NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
112 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Jul 11, 2012
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND A LIGHT INDICATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THAT SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFAC…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND A LIGHT INDICATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THAT SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10465207
79,000 miles · May 31, 2012
Electrical SystemStructure
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WIRING HARNESS HAS DESIGN FLAW AS REFLECTED IN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS DOCUMENTED ON-LINE. REPRESENTATIVE EXAMPLES MAY BE FOUND AT FOLLOWING LINK. HTTP://REPAIRPAL.COM/VOLKSWAGEN-JETTA-2006. THE DESIGN FLAW POSES AN RESCUE HAZARD IN EVENT OF ACCIDENT, AS NON OF THE ELECTRICAL DOOR LOCKS CAN BE UNLOCKED AND WINDO…
Read full complaint
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WIRING HARNESS HAS DESIGN FLAW AS REFLECTED IN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS DOCUMENTED ON-LINE. REPRESENTATIVE EXAMPLES MAY BE FOUND AT FOLLOWING LINK. HTTP://REPAIRPAL.COM/VOLKSWAGEN-JETTA-2006. THE DESIGN FLAW POSES AN RESCUE HAZARD IN EVENT OF ACCIDENT, AS NON OF THE ELECTRICAL DOOR LOCKS CAN BE UNLOCKED AND WINDOWS CANNOT BE LOWERED. ACCESS TO GAS TANK TO FILL REQUIRES DISMANTLING OF TRUNK COMPARTMENT FOR MANUAL LATCH MANIPULATION, WHICH CARRIES RISK OF CUTS AND BRUISES. REPAIR COSTS $677.00. SHOULD BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED BY VOLKSWAGEN AT NO COST TO CONSUMER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10460140
83,000 miles · Apr 28, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train
WE WERE DRIVING IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBOR HOOD AT ABOUT 25MPH AND THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED ACCELERATING AS IF THE CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL. LUCKILY, WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OVER AND PARK. THE CAR WENT INTO FAIL SAFE MODE (WHICH I NOW KNOW). ABOUT 5 DIFFERENT ERROR LIGHTS WERE ON AS WELL AS THE GEAR LIGHTS FLASHING. PUT THE CAR IN PARK A…
Read full complaint
WE WERE DRIVING IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBOR HOOD AT ABOUT 25MPH AND THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED ACCELERATING AS IF THE CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL. LUCKILY, WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OVER AND PARK. THE CAR WENT INTO FAIL SAFE MODE (WHICH I NOW KNOW). ABOUT 5 DIFFERENT ERROR LIGHTS WERE ON AS WELL AS THE GEAR LIGHTS FLASHING. PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, LET IT REST AND THEN PROCEEDED TO RESTART WITH THE SAME ENGINE ERROR. THE CAR WOULDN'T REVERSE OR GO OVER 2ND GEAR. I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE IF THIS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY IT HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY AT MY LOCAL VW DEALER ON TIME AND IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. PRIOR TO THIS SPECIFIC ENGINE FAILURE, I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEM WITH MY GLI, FROM INTERIOR, ELECTRICAL, TO THE TURBO. I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS VERY EARLY ON WITH THIS CAR, SOME WERE COVERED BY THE WARRANTY AND SOME WERE NOT. INCREDIBLY DISAPPOINTED IN THE QUALITY OF MY GLI ALL AROUND. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10456742
72,000 miles · Apr 14, 2012
Electrical System
THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK. THE LOCKS, WINDOWS, MIRRORS, TRUNK LATCH, GAS TANK LATCH, MIRROR DEFROSTER ET AL. IN SPEAKING THE VW SERVICE REPS THEY KNEW RIGHT AWAY THAT THE ISSUE WAS A BROKEN HARNESS. THEY INDICATED IT HAD FAILED IN MANY OTHER VEHICLES. HOWEVER, IN SPEAKING WITH VW CUSTOMER CARE THEY AR…
Read full complaint
THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK. THE LOCKS, WINDOWS, MIRRORS, TRUNK LATCH, GAS TANK LATCH, MIRROR DEFROSTER ET AL. IN SPEAKING THE VW SERVICE REPS THEY KNEW RIGHT AWAY THAT THE ISSUE WAS A BROKEN HARNESS. THEY INDICATED IT HAD FAILED IN MANY OTHER VEHICLES. HOWEVER, IN SPEAKING WITH VW CUSTOMER CARE THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE KNOWN ISSUE. BUT THE DOORS CAN NOT BE LOCKED OR UNLOCKED, THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT REMAINS ON AND DINGS ALL THE TIME, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ARE ON NIGHT AND DAY MAKING VISIBILITY AT NIGHT DIFFICULT AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST THE WINDOWS CANNOT BE PUT DOWN. PLEASE ADDRESS THIS AS VW DOES NOT APPEAR WILLING AND THIS ISSUE IS EVERYWHERE WITH THIS MODEL YEAR AND MAKE. THANKS! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10455267
85,000 miles · Apr 5, 2012
Electrical System
THE CAR ALARM RANDOMLY ARMS ITSELF WHILE PARKED. THE REPAIR SHOP SEES NO ERROR CODES BUT WE CAN SEE THAT THE DOOR AJAR INDICATOR RANDOMLY LIGHTS UP WHILE DRIVING. ODDLY, THE DOOR OPEN CHIME DOES NOT SOUND. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10454242
110,000 miles · Jan 16, 2012
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE TRAVELING IN RAIN AT 70 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED THE SPEEDOMETER DROPPED TO ZERO, THE BRAKE AND ABS/ESP WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE WHERE THREE CHIMES. A SECOND LATER ALL WENT BACK TO NORMAL. THIS HAPPENED 6 TIMES THAT DAY, AND HAS HAPPENED AT IRREGULAR INTERVALS SINCE AT LEAST 7 TIMES. THERE IS NO CORRELATI…
Read full complaint
WHILE TRAVELING IN RAIN AT 70 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED THE SPEEDOMETER DROPPED TO ZERO, THE BRAKE AND ABS/ESP WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE WHERE THREE CHIMES. A SECOND LATER ALL WENT BACK TO NORMAL. THIS HAPPENED 6 TIMES THAT DAY, AND HAS HAPPENED AT IRREGULAR INTERVALS SINCE AT LEAST 7 TIMES. THERE IS NO CORRELATION ANYMORE BETWEEN WET AND DRY CONDITIONS, CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT HAVE TO BE ENGAGED, I DO NOT HAVE TO BE TRAVELING AT A CONSTANT SPEED. THERE ARE NO TROUBLE CODES STORED IN THE VEHICLES COMPUTER, AND THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO HELP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10443991
24,406 miles · Dec 19, 2011
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
BOUGHT NEW VW JETTA SEDAN ON 08/17/06. ON 05/13/10 TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER BECAUSE OF CAR DECELERATING WHILE DRIVING I.E. DROPPING IN SECONDS FROM 60 MILES TO 20 MILES. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALER ANSWER "UNABLE TO REPLICATE PROBLEM" UNTIL WARRANTY OF FOUR YEARS EXPIRED. THE PROBLEM…
Read full complaint
BOUGHT NEW VW JETTA SEDAN ON 08/17/06. ON 05/13/10 TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER BECAUSE OF CAR DECELERATING WHILE DRIVING I.E. DROPPING IN SECONDS FROM 60 MILES TO 20 MILES. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALER ANSWER "UNABLE TO REPLICATE PROBLEM" UNTIL WARRANTY OF FOUR YEARS EXPIRED. THE PROBLEM CONTINUES EVEN AFTER THE CARBON ACCUMULATED ON THE THROTTLE WAS CLEANED AND THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. DUE TO UNSAFE TO DRIVE, REQUESTED FOR THE DEALER TO BUY THE CAR BACK AS A LEMON. THE DEALER REFUSES BECAUSE THE FOUR YR WARRANTY IS OVER. OTHER PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED WITH THIS VEHICLE DURING THIS PERIOD: AIR BAGS LIGHTS GOING OFF, AIR BAG COVER FALLING OFF, TRUNK OPENING ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING, RAIN WATER LEAKING INSIDE THE LINING OF THE CAR, SCREWS COMING OFF A DOOR PANEL, DOORS FALLING OFF THE HINGES, EMERGENCY SWITCH FALLING INSIDE PANEL, FUEL CAP NOT LOCKING, RECALLS. DEALER RECOMMENDING TO REPLACE THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN FOR 2,340.
