← 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
162,000 miles · Oct 24, 2010
Power Train

I'M IN THE MIDST OF GETTING A DSG TRANSMISSION REPAIRED AND IT COULD COST AS MUCH AS $4000. THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN MAKING "GRINDING" NOISES, AND I WAS TOLD THAT THERE ARE BEARINGS THAT WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. I KNOW THROUGH VARIOUS VW FORUMS THAT THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS ON THIS TRANSMISSION AND I WOULD LIKE VW TO BACK UP THEIR…

Read full complaint

I'M IN THE MIDST OF GETTING A DSG TRANSMISSION REPAIRED AND IT COULD COST AS MUCH AS $4000. THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN MAKING "GRINDING" NOISES, AND I WAS TOLD THAT THERE ARE BEARINGS THAT WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. I KNOW THROUGH VARIOUS VW FORUMS THAT THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS ON THIS TRANSMISSION AND I WOULD LIKE VW TO BACK UP THEIR PRODUCT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10362141

90,000 miles · Oct 18, 2010
Power Train

2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL IS FAILING. SOUND FROM BELL HOUSING GETTING LOUDER. OTHER OWNERS REPORT DRIVETRAIN LOCKUP WHEN FAILING. PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE HIGHER THAN NORMAL INCIDENT RATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10361124

71,000 miles · Oct 14, 2010
Power Train

1 CLUTCH PEDAL WHEN DEPRESSED STAYS DOWN. 2 INTERMITTENT 3 , FLY WHEEL DAMAGE, RETURN BEARING DAMAGE, COST OF REPAIR $2400.00. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10360467

96,000 miles · Oct 8, 2010
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THEY DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UNTIL AFTER THE CRASH HAD ALREADY OCCURRED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED ABRASIONS FROM THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. IN ADDITION, THE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THEY DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UNTIL AFTER THE CRASH HAD ALREADY OCCURRED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED ABRASIONS FROM THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAGS FRACTURED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. ALSO, THE AIR BAGS CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 96,000.

NHTSA ODI #10359699

61,000 miles · Oct 5, 2010
Power Train

2006 VW JETTA WITH DSG TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE LURCHED AND LOST POWER AS IF GAS HAD BEEN SWITCHED OFF OR TRANSMISSION WAS UNEXPECTEDLY DISENGAGED FROM ENGINE. THIS OCCURRED ON VERY HOT DAY, 100+ DEGREES, WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. VEHICLE REGAINED POWER 2-3 SECONDS AFTER LOSS. THIS HAPPENED 4 TO 5 TIMES ON A 400 MILE DRIV…

Read full complaint

2006 VW JETTA WITH DSG TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE LURCHED AND LOST POWER AS IF GAS HAD BEEN SWITCHED OFF OR TRANSMISSION WAS UNEXPECTEDLY DISENGAGED FROM ENGINE. THIS OCCURRED ON VERY HOT DAY, 100+ DEGREES, WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. VEHICLE REGAINED POWER 2-3 SECONDS AFTER LOSS. THIS HAPPENED 4 TO 5 TIMES ON A 400 MILE DRIVE. ONE TIME OCCURRED WHILE PASSING AND FORCED ME TO TAKE ACTION AND CANCEL MY PASS OF THE SLOWER MOVING VEHICLE. THIS HAS OCCURRED IN THE PAST BUT IT WAS ONLY ON A VERY HOT DRIVE ABOUT A YEAR OR TWO AGO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10359326

50,000 miles · Sep 3, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

MY JETTA WOULD STALL AND WE WERE ALMOST INVOLVED IN SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. WE BROUGHT IT TO DEALER AND THEY TOLD US IT WAS FIXED AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I ASKED FOR A REPLACEMENT AND THEY REFUSED. PROBLEM HAS NOT OCCURRED RECENTLY, HOWEVER WE WERE ALMOST KILLED. UNSURE OF DATES, HOWEVER DEALER HAS RECORDS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10353810

39,400 miles · Sep 3, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THERE WAS A WARNING LIGHT THAT ILLUMINATED STATING THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE. SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE LIGHT THAT ILLUMINATED WAS AN ENGINE LIGHT. HE WAS TOLD THAT THE RADIATOR COOLING FAN NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER R…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THERE WAS A WARNING LIGHT THAT ILLUMINATED STATING THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE. SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE LIGHT THAT ILLUMINATED WAS AN ENGINE LIGHT. HE WAS TOLD THAT THE RADIATOR COOLING FAN NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH FANS FOR $975 AT HER EXPENSE. THE FANS WERE NOT UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,400. UPDATED 12/7/10 *CN

