← New search

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 And Engine Cooling complaints

54 reports
Clear category filter
42,000 miles · Mar 11, 2016
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 30-40 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT FAILED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO LIMP MODE. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT SHUT OFF THE FUEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS A DESIGN BY THE MANUFACTURER AS A SAF…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 30-40 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT FAILED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO LIMP MODE. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT SHUT OFF THE FUEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS A DESIGN BY THE MANUFACTURER AS A SAFETY FEATURE, AND THAT THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT ADDRESSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. ...UPDATED 04/12/16 *BF UPDATED 04/13/16.*JB *JS *JS *TR

NHTSA ODI #10846098

91,000 miles · Nov 14, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

PURCHASED A "PRE-OWNED CERTIFIED" 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA AFTER HITTING 90,000 MILES THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND CV BOOT NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10654919

Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2013
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE OIL PAN IN THE ABOVE MENTIONED VECHILE THAT I OWN HAD TO BE CHANGED DUE TO A DESIGN PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER HAD PUT A ALUMINUM PAN WITH A STEEL BOLT. THE STEEL BOLT OVER THE YEARS CORRODED THE PAN NECESSIATING A REPLACEMENT OF THE PAN. FITZGERALD AUTOMALL (410-224-3480) IN ANNAPOLIS MD REPLACED THE PAN FREE OF LABOR BUT C…

Read full complaint

THE OIL PAN IN THE ABOVE MENTIONED VECHILE THAT I OWN HAD TO BE CHANGED DUE TO A DESIGN PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER HAD PUT A ALUMINUM PAN WITH A STEEL BOLT. THE STEEL BOLT OVER THE YEARS CORRODED THE PAN NECESSIATING A REPLACEMENT OF THE PAN. FITZGERALD AUTOMALL (410-224-3480) IN ANNAPOLIS MD REPLACED THE PAN FREE OF LABOR BUT CHARGED ME FOR THE OIL PAN. THEY DID INFORM ME THAT IT WAS A DESIGN PROBLEM THAT VW HAS SINCE RECTIFIED IN THE NEWER MODELS AND THAT I HAD TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER FOR REIMBURSEMENT. WHEN I CONTACTED VW, THEY REFUSED TO REIMBURSE ME STATING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THEY INFORMED IT WAS UNDER THEIR DISCRETION TO RECTIFY THE DEFECT IN NEWER MODELS AND WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR OLDER MODELS. IN MY OPINION VW SHOULD REIMBURSE ME AND ALSO RECALL ALL THEIR VEHICLES WITH THIS ISSUE TO BE ADDRESSED APPROPRIATELY. PLEASE CONTACT ME AT THE ABOVE ADDRESS IF SOMETHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS OR NOT.[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10502604

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

90,801 miles · Apr 9, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL ( DMF ) FAILED AT 90,801 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10454572

89,000 miles · Apr 4, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL(DMF) DETACHED ITSELF,CAUSING ENORMOUS DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION(DSG).INITIALLY,I HAVE TO REPLACE DMF,THEN CRANKSHAFT POSITIONING SENSOR,CRANKSHAFT SEAL AND BEARING.THIS REPAIR COST ME $1,700.00. *TR AFTER TAKING A CLOSER LOOK AT THE CAR,THE MECHANIC FOUND OUT THAT,BECAUSE OF THE DAMAGESDMF HAS CAUSED TO THE…

Read full complaint

DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL(DMF) DETACHED ITSELF,CAUSING ENORMOUS DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION(DSG).INITIALLY,I HAVE TO REPLACE DMF,THEN CRANKSHAFT POSITIONING SENSOR,CRANKSHAFT SEAL AND BEARING.THIS REPAIR COST ME $1,700.00. *TR AFTER TAKING A CLOSER LOOK AT THE CAR,THE MECHANIC FOUND OUT THAT,BECAUSE OF THE DAMAGESDMF HAS CAUSED TO THE TRANSMISSION,THE TRANSMISSION IS NOW LEAKING OIL.A PIECES OF THE DMF CUT INTO THE CASING OF THE TRANSMISSION AND CREATED A NUMBER OF HOLES.AS A RESULT OF ALL THIS,THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED,AS MY ONLY SOLUTION,TO REBUILT TRANSMISSION,WHICH COST AN ADDITIONAL $ 3,300.00. VW OF AMERICA,DENIED ANY REIMBURSEMENT,BECAUSE WARRANTY EXPIRED IN JANUARY 2011.THEY CAN NOT EXPLAIN WHY DMF FAILD.THEY JUST LOST ONE CUSTOMER.

