← 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

Power Train complaints

245 reports
Clear category filter
87,850 miles · Aug 22, 2013
Power Train

#1 JULY 262013 JETTA SEDAN 2.5L AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 87,850 MILES A D V E R T I S E M E N T S I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 2006 VW JETTA WITH A DSG TRANSMISSION AND 2.5 L MOTOR. THE VEHICLE LURCHES AND LOSES POWER AS IF GAS HAD BEEN SWITCHED OFF OR THE TRANSMISSION HAS BOGGED DOWN AND SEEMS TO OCCUR WH…

Read full complaint

#1 JULY 262013 JETTA SEDAN 2.5L AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 87,850 MILES A D V E R T I S E M E N T S I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 2006 VW JETTA WITH A DSG TRANSMISSION AND 2.5 L MOTOR. THE VEHICLE LURCHES AND LOSES POWER AS IF GAS HAD BEEN SWITCHED OFF OR THE TRANSMISSION HAS BOGGED DOWN AND SEEMS TO OCCUR WHEN SHIFTING. IT ALSO HAPPENS FROM A DEAD STOP, WITH THE VEHICLE LURCHING FORWARD WITH CONSIDERABLE FORCE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGES. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON BOTH VERY HOT DAYS, 100+ DEGREES, AND ALSO DURING EVENING AND NIGHTTIME WHILE DRIVING ON SURFACE STREETS AND ON THE INTERSTATE THOUGH ON THE INTERSTATE IT DOESN'T LURCH FORWARD WHEN POWER IS RESTORED. THE VEHICLE USUALLY REGAINS POWER 3-5 SECONDS AFTER LOSS OF POWER MOST TIMES THIS OCCURS BUT THERE WERE A FEW TIMES THE VEHICLE STALLED. ONCE THIS HAPPENS THIS CONDITION CONTINUES TO OCCUR MORE WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVABLE. ONCE THE VEHICLE HAS COOLED OFF FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, 2 OR MORE HOURS, IT DRIVES WITH OUT THIS PROBLEM FOR THE SAME AMOUNT OF TIME, OR LESS, AS WHEN DRIVEN FROM A COLD START. THIS HAS ALSO OCCURRED WHILE PASSING AND FORCED ME TO CANCEL MY PASS OF A SLOWER MOVING VEHICLE AND MERGE INTO THE TRAFFIC WHICH ON ONE OCCASION HAD CLOSED RANKS LEAVING ME NO ROOM TO MERGE. I HAVE ONLY BEEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE FOR ABOUT A WEEK. THIS STATEMENT WAS POSTED AROUND 8-5-2013. THE PROBLEM IS STILL THE SAME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10536789

37,000 miles · Jul 13, 2013
Power Train

IN THE MORNING I WENT TO START MY CAR AND I SHIFTED IT INTO REVERSE AND THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE. I THEN WENT TO DRIVE IT AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF THIRD GEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10524647

82,753 miles · Apr 17, 2013
Power Train

THE DSG CLUTCH ON THE 2006 VW JETTA TDI LOST STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY AND CAME APART COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING, DESTROYING THE AUTOMATIC CLUTCH AND POTENTIALLY THE TRANSMISSION. THE SPRINGS ARE SO DAMAGED THAT THEY WERE EJECTED FROM THE CASING ONTO THE ENGINE PROTECTION MATT UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THERE IS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE…

Read full complaint

THE DSG CLUTCH ON THE 2006 VW JETTA TDI LOST STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY AND CAME APART COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING, DESTROYING THE AUTOMATIC CLUTCH AND POTENTIALLY THE TRANSMISSION. THE SPRINGS ARE SO DAMAGED THAT THEY WERE EJECTED FROM THE CASING ONTO THE ENGINE PROTECTION MATT UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THERE IS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE CLUTCH WHICH WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED COMPLETELY AND POTENTIAL TRANSMISSION DAMAGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10508557

149,000 miles · Feb 3, 2013
EngineFuel System, DieselFuel/propulsion System

MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING HOME AND SUDDENLY MY CAR STARTED JERKING AND MADE A "KNOCKING" SOUND, WITHOUT ANY WARNING (I.E. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT). WE WERE CLOSE TO HOME AND DECIDED TO CONTINUE ON; HOWEVER, IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MILES, THE PROBLEMS PERSISTED, STILL WITH NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR ANY INDICATION OF WHAT WAS WRONG WITH …

Read full complaint

MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING HOME AND SUDDENLY MY CAR STARTED JERKING AND MADE A "KNOCKING" SOUND, WITHOUT ANY WARNING (I.E. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT). WE WERE CLOSE TO HOME AND DECIDED TO CONTINUE ON; HOWEVER, IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MILES, THE PROBLEMS PERSISTED, STILL WITH NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR ANY INDICATION OF WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS, WHILE PARKED ON A SECURED PREMISE, I STARTED THE CAR UP AND IT HAD AN ERRATIC LOPING SOUND. I PROCEEDED TO CALL A NEARBY VOLKSWAGEN DEALER AND SPOKE TO TWO CERTIFIED VW MECHANICS, WHO FAILED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE THAT THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATION BEFORE THE CAR STARTED TO ACT UP AND SAID TO BRING IT IN TO SWAP OUT THE ENGINE AT APPROX. $7500; THEY DISMISSED THE PROBLEM AS "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR". I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND IT LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THAT IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE CAM, WHICH I HAD CONFIRMED BY AN AUTO-MECHANIC AFTER TOWING THE CAR IN. HE TOLD ME THE ENTIRE ENGINE WAS WARPED DUE TO THE CAM GOING OUT. OTHER 2006 VW JETTA TDI OWNERS HAVE COMMENTED ON THE SAME ISSUES, WHICH AT THIS POINT LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT IT IS NOT "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR", BUT A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10496238

146,000 miles · Jan 14, 2013
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE TRANSMISSION POSITION LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. A DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE SYMPTOMS AND STATED THEY KNEW THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHIC…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE TRANSMISSION POSITION LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. A DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE SYMPTOMS AND STATED THEY KNEW THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 146,000.

