← 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

What owners actually said

580 reports
80,000 miles · May 29, 2011
Power Train

THERE IS A DISTINCT DELAY WHEN TAKING THE CAR FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR REVERSE WHICH CAUSES VERY HARSH ENGAGEMENT. IT MAKES IT A CHALLENGE TO SAFELY MANEUVER THE CAR IN CLOSE QUARTERS. SITTING AT A RED LIGHT THE CAR WILL LURCH FORWARD WHEN LETTING OFF THE BRAKE AND HITTING THE THROTTLE. THIS HAPPENS AT START UP AND AT RUNNING TEMPE…

Read full complaint

THERE IS A DISTINCT DELAY WHEN TAKING THE CAR FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR REVERSE WHICH CAUSES VERY HARSH ENGAGEMENT. IT MAKES IT A CHALLENGE TO SAFELY MANEUVER THE CAR IN CLOSE QUARTERS. SITTING AT A RED LIGHT THE CAR WILL LURCH FORWARD WHEN LETTING OFF THE BRAKE AND HITTING THE THROTTLE. THIS HAPPENS AT START UP AND AT RUNNING TEMPERATURE. WHEN THIS FIRST BEGAN TO HAPPEN THE PROBLEM WOULD GO AWAY AFTER A TRANSMISSION SERVICE BUT WOULD SOON RETURN. NOW IT IS PRESENT AT ALL TIMES WHETHER THE SERVICE HAS BEEN PERFORMED OR NOT. THE PROBLEM ONLY OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS AT A STOP AND YOU START TO MOVE THE VEHICLE, FORWARD OR REVERSE. ALL OTHER SHIFTING RESPONSES SEEM TO BE NORMAL. AGAIN THE PROBLEM ONLY EXISTS WHEN STARTING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. FROM WHAT I CAN READ THIS SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE DSG TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10403673

96,500 miles · May 25, 2011
Power Train

I WAS TO SERVICE MY 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI WITH DSG TRANSMISSION. I TOOK OFF THE LOWER ENGINE COVER AND FOUND A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT SIZE BROKEN SPRING LAYING ON COVER. I NOTICE THAT AT SEVERAL DIFFERENT SPOTS THAT SOMETHING HAD BEEN RUBBING THRU THE TRANS HOUSING AT SEVERAL LOCATIONS. I TOOK THE CAR TO A INDEPENDENT VW SHOP. I…

Read full complaint

I WAS TO SERVICE MY 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI WITH DSG TRANSMISSION. I TOOK OFF THE LOWER ENGINE COVER AND FOUND A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT SIZE BROKEN SPRING LAYING ON COVER. I NOTICE THAT AT SEVERAL DIFFERENT SPOTS THAT SOMETHING HAD BEEN RUBBING THRU THE TRANS HOUSING AT SEVERAL LOCATIONS. I TOOK THE CAR TO A INDEPENDENT VW SHOP. I WAS TOLD THAT THE FLYWHEEL HAD BROKEN AND CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO RUB ON HOUSING. I WAS TOLD NOT TO DRIVE CAR BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING COULD SEPARATE FROM THE ENGINE AND POSSIBLE CAUSE GREAT BODILY HARM OR DEATH TO MYSELF OR WHOMEVER ELSE MAY BE NEAR. I CALLED A VOLKSWAGEN DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE VOLKSWAGEN TDI WITH THE DSG TRANSMISSION. WHY ISN'T SOMETHING BEING DONE OR HOW MANY PEOPLE NEED TO DIE BECAUSE OF THIS. THE ESTIMATED REPAIRS ARE CLOSE TO 8000.00-10000.00 FOR A NEW DSG TRANSMISSION AND A FLYWHEEL TO BE INSTALLED. THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP OR REPLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10402758

90,000 miles · May 16, 2011
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVisibility

THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK. THE LOCKS, WINDOWS, MIRRORS, TRUNK LATCH, GAS TANK LATCH, MIRROR DEFROSTER ET AL. IN SPEAKING THE VW SERVICE REPS THEY KNEW RIGHT AWAY THAT THE ISSUE WAS A BROKEN HARNESS. THEY INDICATED IT HAD FAILED IN MANY OTHER VEHICLES. HOWEVER, IN SPEAKING WITH VW CUSTOMER CARE THEY AR…

