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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

16 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2023
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

So it appears to be fine until about 30/45 mins drive time Then it starts shifting/slamming real hard and hesitates to shift in the next gear To the point where stopping and going isn’t an option or it slips After about 45 mins all the prnds lights turned on and did the same in manual mode.. I read someone it’s a valve body that…

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So it appears to be fine until about 30/45 mins drive time Then it starts shifting/slamming real hard and hesitates to shift in the next gear To the point where stopping and going isn’t an option or it slips After about 45 mins all the prnds lights turned on and did the same in manual mode.. I read someone it’s a valve body that leads to a faulty Tranny I’ve read almost 150 of the same exact accounts on here and Reddit With the same 2006 Vw Jetta 2.5 It’s too common of an issue Most of them were under 100k miles and never dealt with by the manufacturer Myself my car has roughly 168k miles and I’ve been working to fix it up I just got it a month or so ago And now I have to deal with this Honestly is sad that VW hasn’t been held accountable for an issue that is WAY TOO COMMON to not be their fault. I understand the car is almost 20 years old but a bunch of these accounts i were reading dated as far back as 2009 with 86k miles it’s a shame..

NHTSA ODI #11532411

Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2020
Air BagsSuspensionUnknown Or Other

THERE IS VACUUM PUMP DEFECT, MECHANICAL ENGINE MOUNTING BRACKETS, BREAKS, HOSES/PUMPS, WINDSHIELD FLUID MOUNTED HOUSES NEAR WINDSHIELD (FLUID SPRAYS THROUGH THESE HOUSES ON TO THE WINDSHIELD) AND KEY IGNITION INTERLOCK. PLEASE CALL AUDI FOR THE FULL DESCRIPTION OF DEFECTIVE PARTS AND REQUIRED MAINTENANCE. WAS DRIVING VEHICL…

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THERE IS VACUUM PUMP DEFECT, MECHANICAL ENGINE MOUNTING BRACKETS, BREAKS, HOSES/PUMPS, WINDSHIELD FLUID MOUNTED HOUSES NEAR WINDSHIELD (FLUID SPRAYS THROUGH THESE HOUSES ON TO THE WINDSHIELD) AND KEY IGNITION INTERLOCK. PLEASE CALL AUDI FOR THE FULL DESCRIPTION OF DEFECTIVE PARTS AND REQUIRED MAINTENANCE. WAS DRIVING VEHICLE HEARD A LOUD POP OR BREAKING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT OPERATE STIFFENING THE STEERING WHEEL. AUTO WAS STOLEN AND CAME BACK WITH LOUD SCREECHING NOISE. UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11383091

102,344 miles · Jun 27, 2020
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

I HAVE A 2006 JETTA THAT I JUST GOT FROM A FRIEND, THEY STATED THAT IT NEEDED SOME SENSORS LIKE THE MAF REPLACED. I SPENT THE 39.99 AND BOUGHT THE CARFAX REPORT AS WELL TO ENSURE IT WAS A GOOD CAR. EVERYTHING WAS GREAT UNTIL I DROVE IT FOR THE FIRST TIME LONGER THAN 20 OR 30 MINUTES. I STARTED TO EXPERIENCE THE TRANSMISSION SLIP…

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I HAVE A 2006 JETTA THAT I JUST GOT FROM A FRIEND, THEY STATED THAT IT NEEDED SOME SENSORS LIKE THE MAF REPLACED. I SPENT THE 39.99 AND BOUGHT THE CARFAX REPORT AS WELL TO ENSURE IT WAS A GOOD CAR. EVERYTHING WAS GREAT UNTIL I DROVE IT FOR THE FIRST TIME LONGER THAN 20 OR 30 MINUTES. I STARTED TO EXPERIENCE THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING WHEN IT GOT HOT AND THE GEARS NOT SHIFTING. AS I BEGAN TO LOOK UP THESE SYMPTOMS TO VERIFY WHAT THE ISSUE WAS I RAN INTO SOME VERY CONCERNING STATEMENTS. MULTIPLE SOURCES SAY THE CARS ARE KNOWN FOR HAVING BAD TRANSMISSIONS/ VALVE BODY ISSUES. HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE DRIVING 2006 VW JETTA 2.5 LITER AUTOMATIC CARS WERE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE HARD SHIFTING AND SLIPPING AND SOME WERE WORSE THAN THAT. MY CAR ONLY HAS 103,000 MILES ON IT AND MANY OF THESE OTHER VEHICLES WERE BETWEEN 75K AND 140K. HAVING TO HAVE ENTIRE TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY ISSUES WHEN I'M ON THE HIGHWAY AND NOT NEEDING TO SWITCH GEARS BUT STOP AND GO TRAFFIC IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE IN. IT DISCOURAGES ME THAT SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE AND A RECALL HAS NEVER BEEN ISSUED FOR IT. THERE IS NO WARRANTY ANYMORE . MULTIPLE MECHANICS HAVE LOOKED AT THE CAR AND IMMEDIATELY STATED THAT THE 09G VALVE COVER THAT VW USED WAS NOTORIOUS FOR THESE ISSUES AND THEY ARE STILL PRETTY COMMON. HTTPS://WWW.TRANSMISSIONREPAIRCOSTGUIDE.COM/VOLKSWAGEN-JETTA-TRANSMISSION-PROBLEMS/ HTTPS://M.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/VOLKSWAGEN/JETTA/2006/TRANSMISSION/TRANSMISSION_FAILURE.SHTML HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/IMPMDINGZOG HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/GLITVICEKFC HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/QEGQ0D2NMOM HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/5KVGSJAXATO HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/SCJ0FMNCNNM HTTPS://WWW.JETTAFORUMS.COM/FORUM/VOLKSWAGEN-JETTA-GENERAL-DISCUSSION/571-2006-JETTA-AUTOMATIC-TRANSMISSION-PROBLEMS.HTML#/TOPICS/571 HTTPS://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/VOLKSWAGEN/JETTA/TRANSMISSION-GEAR-SLIPPING-PROBLEMS.PHP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11331181

