IllustrationAIRBAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON WITH AN INTERMITTENT AIRBAG FAULT. 3RD TIME FOR THE REPAIR. THIS HAS BEEN A CONTINUAL PROBLEM SINCE JULY 2006. ONLY 3 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE. *AK
2006 Volkswagen Jetta
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Jetta years
Owner complaints for the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta are substantially higher than the model-year median of 68.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Jetta years →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
890–25K
6925–50K
10850–75K
9875–100K
95100–150K
49150K+
508 reports with mileage · 72 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 245 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 112 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 65 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
15 crash reports6 fire reports14 injury reports
Air Bags complaints
65 reportsWIFE STATED THAT WHEN SHE HIT BRAKES IT WAS HARD TO STOP CAR ,DID NOT SLOW, REAR ENDED A SUV AT ABOUT 30 MPH WHICH PUSHED FRONT END UP TO WINDSHIELD ABOVE BUMPER, PUSHED ENGINE INTO FIREWALL. SHE INCURRED MAJOR SEAT BELT BRUISING WITH NO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. AFTER INSPECTION THE INSURANCE COMPANY FOUND THAT TWO SENSORS HAD BEE…
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WIFE STATED THAT WHEN SHE HIT BRAKES IT WAS HARD TO STOP CAR ,DID NOT SLOW, REAR ENDED A SUV AT ABOUT 30 MPH WHICH PUSHED FRONT END UP TO WINDSHIELD ABOVE BUMPER, PUSHED ENGINE INTO FIREWALL. SHE INCURRED MAJOR SEAT BELT BRUISING WITH NO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. AFTER INSPECTION THE INSURANCE COMPANY FOUND THAT TWO SENSORS HAD BEEN DISTORTED ALONG WITH CRACKED ENGINE MOUNTS AND BENT CRADLE. THEY TOTALED THE CAR DUE IN PART TO NO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT,T AND FELT THAT THE CAR WOULD BE UNSAFE AFTER REPAIRS. AFTER CONTACTING VOLKSWAGEN, THEY SAID THAT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. BUT WHAT IF MY WIFE HAD JUMPED INTO THE CAR AND FORGOT TO PUT THE SEAT BELT ON SHE WOULD HAVE GONE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY DEFECT SINCE MOST ACCIDENTS WOULD OVER RIDE THE BUMPER DUE TO LOW BUMPER HEIGHT. VOLKSWAGEN DOES NOT SEEM TO THINK THIS IS A PROBLEM FROM THE PICTURES I SENT THEM AND OUR TALK ON THE PHONE. *AK
THE MANUFACTURER OF MY VEHICLE AND THE DEALER HAVE INFORMED ME THAT MY VOLKSWAGEN TDI'S WIRING HARNESS WAS CRUSHED DUE TO A FOREIGN OBJECT UNDERNEATH THE SEAT. ALTHOUGH I AM CONTESTING THAT THE OBJECT IS MINE, I DO THINK IT IS OF CONCERN THAT THE WIRING HARNESS IS NOT SECURED OR PROTECTED IN ANY WAY, AND ANY OBJECTS THAT SLIDE U…
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THE MANUFACTURER OF MY VEHICLE AND THE DEALER HAVE INFORMED ME THAT MY VOLKSWAGEN TDI'S WIRING HARNESS WAS CRUSHED DUE TO A FOREIGN OBJECT UNDERNEATH THE SEAT. ALTHOUGH I AM CONTESTING THAT THE OBJECT IS MINE, I DO THINK IT IS OF CONCERN THAT THE WIRING HARNESS IS NOT SECURED OR PROTECTED IN ANY WAY, AND ANY OBJECTS THAT SLIDE UNDERNEATH THE SEAT MAY CRUSH THIS HARNESS AND MAY POSSIBLY RENDER THE AIRBAG SYSTEM USELESS. *JB
THE 'PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF' LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED AT ALL TIMES, WITH NO PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. THIS IS NOT PROBLEMATIC IN THE DAYTIME BUT, AT NIGHT, IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE OF THE DISTRACTION OF A VERY BRIGHT ORANGE LIGHT GLARING AT THE DRIVER. IF THE SYSTEM IS OPERATING NORMALLY, WHETHER IT'S ON OR OFF, THER…
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THE 'PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF' LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED AT ALL TIMES, WITH NO PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. THIS IS NOT PROBLEMATIC IN THE DAYTIME BUT, AT NIGHT, IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE OF THE DISTRACTION OF A VERY BRIGHT ORANGE LIGHT GLARING AT THE DRIVER. IF THE SYSTEM IS OPERATING NORMALLY, WHETHER IT'S ON OR OFF, THERE SHOULD NOT BE A WARNING LIGHT. HAVING THAT BRIGHT ORANGE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ALL THE TIME, AT NIGHT, IS NOT SAFE. *JB
