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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
30,500 miles · Oct 11, 2009
Power Train

1. DSG "PRNDS" LAMPS FLASHING ON FREEWAY 2. MY WIFE HAS HAD IT LIKE 5~6 TIMES SINCE SHE BOUGHT THIS CAR 3. PULLED OVER HER CAR AND TURNED IT OFF AND TURN IT ON AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10287044

24,505 miles · Sep 21, 2009
Power Train

HAVING SEVERE DOWNSHIFT BUCKING ISSUES WITH A 2006 VW GTI WITH THE DSG TRANSMISSION, CANNOT GET DEALER TO FIX ISSUES WITH THE DOWNSHIFTING. CAUSES UPON DOWN SHIFT OF THE 3RD TO 2ND GEAR THE CAR TO DO A BUCKING MOTION UPON SLOWING DOWN. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN COMING TO A STOP ON A WET OR ICY ROAD. IT OCCURS REGULARLY ENOUGH THAT I…

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HAVING SEVERE DOWNSHIFT BUCKING ISSUES WITH A 2006 VW GTI WITH THE DSG TRANSMISSION, CANNOT GET DEALER TO FIX ISSUES WITH THE DOWNSHIFTING. CAUSES UPON DOWN SHIFT OF THE 3RD TO 2ND GEAR THE CAR TO DO A BUCKING MOTION UPON SLOWING DOWN. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN COMING TO A STOP ON A WET OR ICY ROAD. IT OCCURS REGULARLY ENOUGH THAT I CAN ALMOST GET IT TO DUPLICATE IT WHEN CAR IS AT NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THE NOTICE/ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUES BUT CANT FIGURE IT OUT OR DO ANY REPAIRS. I HAVE SUGGESTED SEVERAL OPTIONS I HAVE READ ABOUT BUT THEY WILL TAKE NONE OF THEM INTO CONSIDERATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10284780

42,000 miles · Aug 29, 2009
Power Train

CAR WILL JERK BETWEEN DOWNSHIFTS WHILE COMING TO A LIGHT, ALSO WHEN ACCELERATING THE CAR WILL PAUSE BEFORE SHIFTING AND ALMOST FORGET WHAT IT WAS DOING. IT WILL LOSE ALL POWER AND JUST HANG THERE CAUSING MY CAR TO JUST DIE OUT IN TRAFFIC. ALSO SEEMS TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL FOR NO REASON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10282219

12,000 miles · Aug 21, 2009
Power Train

MY 2006 VW GTI WITH A DSG TRANSMISSION WORKED FLAWLESSLY FOR APPROXIMATELY 10K MILES. STARTING AT ABOUT 12K MILES AND UP UNTIL NOW AT 16K MILES I AM EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THIS INCLUDES DELAYS AT SHIFT POINTS, CAUSING ERRATIC SHIFTING, JERKING, LONG STALL PAUSES, CLUTCH SLIPPING, SURGING IN FORWARD …

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MY 2006 VW GTI WITH A DSG TRANSMISSION WORKED FLAWLESSLY FOR APPROXIMATELY 10K MILES. STARTING AT ABOUT 12K MILES AND UP UNTIL NOW AT 16K MILES I AM EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THIS INCLUDES DELAYS AT SHIFT POINTS, CAUSING ERRATIC SHIFTING, JERKING, LONG STALL PAUSES, CLUTCH SLIPPING, SURGING IN FORWARD AND REVERSE, ETC. TYPICALLY WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC FROM A PARKING LOT FOR EXAMPLE THERE IS A LONG 2 SEC PAUSE BETWEEN 1 AND 2. THIS IS DISTURBING CONSIDERING APPROACHING TRAFFIC AND WAITING FOR 2ND GEAR TO ENGAGE WITH POWER. ANOTHER EXAMPLE IS NOTICEABLE JERKING WHEN SHIFTING AT LOW SPEEDS TYPICALLY FROM 1-2 ALMOST FEELING LIKE A BUMP FROM ANOTHER CAR. IN ADDITION I HAVE EXPERIENCED NO GEAR ENGAGEMENT WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE. EVEN THOUGH IT SAYS REVERSE IT ACTS LIKE NEUTRAL. I HAVE QUERIED THE DEALER IN REGARD TO ISSUES AND EVEN TAKEN IT IN. BECAUSE THERE WERE NO FAULT CODES THEIR RESPONSE WAS IT IS OPERATING AS NORMAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10281356

57,000 miles · Jul 25, 2009
Power Train

I OWN A 2006 VW GTI WITH A DSG TRANSMISSION AND WANTED TO FILE A COMPLAINT NOTING THAT THE TRANSMISSION WHILE HESITATE FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME BEFORE ENGAGING PRIMARILY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP OR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PASS OR MERGE INTO HIGHWAY TRAFFIC. ANY OF THESE SITUATIONS ARE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AND COUL…

