NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
580 reports50,000 miles · Jan 29, 2011
Electrical System
I HAVE A 2006 .5 VW JETTA TDI WHICH I PURCHASED NEW IN SUMMER 2006. STARTING IN SEPT 2010 WE HAVE HAD AN ENDLESS PROBLEM WITH DOOR AJAR SENSOR. WHILE DRIVING THE DOME LIGHTS AND AJAR LIGHT COME ON AND OFF CONSTANTLY. THE ALARM SYSTEM ARMS ITSELF AND GOES OFF WHEN PARKED AND THE SENSORS STOP WORKING. I HAVE HAD BOTH DOOR SENS…
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I HAVE A 2006 .5 VW JETTA TDI WHICH I PURCHASED NEW IN SUMMER 2006. STARTING IN SEPT 2010 WE HAVE HAD AN ENDLESS PROBLEM WITH DOOR AJAR SENSOR. WHILE DRIVING THE DOME LIGHTS AND AJAR LIGHT COME ON AND OFF CONSTANTLY. THE ALARM SYSTEM ARMS ITSELF AND GOES OFF WHEN PARKED AND THE SENSORS STOP WORKING. I HAVE HAD BOTH DOOR SENSORS CHANGED ALONG WITH LATCH ASSEMBLY TO NO AVAIL , NOW THE SHOP INDICATES IT IS THE WIRING HARNESS. YESTERDAY I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM VW ABOUT OTHER WIRING HARNESS PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG SYSTEM. (SERVICE ACTION 97U3/T3) THOUGH THEY DON'T CALL IT A RECALL. *LN
NHTSA ODI #10379519
84,000 miles · Jan 24, 2011
Power Train
TL THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VW JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE GEAR WAS IN DRIVE POSITION THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED AND GEAR INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, HE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED, BUT WAS ABLE TO AVOID CRASHING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHOM PERFORMED A DIAG…
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TL THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VW JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE GEAR WAS IN DRIVE POSITION THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED AND GEAR INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, HE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED, BUT WAS ABLE TO AVOID CRASHING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHOM PERFORMED A DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE TRANSMISSION WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE, AND OFFERED MINIMAL ASSISTANT TOWARDS THE PURCHASE OF A NEW VEHICLE, OR THE NEW TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 84,000.
NHTSA ODI #10378416
116,332 miles · Jan 24, 2011
Electrical SystemSeatsFire
MY 2006 VW JETTA 2.5 L HAS HAD THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT WARMER CATCH FIRE AND CAUSE HOLES IN MY SEAT. AS I DROPPED OFF ONE OF MY CHILDREN TO SCHOOL TODAY I NOTICED A BLACK HOLE WITH GLOWING ORANGE EMBERS IN THE SEAT! I TOUCHED IT AND REALIZED MY SEAT HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE! THANK GOD MY CHILD WAS ALREADY OUT OF THE CAR AND WAS WEARIN…
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MY 2006 VW JETTA 2.5 L HAS HAD THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT WARMER CATCH FIRE AND CAUSE HOLES IN MY SEAT. AS I DROPPED OFF ONE OF MY CHILDREN TO SCHOOL TODAY I NOTICED A BLACK HOLE WITH GLOWING ORANGE EMBERS IN THE SEAT! I TOUCHED IT AND REALIZED MY SEAT HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE! THANK GOD MY CHILD WAS ALREADY OUT OF THE CAR AND WAS WEARING A HEAVY COAT AND WASN'T BURNED BY IT. DEFINITELY A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AND I'M LUCKY NO ONE WAS INJURED! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10378411
75,000 miles · Jan 11, 2011
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure
THE TRUNK OF MY 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TURBO WILL RANDOMLY OPEN WHILE DRIVING AND/OR PARKED. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE I HAVE BEEN DRIVING ON SEVERAL OCCASION BLOCKING THE VISIBILITY FROM MY REAR VIEW MIRROR. THE TRUNK WILL ALSO CLOSE, HOWEVER, THE CAR/DASHBOARD RECOGNIZES THE TRUNK AS BEING OPEN; DISABLING THE ABILITY TO OPE…
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THE TRUNK OF MY 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TURBO WILL RANDOMLY OPEN WHILE DRIVING AND/OR PARKED. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE I HAVE BEEN DRIVING ON SEVERAL OCCASION BLOCKING THE VISIBILITY FROM MY REAR VIEW MIRROR. THE TRUNK WILL ALSO CLOSE, HOWEVER, THE CAR/DASHBOARD RECOGNIZES THE TRUNK AS BEING OPEN; DISABLING THE ABILITY TO OPENING THE TRUNK WITH THE KEYLESS ENTRY AND WITHIN THE CAR. I NOTICE THIS ISSUE USUALLY OCCURS MORE FREQUENTLY WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLDER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10376308
30,000 miles · Jan 5, 2011
Power Train
A RATTLING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE ENGINE AREA STARTING AT ABOUT 50,000 KM. I THOUGHT AT FIRST IT WAS A LOOSE EXHAUST COMPONENT. THE CAR HAS BEEN MAINTAINED SINCE NEW BY A DEALER HERE IN EASTERN CANADA. MY REQUEST TO CHECK THE NOISE AT EACH DEALER SERVICE DID NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. I DID NOT PRESS THE ISSUE BECAUSE IT COULD…
