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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

Engine complaints

39 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2023
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

So it appears to be fine until about 30/45 mins drive time Then it starts shifting/slamming real hard and hesitates to shift in the next gear To the point where stopping and going isn’t an option or it slips After about 45 mins all the prnds lights turned on and did the same in manual mode.. I read someone it’s a valve body that…

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So it appears to be fine until about 30/45 mins drive time Then it starts shifting/slamming real hard and hesitates to shift in the next gear To the point where stopping and going isn’t an option or it slips After about 45 mins all the prnds lights turned on and did the same in manual mode.. I read someone it’s a valve body that leads to a faulty Tranny I’ve read almost 150 of the same exact accounts on here and Reddit With the same 2006 Vw Jetta 2.5 It’s too common of an issue Most of them were under 100k miles and never dealt with by the manufacturer Myself my car has roughly 168k miles and I’ve been working to fix it up I just got it a month or so ago And now I have to deal with this Honestly is sad that VW hasn’t been held accountable for an issue that is WAY TOO COMMON to not be their fault. I understand the car is almost 20 years old but a bunch of these accounts i were reading dated as far back as 2009 with 86k miles it’s a shame..

NHTSA ODI #11532411

Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2022
EngineService BrakesVisibility/wiper

The windshield wiper broke the window, brakes need replaced to soon, fuel system car has trouble fueling and after fueling and engine over heating due to engine cooling malfunction. None of these have been repaired yet it shows 0 unprepared recalls.

NHTSA ODI #11495054

150,000 miles · Dec 11, 2020
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVisibility/wiper

THERE ARE SOME MOUNTING BRACKETS, SUSPENSION BRACKETS, NUTS AND BOLTS ASSOCIATED TO THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE THAT HAVE BROKE MORE THAN ONCE PLEASE CONTACT ME AND I WILL GIVE U FURTHER DETAIL.[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11383092

276,000 miles · Jan 4, 2017
EngineFuel System, DieselVehicle Speed Control

THE VEHICLE HAS A LONG HISTORY OF THE THROTTLE BECOMING INOPERATIVE RESULTING IN NO-POWER (IDLE POWER STRICTLY SPEAKING) CONDITIONS. THAT CONDITION IS CLEARED WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS DEPRESSED AND RELEASED. RECENTLY THERE WAS AN INSTANCE OF UNCOMMANDED ACCELERATION: INSTEAD OF NO POWER, FULL POWER WAS APPLIED BY THE ENGINE.…

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THE VEHICLE HAS A LONG HISTORY OF THE THROTTLE BECOMING INOPERATIVE RESULTING IN NO-POWER (IDLE POWER STRICTLY SPEAKING) CONDITIONS. THAT CONDITION IS CLEARED WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS DEPRESSED AND RELEASED. RECENTLY THERE WAS AN INSTANCE OF UNCOMMANDED ACCELERATION: INSTEAD OF NO POWER, FULL POWER WAS APPLIED BY THE ENGINE. AGAIN CYCLING THE CLUTCH CLEARED THE CONDITION. THE NO-POWER CASES APPEARED MORE LIKELY IN URBAN DRIVING AND SOON AFTER A TRANSMISSION SHIFT BUT DID OCCUR UNDER ALMOST ANY CONDITIONS. THE FULL-POWER CASE OCCURRED ONCE, CLIMBING A HILL AT ~2800' ALTITUDE. THE POWER FAIL OCCURRED AS EARLY AS 34K MILES, AND CONTINUED WITH VW'S KNOWLEDGE UNTIL ~72K MILES, WHEN VW OF AMERICA TECHNICIANS FINALLY DID SOMETHING TO END IT. THOSE SYMPTOMS STARTED RECURRING AT ~270K MILES. THE ACCELERATION INCIDENT OCCURRED AT ABOUT 275K MILES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN OUT OF SERVICE; IT WILL BE SENT TO A SALVAGE YARD IF THE NTSB IS NOT INTERESTED IN THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10939638

155,000 miles · Nov 6, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN TURNING OFF THE ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI #10924548

191,000 miles · Sep 4, 2016
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

MY CAR HAS SOME SHIFTING PROBLEMS WHEN IN MOTION.MY CAR HAS A JERKING MOTION THAT IT DOES WHEN GOING INTO GEARS AND WHEN SLOWING DOWN ITS ROUGH GOING DOWN GEARS.

NHTSA ODI #10903551

175,000 miles · Aug 24, 2016
Engine

MY CAMSHAFT AND LIFTERS WENT BAD AND WERE REPLACED IN 2015. IT WAS JUST AROUND 100,000 MILES. THEN I FOUND OUT TODAY THAT THEY WERE BAD AGAIN. MY UNDERSTANDING FROM THE MECHANIC IS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, AND LOOKING AT THE VOLKSWAGEN TDI FORUM, THAT YEAR IS PARTICULARLY BAD. THIS CAMSHAFT FAILURE CAUSED A LOSS OF POW…

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MY CAMSHAFT AND LIFTERS WENT BAD AND WERE REPLACED IN 2015. IT WAS JUST AROUND 100,000 MILES. THEN I FOUND OUT TODAY THAT THEY WERE BAD AGAIN. MY UNDERSTANDING FROM THE MECHANIC IS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, AND LOOKING AT THE VOLKSWAGEN TDI FORUM, THAT YEAR IS PARTICULARLY BAD. THIS CAMSHAFT FAILURE CAUSED A LOSS OF POWER ON THE INTERSTATE DURING A HEAVY TRAFFIC TIME, BOTH TIMES. FIRST INCIDENT WAS ON I-240 IN ASHEVILLE MIDDAY. SECOND TIME WAS TRAVELLING WEST ON I-40 NEAR MORGANTON, NC IN EVENING TRAFFIC. LOSS OF POWER, SMOKING. I COULD BARELY GET OFF THE EXIT. I WAS LUCKY NOT TO HAVE IMPEDED TRAFFIC, BOTH TIMES.