Read full complaint

THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK. THE LOCKS, WINDOWS, MIRRORS, TRUNK LATCH, GAS TANK LATCH, MIRROR DEFROSTER ET AL. IN SPEAKING THE VW SERVICE REPS THEY KNEW RIGHT AWAY THAT THE ISSUE WAS A BROKEN HARNESS. THEY INDICATED IT HAD FAILED IN MANY OTHER VEHICLES. HOWEVER, IN SPEAKING WITH VW CUSTOMER CARE THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE KNOWN ISSUE. I WILL LET THE SAFETY EXPERTS DETERMINE THE SEVERITY OF THIS DESIGN FAILURE BUT THE DOORS CAN NOT BE LOCKED OR UNLOCKED, THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT REMAINS ON AND DINGS ALL THE TIME, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ARE ON NIGHT AND DAY MAKING VISIBILITY AT NIGHT DIFFICULT AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST THE WINDOWS CANNOT BE PUT DOWN. PLEASE ADDRESS THIS AS VW DOES NOT APPEAR WILLING AND THIS ISSUE IS EVERYWHERE WITH THIS MODEL YEAR AND MAKE. THANKS!

NHTSA ODI #10401912

104,562 miles · May 6, 2011
Power Train

WHEN DRIVING DOWN ROAD, TRANSMISSION WENT INTO NEUTRAL AND ENGINE NEARLY REDLINED. CAR WOULD NO LONGER MOVE FORWARD OR REVERSE. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO A SERVICE CENTER. THE MECHATRON CONTROLLER FOR THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR HAD A DSG TRANSMISSION. WE WERE LUCKY IT WAS NOT ON A BUSY ROAD AND HIGHWAY SPEED…

Read full complaint

WHEN DRIVING DOWN ROAD, TRANSMISSION WENT INTO NEUTRAL AND ENGINE NEARLY REDLINED. CAR WOULD NO LONGER MOVE FORWARD OR REVERSE. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO A SERVICE CENTER. THE MECHATRON CONTROLLER FOR THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR HAD A DSG TRANSMISSION. WE WERE LUCKY IT WAS NOT ON A BUSY ROAD AND HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN IT OCCURRED.

NHTSA ODI #10400173

Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2011
Power Train

THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL ON THE 2006 VW JETTA TDI HAS EXCESSIVE NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. FLYWHEEL IS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10397282

113,000 miles · Apr 22, 2011
Power Train

DRIVING TO WORK AT 65MPH FOR OVER 1 HOUR WITH OUT ANY PROBLEMS. TURNED OFF HIGHWAY AND INTO TURN LANE. CAR SHIFTED HARD AND DRIVE INDICATOR LIGHTS ON DASH BEGAN TO FLASH. DROVE INTO PARKING LOT IN FIRST GEAR. I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE DSG TRANSMISSION ON THE VW. HAVE NOT HAD A CHANCE …

Read full complaint

DRIVING TO WORK AT 65MPH FOR OVER 1 HOUR WITH OUT ANY PROBLEMS. TURNED OFF HIGHWAY AND INTO TURN LANE. CAR SHIFTED HARD AND DRIVE INDICATOR LIGHTS ON DASH BEGAN TO FLASH. DROVE INTO PARKING LOT IN FIRST GEAR. I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE DSG TRANSMISSION ON THE VW. HAVE NOT HAD A CHANCE TO HAVE THE CAR LOOKED AT YET. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10397152

80,000 miles · Apr 15, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IDLING, THE TRANSMISSION EXHIBITED A LOUD RATTLING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT AUTO SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THEY BOTH INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION DUAL FLY WHEEL WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IDLING, THE TRANSMISSION EXHIBITED A LOUD RATTLING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT AUTO SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THEY BOTH INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION DUAL FLY WHEEL WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000. UPDATED 05/24/11*LJ UPDATED 06/06/11

NHTSA ODI #10395990

80,000 miles · Apr 10, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Diesel