NHTSA ODI #10353655

72,500 miles · Aug 31, 2010
Power Train

2006 VW JETTA TDI WITH DSG AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: WHILE SLOWING DOWN APPROACHING A STOPLIGHT VEHICLE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO STAY IN GEAR ACTING LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. VEHICLE HAD FLASHING LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD BEHIND GEAR-SHIFT INDICATIONS. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RE-ENGAGE TRANSMISSION, GEARS FINALLY ENGAGED AND VEHICLE WAS D…

Read full complaint

2006 VW JETTA TDI WITH DSG AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: WHILE SLOWING DOWN APPROACHING A STOPLIGHT VEHICLE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO STAY IN GEAR ACTING LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. VEHICLE HAD FLASHING LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD BEHIND GEAR-SHIFT INDICATIONS. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RE-ENGAGE TRANSMISSION, GEARS FINALLY ENGAGED AND VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO SIDE OF HIGHWAY. TURNED VEHICLE OFF, WAITED SEVERAL MINUTES AND RESTARTED VEHICLE AND IT OPERATED NORMALLY. OWNER'S MANUAL SAID TO CONTACT DEALER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IF THIS HAPPENS. DEALER SAID CODE WAS PB1819-VALVE BODY FAILURE. VEHICLE MILEAGE: 72,500. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10353028

45,000 miles · Aug 31, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL INCIDENTS WITH OUR 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 2.5 WHERE WE WOULD LOSE POWER AND THE VEHICLE STALLS OUT. OUR 2006 JETTA IS A GASOLINE 5-CYLINDER WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND HAS ONLY 45,000 MILES. IN JUNE OF 2010 WE FIRST NOTICED THE STALLING ISSUE WHEN DRIVING HOME AND IT STALLED OUT WHILE PULLING INTO TH…

Read full complaint

WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL INCIDENTS WITH OUR 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 2.5 WHERE WE WOULD LOSE POWER AND THE VEHICLE STALLS OUT. OUR 2006 JETTA IS A GASOLINE 5-CYLINDER WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND HAS ONLY 45,000 MILES. IN JUNE OF 2010 WE FIRST NOTICED THE STALLING ISSUE WHEN DRIVING HOME AND IT STALLED OUT WHILE PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY. AFTER SITTING FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES WE WERE ABLE TO PULL IT INTO THE GARAGE. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED ON FRIDAY 7/30/2010, WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK (30 MILE COMMUTE) AT 45-55 MPH THE JETTA STARTED TO INTERMITTENTLY LOSE POWER BEFORE THE ENGINE COMPLETELY STALLED. NOTE: I WAS STILL TRAVELING AT 55 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED. IT WOULD RESTART AND BEGAN EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE MULTIPLE TIMES. WE TOWED THE CAR TO OUR LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP. THEY RAN DIAGNOSTICS AND DID NOT FIND ANY ERROR CODES FROM THE CAR'S COMPUTER. THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY THINKING THAT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. WE PICKED UP THE CAR ON TUESDAY 8/3/2010 IN THE MORNING. WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK THAT SAME DAY (30 MILE COMMUTE) THE ENGINE BEGAN EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE, INTERMITTENTLY LOSING POWER WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70-80 MPH. AFTER EXITING THE INTERSTATE THE SYMPTOMS CONTINUED TO GET WORSE AND THE ENGINE COMPLETELY STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION ALMOST CAUSING A MULTI-CAR ACCIDENT. AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO RESTART AND REPEATED ENGINE STALLS I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO GAS STATION WHERE IT WAS TOWED TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER FOR A 2ND TIME. ONLY GOOD NEWS OF THIS STORY, THE VW MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE ENGINE STALL ISSUE AFTER TEST DRIVING THE JETTA FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES. VW DEALER REPORTED THE RESULT TO VW MANUFACTURER TECH SUPPORT. VW DEALER KEPT THE CAR FOR MORE THAN 1 WEEK TO RUN MORE TESTS PER VW TECH SUPPORT. ULTIMATELY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER. NO MORE OCCURRENCES IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS...BUT AM LITERALLY HOLDING MY BREATH WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10352980

40,000 miles · Aug 30, 2010
Power Train

I HAVE A 2006 VW JETTA EQUIPPED WITH A DSG AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I HAVE A FLYWHEEL THAT IS FAILING. THIS CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO LOCK UP AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I NOTICE WHILE SEARCHING ONLINE THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL JETTA. I THINK THAT THIS SHOULD BE EXAMINED AND VW SHOULD HAVE TO MAKE THIS RIGHT. …

Read full complaint

I HAVE A 2006 VW JETTA EQUIPPED WITH A DSG AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I HAVE A FLYWHEEL THAT IS FAILING. THIS CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO LOCK UP AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I NOTICE WHILE SEARCHING ONLINE THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL JETTA. I THINK THAT THIS SHOULD BE EXAMINED AND VW SHOULD HAVE TO MAKE THIS RIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10352650

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.