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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Electrical System complaints

112 reports
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245,000 miles · Aug 5, 2015
Air BagsElectrical SystemService Brakes

TDI ENGINE WIRING HARNESS CHAFED INSIDE THE WIRE LOOM CAUSE NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL ISSUES. INCLUDING ABS, STEERING MODULE, AIRBAG, ENGINE SPEED SENSOR, TEMPERATURE GAUGE, AND STABILITY CONTROL. VERY DIFFICULT AND COSTLY TO DIAGNOSE.

NHTSA ODI #10746503

103,300 miles · Jul 23, 2015
Air BagsElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE MODIFIED. A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE DEALER CHARGED $125.00 FOR THE REPAIR AND STATED THAT A NEW…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE MODIFIED. A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE DEALER CHARGED $125.00 FOR THE REPAIR AND STATED THAT A NEW AIR BAG MAY BE NEEDED AT THE COST OF APPROXIMATELY $750.00. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,300.

NHTSA ODI #10736150

180,000 miles · Jun 18, 2015
Air BagsElectrical SystemCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT FELL ASLEEP AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD AND MOUTH INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE AND WAS NOT RE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT FELL ASLEEP AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD AND MOUTH INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. UPDATED 8/6/15*CN THE CONSUMER ALSO EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE WINDOWS AND DOOR LOCKS. UPDATED 08/11/15*JB

NHTSA ODI #10725964

262 miles · Feb 28, 2015
Electrical SystemSeats

DRIVER SEAT LOWER RIGHT BACK OVERHEATED. BURNT A HOLE IN THE SEAT AND MELTED THE COAT I WAS WEARING. SMELL OF BURNING IN THE CAR AND INTENSE HEAT ON MY BACK. TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEAT. WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION, NOTICED THE BURN IN THE SEAT AND LATER NOTICED A BURN ON MY COAT. INTERIOR OF THE CAR IS WELL MAINTAINED, N…

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DRIVER SEAT LOWER RIGHT BACK OVERHEATED. BURNT A HOLE IN THE SEAT AND MELTED THE COAT I WAS WEARING. SMELL OF BURNING IN THE CAR AND INTENSE HEAT ON MY BACK. TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEAT. WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION, NOTICED THE BURN IN THE SEAT AND LATER NOTICED A BURN ON MY COAT. INTERIOR OF THE CAR IS WELL MAINTAINED, NEVER FLOODED OR ABUSED. NOW I HAVE A CAR DRIVER SEAT THAT IS BADLY DAMAGED, A RUINED COAT AND SCARED TO OPERATE THE CAR OR TO PARK IN MY GARAGE IN FEAR OF A FIRE THAT COULD BURN DOWN MY HOUSE AND CAR PUTTING MY SELF AND FAMILY IN HARMS WAY. I HAVE NOTICED SEVERAL VW CARS IN THE PAST WITH THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE SAME SPOT AND WAS ALWAYS THANKFUL THAT IT WAS NOT MY CAR. NOW IT IS MY CAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. CALLED THE VW DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON THIS. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT CAN CAUSE A BAD BURN ON A PERSON. I AM GLAD I HAD A COAT ON WHILE DRIVING, OTHERWISE I WOULD HAVE HAD TO SEEK MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR THE BURN. WOULD LIKE TO SEE VW CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND REPLACE THE SEAT AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNERS. THIS IS A PREVENTABLE PROBLEM THAT NEEDS CORRECTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10691224

262,000 miles · Feb 28, 2015
Electrical SystemSeats

DRIVER SEAT LOWER RIGHT BACK OVERHEATED. BURNT A HOLE IN THE SEAT AND MELTED THE COAT I WAS WEARING. SMELL OF BURNING IN THE CAR AND INTENSE HEAT ON MY BACK. TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEAT. WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION, NOTICED THE BURN IN THE SEAT AND LATER NOTICED A BURN ON MY COAT.. INTERIOR OF THE CAR IS WELL MAINTAINED, …

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DRIVER SEAT LOWER RIGHT BACK OVERHEATED. BURNT A HOLE IN THE SEAT AND MELTED THE COAT I WAS WEARING. SMELL OF BURNING IN THE CAR AND INTENSE HEAT ON MY BACK. TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEAT. WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION, NOTICED THE BURN IN THE SEAT AND LATER NOTICED A BURN ON MY COAT.. INTERIOR OF THE CAR IS WELL MAINTAINED, NEVER FLOODED OR ABUSED. NOW I HAVE A CAR DRIVER SEAT THAT IS BADLY DAMAGED, A RUINED COAT AND SCARED TO OPERATE THE CAR OR TO PARK IN MY GARAGE IN FEAR OF A FIRE THAT COULD BURN DOWN MY HOUSE AND CAR PUTTING MYSELF AND FAMILY IN HARMS WAY. I HAVE NOTICED SEVERAL VW CARS IN THE PAST WITH THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE SAME SPOT AND WAS ALWAYS THANKFUL THAT IT WAS NOT MY CAR. NOW IT IS MY CAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. CALLED THE VW DEALER, AND THEY SAID THAT THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON THIS. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT CAN CAUSE A BAD BURN ON A PERSON. I AM GLAD I HAD A COAT ON WHILE DRIVING, OTHERWISE I WOULD HAVE HAD TO SEEK MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR THE BURN. WOULD LIKE TO SEE VW CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND REPLACE THE SEAT AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNERS. THIS IS A PREVENTABLE PROBLEM THAT NEEDS CORRECTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10691223