Mileage unknown · May 29, 2019
Unknown Or Other

KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION AND I CANNOT TURN OFF THE ENGINE

NHTSA ODI #11210583

155,000 miles · May 7, 2019
Unknown Or Other

TAKATA RECALL IGNITION SWITCH WAS LOCKED. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND WHEN TURNING KEY IT WOULDN'T TURN. CAR WAS IN PARK AND FOOT ON BRAKES AND TURN OF THE STIRRING WHEEL DIDN'T GET IT TO TURN. HAD TO GET TOWED AND THE FULL IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #11205976

164,000 miles · Apr 24, 2018
Unknown Or Other

THE CAR WAS PARKED IN A SUPERMARKET PARKING LOT. RETURNED TO MY CAR AND THE CAR WASN'T MOVEABLE, THE BRAKES, STEERING WHEEL AND ACCELERATOR WERE LOCKED. I HAD STARTER REPLACED BY A MECHANIC WHICH WAS A TEMPORARY FIX. LAST DIAGNOSTIC WAS BRAKE VACUUM PUMP AND GASKET HAVE TO BE REPLACED

NHTSA ODI #11089928

170,000 miles · Jan 2, 2018
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

VW JETTA TDI 2.5L 2006 - PLASTIC ENGINE COVER TAPPED A HOLE INTO FUEL RAIL. DIESEL FUEL LEAKED ALL OVER ENGINE AND ENGINE STARTED SMOKING. FIRE WAS IMMANENT HAD I CONTINUED TO DRIVE. LOST FUEL ON ROAD AND GROUND. VW CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE SAYS MY VIN DOES NOT SHOW A RECALL FOR THIS BUT THE LEAK ISSUE IS POSTED ALL OVER INTERNET A…

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VW JETTA TDI 2.5L 2006 - PLASTIC ENGINE COVER TAPPED A HOLE INTO FUEL RAIL. DIESEL FUEL LEAKED ALL OVER ENGINE AND ENGINE STARTED SMOKING. FIRE WAS IMMANENT HAD I CONTINUED TO DRIVE. LOST FUEL ON ROAD AND GROUND. VW CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE SAYS MY VIN DOES NOT SHOW A RECALL FOR THIS BUT THE LEAK ISSUE IS POSTED ALL OVER INTERNET AND TDI FORUM SITES AND YOUTUBE. VW SHOULD RECALL THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. HOLE LOOKS LIKE A LESION OR A SORE THAT HIS BEEN RUBBED BY THE PLASTIC COVER ON THE WEAK METAL TUBE FUEL RAIL. NOW, NEW JETTAS ARE MADE WITH RUBBER FUEL TUBES. THEY HAVE DEFINITELY KNOWN ABOUT THIS FOR MANY YEARS (SINCE 2007 AT LEAST).

NHTSA ODI #11057927

126,000 miles · Sep 20, 2017
Unknown Or Other

TRANSMISSION GET STUCK IN 4TH GEAR WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #11024693

132,200 miles · Aug 9, 2017
Unknown Or Other

THERE IS A DEFECT ON THE HEADLINER THAT THE FABRIC WILL START FALLING OFF AND SAGGING AND THE CAR WAS MADE IN 2006 IT SHOULDN'T FALL OFF FOR AWHILE LONGER AND IT STARTED SAGGING AND IT'S DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WITH IT FALLING DOWN CUZ I CAN'T SEE AS WELL TO TURN IN A DIFFERENT LANE AND IT WAS GETTING ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT WAS STARTI…

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THERE IS A DEFECT ON THE HEADLINER THAT THE FABRIC WILL START FALLING OFF AND SAGGING AND THE CAR WAS MADE IN 2006 IT SHOULDN'T FALL OFF FOR AWHILE LONGER AND IT STARTED SAGGING AND IT'S DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WITH IT FALLING DOWN CUZ I CAN'T SEE AS WELL TO TURN IN A DIFFERENT LANE AND IT WAS GETTING ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT WAS STARTING TO SAG BUT IT CUT OFF MY VISION TO SEE WHEN TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY AND I CUT SOMEONE OFF CAUSE I DIDN'T SEE THEM AND I ALMOST GOT IN A WRECK

NHTSA ODI #11013852

110,000 miles · Nov 27, 2016
SeatsUnknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING MY 2006 VW JETTA THE DRIVERS POWER SEAT STARTED TO MOVE BY ITSELF FORWARD THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES TO THE POINT WHERE MY KNEES WHERE PUSHED TO THE DASH AND MY RIGHT KNEE ACTUALLY TURNED CAR OFF BY HITTING MY KEYS ON KEY CHAIN OCCASIONALLY WHEN I HAVE GONE OUT IN MORNING TO START THE CAR THE SEAT HAS BEEN PUS…

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WHILE DRIVING MY 2006 VW JETTA THE DRIVERS POWER SEAT STARTED TO MOVE BY ITSELF FORWARD THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES TO THE POINT WHERE MY KNEES WHERE PUSHED TO THE DASH AND MY RIGHT KNEE ACTUALLY TURNED CAR OFF BY HITTING MY KEYS ON KEY CHAIN OCCASIONALLY WHEN I HAVE GONE OUT IN MORNING TO START THE CAR THE SEAT HAS BEEN PUSHED FORWARD AND BATTERY HAS BEEN WEAKENED I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY THE FACT THAT THIS SEAT MOVES WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10928091

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.