← 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

Latches/locks/linkages complaints

14 reports
Clear category filter
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 …

Read full complaint

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

102,550 miles · Jun 26, 2014
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOORS FAILED TO OPEN AND THE PASSENGERS WERE UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE USING THE REAR DOORS. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE DOORS COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGN…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOORS FAILED TO OPEN AND THE PASSENGERS WERE UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE USING THE REAR DOORS. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE DOORS COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,550. UPDATED 9/18/14*CN

NHTSA ODI #10606280

118,000 miles · Mar 13, 2014
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

DRIVER'S REAR DOOR LOCK STOPPED RESPONDING TO THE BUTTONS ON IT, AND ON THE MAIN CONTROL, AND ON THE REMOTE. IT INTERMITTENTLY WORKED UNTIL MARCH AND IS NOW DEAD. THE CAR CANNOT BE LOCKED AND THAT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10569191

136,000 miles · Jan 22, 2014
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

AFTER USING THE FOB TO LOCK THE DOORS WE NOTICED THE REAR DOORS WOULD NOT LOCK. IF THE CAR IS JUST SITTING THE REAR LOCKS WILL NOT LOCK LEAVING THE DOOR OPEN TO CHILDREN OR WOULD BE THIEVES. WE ALSO NOTICED THE REAR DOORS WOULD SHOW THEY WERE LOCKED ONCE WE WERE MOVING, BUT WERE ACTUALLY UNLOCKED ALLOWING THE REAR PASSENGER TO…

Read full complaint

AFTER USING THE FOB TO LOCK THE DOORS WE NOTICED THE REAR DOORS WOULD NOT LOCK. IF THE CAR IS JUST SITTING THE REAR LOCKS WILL NOT LOCK LEAVING THE DOOR OPEN TO CHILDREN OR WOULD BE THIEVES. WE ALSO NOTICED THE REAR DOORS WOULD SHOW THEY WERE LOCKED ONCE WE WERE MOVING, BUT WERE ACTUALLY UNLOCKED ALLOWING THE REAR PASSENGER TO BE ABLE TO OPEN THE DOORS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE! VOLKSWAGEN NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE ASAP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10561093

180,000 miles · Jan 24, 2013
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

FIRST, VEHICLE'S ELECTRONIC LOCKS STOP RESPONDING TO DEPRESSES FROM BOTH REMOTES. REPLACE THE BATTERIES TO THE REMOTE AND STILL THE CAR WILL NOT RESPOND. THE ONLY WAY TO OPEN THE DOOR IS BY MANUALLY INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE DRIVERS SIDE, WHICH IS THE ONLY MANUAL KEYHOLE, AND TURNING LEFT TWICE. ONCE TURN UNLOCKS THE DRIVER'S S…

Read full complaint

FIRST, VEHICLE'S ELECTRONIC LOCKS STOP RESPONDING TO DEPRESSES FROM BOTH REMOTES. REPLACE THE BATTERIES TO THE REMOTE AND STILL THE CAR WILL NOT RESPOND. THE ONLY WAY TO OPEN THE DOOR IS BY MANUALLY INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE DRIVERS SIDE, WHICH IS THE ONLY MANUAL KEYHOLE, AND TURNING LEFT TWICE. ONCE TURN UNLOCKS THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, ANOTHER TURN UNLOCKS THE PASSENGER DOORS. AFTER SOME TIME PASSENGER DOORS STOP RESPONDING TO SECOND TURN. PASSENGER DOORS DO NO LOCK WHEN MANUALLY TURNING KEY THE RIGHT FROM THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, WHICH IS THE ONLY MANUAL KEYHOLE. THE PASSENGER DOORS THAT DO NOT LOCK CAUSE THE ALARM TO GO OFF WHEN OPENED. DEPRESSING THE SILENCE ALARM BUTTON ON KEY FOB DOES NOT SILENCE ALARM. THE ONLY WAY TO SILENCE ALARM IS BY CLOSING PASSENGER DOOR, CLOSING DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND TURNING KEY RIGHT ONCE TO LOCK AND LEFT TO UNLOCK. DOING SO ONLY CONTROL DRIVER SIDE DOOR. AFTER SOME TIME DASHBOARD SHOWS "DOOR OPEN" SYMBOL EVEN WHEN ALL DOORS ARE SECURELY CLOSED AND INDICATOR LIGHT ON DOOR IS OFF. DOME LIGHT STAYS ON WHILE DRIVING AS IF THE DOORS ARE INDEED OPEN EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE SECURELY CLOSED. AT THIS STAGE THE ALARM SYSTEM NO LONGER WORKS EITHER BY KEY FOB DEPRESS NOR BY MANUALLY TURNING THE LOCK IN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AS DESCRIBED EARLIER. DOORS MUST BE LOCKED BY OPENING EACH ONE MANUALLY AND PRESSING THE LOCK DOOR BUTTON LOCATED ON EACH PASSENGER DOOR. PRESSING THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK DOES NOT LOCK PASSENGER DOORS. ALL FUSES ARE INTACT AND NO ELECTRICAL ISSUES REPORTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10494587

