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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

Exterior Lighting complaints

32 reports
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2 miles · Dec 5, 2007
Exterior Lighting

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE HEADLIGHTS AIM TOO HIGH AND DO NOT SHINE ON THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V442000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL OCCURRED AFTER THE CAP WAS PLACED ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LIGHTS MET VOLKSWAGEN SP…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE HEADLIGHTS AIM TOO HIGH AND DO NOT SHINE ON THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V442000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL OCCURRED AFTER THE CAP WAS PLACED ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LIGHTS MET VOLKSWAGEN SPECIFICATIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,877. UPDATED 3/18/08 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED DEALER WOULD NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 03/18/08 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10210900

1 miles · Dec 2, 2007
Exterior Lighting

MY VW DEALER TELLS ME THAT THE HIGH AND LOW HEADLIGHTS CANNOT BE ADJUSTED SEPARATELY ON MY 2006 JETTA. THE LOW BEAMS ILLUMINATE THE ROAD FOR ABOUT 100 FEET AND THE HIGH BEAMS ONLY ILLUMINATE THE TREE TOPS. I CANNOT SEE THE ROAD SAFELY TO DRIVE WITH ANY COMBINATION. THEY HAVE ADJUSTED THE BEAMS SEVERAL TIMES AND CANNOT FIX IT …

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MY VW DEALER TELLS ME THAT THE HIGH AND LOW HEADLIGHTS CANNOT BE ADJUSTED SEPARATELY ON MY 2006 JETTA. THE LOW BEAMS ILLUMINATE THE ROAD FOR ABOUT 100 FEET AND THE HIGH BEAMS ONLY ILLUMINATE THE TREE TOPS. I CANNOT SEE THE ROAD SAFELY TO DRIVE WITH ANY COMBINATION. THEY HAVE ADJUSTED THE BEAMS SEVERAL TIMES AND CANNOT FIX IT TO A SAFE CONDITION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10210482

6 miles · Nov 28, 2007
Exterior Lighting

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HIGH BEAMS WERE AIMED TOO HIGH. THEY SHINE UPWARDS INTO THE TREES. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO ADJUST THE HIGH AND LOW BEAMS. HIS VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NU…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HIGH BEAMS WERE AIMED TOO HIGH. THEY SHINE UPWARDS INTO THE TREES. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO ADJUST THE HIGH AND LOW BEAMS. HIS VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V442000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS); HOWEVER, HE IS STILL EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT OFFERED ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE AND THE DEALER NEVER PLACED THE ADJUSTER CAP ON THE HEAD LAMPS. THE ENGINE SIZE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,000.

NHTSA ODI #10210157

Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2007
Exterior Lighting

2006 VW JETTA RECALL ON HEADLAMP INSPECTION/MODIFICATION. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE HEADLAMPS ARE NOW BACK WHERE THEY WERE. CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT THE HIGH BEAMS SHINE INTO THE TREE TOPS. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE HIGH BEAMS WERE USELESS AS THEY SHINED ABOUT 20 FEET DOWN THE ROAD. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO ILLUMINATION CHANG…

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2006 VW JETTA RECALL ON HEADLAMP INSPECTION/MODIFICATION. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE HEADLAMPS ARE NOW BACK WHERE THEY WERE. CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT THE HIGH BEAMS SHINE INTO THE TREE TOPS. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE HIGH BEAMS WERE USELESS AS THEY SHINED ABOUT 20 FEET DOWN THE ROAD. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO ILLUMINATION CHANGE LOOKING DOWN THE ROAD BETWEEN THE LOW BEAMS AND THE HIGH BEAMS. THE CONSUMER HAD THE HEADLIGHTS ADJUSTED SO THAT THE HIGH BEAMS WERE EFFECTIVE, BUT THEN THE LOW BEAMS SHINED DOWN VERY CLOSE TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHICH DID NOT PROVIDE ILLUMINATION FAR ENOUGH DOWN THE ROAD. RECALL # 07V442000*JB

NHTSA ODI #10210552

24 miles · Aug 28, 2007
Exterior LightingVisibility

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE REARVIEW MIRROR OVERADJUSTED, WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO PRODUCE A LARGE, RED GLARE ON THE REAR WINDOW. THE FAILURE CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24.