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I OWN A 2006 VW GTI WITH A DSG TRANSMISSION AND WANTED TO FILE A COMPLAINT NOTING THAT THE TRANSMISSION WHILE HESITATE FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME BEFORE ENGAGING PRIMARILY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP OR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PASS OR MERGE INTO HIGHWAY TRAFFIC. ANY OF THESE SITUATIONS ARE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10278275

40,000 miles · Jul 20, 2009
Power Train

WAS TRYING TO PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC FROM A GAS STATION, I GO TO HIT THE GAS AND THEN CAR COMPLETELY FALLS ON ITS FACE. THE DISPLAY STARTS FLASHING GEARS, AND I LOSE ALL POWER. I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED BY LIKE 3 OTHER CARS. I MANAGED TO LIMP THE CAR OFF THE ROAD. HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE MECHATRONICS UNIT…

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WAS TRYING TO PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC FROM A GAS STATION, I GO TO HIT THE GAS AND THEN CAR COMPLETELY FALLS ON ITS FACE. THE DISPLAY STARTS FLASHING GEARS, AND I LOSE ALL POWER. I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED BY LIKE 3 OTHER CARS. I MANAGED TO LIMP THE CAR OFF THE ROAD. HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE MECHATRONICS UNIT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10277404

52,000 miles · Jul 14, 2009
Power Train

MY VEHICLE (2005 VW GTI) WILL WITH OUT ANY NOTICE TURN ITSELF OFF AT A STOP LIGHT AND WHEN RESTARTED IT DOES NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR RIGHT AWAY. IT DOES THIS OFTEN. WHEN I SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND THEN SHIFT INTO DRIVE IT TAKES A LITTLE BIT OF TIME BEFORE MY VEHICLE SHIFTS INTO GEAR CAUSING ME TO STAY IDLE IN ONE PLACE. I HAVE GOTTEN …

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MY VEHICLE (2005 VW GTI) WILL WITH OUT ANY NOTICE TURN ITSELF OFF AT A STOP LIGHT AND WHEN RESTARTED IT DOES NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR RIGHT AWAY. IT DOES THIS OFTEN. WHEN I SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND THEN SHIFT INTO DRIVE IT TAKES A LITTLE BIT OF TIME BEFORE MY VEHICLE SHIFTS INTO GEAR CAUSING ME TO STAY IDLE IN ONE PLACE. I HAVE GOTTEN CLOSE TO GETTING INTO SEVERAL ACCIDENTS WITH MY CAR TURNING OFF AND THEN TAKING MORE THEN THE REQUIRED TIME TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT IS MY DSG TRANSMISSION AND HE HAS HEARD THIS PROBLEM WITH SEVERAL OF MY TYPE OF CAR. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND COULD CAUSE ACCIDENTS FOR PEOPLE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WITH A FAULTY DSG TRANSMISSION. THE COST TO REPLACE THESE TRANSMISSIONS IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND VW SHOULD DO MORE TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF ITS CAR OWNERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10276815

80,139 miles · Apr 21, 2009
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train

ON APRIL 4, 2009 I DISCOVERED THAT MY FUEL PUMP, CAM FOLLOWER AND INTAKE CAM LOBE HAVE PREMATURELY WORN AS DESCRIBED IN A JUNE 2007 VW TSB #15 07 04. THE CAM FOLLOWER CAP WORE THROUGH, CAUSING THE FUEL PUMP PLUNGER TIP TO COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE CAM LOBE, WEARING ALL THREE PARTS TO THE POINT THAT THEY MUST BE REPLACED, AS PE…