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A RATTLING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE ENGINE AREA STARTING AT ABOUT 50,000 KM. I THOUGHT AT FIRST IT WAS A LOOSE EXHAUST COMPONENT. THE CAR HAS BEEN MAINTAINED SINCE NEW BY A DEALER HERE IN EASTERN CANADA. MY REQUEST TO CHECK THE NOISE AT EACH DEALER SERVICE DID NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. I DID NOT PRESS THE ISSUE BECAUSE IT COULD ONLY BE HEARD AT IDLE, OUTSIDE THE CAR. WELL AFTER THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, I DISCOVERED THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE TO BE THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL. THIS TURNS OUT TO BE A WIDELY KNOWN PROBLEM AND THE DEALER SHOULD HAVE IDENTIFIED IT FOR A WARRANTY REPLACEMENT. I HAVE ORDERED A NEW OEM FLYWHEEL (NOT FROM VW) AND WILL BE REPLACING IT MYSELF, AS I DID WITH THE FAULTY CAMSHAFT LAST YEAR (ALSO A WELL KNOWN DEFICIENCY IN THIS VEHICLE). THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH AND SHOULD BE THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10374820
78,000 miles · Jan 3, 2011
Electrical SystemInterior LightingLatches/locks/linkages
THE CAR DOESN'T RECOGNIZE THAT THE DOOR IS OPEN. THE INTERIOR LIGHTING DOES NOT COME ON AND THE NOTIFICATION THAT THE HEADLIGHTS REMAIN ON IS NOT FUNCTIONAL. THIS HAS LEFT ME WITH A DEAD BATTERY TWICE. ALSO, THE CAR ALARM REARMS ITSELF IF THE ENGINE IS NOT STARTED WITHIN 30 SECONDS. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IN THAT T…
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THE CAR DOESN'T RECOGNIZE THAT THE DOOR IS OPEN. THE INTERIOR LIGHTING DOES NOT COME ON AND THE NOTIFICATION THAT THE HEADLIGHTS REMAIN ON IS NOT FUNCTIONAL. THIS HAS LEFT ME WITH A DEAD BATTERY TWICE. ALSO, THE CAR ALARM REARMS ITSELF IF THE ENGINE IS NOT STARTED WITHIN 30 SECONDS. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IN THAT THE LIGHTING IS NOT FUNCTIONAL WHICH IS A SECURITY CONCERN AT NIGHT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10373945
85,000 miles · Jan 3, 2011
Visibility
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED AFTER BEING STUCK TO THE WINDSHIELD. THE MOTOR DID NOT HAVE TIME TO BURN OUT AS IT WAS INSTANTANEOUS WHEN I ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE WAND WHEN STARTING THE CAR. IT SEEMS AS IF THE WIPERS SEIZED IMMEDIATELY WHEN EXPERIENCING THE RESISTANCE FROM THE ICE. THERE WAS VERY LITTLE ICE, IN FACT, I DIDN'T EVEN H…
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THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED AFTER BEING STUCK TO THE WINDSHIELD. THE MOTOR DID NOT HAVE TIME TO BURN OUT AS IT WAS INSTANTANEOUS WHEN I ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE WAND WHEN STARTING THE CAR. IT SEEMS AS IF THE WIPERS SEIZED IMMEDIATELY WHEN EXPERIENCING THE RESISTANCE FROM THE ICE. THERE WAS VERY LITTLE ICE, IN FACT, I DIDN'T EVEN HAVE TO SCRAPE THE WINDSHIELD. IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS I WAS PREPARING TO DRIVE HOME DURING A SNOW STORM. THE MECHANISM SHOULD BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND MORE RESISTANCE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10373942
62,000 miles · Jan 3, 2011
Power Train
2006 VW JETTA TDI : RE: CRITICAL CLUTCH FAILURE ON HIGHWAY THAT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS CRASH. CLUTCH COMPLETE FAILED AT 62,000 MILES - CLUTCH WENT TO FLOOR AND WOULD NOT POP BACK OUT. COMPLETELY UNUSABLE AND STUCK IN TRAFFIC AND UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS. HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. 46 OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME ISSUE AT W…
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2006 VW JETTA TDI : RE: CRITICAL CLUTCH FAILURE ON HIGHWAY THAT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS CRASH. CLUTCH COMPLETE FAILED AT 62,000 MILES - CLUTCH WENT TO FLOOR AND WOULD NOT POP BACK OUT. COMPLETELY UNUSABLE AND STUCK IN TRAFFIC AND UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS. HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. 46 OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME ISSUE AT WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT.2006/VOLKSWAGEN/JETTA/CLUTCH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10373861
62,000 miles · Jan 3, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CLUTCH SUDDENLY FAILED BY DEPRESSING TO THE FLOOR BOARD AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CLUTCH SUDDENLY FAILED BY DEPRESSING TO THE FLOOR BOARD AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 62,000.
NHTSA ODI #10373860
112,321 miles · Jan 1, 2011
Electrical SystemStructure
DRIVER'S SIDE WIRING HARNESS FAILURE - SEVERAL WIRES IN THE WIRING HARNESS BETWEEN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND DRIVER DOOR HAVE FAILED, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPERATE WINDOWS, DOOR LOCKS, RELEASE FUEL DOOR, AND RELEASE TRUNK FROM DRIVER DOOR. THERE IS NO MANUAL RELEASE FOR THE FUEL DOOR. THE FAILED WIRING ALSO RESULTS IN A CO…
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DRIVER'S SIDE WIRING HARNESS FAILURE - SEVERAL WIRES IN THE WIRING HARNESS BETWEEN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND DRIVER DOOR HAVE FAILED, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPERATE WINDOWS, DOOR LOCKS, RELEASE FUEL DOOR, AND RELEASE TRUNK FROM DRIVER DOOR. THERE IS NO MANUAL RELEASE FOR THE FUEL DOOR. THE FAILED WIRING ALSO RESULTS IN A CONSTANT DOOR AJAR INDICATION ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND ILLUMINATION OF THE FRONT DOME AND ENTRY LAMPS. SAFETY SYSTEMS MAY BE COMPROMISED IF THE ONBOARD COMPUTER BELIEVES THE DOOR IS AJAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10373717
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 ↗
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