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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

Visibility complaints

18 reports
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16,000 miles · Jan 28, 2009
Visibility

2006 VOLKWAGEN JETTA TDI VEHICLE MILEAGE 16,000 WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER SYSTEM THE 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA IS EQUIPPED WITH AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT MOUNTED WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR AND HOOD MOUNTED WASHER FLUID SPRAY NOZZLES. IN THE AREA OF THE RIGHT HOOD HINGE THERE IS A FLEXIBLE HOSE SECTION IN THE PLUMBING OF THE SYSTEM TO ALLOW FO…

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2006 VOLKWAGEN JETTA TDI VEHICLE MILEAGE 16,000 WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER SYSTEM THE 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA IS EQUIPPED WITH AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT MOUNTED WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR AND HOOD MOUNTED WASHER FLUID SPRAY NOZZLES. IN THE AREA OF THE RIGHT HOOD HINGE THERE IS A FLEXIBLE HOSE SECTION IN THE PLUMBING OF THE SYSTEM TO ALLOW FOR OPENING OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HOOD WHILE MAINTAINING WASHER SYSTEM PLUMBING INTEGRITY. THE HOSE WAS SEPARATED WHERE IT BENDS BETWEEN THE ENGINE AREA AND HOOD, MAKING THE WASHER FLUID SYSTEM INOPERABLE. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED WITH A CONNECTOR. AFTER ABOUT THE THIRD USE, FLUID SYSTEM WOULD NOT WORK AGAIN. UPON EXAMINATION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE BRITTLE FLEXIBLE HOSE HAD CRACKED COMPLETELY IN TWO JUST ABOVE THE NEW CONNECTOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10256601

Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2009
EquipmentLatches/locks/linkagesVisibility

THIS VEHICLE DESIGN ALLOWS FOR POOR REAR VISIBILITY IN GENERAL; HOWEVER, IT IS AMPLIFIED IN LOW LIGHT SITUATIONS WITH THE COMBINATION OF HIGH REAR HEAD RESTS, A GLARE ON THE BACK GLASS FROM THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT, AND IF YOU HAVE A REAR SPOILER THIS MAKES FOR A REALLY BAD COMBINATION. NIGHTTIME VISIBILITY IN A JETTA IS THE EQUIV…

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THIS VEHICLE DESIGN ALLOWS FOR POOR REAR VISIBILITY IN GENERAL; HOWEVER, IT IS AMPLIFIED IN LOW LIGHT SITUATIONS WITH THE COMBINATION OF HIGH REAR HEAD RESTS, A GLARE ON THE BACK GLASS FROM THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT, AND IF YOU HAVE A REAR SPOILER THIS MAKES FOR A REALLY BAD COMBINATION. NIGHTTIME VISIBILITY IN A JETTA IS THE EQUIVALENCE OF WEARING A BLIND FOLD. OH AND THE SALESMAN NEGLECTED TO MENTION THAT THE ALL WEATHER PACKAGE INCLUDED A TRUNK THAT WILL NOT SHUT OR STAY SHUT IN COLD WEATHER. EVEN THE REPLACEMENT LATCHES NEED REPLACING. VW IS MAKING BIG BUCKS ON THE CONSUMER HOPING TO SAVE A FEW DOLLARS WITH FUEL ECONOMY. VW NOT ONLY FAILS TO ADDRESS OR ACKNOWLEDGE THE DEFECTS WITH THESE VEHICLES, BUT TO EXACERBATE THE SITUATION THEY ATTEMPT TO LOCK YOU -THE CONSUMER INTO THEIR MONOPOLY, FOR EXAMPLE:KEYLESS REMOTES IN WHICH THE BATTERIES ARE ONLY REPLACEABLE BY VW DEALERS, A SYNTHETIC VW OIL, A VERY COSTLY TRUNK LATCH, THAT WITH MY EXPERIENCE YOU END UP REPLACING ANNUALLY...THE LIST GOES ON. WHATEVER HAPPENED TO OLD FASHIONED CUSTOMER SERVICE? TO SUM IT UP MY JETTA HAS ALOT OF BUGS...NOT TO WORRY, I'M SURE VW HAS PATENTED THE PESTICIDE, JUST HOPE I'M ABLE TO AFFORD THAT-CAN USE THE MONEY I'M SAVING IN FUEL ECONOMY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10256171

31,000 miles · Jun 22, 2008
EquipmentVisibility

2006 VOLKWAGEN JETTA TDI VEHICLE DOM: 10/05 MILEAGE: 31,000 WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER SYSTEM THE 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA IS EQUIPPED WITH AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT MOUNTED WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR AND HOOD MOUNTED WASHER FLUID SPRAY NOZZLES. IN THE AREA OF THE RIGHT HOOD HINGE THERE IS A FLEXIBLE HOSE SECTION IN THE PLUMBING OF THE …

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2006 VOLKWAGEN JETTA TDI VEHICLE DOM: 10/05 MILEAGE: 31,000 WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER SYSTEM THE 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA IS EQUIPPED WITH AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT MOUNTED WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR AND HOOD MOUNTED WASHER FLUID SPRAY NOZZLES. IN THE AREA OF THE RIGHT HOOD HINGE THERE IS A FLEXIBLE HOSE SECTION IN THE PLUMBING OF THE SYSTEM TO ALLOW FOR OPENING OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HOOD WHILE MAINTAINING WASHER SYSTEM PLUMBING INTEGRITY. ROUTINE UNDERHOOD FLUID CHECKS AND SERVICE INTERVALS REQUIRING ENGINE ACCESS HAVE WEAKENED AND CRACKED THE FLEXIBLE PORTION OF THE PLUMBING RENDERING THE WINDSHIELD WASHER INOPERATIVE ON MY VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10231972

