NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
580 reports39,000 miles · Dec 30, 2010
Power Train
THERE ARE ACKNOWLEDGED TRANSMISSION FAILURES IN THE 2003-2008 VW JETTAS. THEY HARD SHIFT FROM 1/2 AND 2/3. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO BE UNPREDICTABLE DURING ACCELERATION, ESPECIALLY DURING MERGING WHICH IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. VW SENT NOTICES OF "WARRANTY EXTENSIONS" TO 7 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES. HOWEVER, THIS DOES NOT COVER A M…
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THERE ARE ACKNOWLEDGED TRANSMISSION FAILURES IN THE 2003-2008 VW JETTAS. THEY HARD SHIFT FROM 1/2 AND 2/3. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO BE UNPREDICTABLE DURING ACCELERATION, ESPECIALLY DURING MERGING WHICH IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. VW SENT NOTICES OF "WARRANTY EXTENSIONS" TO 7 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES. HOWEVER, THIS DOES NOT COVER A MAJORITY OF EFFECTED VEHICLES. 2003'S WOULD ALREADY BE OVER 7 YEARS OLD AND AN AVERAGE MILEAGE. OWNER-[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10373519
69,000 miles · Dec 30, 2010
Power TrainFire
69,000 MILE CLUTCH FAILURE SEEMS TO BE COMMON PLACE BUT NO RECALL OR OFFER TO ASSIST IN THE COST OF REPAIRS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10373497
97,000 miles · Dec 28, 2010
Power Train
2006 VW JETTA TDI WITH DSG AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL FAILING, VW DEALERS KEEP IN STOCK BECAUSE HIGH NUMBER OF FAILURES, MECHATRONIC UNIT FAILING WHEN DRIVING, VEHICLE WILL REACH 3RD GEAR THEN SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFT TO 1ST GEAR. RESULTING IN A HARD JERK. GEAR SHIFT INDICATORS ON DASH WILL START TO FLASH, SHUTTING OFF…
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2006 VW JETTA TDI WITH DSG AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL FAILING, VW DEALERS KEEP IN STOCK BECAUSE HIGH NUMBER OF FAILURES, MECHATRONIC UNIT FAILING WHEN DRIVING, VEHICLE WILL REACH 3RD GEAR THEN SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFT TO 1ST GEAR. RESULTING IN A HARD JERK. GEAR SHIFT INDICATORS ON DASH WILL START TO FLASH, SHUTTING OFF VEHICLE AND RESTARTING WILL RESET UNIT BUT AS SOON AS YOU GET TO 3RD GEAR PROBLEM REOCCURS. KNOWN ISSUE WITH 2007 -2009 DSG TRANSMISSIONS VW EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 10 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES ON THESE TRANSMISSIONS BUT FAIL TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE WITH 2006, CONTACTING VW WILL RESPOND WITH ONLY WE'RE SORRY. ALSO EXPECT LONG DELAYS IN GETTING A MECHATRONIC UNIT.
NHTSA ODI #10373128
68,000 miles · Dec 18, 2010
Seat Belts
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT STUCK OUT AND WON'T RETRACT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10371147
84,000 miles · Dec 17, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CODES P0302/P2293 INTAKE CAMSHAFT, CAM FOLLOWER, HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, LOW PRESSURE FUEL SENSOR, AIR INTAKE HOSE, SPARKS PLUGS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10371100
40,324 miles · Dec 16, 2010
Latches/locks/linkages
2006 VW JETTA TRUNK WILL NOT LATCH SHUT, TRUNK BUTTON ON KEY DOESN'T WORK TO OPEN AND THE TRUNK LIGHT ON DASH STATES THAT ITS OPEN. WHEN WENT TO SHUT THE SLAMMING IT REALLY DOESN'T HELP, IT'LL LATCH WHEN IT EVENTUALLY. THE TRUNK OPEN LIGHT ON DASH WILL BE ON WHEN THE TRUNK IS CLOSED AND I CAN'T OPEN IT. MIDDLETON FORD STATED THA…
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2006 VW JETTA TRUNK WILL NOT LATCH SHUT, TRUNK BUTTON ON KEY DOESN'T WORK TO OPEN AND THE TRUNK LIGHT ON DASH STATES THAT ITS OPEN. WHEN WENT TO SHUT THE SLAMMING IT REALLY DOESN'T HELP, IT'LL LATCH WHEN IT EVENTUALLY. THE TRUNK OPEN LIGHT ON DASH WILL BE ON WHEN THE TRUNK IS CLOSED AND I CAN'T OPEN IT. MIDDLETON FORD STATED THAT ITS PART OF THE ISSUE WITH JETTA'S AND WILL NOT COVER IT, EVEN THOUGH I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR FROM THEM TWO MONTHS AGO. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON ALL JETTA'S TO GET THIS FIXED AND FOR IT TO BE COVERED CONSIDERING ITS A DESIGN FLAW OF VW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10370972
35,000 miles · Dec 6, 2010
Power Train
DSG AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION UNEXPECTEDLY SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS HAPPENED ABOUT SIX TIMES AFTER THE CAR HAD 30,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10369322
49,778 miles · Dec 4, 2010
Electrical System
I GOT INTO THE CAR AND WENT TO OPEN THE REAR DOORS FOR MY TWO CHILDREN AND PUT THEM IN THE CAR. THEY GOT IN THE CAR AND THE DOOR OPEN ALARM CONTINUED EVEN AFTER THE DOOR WAS CLOSED. I REOPENED AND CLOSED THE DOOR AND IT FINALLY STOPPED. THE NEXT TIME I OPENED THE DOOR THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT GO DOWN, THE LOCKS DID NOT WORK AND …
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I GOT INTO THE CAR AND WENT TO OPEN THE REAR DOORS FOR MY TWO CHILDREN AND PUT THEM IN THE CAR. THEY GOT IN THE CAR AND THE DOOR OPEN ALARM CONTINUED EVEN AFTER THE DOOR WAS CLOSED. I REOPENED AND CLOSED THE DOOR AND IT FINALLY STOPPED. THE NEXT TIME I OPENED THE DOOR THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT GO DOWN, THE LOCKS DID NOT WORK AND I COULD NOT ADJUST THE MIRRORS. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE SAID IT WAS THE WIRING HARNESS BETWEEN THE DOOR AND THE CAR. A WIRE HAD BROKEN AND THEY ORDERED A REPLACEMENT HARNESS. AFTER INVESTIGATING THE ISSUE, I SEE THEIR ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE 2006 VW JETTA TDI WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I SEE THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE, DUE TO THE FACT THAT IN AN EMERGENCY I WOULD STRUGGLE WITH EXITING THE CAR WITH MY TWO CHILDREN. IT ALSO MEANS AN EXPOSED WIRE IS A REGULAR OCCURRENCE WITH THE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10369177
117,000 miles · Dec 1, 2010
Air Bags
AIRBAG FAULT INDICATOR DISPLAYED. FAULT REMAINED. BROUGHT TO DEALER. WIRING HARNESS HAS A KNOWN ISSUE UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT THAT WAS REPAIRED. $250. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10368613
85,000 miles · Dec 1, 2010
Power Train
THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL ON THE 2006 VW JETTA TDI HAS EXCESSIVE NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. FLYWHEEL IS BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10368505
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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