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ON APRIL 4, 2009 I DISCOVERED THAT MY FUEL PUMP, CAM FOLLOWER AND INTAKE CAM LOBE HAVE PREMATURELY WORN AS DESCRIBED IN A JUNE 2007 VW TSB #15 07 04. THE CAM FOLLOWER CAP WORE THROUGH, CAUSING THE FUEL PUMP PLUNGER TIP TO COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE CAM LOBE, WEARING ALL THREE PARTS TO THE POINT THAT THEY MUST BE REPLACED, AS PER THE TSB, EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE WAS MAINTAINED AT THE DEALER DURING WARRANTY PERIOD PURSUANT TO VW SPECIFICATIONS, AND IN EXCESS OF THE INTERVALS CALLED FOR IN THE MAINTENANCE BOOKLET THAT CAME WITH THE CAR SINCE THE WARRANTY PERIOD EXPIRED. BECAUSE MY CAR NEVER DISPLAYED A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THE CAM WEAR WAS NEVER CHECKED BY THE SERVICING DEALER SINCE THEY ARE INSTRUCTED IN THE TSB NOT TO PROCEED IN THE ABSENCE OF A WARNING INDICATOR, AND BY THE TIME THE ISSUE WAS FOUND, VW DENIED WARRANTY CLAIMS DUE TO MILEAGE ON THE CAR (80,100 +/- AT THE TIME OF DISCOVERY). IT IS MY CONTENTION THAT THE PARTS WILL CONTINUE TO WEAR TO THE POINT THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND/OR CAM SHAFT MAY FAIL DURING HIGHWAY OPERATION, POSSIBLY CAUSING A COLLISION OR THE RELEASE OF FUEL INTO THE ENGINE BAY THEREBY CAUSING A RISK OF FIRE. THE VW MAINTENANCE BOOKLET MAKES NO MENTION OF THE NECESSITY OF REPLACING OR EVEN CHECKING THESE PARTS FOR WEAR THROUGH 100,000 MILES, AND IF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT ILLUMINATE, THE OWNER MAY HAVE NO WARNING OF AN IMPENDING FAILURE OF THE PARTS. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED ONE CAM FOLLOWER, AND HAVE THE ORIGINAL DAMAGED PART. AN UNSCIENTIFIC REVIEW OF VW OWNER WEBSITES INDICATES THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE, AND IN SOME INSTANCES HAS OCCURRED IN AS FEW AS 25,000 MILES. I HAVE CONTACTED VW DIRECTLY, AND WHILE THEY HAVE NOT DISPUTED THE FACT THAT THE PARTS ARE DEFECTIVE, THEY REFUSE TO OFFER ANY REPAIR ASSISTANCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10266297

32,400 miles · Nov 10, 2008
Exterior Lighting

1. PURCHASED MY 2006 VW GTI ON JULY 15TH 2008. NOTICED CONDENSATION IN THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT HOUSING. 2. CONDENSATION ALWAYS THERE. NO WAY TO REMOVE BRAKE LIGHT TO REMOVE THE CONDENSATION. 3. FILING COMPLAINT. POSSIBLE CRACKED LIGHT OR SHORT IN LIGHT DUE TO THE CONDENSATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10248308

40,000 miles · Oct 22, 2008
Suspension

1. I SERVICED MY CAR AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO PERFORMED A LOWER SUSPENSION BUSHING REPLACEMENT ON THE FRONT STRUT SUSPENSION. THIS WAS A VOLUNTARY SERVICE THAT I ELECTED TO DO VIA A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FROM VW TO REPLACE NOISY AND SQUEAKY BUSHINGS INSTALLED WHEN THE CAR WAS MANUFACTURED. 2 DAYS AFTER THE SERVICE WAS DO…

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1. I SERVICED MY CAR AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO PERFORMED A LOWER SUSPENSION BUSHING REPLACEMENT ON THE FRONT STRUT SUSPENSION. THIS WAS A VOLUNTARY SERVICE THAT I ELECTED TO DO VIA A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FROM VW TO REPLACE NOISY AND SQUEAKY BUSHINGS INSTALLED WHEN THE CAR WAS MANUFACTURED. 2 DAYS AFTER THE SERVICE WAS DONE I NOTICED A LOUD BANGING NOISE WHEN BACKING UP, GOING OVER SPEED BUMPS, AND TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS. 2. THE FAILURE OCCURS AT LEAST FOUR TIMES A DAY THE FORCE OF THE BANG IS SO STRONG THAT IT SENDS A SHARP VIBRATION THROUGH THE FRAME OF THE CAR. ON OCCASION I HAVE HEARD THE PLASTIC INTERIOR PANELS CRACK FROM THE FORCE. 3. I SENT THE CAR TO THE DEALER TWICE TO CORRECT IT. ON THE FIRST VISIT THE DEALER TIGHTENED ALL OF MY SUBFRAME BOLTS BECAUSE THEY IDENTIFIED SOME AS BEING LOOSE. THE SOUND CAME BACK 3 DAYS LATER. THE SECOND VISIT I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEIR TECH COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE SOUND AFTER 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING UNDER MY ADVISED CONDITIONS. THE THIRD VISIT I WAS ABLE TO SHOW THE SERVICE REP THE PROBLEM AND REPRODUCE THE NOISE. WHEN THE SERVICE REP TRIED TO SHOW IT TO THE TECH HE SAID HE COULD NOT REPRODUCE IT AFTER 15 MINUTES. THE PROBLEM PERSISTS NOW AND I AM NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. ON ALL PREVIOUS VISITS I WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10246391

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.