NHTSA ODI #10492864

127,000 miles · Jan 4, 2013
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLUTCH FAILED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND INFORM…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLUTCH FAILED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V164000 (POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

NHTSA ODI #10491431

98,000 miles · Dec 12, 2012
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 4 AT 65 MPH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WENT FROM DRIVE TO SECOND GEAR BY ITSELF EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SELECTOR WAS IN DRIVE, NEARLY PUTTING ME THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD HAD I NOT HAD MY SEAT BELT ON. I MANAGED TO GET ONTO THE BURM OF THE HIGHWAY AND STOP. AT THIS POINT TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS DUMPING …

Read full complaint

WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 4 AT 65 MPH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WENT FROM DRIVE TO SECOND GEAR BY ITSELF EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SELECTOR WAS IN DRIVE, NEARLY PUTTING ME THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD HAD I NOT HAD MY SEAT BELT ON. I MANAGED TO GET ONTO THE BURM OF THE HIGHWAY AND STOP. AT THIS POINT TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS DUMPING ALL OVER THE ROAD AND THE CAR WOULD NO LONGER MOVE AND THE DIGITAL GEAR SELECTION LIGHT WAS FLASHING ON AND OFF CONTINUOUS(PRND). HAD IT TOWED TO MY VW MECHANIC AND THEY FOUND THAT THE ELECTRONIC VALVE ASSEMBLY HAD QUIT WORKING AND THAT THE MECH TRONIC CLUTCH ASSEMBLY WAS DESTROYED BY IT GOING FROM DRIVE TO 2ND . AFTER RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND THAT VW HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND HAS SENT OUT LETTERS TO CUSTOMERS THAT HAVE 2007-2010 VEHICLES WITH THIS SAME TRANSMISSION THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THEIR DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY OR RE-IMBURSE THEM FOR REPAIRS IF DONE PRIOR TO THIS LETTER UP TO 100000 MILES. I CONTACTED VW USA AND ASKED ABOUT MY CAR AND WAS TOLD BECAUSE MY CAR WAS A 2006 IT WASN'T COVERED EVEN THOUGH I GOT THEM TO ADMIT THAT IT WAS THE SAME TRANSMISSION THAT WAS USED FOR 2005.5 THROUGH 2010. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10488610

129,000 miles · Nov 9, 2012
Power Train

I WAS ON A FREEWAY THAT WAS MERGING WITH ANOTHER FREEWAY, AND THE GEAR LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING, THE TRANSMISSION QUIT, AND I COULDN'T ACCELERATE TO GET OUT OF OTHER VEHICLES WAY. I WAS DOING 10 MPH, AND I HAD TO CROSS TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC DOING 65 MPH. NOWHERE TO GO BUT THAT. I WAS SO SCARED AND WAS REALLY LUCKY THAT NO ONE…

Read full complaint

I WAS ON A FREEWAY THAT WAS MERGING WITH ANOTHER FREEWAY, AND THE GEAR LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING, THE TRANSMISSION QUIT, AND I COULDN'T ACCELERATE TO GET OUT OF OTHER VEHICLES WAY. I WAS DOING 10 MPH, AND I HAD TO CROSS TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC DOING 65 MPH. NOWHERE TO GO BUT THAT. I WAS SO SCARED AND WAS REALLY LUCKY THAT NO ONE HIT ME, ALTHOUGH THEY DID HAVE TO HIT THEIR BRAKES HARD AND SWERVE TO AVOID ME. THIS IS SOMETHING I'VE SEEN ON DIFFERENT FORUMS NOW, AND EVERYONE SAYS IT IS A MECHATRONIC UNIT GONE BAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10483859

60,000 miles · Oct 16, 2012
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THE DUAL MASS FLY-WHEEL AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICL…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THE DUAL MASS FLY-WHEEL AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10480667

73,470 miles · Jul 30, 2012
Electrical SystemPower Train

I WAS SITTING IN TRAFFIC IN MINNEAPOLIS MN. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, TRAFFIC MOVED AND WHEN I PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE ENGINE SPED UP AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. THE SHIFT SELECTOR WAS IN D FOR DRIVE. THE PRNDL INDICATOR ON THE DASH FLASHED RED WITH ALL FIVE LETTERS ILLUMINATED. I TRIED TURNING OFF THE IGNITION AND TURNING …

Read full complaint

I WAS SITTING IN TRAFFIC IN MINNEAPOLIS MN. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, TRAFFIC MOVED AND WHEN I PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE ENGINE SPED UP AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. THE SHIFT SELECTOR WAS IN D FOR DRIVE. THE PRNDL INDICATOR ON THE DASH FLASHED RED WITH ALL FIVE LETTERS ILLUMINATED. I TRIED TURNING OFF THE IGNITION AND TURNING IT BACK ON WITH THE SAME RESULTS. NO MOVEMENT WITH ENGINE ACCELERATING. AFTER BEING PUSHED INTO A PARKING LOT BY PASSERSBY, I TRIED AGAIN AND THE TRANSMISSION WORKED AS IT WAS SUPPOSED TO. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET, I FIND THAT IT IS A COMMON VW PROBLEM AND THE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER IS PE09035 OPENED JULY 17, 2009 COVERING 2008 AND 2009 MODELS. MY TDI IS A 2006 MODEL PURCHASED IN MAY 2007 BECAUSE VW KEPT SELLING 2006 TDIS IN 2007. THERE WERE NO 2007 VW JETTA TDIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10468328

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.