NHTSA ODI #10200969

Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 2007
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS DUE TO INSUFFICIENT BATTERY CHARGE. OWNER OBSERVED BRAKE LIGHTS INCLUDING CHMSL WOULD COME ON INDEPENDENTLY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, SHUT OFF, AND UNOCCUPIED WITH NO BRAKE PEDAL APPLICATION. NO OTHER LIGHTS WERE ON AT THE SAME TIME INTERIOR, HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS WERE ON. …

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VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS DUE TO INSUFFICIENT BATTERY CHARGE. OWNER OBSERVED BRAKE LIGHTS INCLUDING CHMSL WOULD COME ON INDEPENDENTLY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, SHUT OFF, AND UNOCCUPIED WITH NO BRAKE PEDAL APPLICATION. NO OTHER LIGHTS WERE ON AT THE SAME TIME INTERIOR, HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS WERE ON. THIS WAS PRESUMABLY THE CAUSE OF THE BATTERY DRAIN ISSUE. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AFTER JUMP STARTING THE VEHICLE OWNER OBSERVED LOSS OF POWER WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE. INPUT TO THE ACCELERATOR WAS MOMENTARILY INEFFECTIVE AND HAD TROUBLE MAINTAINING HIGHWAY SPEED. THE ENGINE DID NOT STALL AND NO FAULT CODES WERE GENERATED. POWER WAS RESTORED AFTER A FEW SECONDS, BUT THE SYMPTOMS WOULD OCCUR SEVERAL TIMES DURING A DRIVE. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO A VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP SERVICE FACILITY (LINDSAY VW IN STERLING, VA) ON 7/13/2007. THE OWNER DESCRIBED THE ABOVE SYMPTOMS TO THE SERVICE ADVISOR. THE OWNER WAS CALLED LATER ON THE SAME DATE AND TOLD THAT THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT VERIFY THE CLAIM AND THAT NO REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. TOOK CAR TO A DIFFERENT DEALER (FAIRFAX VW) WHO CORRECTLY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE REPAIR PART IS THE SAME PART USED IN THE RECALL. THE CAR WAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY AND THE REPAIR INVOICE EVEN STATES "RECALL" ON IT BUT THE DEALER SAYS MY CAR IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND I NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION.

NHTSA ODI #10196571

Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 2007
Exterior Lighting

THE HIGH BEAM HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ON MY 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI ARE DESIGNED IN A MANNER THAT I FEEL IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THE DESIGN OF THESE HEADLAMPS IS SUCH THAT THE HIGH BEAMS CANNOT BE ADJUSTED INDEPENDENTLY OF THE LOW BEAMS. WHEN THE LOW BEAMS ARE AIMED CORRECTLY, THE HIGH BEAMS ARE AIMED FAR TOO HIGH TO BE EFFECTIVE.…

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THE HIGH BEAM HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ON MY 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI ARE DESIGNED IN A MANNER THAT I FEEL IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THE DESIGN OF THESE HEADLAMPS IS SUCH THAT THE HIGH BEAMS CANNOT BE ADJUSTED INDEPENDENTLY OF THE LOW BEAMS. WHEN THE LOW BEAMS ARE AIMED CORRECTLY, THE HIGH BEAMS ARE AIMED FAR TOO HIGH TO BE EFFECTIVE. THIS HEADLAMP DESIGN COULD MOST DEFINITELY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT AND I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THEY ARE EVEN CONSISTENT WITH THE DOT LIGHTING CODE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10184145