I AM CONTINUING TO HAVE A PROBLEM ON MY NEW MODEL 2005 JETTA. THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON 3 TIMES SINCE AUGUST 2005. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF APPLYING TO THE LEMON LAW PROGRAM IN CT. I HAVE SPOKE TO THE ATT GENERALS OFFICE AND THIS FALLS UNDER THE SAFETY CATEGORY AND FEELS I SHOULD FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THIS. I AM FRUSTRATED AN…
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I AM CONTINUING TO HAVE A PROBLEM ON MY NEW MODEL 2005 JETTA. THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON 3 TIMES SINCE AUGUST 2005. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF APPLYING TO THE LEMON LAW PROGRAM IN CT. I HAVE SPOKE TO THE ATT GENERALS OFFICE AND THIS FALLS UNDER THE SAFETY CATEGORY AND FEELS I SHOULD FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THIS. I AM FRUSTRATED AND CONCERNED NOT KNOWING FOR SURE IF THE AIRBAG HAS BEEN FIXED OR NOT SINCE THIS PAST WEEK WAS THE THIRD ATTEMPT OF THEM FIXING THE PROBLEM. *NM
Official recalls
410V621000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Dec 10, 2010
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 JETTA, NEW BEETLE, NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE, MODEL YEAR 2009 JETTA SPORTWAGEN AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 RABBIT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES. THE JETTA, JETTA SPORTWAGEN, AND RABBIT VEHICLES MAY HAVE A SMALL PLASTIC TAB LOCATED ON THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR THAT MAY CHAFE AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE. THE NEW BEETLE AND THE NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A FASTENING CLAMP ON A HYDRAULIC HOSE OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM THAT MAY BE LOCATED IN AN IMPROPER POSITION WHICH COULD CAUSE CHAFING AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF CHAFING OCCURS, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A FUEL LEAK TO DEVELOP. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE UNDERHOOD FUEL LINE. ADDITIONALLY, DEPENDING ON THE VEHICLE MODEL, DEALERS WILL EITHER REMOVE THE PLASTIC TAB FROM THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR, OR INSPECT THE POSITION OF THE FASTENING CLAMP AND ADJUST THE RELATED FASTENING CLAMP INTO THE CORRECT POSITION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
09V164000 · Power Train:driveline:driveshaft
May 19, 2009
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 25,594 MY 2006-2009 JETTA 5TH GENERATION EQUIPPED WITH 2.01 ENGINE. THE FASTENING SCREW CONTACT SURFACES ON THE DRIVESHAFT COVER PLATE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS. SOME SCREWS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TORQUED PROPERLY DURING ASSEMBLY AND COULD LOOSEN OVER TIME, CAUSING A KNOCKING SOUND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THE DRIVESHAFT SCREWS COULD LOOSEN TO THE POINT WHERE THE DRIVESHAFT DETACHES FROM THE GEARBOX.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE VEHICLE IS MOVING WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE DETACHED DRIVESHAFT COULD CAUSE DAMAGE THE GEARBOX HOUSING. A DAMAGE GEARBOX HOUSING COULD LEAK GEARBOX OIL ONTO THE STREET AND CREATE A RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH FOR BOTH THE DRIVER AND OTHER MOTORISTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DRIVESHAFT SCREWS AND REPLACE THE SCREWS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 24, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
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.
07V284000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer
Jun 25, 2007
CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L GASOLINE ENGINES MAY HAVE A SMALL PLASTIC TAB LOCATED ON THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR THAT MAY CHAFE AGAINST THE UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE CHAFING HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE A FUEL LEAK OVER TIME. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE PLASTIC TAB FROM THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR AND WILL ALSO INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 24, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-893-5298.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.