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 · Aug 7, 2007
Visibility

WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND YOU ACTIVATE THE WINDSHIELD CLEANING SYSTEM, THE WIPERS WILL WIPE THREE TO FOUR TIMES AND THEN WAIT ABOUT 15 SECONDS AND THEN WIPE ONE FINAL TIME. DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE AS THE SPLASH BACK IS MINIMAL. HOWEVER, DURING THE WINTER MONTHS WHERE THERE IS AN INCREASED AMOUNT OF W…

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WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND YOU ACTIVATE THE WINDSHIELD CLEANING SYSTEM, THE WIPERS WILL WIPE THREE TO FOUR TIMES AND THEN WAIT ABOUT 15 SECONDS AND THEN WIPE ONE FINAL TIME. DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE AS THE SPLASH BACK IS MINIMAL. HOWEVER, DURING THE WINTER MONTHS WHERE THERE IS AN INCREASED AMOUNT OF WATER AND CHEMICALS ON THE ROAD, THE TINY AMOUNTS OF SPLASH BACK THAT GETS ONTO THE WINDSHIELD ARE SMEARED WHEN THE FINAL SWIPE OCCURS AND OBSTRUCTS YOUR VIEW. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER TO HAVE CHECKED AND STOPPED, BUT WAS TOLD IT WAS A "FEATURE" OF THE VW VEHICLES AND COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10198765

Mileage unknown · Nov 7, 2006
Exterior LightingVisibility

UNADJUSTABLE AIM OF HEADLIGHTS ON 2006 VW JETTA TDI. RIGHT AND LEFT LIGHTS ARE ADJUSTABLE SIDE-TO-SIDE, BUT I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT "THE HIGH AND LOW BEAMS ON EACH SIDE ARE ALL ONE UNIT AND CANNOT BE ADJUSTED UP OR DOWN SEPARATELY." I FIND THIS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE, SINCE THE HIGH BEAMS DO NOT ADD ANY DISTANCE OR …

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UNADJUSTABLE AIM OF HEADLIGHTS ON 2006 VW JETTA TDI. RIGHT AND LEFT LIGHTS ARE ADJUSTABLE SIDE-TO-SIDE, BUT I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT "THE HIGH AND LOW BEAMS ON EACH SIDE ARE ALL ONE UNIT AND CANNOT BE ADJUSTED UP OR DOWN SEPARATELY." I FIND THIS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE, SINCE THE HIGH BEAMS DO NOT ADD ANY DISTANCE OR WIDTH TO THE LIGHT FIELD ON THE ROAD. THEY DO, HOWEVER, LIGHT UP THE TREE-TOPS NICELY. HIGH-BEAMS WHICH ARE USELESS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND CANNOT BE MADE FUNCTIONAL WITHOUT RENDERING THE STANDARD LOW-BEAM FOCUS UNACCEPTABLY SHORT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. CORRECTION SEEMS TO REQUIRE REDESIGNED COMPONENTS. UNACCEPTABLE BRAKE LIGHT REFLECTION IN REAR WINDOW. BRAKE LIGHT HOUSING AT TOP OF REAR WINDOW IS NOT FLUSH TO THE GLASS, BUT APPROXIMATELY 3/8THS OF AN INCH AWAY. THIS CAUSES A LARGE RED GLARE IN THE REAR WINDOW WHEN BRAKES ARE USED IN DARK OR NEAR-DARK SITUATIONS. DEALER SAID " ACCORDING TO DESIGN". I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD DUE TO THE OBSCURING OF VISIBILITY TO THE REAR WHEN BRAKES ARE IN USE. REAR-VIEW MIRROR DIMMING SWITCH DOES NOT ALIGN MIRROR WITH PREVIOUS SETTING. THIS REQUIRES DRIVER TO MOVE THE MIRROR AFTER SWITCHING TO DIM UPCOMING HEADLIGHTS.

NHTSA ODI #10172807

25 miles · Oct 22, 2006
Visibility

REAR VIEW MIRROR - DAY/NIGHT FUNCTION DEFECTIVE. DRIVER OPERATION BETWEEN POSITIONS DAY OR NIGHT WILL LEAD TO A FALSE VEHICLE ORIENTATION WHICH COULD LEAD TO A COLLISION. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10171548

13,400 miles · Oct 19, 2006
Visibility

IT HAS COME TO THE NOTICE OF SEVERAL VW 2006 JETTA TDI OWNERS THAT THE REARVIEW MIRROR DOES NOT OPERATE CORRECTLY WHEN FLIPPED FOR NIGHTTIME USE. THE MIRROR OVER ADJUST AND HAS THE POTENTIAL TO OBSCURE THE DRIVERS ABILITY TO SEE OUT THE BACK WINDOW. AN INFORMAL DISCUSSION OF OTHERS NOTICING THIS DESIGN FLAW CAN BE FOUND AT: H…

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IT HAS COME TO THE NOTICE OF SEVERAL VW 2006 JETTA TDI OWNERS THAT THE REARVIEW MIRROR DOES NOT OPERATE CORRECTLY WHEN FLIPPED FOR NIGHTTIME USE. THE MIRROR OVER ADJUST AND HAS THE POTENTIAL TO OBSCURE THE DRIVERS ABILITY TO SEE OUT THE BACK WINDOW. AN INFORMAL DISCUSSION OF OTHERS NOTICING THIS DESIGN FLAW CAN BE FOUND AT: HTTP://FORUMS.TDICLUB.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=155017. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10171364

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.