NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
10 reportsClear category filter249,000 miles · Dec 29, 2015
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering
MY VW JETTA HAS HAD ISSUES LOSING ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ON AND OFF, TYPICALLY WHEN IT RAINS OR THE ROADS HAVE BEEN SALTED AND IT IS SLUSHY OR SNOWING. THIS LAST WEEK I WAS DRIVING AND I LOST TRACTION CONTROL, CRUISE CONTROL, TACHOMETER, ABS BRAKES AND OIL PRESSURE. THE CAR WOULD NOT IDLE. RESEARCHING THE ISSUE, I FOUND TH…
Read full complaint
MY VW JETTA HAS HAD ISSUES LOSING ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ON AND OFF, TYPICALLY WHEN IT RAINS OR THE ROADS HAVE BEEN SALTED AND IT IS SLUSHY OR SNOWING. THIS LAST WEEK I WAS DRIVING AND I LOST TRACTION CONTROL, CRUISE CONTROL, TACHOMETER, ABS BRAKES AND OIL PRESSURE. THE CAR WOULD NOT IDLE. RESEARCHING THE ISSUE, I FOUND THERE MAY BE AN ISSUE WITH THE WIRING HARNESS. I INSPECTED THE HARNESS AND DISCOVERED THAT SEVERAL WIRES HAVE BEEN CHAFED BY THE PLASTIC LOOM AND WORN THROUGH THE INSULATION, EXPOSING THE WIRES. I ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THE POSITIVE CABLE TO THE STARTER HAD CHAFED AND WORN THROUGH THE GROUND WIRE INSULATION CREATING A POTENTIAL HAZARD TO SHORT THE BATTERY.
NHTSA ODI #10816855
97,800 miles · Jun 28, 2013
Electrical SystemSteeringCrashInjury
I WAS ACCELERATING FROM A STOP SIGN AND I HEARD A NOTIFICATION "BEEP" ON MY CAR'S DASHBOARD. I LOOKED DOWN TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG AND SUDDENLY MY STEERING LOCKED UP ON ME. HAVING NO CONTROL OF MY CAR, I DRIFTED INTO A CAR PARKED ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE STREET, CAUSING MY CAR TO FLIP OVER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10522270
66,000 miles · Dec 2, 2011
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME INOPERABLE WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
NHTSA ODI #10438146
36,000 miles · Aug 31, 2011
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE ELECTRIC STEERING WHEEL FAILED THE VEHICLE BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE AND STALLED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON A DAILY BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS RENDERED UNDRIVEABLE. A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THERE WER…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE ELECTRIC STEERING WHEEL FAILED THE VEHICLE BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE AND STALLED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON A DAILY BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS RENDERED UNDRIVEABLE. A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
NHTSA ODI #10422757
Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2011
SteeringSuspension
SUB-FRAME SHIFTING CAUSING A POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING. LEADS TO LOOSE STEERING, WANDER, AND SEVERE FLEXING OF FRONT END WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. DUE TO WEAK SUB-FRAME BOLTS, CONTRIBUTING TO LOWER CONTROL ARM WEAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10390327
Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2010
Steering
WHENEVER THE OUTSIDE TEMP REACHES 82 OR ABOVE AND I AM STUCK IN TRAFFIC, I LOSE MY POWERSTEERING (ELECTRIC). THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE DAY 1 WHEN I PURCHASE THE VEHICLE ON 11/1/2006. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES. EACH TIME THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE COMPUTER SHOWS THE FAILURE BUT WILL NOT REMEDY THE CONDITION UNLESS THE IDIOT …
Read full complaint
WHENEVER THE OUTSIDE TEMP REACHES 82 OR ABOVE AND I AM STUCK IN TRAFFIC, I LOSE MY POWERSTEERING (ELECTRIC). THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE DAY 1 WHEN I PURCHASE THE VEHICLE ON 11/1/2006. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES. EACH TIME THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE COMPUTER SHOWS THE FAILURE BUT WILL NOT REMEDY THE CONDITION UNLESS THE IDIOT LIGHT IS ON WHEN I ARRIVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10310440
86,702 miles · Dec 29, 2009
Electrical SystemSteering
AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1.9L TDI AUTOMATIC DSG WITH 87,000 MILES. A VIDEO OF IT IN ACTION: HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=7LSEX_-B_O0 WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR WILL GO INTO NEUTRAL AND ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WILL COME ON WITH DIFFERENT SOUNDS. CHANGING THE SHIFTER INTO P, N, D, R, S (SPORTMODE) DOES…
Read full complaint
AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1.9L TDI AUTOMATIC DSG WITH 87,000 MILES. A VIDEO OF IT IN ACTION: HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=7LSEX_-B_O0 WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR WILL GO INTO NEUTRAL AND ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WILL COME ON WITH DIFFERENT SOUNDS. CHANGING THE SHIFTER INTO P, N, D, R, S (SPORTMODE) DOES NOTHING. CHANGING INTO THE TIPTRONIC MODE DOES NOTHING. THIS IS ONE INCIDENT OF A SERIES OF INCIDENTS THAT HAVE BEEN HAPPENING SPORADICALLY FOR THE PAST YEAR, BUT THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING ON AND OFF SINCE BEFORE THANKSGIVING 2009. WE'VE BEEN ON THE PHONE WITH VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA AND THEY HAVE NO SOLUTION. THE DEALERSHIP (PARADISE VOLKSWAGEN 760-200-4000) HAS DONE NUMEROUS "REPAIRS" TO THE CAR INCLUDING: MISC DIAGNOSIS 12/28-?? NEW STEERING RACK 12/6-12/22 SENSOR AND ELECTRICAL MODULE 12/1-12/16 MISC DIAGNOSIS ON 11/16-11/20 WE FEEL VERY UNSAFE IN THE CAR - WHAT IF IT HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10297409
34,038 miles · Sep 12, 2008
Air BagsElectrical SystemSteering
STEERING WHEEL IS FAILING ELECTRICALLY. AIR BAG FAULT IN PASSENGER SIDE, NO HORN OR OTHER WHEEL CONTROLS. REAL/UNREALIZED SAFETY HAZARD(S) DUE TO NON WORKING ELECTRONICS IN STEERING WHEEL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10241999
19 miles · Mar 3, 2008
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Parking BrakeSeatsInjury
BRAKES/STEERING/ESP-VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT AFTER MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS OR U-TURNS. SOMETIMES SO AGGRESSIVELY THAT IT HAS CAUSED INJURY TO THE DRIVERS AND DAMAGE TO THE CAR'S RIM AND TIRE. VEHICLE MOVES AFTER PUT IN PARK AND THE IGNITION HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. SOMETIMES, IT MOVES AFTER GETTING OUT AND WALKING AWAY. HAVE …
Read full complaint
BRAKES/STEERING/ESP-VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT AFTER MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS OR U-TURNS. SOMETIMES SO AGGRESSIVELY THAT IT HAS CAUSED INJURY TO THE DRIVERS AND DAMAGE TO THE CAR'S RIM AND TIRE. VEHICLE MOVES AFTER PUT IN PARK AND THE IGNITION HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. SOMETIMES, IT MOVES AFTER GETTING OUT AND WALKING AWAY. HAVE BEEN TOLD BY TWO DEALERSHIPS THAT THIS IS NORMAL. I DON'T FEEL THAT MOVING 6 INCHES OR MORE IS SAFE, ESPECIALLY AROUND CHILDREN AND SMALL PETS. SEAT MEMORY-SEAT STARTED MOVING ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING. ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS AS IN THE MIDDLE OF BRAKING, THE SEAT MOVED ALL THE WAY BACK WHERE I COULD NOT REACH THE PEDALS. MEMORY HAS NOT BEEN RIGHT EVEN AFTER REPLACING SWITCHES AND I AM STRESSED AND WONDER WHEN THE SEAT WILL START MOVING ON ITS OWN AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10219874
10,207 miles · Sep 18, 2006
Electrical SystemEquipmentPower Train
I HAVE A 06' JETTA IT HAS 10,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS. 1. STERO BROKE AFTER 2 MO. AND 6 CD'S WERE STUCK IN DAMAGED CD PLAYER AND I STILL HAVE NOT RECIEVED THEM BACK LIKE I WAS TOLD AFTER 4 MONTHS OF BEING FIXED. 2.PAINT WAS PEELING OFF FRONT BUMPER, WAS REPAIRED. 3. BACK CENTER CONSOLE WOULD NOT STAY IN P…
Read full complaint
I HAVE A 06' JETTA IT HAS 10,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS. 1. STERO BROKE AFTER 2 MO. AND 6 CD'S WERE STUCK IN DAMAGED CD PLAYER AND I STILL HAVE NOT RECIEVED THEM BACK LIKE I WAS TOLD AFTER 4 MONTHS OF BEING FIXED. 2.PAINT WAS PEELING OFF FRONT BUMPER, WAS REPAIRED. 3. BACK CENTER CONSOLE WOULD NOT STAY IN PLACE. 4.STEERING WHEEL MAKES SQEAKING NOISE WHEN TURNED TO THE RIGHT. 5.HAZARD BUTTON FELL INTO DASH. 6.PAINT IS NOW PEELING AGAIN. 7.CHROME ON WHEEL IS PEELING. 8.A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE PUT IN AFTER 3 ATTEMPTS OF FIXING IT VW TECH SUPPORT TOLD THE VALENCIA SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO JUST REPLACE IT. 9.WHEN REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT WHICH IS HOLDING THE AXEL SPINNDELES AND WHEELS ALTOGETHER TO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE BOLT WAS STRIPPED AND TECH SUPPORT SAID IT WAS A FACTORY MALFUNCTION AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE UNLESS FIXED .WE CAME TO FIND OUT THE SQUEAKING NOISE FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10168527
Official recalls
4Dec 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.
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.
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.
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 ↗