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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

What owners actually said

580 reports
96,000 miles · Dec 1, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

2006 VW JETTA TDI HAS EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE CAMSHAFT WITH 96,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10368503

87,000 miles · Nov 26, 2010
Seats

RECENTLY MY BELOVED 2006 JETTA 2.5'S POWER DRIVER SIDE SEAT HAS BEEN MOVING ON ITS OWN WHILE I AM ACTIVELY DRIVING!! I WAS ON MY WAY HOME THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING WHEN MY SEAT STARTED TO SHIFT ON ITS OWN.. I WAS DRIVING IN NJ ON THE PARKWAY TRAVELING 75 MPH.. MY SEAT MOVED FORWARD WHICH PUT PRESSURE ON MY FOOT ON THE GAS THA…

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RECENTLY MY BELOVED 2006 JETTA 2.5'S POWER DRIVER SIDE SEAT HAS BEEN MOVING ON ITS OWN WHILE I AM ACTIVELY DRIVING!! I WAS ON MY WAY HOME THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING WHEN MY SEAT STARTED TO SHIFT ON ITS OWN.. I WAS DRIVING IN NJ ON THE PARKWAY TRAVELING 75 MPH.. MY SEAT MOVED FORWARD WHICH PUT PRESSURE ON MY FOOT ON THE GAS THAN MOVED BACKWARDS ATLEAST 6 INCHES .. LEAVING ME BOTH UNAWARE I WAS TRAVELING 90MPH!! AND UNABLE TO BRAKE.. BECAUSE I COULDN'T REACH THE BRAKE PEDAL.. WHILE I WAS TRYING TO FIX MY SEAT AND PANICKING .. I LOOKED IN MY MIRROR AND REALIZED I WAS BEING PULLED OVER BY A STATE TROOPER. I ADVISED HIM OF THE SITUATION AND HE DIDN'T WANNA HEAR IT.. I PLAN TO FIGHT THIS TICKET IN COURT BECAUSE THIS WAS NOT* MY FAULT.. HOWEVER I AM GRATEFUL I WASN'T INVOLVED IN SOMETHING MORE SEVERE LIKE AN ACCIDENT.. THE CAR IS BEING TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT IT FROM AND I STRONGLY ADVISE ANYONE WHO HAS HAD THE SAME ISSUE TO COMPLAIN TO VW BECAUSE THIS IS A DEFF!!!!! SAFETY HAZARD AND WILL KILL SOMEONE.. AND I FORGOT TO MENTION THAT I ALSO HAD MY 6 YR OLD SON IN THE CAR.. THIS IS A PROBLEM! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10367882

60,000 miles · Nov 24, 2010
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10367798

43,000 miles · Nov 18, 2010
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicVisibility

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED, LOW MILEAGE 2006 VW JETTA AND SOON AFTER I NOTICED THE HEADLINER BEGAN TO BUBBLE, SAG, AND TEAR AWAY FROM THE C-PILLARS I KNEW THAT THIS WAS NOT NORMAL FOR A FOUR-YEAR-OLD CAR AND THAT THIS COULD QUICKLY TURN INTO A SAFETY HAZARD IF LEFT IGNORED. SHOULD THE HEADLINER CONTINUE TO BUBBLE AND SAG INTO T…

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I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED, LOW MILEAGE 2006 VW JETTA AND SOON AFTER I NOTICED THE HEADLINER BEGAN TO BUBBLE, SAG, AND TEAR AWAY FROM THE C-PILLARS I KNEW THAT THIS WAS NOT NORMAL FOR A FOUR-YEAR-OLD CAR AND THAT THIS COULD QUICKLY TURN INTO A SAFETY HAZARD IF LEFT IGNORED. SHOULD THE HEADLINER CONTINUE TO BUBBLE AND SAG INTO THE DRIVER'S LINE OF SIGHT THIS COULD BECOME A SERIOUS MOTOR VEHICLE HAZARD. I BEGAN TO READ AROUND ONLINE AND DISCOVERED, TO MY SHOCK, NEWS ABOUT THE COMMONALITY OF THIS ISSUE TO HUNDREDS OF OWNERS. SO, SURELY VOLKSWAGEN IS ALREADY AWARE THAT THIS IS A MASS ISSUE AND WOULD CERTAINLY WANT TO TAKE ACTION TO CORRECT IT, RIGHT? I AM WRITING BECAUSE I GENUINELY LOVE THIS CAR, BUT FEEL THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS MOTOR VEHICLE DEFECT WITHIN THE HEADLINER ASSEMBLY, GLUE OR THE WAY THE FABRIC LINER WAS CUT, POSSIBLY TOO SHORT. I WANT TO GET MY HEADLINER REPAIRED, BUT HONESTLY DO NOT FEEL THAT I SHOULD BE FULLY RESPONSIBLE FOR LOW QUALITY CRAFTSMANSHIP PUT INTO THE HEADLINER OF A FOUR YEAR OLD VEHICLE. I'D LIKE FOR VOLKSWAGEN TO PETITION TO HAVE THIS ITEM RECALLED CITING THE POTENTIAL SAFE HAZARDS IT CAN CAUSE DUE TO LOSS OF SIGHT WHILE DRIVING. ALSO, I'D LIKE FOR YOU TO CONTACT ME IN ORDER TO MAKE THE PROPER ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE MINE REPLACED. I AM ALSO SENDING THIS LETTER TO VOLKSWAGEN'S CONSUMER COMPLAINTS DEPARTMENT, CONSUMER AFFAIRS, AND THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION FOR THEIR REVIEW. THE CONSUMER STATED WITHIN ONE WEEK OF OWNING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT WAS DETERMINED THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SOON AFTER, THE RADIO AND WINDOW BUTTONS BEGAN TO PEEL AS IF THEY HAD BEEN SITTING OUT IN HEAT. UPDATED IVOQ 12/22/10*JB *TR THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE WIRING IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE EXTERIOR SIDE MIRROR TURN SIGNALS DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE WIRING HARNESS INSIDE THE BOOT OF THE DRIVER'S DOOR SHOWED SIGNS OF WEAR. THE CONSUMER STATED 2 OUT OF THE 11 WIRES WERE BROKEN, INCLUDING THE GROUND WIRE. UPDATED 06/