NHTSA ODI #10454177

115,000 miles · Mar 30, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

THIS VEHICLE IS A 2006 TURBO DIESEL VW JETTA. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN ENGINE FAILED, NO WARNING LIGHTS. EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER, ROUGH IDLING, VALVE TRAIN NOISE AND TRANSMISSION NOISE. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO CERTIFIED MECHANIC. MECHANIC FOUND COMPLETE LOSS OF COMPRESSION ON ONE PISTON AND SCORED LIFTERS. ALSO DUAL M…

Read full complaint

THIS VEHICLE IS A 2006 TURBO DIESEL VW JETTA. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN ENGINE FAILED, NO WARNING LIGHTS. EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER, ROUGH IDLING, VALVE TRAIN NOISE AND TRANSMISSION NOISE. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO CERTIFIED MECHANIC. MECHANIC FOUND COMPLETE LOSS OF COMPRESSION ON ONE PISTON AND SCORED LIFTERS. ALSO DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL WAS MAKING LOUD NOISE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP QUOTED EST 1800 DOLLARS FOR PARTS AND LABOR FOR FLYWHEEL AND CERTIFIED MECHANIC RECOMMENDS REBUILT ENGINE FOR APPX 5000 DOLLARS PLUS LABOR TO INSTALL. ESTIMATE WILL BE COMPLETE NEXT WEEK. TOTAL WILL EST AROUND 9 TO 10,000 DOLLARS FOR TOWING, INSPECTING VEHICLE TO FIND ISSUES, PARTS AND LABOR. SPOKE WITH VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA CONSUMER ADVOCATE WHO OFFERED US $750 OFF A NEW VW. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL CARED FOR WITH APPROPRIATE OIL CHANGES USING VW APPROVED OIL. MOST OF THE MILEAGE WAS OBTAINED AS HIGHWAY MILES. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10453610

84,000 miles · Mar 13, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, HE NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WAS VIBRATING ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE FLYWHEEL FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPLACED FOR THE FLYWHEEL. THE MANUFACTURER …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, HE NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WAS VIBRATING ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE FLYWHEEL FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPLACED FOR THE FLYWHEEL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 84,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10451479

93,254 miles · Feb 4, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

I WAS INFORMED BY NIELLO VOLKSWAGEN WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN TO BE SERVICED FOR 2 RECALLS THAT I HAD A MAJOR OIL LEAK. I THEN BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN TO SACRAMENTO EUROPEAN ON 2/1/12 FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS THE CAUSE OF MY OIL LEAK. I WAS INFORMED BY THEM THAT I DID NOT HAVE AN OIL LEAK, BUT A TRANSMISSION LEAK. …

Read full complaint

I WAS INFORMED BY NIELLO VOLKSWAGEN WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN TO BE SERVICED FOR 2 RECALLS THAT I HAD A MAJOR OIL LEAK. I THEN BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN TO SACRAMENTO EUROPEAN ON 2/1/12 FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS THE CAUSE OF MY OIL LEAK. I WAS INFORMED BY THEM THAT I DID NOT HAVE AN OIL LEAK, BUT A TRANSMISSION LEAK. THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN OUT THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT THE SEAL THAT JOINS THE 2 TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS IS LEAKING. CLEARLY SINCE THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN OUT THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, THE TRANSMISSIONS THAT THEY HAVE IN THESE VOLKSWAGEN CARS ARE DEFECTIVE AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. MY TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING WHEN IT SHIFTS INTO SECOND AND THIRD GEARS AND ALSO WHEN I BRAKE. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10446623

67,000 miles · Jan 27, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, SHE HEARD A NOISE SIMILAR TO SOMETHING MOVING INSIDE THE ENGINE AFTER THE VEHICLE BEGAN VIOLENTLY SHAKING AND JERKING. WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO GEAR, THE ENGINE RPMS WOULD ALSO INCREASE. THE VEHICLE WAS CAREFULLY DRIVEN TO A P…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, SHE HEARD A NOISE SIMILAR TO SOMETHING MOVING INSIDE THE ENGINE AFTER THE VEHICLE BEGAN VIOLENTLY SHAKING AND JERKING. WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO GEAR, THE ENGINE RPMS WOULD ALSO INCREASE. THE VEHICLE WAS CAREFULLY DRIVEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE DUAL MASS FLY WHEEL HAD A HOLE IN IT WHICH CAUSED THE METAL TO FRACTURE THE BELL HOUSING AND DAMAGE THE TRANSMISSION. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FLY WHEEL AND INFORMED HER TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

NHTSA ODI #10445593

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.