VW HAS CHANGED THE DIESEL ENGINES (TDI) STARTING WITH APPROXIMATE YEAR 2004 UNTIL 2007, WHEN THEY STOPPED SELLING TDI TO MEET EMISSION REQUIREMENTS. TO SAVE MONEY AND LICENSING FEES TO BOSCH THEY HAVE CHANGED FROM COMMON RAIL SYSTEM MADE BY BOSCH (FEEDS THE DIESEL FUEL TO ENGINE WITH VERY HIGH PRESSURE) TO VW SYSTEM CALLED TDI…

Read full complaint

VW HAS CHANGED THE DIESEL ENGINES (TDI) STARTING WITH APPROXIMATE YEAR 2004 UNTIL 2007, WHEN THEY STOPPED SELLING TDI TO MEET EMISSION REQUIREMENTS. TO SAVE MONEY AND LICENSING FEES TO BOSCH THEY HAVE CHANGED FROM COMMON RAIL SYSTEM MADE BY BOSCH (FEEDS THE DIESEL FUEL TO ENGINE WITH VERY HIGH PRESSURE) TO VW SYSTEM CALLED TDI PD: PUMP DUSE (OR PUMP-NOZZLE INJECTION). TO ACCOMMODATE THE INJECTORS INSIDE THE ENGINE, THEY HAVE CHANGED THE SPECS AND DIMENSIONS OF MANY PARTS, INCLUDING THE CAMSHAFT. THE CAMSHAFT INSIDE THIS ENGINE HAS THE ADDED ROLE TO DRIVE THE PD LIFTERS, APART FROM VALVE LIFTING AND CLOSING. I OWN THIS TYPE OF CAR VW JETTA 2006 TDI, AND THE CAMSHAFT WORE OFF AT 80,000 MILES, AND YES IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND IT COSTS $3000. APART FROM THE COSTS, WHICH ACCRUES TO APROX $3000 PER 50,000 TO 80,000 MILES RENDERING THIS CAR A LIABILITY COST TO THE OWNERS (A LONG TERM OWNER WILL HAVE THE PRICE OF CAR DOUBLED BY ADDED BILLS TO CHANGE THE CAMSHAFTS MANY TIMES. THIS IMPACTS DRASTICALLY FINANCIALLY MANY FAMILIES DEPENDING ON THIS CAR), WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY TO FIX IT PERMANENTLY AND FOR ONCE . I HAVE CHANGED THE CAMSHAFT AND NOW AT 115000 MILES IT STARTS TO SHOWS SIGNS OF WEAR, LIKE LAST TIME. NOT CHANGING GEARS IN TIME, CAR IS SHAKING. THE EFFECT GETS WORSE, UNTIL WHEN THE CAMSHAFT LOBES WEARS OFF MORE, AND RESULTS IN VALVES NOT OPENING AND CLOSING IN RIGHT SEQUENCE AND TIME, AND ENGINE WILL STALL, LIKE MINE DID ON MY STREET. AS WELL I WAS ON HIGHWAY AND CAR WILL NOT OPERATE AND RESPOND TO ACCELERATION PEDAL INPUT, MAXIMUM PEDAL INPUT WAS GIVING ONLY 40MPH, EXPOSING ME TO A STAMPEDE OF CARS FROM BEHIND IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION UNABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR. I HAVE EXPLAINED THE SITUATION TO VW AND THEY DENY ANY: WRONGDOING, DESIGN FLAW, FAULT OR LIABILITY. ACCORDING TO TDICLUB.COM THERE IS UP TO 20% FAILURE OF THE ENGINES VIA CAMSHAFT WEAR OF LOBES. I TRUST YOU WILL INVESTIGATE AND REQUEST VW TO ADDRESS:SAFETY+FINANCIAL IMPACT TO TDI PD OWNERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10395387

48,000 miles · Apr 8, 2011
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY JERK MOMENTARILY BEFORE SHIFTING INTO GEAR. ONCE THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO GEAR A CLOUD OF DARK BLACK SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE EXHAUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE T…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY JERK MOMENTARILY BEFORE SHIFTING INTO GEAR. ONCE THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO GEAR A CLOUD OF DARK BLACK SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE EXHAUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

NHTSA ODI #10395272

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

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.