101,000 miles · Feb 9, 2015
Electrical System

THERE IS NO POWER TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10682076

150,000 miles · Dec 16, 2014
Electrical SystemVisibility

FIRST NOTICED THAT THE SUNROOF ON MY '06 JETTA TDI WOULD INTERMITTENTLY OPEN AND (SOMETIMES) CLOSE ON IT'S OWN. SINCE THEN MY DOOR LOCKS NO LONGER FUNCTION ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT AND REAR DOORS. I CANNOT USE THE KEY TO LOCK ALL OF THE DOORS AND ACTIVATE THE CAR ALARM. THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR NEVER LOCKS EVEN WITH THE KEY…

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FIRST NOTICED THAT THE SUNROOF ON MY '06 JETTA TDI WOULD INTERMITTENTLY OPEN AND (SOMETIMES) CLOSE ON IT'S OWN. SINCE THEN MY DOOR LOCKS NO LONGER FUNCTION ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT AND REAR DOORS. I CANNOT USE THE KEY TO LOCK ALL OF THE DOORS AND ACTIVATE THE CAR ALARM. THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR NEVER LOCKS EVEN WITH THE KEY AND CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE BY THE PASSENGER. THE ALARM SYSTEM WILL NOT ENGAGE AND THE REAR WINDOWS WILL ONLY OPERATE FROM THE DRIVER'S DOOR. INITIALLY THESE ISSUES WOULD COME AND GO BUT HAVE NOW BECOME A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM. THE CAR CANNOT BE SECURED. THESE ISSUES POSE A SAFETY HAZARD TO MY FAMILY AND MY PERSONAL PROPERTY. I WAS PLANNING ON PASSING THE CAR DOWN TO MY SON WHEN HE BECOMES OLD ENOUGH TO DRIVE (IN 2 YEARS) HOWEVER WITH THESE ISSUES I DO NOT TRUST THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE. AFTER RESEARCHING THE COMPLAINTS IN THIS DATABASE I AM SHOCKED THAT VW HAS NOT BEEN MADE TO FIX THE PROBLEM UNDER A RECALL. THIS IS A COMMON, RECURRING PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSES BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10664525

220,000 miles · Nov 13, 2014
Electrical SystemPower Train

AT HIGHWAY SPEED, CAR SUDDENLY WENT INTO NEUTRAL WITH A FLASHING PRNDS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND "PRESS BRAKE PEDAL" INDICATOR. ONCE PULLED OVER ON THE ROAD, CAR WOULD LOCK IN PARK AND WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. CAR HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS HAVING A FAULTY MECHATRONIC UNIT. PREVIOUS RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR 2009-2010 M…

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AT HIGHWAY SPEED, CAR SUDDENLY WENT INTO NEUTRAL WITH A FLASHING PRNDS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND "PRESS BRAKE PEDAL" INDICATOR. ONCE PULLED OVER ON THE ROAD, CAR WOULD LOCK IN PARK AND WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. CAR HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS HAVING A FAULTY MECHATRONIC UNIT. PREVIOUS RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR 2009-2010 MECHATRONICS FOR THE SAME ISSUE, BUT NOT THIS 2006. NHTSA ACTION NUMBER IS PE09035 AND RECALL NUMBER IS 09V333000 FOR THE 2009-2010 CARS. VOLKSWAGEN NEEDS TO REALIZE THE SCOPE IS FAR BROADER THAN JUST 2009-2010 CARS. THIS VEHICLE ALSO SUFFERS FROM THE DRIVER'S DOOR WIRING HARNESS FAILURE LIKE MANY OTHERS (UNABLE TO LOCK DOORS, OPERATE WINDOWS, ETC). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10654832

80,000 miles · Oct 4, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior LightingPower Train

ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN ABUNDANT IN THIS VEHICLE STARTING IN 2012. DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCKS WORK RANDOMLY. THE CAR RESPONDS TO THE KEYS RANDOMLY EVEN WITH A NEW BATTERY. ALARM WILL SOUND WHEN IT FAILS TO RESPOND TO KEY. OVER THE LAST YEAR LIGHTS GO OUT MONTHLY. SHIFTER ELECTRONICS FAILED. REPAIRED IN JUNE 2014. MECHANIC HAD …

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ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN ABUNDANT IN THIS VEHICLE STARTING IN 2012. DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCKS WORK RANDOMLY. THE CAR RESPONDS TO THE KEYS RANDOMLY EVEN WITH A NEW BATTERY. ALARM WILL SOUND WHEN IT FAILS TO RESPOND TO KEY. OVER THE LAST YEAR LIGHTS GO OUT MONTHLY. SHIFTER ELECTRONICS FAILED. REPAIRED IN JUNE 2014. MECHANIC HAD NO IDEA WHY IT WOULD GO OUT WHICH WAS CAUSE FOR MY CONCERN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10641425

86,000 miles · Sep 23, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLINER FABRIC DETACHED, WHICH DISTORTED THE CONTACT'S VISION WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. IN ADDITION, THE DOORS WOULD ONLY UNLOCK MANUALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY AND THE HORN WOULD NOT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLINER FABRIC DETACHED, WHICH DISTORTED THE CONTACT'S VISION WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. IN ADDITION, THE DOORS WOULD ONLY UNLOCK MANUALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY AND THE HORN WOULD NOT ACTIVATE WHEN ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

NHTSA ODI #10638468

Official recalls

4

10V621000 · 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.