NHTSA ODI #10440788
96,080 miles · Oct 11, 2011
Electrical System
THE WIRING HARNESS THAT RUNS FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO THE DRIVES SIDE DOOR HAS CRACKING AND BROKEN WIRES. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATES IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THEY SUGGEST IT IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. WIRES WITH BROKEN INSULATION AFTER 6 YEARS IN A DOOR HARNESS THAT IS DESIGNED TO OPEN AND CLOSE MULTIPLE TIMES DAIL…
Read full complaint
THE WIRING HARNESS THAT RUNS FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO THE DRIVES SIDE DOOR HAS CRACKING AND BROKEN WIRES. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATES IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THEY SUGGEST IT IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. WIRES WITH BROKEN INSULATION AFTER 6 YEARS IN A DOOR HARNESS THAT IS DESIGNED TO OPEN AND CLOSE MULTIPLE TIMES DAILY SEEMS TO BE A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. ARE THERE OTHER WIRE ISSUES? IS THE WIRE (CAR BUILT IN MEXICO) AN ISSUE OVERALL?
NHTSA ODI #10429871
139,000 miles · Sep 15, 2011
Electrical SystemSeatsFire
MY WIFE WAS GETTING READY TO GO TO WORK, WHEN SHE OPENED THE DOOR OF OUR JETTA, SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE DRIVERS FRONT SEAT. SHE BENT DOWN TO SEE WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM BUT ALL SHE SAW WAS A RED GLOW COMING FROM UNDER THE SEAT. THIS THING MUST HAVE SET AND SMOLDER ALL NIGHT BECAUSE SHE DIDN'T UNLOCK THE CAR THAT…
Read full complaint
MY WIFE WAS GETTING READY TO GO TO WORK, WHEN SHE OPENED THE DOOR OF OUR JETTA, SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE DRIVERS FRONT SEAT. SHE BENT DOWN TO SEE WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM BUT ALL SHE SAW WAS A RED GLOW COMING FROM UNDER THE SEAT. THIS THING MUST HAVE SET AND SMOLDER ALL NIGHT BECAUSE SHE DIDN'T UNLOCK THE CAR THAT MORNING BECAUSE SHE HAD LEFT THE CAR UNLOCKED DO TO WHERE WE LIVE NO ONE IS AROUND FOR MILES. INSPECTOR SAID THAT IT WAS FAULT OF (VW) THE SEAT, BUT IT WILL COST TO MUCH TO SUE VW. WE ALMOST LOST OUR HOME, GARAGE AND OUR LIVES. WE HAD THE SEAT RECALL REPAIRED BUT I THINK THE REPAIR WAS NEVER MADE, THE VIDEO IS ON YOUTUBE UNDER "JETTA FIRE". ONE OF MY QUESTIONS IS WHY DIDN'T A FUSE BLOW BEFORE THE CAR BURNT TO THE GROUND. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10425520
76,000 miles · Jul 29, 2011
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDOWS AND DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK, AND THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT ROLL UP OR DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT INDICATED THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE DRIVERS DOOR WIRING HARNESS. THE WIRES WERE TO SHORT AND CAUSED THE …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDOWS AND DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK, AND THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT ROLL UP OR DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT INDICATED THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE DRIVERS DOOR WIRING HARNESS. THE WIRES WERE TO SHORT AND CAUSED THE WIRING RUBBER BOOT, DOOR LOCKS, AND WINDOWS TO FAIL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR WIRING HARNESS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
NHTSA ODI #10415592
Official recalls
4Dec 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.
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.
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.
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 ↗