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

75,000 miles · Apr 1, 2011
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

IGNITION KEY WILL NOT GO IN THE KEY HOLE. IT IS AS IF YOU ARE TRYING TO START SOME OTHER CAR. IT HAPPENED AT PARKING LOT WITHOUT ANY WARNING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10393946

44,000 miles · Feb 2, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingInterior Lighting

BOUGHT USED VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TURBO. AFTER ONE YEAR OF PERFECT FUNCTIONING, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS AND AIR CONDITIONING HAVE TOTALLY STOPPED FUNCTIONING. MECHANIC CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT. ADDITIONALLY, TRUNK LATCH WOULD NOT LATCH UPON OPENING TRUNK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10379913

75,000 miles · Jan 11, 2011
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

THE TRUNK OF MY 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TURBO WILL RANDOMLY OPEN WHILE DRIVING AND/OR PARKED. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE I HAVE BEEN DRIVING ON SEVERAL OCCASION BLOCKING THE VISIBILITY FROM MY REAR VIEW MIRROR. THE TRUNK WILL ALSO CLOSE, HOWEVER, THE CAR/DASHBOARD RECOGNIZES THE TRUNK AS BEING OPEN; DISABLING THE ABILITY TO OPE…

Read full complaint

THE TRUNK OF MY 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TURBO WILL RANDOMLY OPEN WHILE DRIVING AND/OR PARKED. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE I HAVE BEEN DRIVING ON SEVERAL OCCASION BLOCKING THE VISIBILITY FROM MY REAR VIEW MIRROR. THE TRUNK WILL ALSO CLOSE, HOWEVER, THE CAR/DASHBOARD RECOGNIZES THE TRUNK AS BEING OPEN; DISABLING THE ABILITY TO OPENING THE TRUNK WITH THE KEYLESS ENTRY AND WITHIN THE CAR. I NOTICE THIS ISSUE USUALLY OCCURS MORE FREQUENTLY WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLDER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10376308

78,000 miles · Jan 3, 2011
Electrical SystemInterior LightingLatches/locks/linkages

THE CAR DOESN'T RECOGNIZE THAT THE DOOR IS OPEN. THE INTERIOR LIGHTING DOES NOT COME ON AND THE NOTIFICATION THAT THE HEADLIGHTS REMAIN ON IS NOT FUNCTIONAL. THIS HAS LEFT ME WITH A DEAD BATTERY TWICE. ALSO, THE CAR ALARM REARMS ITSELF IF THE ENGINE IS NOT STARTED WITHIN 30 SECONDS. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IN THAT T…

Read full complaint

THE CAR DOESN'T RECOGNIZE THAT THE DOOR IS OPEN. THE INTERIOR LIGHTING DOES NOT COME ON AND THE NOTIFICATION THAT THE HEADLIGHTS REMAIN ON IS NOT FUNCTIONAL. THIS HAS LEFT ME WITH A DEAD BATTERY TWICE. ALSO, THE CAR ALARM REARMS ITSELF IF THE ENGINE IS NOT STARTED WITHIN 30 SECONDS. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IN THAT THE LIGHTING IS NOT FUNCTIONAL WHICH IS A SECURITY CONCERN AT NIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10373945

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.