NHTSA ODI #10898366

180,000 miles · Jul 6, 2016
Engine

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE JULY OF 2015, GOING ABOUT 70 MPH, MY 2006 VW JETTA SHOOK AND LOST ALL POWER. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS OR ANY LIGHTS AT THAT MATTER CAME ON. PRIOR TO THIS I WOULD NOTICE THAT TAKING OFF SOMETIMES THE TURBO WOULDNT KICK IN AND I WOULD HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO POWER WHILE GETTING UP TO SPEED. THIS ALSO HAP…

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE JULY OF 2015, GOING ABOUT 70 MPH, MY 2006 VW JETTA SHOOK AND LOST ALL POWER. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS OR ANY LIGHTS AT THAT MATTER CAME ON. PRIOR TO THIS I WOULD NOTICE THAT TAKING OFF SOMETIMES THE TURBO WOULDNT KICK IN AND I WOULD HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO POWER WHILE GETTING UP TO SPEED. THIS ALSO HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY AND ONCE OFF OF THE FREEWAY I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN ON AND WAS LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED. AFTER I LOST ALL POWER THE SECOND INCIDENT, I TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT 2 CYLINDERS WERE COMPLETELY DESTROYED. HAD TO SPEND 2400 DOLLARS TO HAVE A NEW MOTOR PUT IN AND NOW THE THING IS HAVING PROBLEMS AGAIN. BATTERY LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF WITHIN A SECOND AND THERE IS A LOUD TICKING NOISE WHILE IDLING. SOUNDS LIKE A LOUD VACUUM IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE DRIVING IT. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS OR TEMPERATURE GAUGE INCREASES ARE PRESENT. WHILE RESEARCHING RECALLS I NOTICED THERE WERE SOME FOR THE YEAR OF MY JETTA SO WANTED TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON.

NHTSA ODI #10883033

232,094 miles · Jul 4, 2016
EnginePower Train

I HAVE TWO MAJOR SAFTEY PROBLEMS THAT COULD HAVE ENDED IN A FATALITY.FIRST MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WITHOUT A WARNING WHILE I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE GOING 75 MPH AND A 18 WHEELER WAS BEHIND ME THE CAR DROPT DOWN TO 40 MPH AND I ALMOST GOT REARENDED BY THE SEMI.I HAD THE TRANSMISSION REBUILD.SECOND THING I PULLED OUT OF BURGERKING…

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I HAVE TWO MAJOR SAFTEY PROBLEMS THAT COULD HAVE ENDED IN A FATALITY.FIRST MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WITHOUT A WARNING WHILE I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE GOING 75 MPH AND A 18 WHEELER WAS BEHIND ME THE CAR DROPT DOWN TO 40 MPH AND I ALMOST GOT REARENDED BY THE SEMI.I HAD THE TRANSMISSION REBUILD.SECOND THING I PULLED OUT OF BURGERKING AND THE CAR HAS NO POWER AND ABOUT GOT TBONED AND THERES NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON.

NHTSA ODI #10882493

100,000 miles · May 19, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

ORIGINALLY, THE TURBO WOULD LOSE BOOST AND THE ENGINE WOULD LOSE POWER. AFTER SOME TIME, PARTICULARLY DURING WET WEATHER, THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY VIBRATE, JOLT, AND THEN THE ENGINE WARNING CHIME SOUNDS. THE TACHOMETER DROPS TO ZERO, THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT COMES ON, THE STABILITY CONTROL SHUTS OFF, THE GLOW PLUG LIGHTS FLASH, REA…

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ORIGINALLY, THE TURBO WOULD LOSE BOOST AND THE ENGINE WOULD LOSE POWER. AFTER SOME TIME, PARTICULARLY DURING WET WEATHER, THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY VIBRATE, JOLT, AND THEN THE ENGINE WARNING CHIME SOUNDS. THE TACHOMETER DROPS TO ZERO, THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT COMES ON, THE STABILITY CONTROL SHUTS OFF, THE GLOW PLUG LIGHTS FLASH, REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER WILL NOT WORK, CRUISE CONTROL WONT WORK, AND IF THE CAR IS SHUT OFF IT WILL NOT RESTART. THIS IS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS DURING SNOW OR RAIN, AS THE CAR LOSES TRACTION CONTROL DURING WEATHER IN WHICH IT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO HAVE. ALSO, IF THE CAR DIES AND IS ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD, DURING RAIN OR SNOW, THERE IS POOR VISIBILITY AND IT INCREASES THE RISK OF SOMEONE HITTING THE DISABLED CAR. I HAVE SEEN MANY MENTIONS OF THIS SAME EFFECT HAPPENING ON OTHER 2006 TDI MODELS, AND IT SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING ISSUE WITH THIS PARTICULAR MODEL AND ENGINE TYPE. THE ROOT CAUSE APPEARS TO BE AN ELECTRICAL HARNESS THAT RUNS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHAFING OVER TIME, WHICH HAPPENS OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD, BUT CAUSES SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERNS WITH ITS FAILURE MODE.

NHTSA ODI #10865770

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.