5 miles · Jan 8, 2007
Exterior Lighting

THE HEADLIGHTS ARE DEFECTIVE. WHEN LOW BEAMS ARE PROPERLY ADJUSTED THE HIGH BEAMS ARE TOO HIGH. SO HIGH THAT THERE IS A BLACK LINE BETWEEN THE TOP OF THE LOW BEAN CUT OFF AND THE BOTTOM OF THE HIGH BEAM START. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10178046

Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2007
Exterior Lighting

I NOTICED HIGH BEAMS WERE VERY HIGH RIGHT AFTER I TOOK DELIVERY IN NOV. 2005. BECAUSE, AT THE TIME, I DID VERY LITTLE NIGHT DRIVING, IT DIDN'T BOTHER ME. IT WASN'T UNTIL ABOUT OCTOBER,2006, WHEN I HAD SOME NIGHT LOCAL DRIVING TO DO, THAT I NOTICED HOW THE HIGH-BEAMS SO NICELY LIT UP MY NEIGHBORS SECOND STORY WINDOWS. I QUICKLY…

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I NOTICED HIGH BEAMS WERE VERY HIGH RIGHT AFTER I TOOK DELIVERY IN NOV. 2005. BECAUSE, AT THE TIME, I DID VERY LITTLE NIGHT DRIVING, IT DIDN'T BOTHER ME. IT WASN'T UNTIL ABOUT OCTOBER,2006, WHEN I HAD SOME NIGHT LOCAL DRIVING TO DO, THAT I NOTICED HOW THE HIGH-BEAMS SO NICELY LIT UP MY NEIGHBORS SECOND STORY WINDOWS. I QUICKLY LEARNED TO USE 'LOW-BEAMS ONLY" IN OUR DEVELOPMENT!!! I CALLED TON BUSH MOTORS IN JACKSONVILLE TO ASK IF THEY HAD FOUND A CURE FOR THIS PROBLEM. THEY SAID THE SERVICE MGR SAID HE THOUGHT HE COULD TAKE CARE OF IT. AS I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THESE COMPLAINTS FOR A WHILE ON THE 'NET, MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS "OH, SURE." ON 12/20/06, I LEFT THE CAR WITH THE SERVICE PEOPLE. WITHIN 30 MINUTES THEY PAGED ME, SAYING THAT IT'S ALL SET. THAT NIGHT, I DROVE THE CAR ALL THRU' THE DEVELOPMENT....... NOT A SINGLE CASE OF SECOND STORY LIGHTING !!! AND THE LOW-BEAMS GIVE ADEQUATE COVERAGE. I DROVE ONTO FLORIDA A1A THE NEXT NIGHT SOUTH TO ST AUGUSTINE, AND HAD GREAT VISIBILITY THE WHOLE WAY. I DON'T KNOW WHAT "TECH 336" DID, BUT MY LIGHTS ARE NOW FINE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10177579

Mileage unknown · Nov 26, 2006
Exterior Lighting

THE HIGH AND LOW HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT CAPABLE OF BEING ADJUSTED INDEPENDENTLY. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE PER MANUFACTURER SPEC, THE LOW BEAMS ARE APPROPRIATELY AIMED, BUT THE HIGH BEAMS ILLUMINATE ONLY TREES. IF THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ADJUSTED SO THAT THE HIGH BEAMS ARE APPROPRIATELY AIMED, THE LOW BEAMS ONLY ILLUMINATE A USE…

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THE HIGH AND LOW HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT CAPABLE OF BEING ADJUSTED INDEPENDENTLY. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE PER MANUFACTURER SPEC, THE LOW BEAMS ARE APPROPRIATELY AIMED, BUT THE HIGH BEAMS ILLUMINATE ONLY TREES. IF THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ADJUSTED SO THAT THE HIGH BEAMS ARE APPROPRIATELY AIMED, THE LOW BEAMS ONLY ILLUMINATE A USELESS DISTANCE IN FRONT OF THE CAR. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10174287

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.