NHTSA ODI #10366784

85,000 miles · Nov 16, 2010
Power Train

TRANSMISSION IS MY VEHICLE IS FAULTY. IT SHIFTS FUNNY AND SOMETIMES WHEN I PULL OUT IN TRAFFIC, THERE IS CONSIDERABLE LAG LIKE ALL POWER IS LOSS FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. ALSO, THE DMF IN THIS TRANSMISSION IS KNOWN TO HAVE PROBLEMS. I'VE BEEN TOLD THEY WERE RECALLED IN AUSTRALIA, BUT NOT THE US. THAT IS INSANE...CONSUMER S…

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TRANSMISSION IS MY VEHICLE IS FAULTY. IT SHIFTS FUNNY AND SOMETIMES WHEN I PULL OUT IN TRAFFIC, THERE IS CONSIDERABLE LAG LIKE ALL POWER IS LOSS FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. ALSO, THE DMF IN THIS TRANSMISSION IS KNOWN TO HAVE PROBLEMS. I'VE BEEN TOLD THEY WERE RECALLED IN AUSTRALIA, BUT NOT THE US. THAT IS INSANE...CONSUMER SAFETY MY [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10366421

12,000 miles · Nov 16, 2010
Electrical System

MY VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI REGULARLY STOPPED WORKING, ABOUT ONCE EVERY SIX MONTHS BEGINNING WHEN IT WAS LESS THAN 6 MONTHS OLD. UNDER WARRANTY THE DEALERSHIP FIXED IT THE FIRST TIME BY "REPLACING A RELAY" THEY SAID, BUT NOT REALLY BECAUSE IT CONTINUED TO HAPPEN. THE SECOND TIME WHEN IT WAS ABOUT A YEAR OLD AND STILL UNDER WARRANT…

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MY VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI REGULARLY STOPPED WORKING, ABOUT ONCE EVERY SIX MONTHS BEGINNING WHEN IT WAS LESS THAN 6 MONTHS OLD. UNDER WARRANTY THE DEALERSHIP FIXED IT THE FIRST TIME BY "REPLACING A RELAY" THEY SAID, BUT NOT REALLY BECAUSE IT CONTINUED TO HAPPEN. THE SECOND TIME WHEN IT WAS ABOUT A YEAR OLD AND STILL UNDER WARRANTY, THE DEALERSHIP SAID BY THE TIME IT WAS TOWED TO THEM IT HAD BEGUN WORKING AGAIN SO THEY COULDN'T FIX IT. THEY SAID UNLESS IT WAS NOT WORKING WHEN THEY HAD IT IN THEIR SHOP THEY COULDN'T FIX IT, ALTHOUGH THEY COULD SEE SOMETHING HAD HAPPENED. IT WOULD SIMPLY STOP WORKING OR NOT START. AFTER THE WARRANTY RAN OUT I BEGAN TAKING IT TO A VW TRAINED MECHANIC WHO ALSO TOLD ME HE COULDN'T FIX IT BECAUSE IT WAS INTERMITTENT AND WOULD START WORKING AGAIN BEFORE THE TOW TRUCK GOT IT TO HIS SHOP. HE SAID IT WAS DUE TO "ONE OF THE SEVERAL COMPUTERS NOT TALKING TO ONE OF THE OTHER COMPUTERS". HE COULD SEE A RECORD IN THE CAR THAT SOMETHING HAD BEEN NOT WORKING, BUT THE CAR RAN BY THE TIME IT GOT TO HIM. TOWARD THE END, IT WOULD DIE ON THE HIGHWAY AND I FEARED FOR MY LIFE AND THAT OF THE CHILDREN WHO RODE IN MY CAR. I TRADED IT IN, ALREADY NOT WORKING AGAIN, FOR A NEW CAR THAT I FELT I COULD TRUST. THROUGH OUT ALL THIS, I COULD NOT CONTACT ANYONE AT VW EXCEPT SOMEONE WHO TOLD ME THEY WERE SORRY, BUT VW COULD NOT DO ANYTHING FOR ME. THE PROBLEM STARTED HAPPENING WHEN THE CAR WAS NEW AND CONTINUED TO HAPPEN AND WAS NEVER RESOLVED. IT WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THE DATE BELOW IS MERELY THE LATEST INCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10365919

