUMINATION, IMPROPERLY AIMED HEADLAMPS COULD CAUSE REDUCED ROAD VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF A CAP IN THE SOCKET OF THE LOW BEAM HORIZONTAL AIMING SCREW AND INSTALL ONE IF MISSING, AND INSPECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF A CAP IN THE SOCKET OF THE VERTICAL AIMING SCREW AND IF PRESENT, THE CAP WILL BE REMOVED. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON OCTOBER 31, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.

07V063000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Feb 20, 2007

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.