88,530 miles · Nov 1, 2010
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHIFTED INTO REVERSE; THE VEHICLE HAD A DSG TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF WHICH RESET THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHIFTED INTO REVERSE; THE VEHICLE HAD A DSG TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF WHICH RESET THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WAS SEALED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,530. UPDATED 01/14/11*LJ

NHTSA ODI #10363593

51,621 miles · Nov 1, 2010
Air BagsCrashInjury

WHILE MY DAUGHTER GOING HOME IN 2006 JETTA VW, HIT BY A CAR FROM BEHIND AND WAS DRAGGED INTO ANOTHER CAR IN FRONT. ALL CAR IN ACCIDENT EXCEPT OURS (JETTA 2006) DEPLOYED THE AIRBAG. AS OUR CAR GOT MOST HIT IN FRONT AND BACK NON OF THE AIRBAGS WAS DEPLOYED. MY DAUGHTER WAS TAKEN TO ER BY METRO EMS FOR INJURIES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10363545

50,000 miles · Oct 26, 2010
SeatsFireInjury

I WAS SITTING IN MY (DRIVERS) SEAT AND NOTICED A FAINT BURNING SMELL FOLLOWED BY PAIN (BURNING) IN MY RIGHT SIDE. I GOT HOME AND FOUND A BURN HOLE IN THE BACK OF THE SEAT. SOMETHING BURNT THROUGH THE SEAT AND BURNT MY CLOTHES AND GAVE ME A SMALL BLISTER. NEITHER OF US SMOKE. AFTER A FEW TIMES I BELIEVE IT IS THE SEAT HEATER.…

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I WAS SITTING IN MY (DRIVERS) SEAT AND NOTICED A FAINT BURNING SMELL FOLLOWED BY PAIN (BURNING) IN MY RIGHT SIDE. I GOT HOME AND FOUND A BURN HOLE IN THE BACK OF THE SEAT. SOMETHING BURNT THROUGH THE SEAT AND BURNT MY CLOTHES AND GAVE ME A SMALL BLISTER. NEITHER OF US SMOKE. AFTER A FEW TIMES I BELIEVE IT IS THE SEAT HEATER. IF IT'S OFF IT DOESN'T BURN YOU. A MECHANIC TOLD US THIS IS COMMON AND TO FOLLOWUP ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10362452

62,000 miles · Oct 25, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, MY 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 2.5 HAS STALLED OUT WHILE MOVING. FIRST 2 OCCASIONS (OCCURRING A FEW WEEKS APART) OCCURRED IMMEDIATELY AFTER START-UP IN PARKING LOT. ENGINE STALLED, LOSS OF POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON, RADIO AND LIGHTS STAY ON. DEALER KEEPS CAR FOR 1 WEEK FIRST TIME, 1 …

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ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, MY 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 2.5 HAS STALLED OUT WHILE MOVING. FIRST 2 OCCASIONS (OCCURRING A FEW WEEKS APART) OCCURRED IMMEDIATELY AFTER START-UP IN PARKING LOT. ENGINE STALLED, LOSS OF POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON, RADIO AND LIGHTS STAY ON. DEALER KEEPS CAR FOR 1 WEEK FIRST TIME, 1 MONTH SECOND TIME. NO CODES PULLED, NO REPLICATION OF PROBLEM, DEALER RETURNS CAR TO ME. 3RD TIME THE ENGINE STALLED HAPPENED APPROX 1 MONTH AFTER DEALER RETURNED CAR WHILE MOVING ON HIGHWAY. APPROXIMATELY 50-60 MILES PER HOUR. NEARLY CAUSED MULTI-CAR WRECK. CAR STALLED IN CENTER LANE WITH NOT ENOUGH POWER OR STEERING TO MOVE TO SIDE. DEALER NOW HAS CAR FOR 3RD TIME, STILL NO IDEA WHAT PROBLEM MAY BE. CAR RESTARTS IMMEDIATELY AFTER STALL WITH NO ISSUES. WORKING WITH DEALER, VW REGIONAL MANAGER, AND VW OF AMERICA. STILL NO PROBLEMS FOUND, BUT TERRIFIED FOR CAR TO BE RETURNED TO ME. DRIVING ON HIGHWAY DAILY. NEXT HIGHWAY STALL MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10362183

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.