NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
580 reports68,000 miles · Aug 25, 2009
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT HAS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. HE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SURGING FROM SECOND GEAR AND ALSO BECAME HESITANT AND WASN'T SHIFTING GEARS WHEN IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN. WHILE DRIVING 70MPH GOING UP A HILL HE LOST ALL POWER TO THE VEHICLE AND IT FELT AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. AFTER LOSING POWER IT TOOK ABOUT FIVE SECOND…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT HAS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. HE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SURGING FROM SECOND GEAR AND ALSO BECAME HESITANT AND WASN'T SHIFTING GEARS WHEN IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN. WHILE DRIVING 70MPH GOING UP A HILL HE LOST ALL POWER TO THE VEHICLE AND IT FELT AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. AFTER LOSING POWER IT TOOK ABOUT FIVE SECONDS TO RESET IT SELF. THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WITH CODES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER THE CODES WHERE REMOVED. HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED FROM THE USG IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER BEING WORKED ON. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000 BL
NHTSA ODI #10281672
42,000 miles · Aug 21, 2009
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic
DRIVING ON I-95 IN JACKSONVILLE, FL, IT WAS RAINING WITH SOME POUNDING (APPROX. 1 INCH OF WATER) ON THE ROADWAY. I WAS MAINTAINING A SPEED OF 35-45 MPH WHEN THE EPC AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. AT FIRST THE CAR BEHAVED NORMALLY BUT AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES IT LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE …
Read full complaint
DRIVING ON I-95 IN JACKSONVILLE, FL, IT WAS RAINING WITH SOME POUNDING (APPROX. 1 INCH OF WATER) ON THE ROADWAY. I WAS MAINTAINING A SPEED OF 35-45 MPH WHEN THE EPC AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. AT FIRST THE CAR BEHAVED NORMALLY BUT AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES IT LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ABOVE 1500 RPM. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO QUICKLY TAKE AN EXIT RAMP OFF THE FREEWAY AND COAST INTO A GAS STATION, THE CAR CONTINUING TO REFUSE TO ACCELERATE. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND WAITED FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES. I STARTED UP AGAIN AND DROVE AROUND THE GAS STATION AND THINGS SEEMED NORMAL AGAIN, ALTHOUGH THE EPC LIGHT WAS STILL ILLUMINATED. STOPPED AGAIN AND WAITED ANOTHER 5 MINUTES. UPON STARTING UP AGAIN, BOTH WARNING LIGHTS WERE GONE AND THE CAR BEHAVED AND ACCELERATED NORMALLY. THIS DEFECT COULD HAVE CAUSED ME TO GET STOPPED IN TRAFFIC ON A BUSY FREEWAY POSSIBLY CAUSING A CRASH AND INJURIES. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT IT HAPPENED WHERE IT DID AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO SAFETY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10281329
60,000 miles · Aug 20, 2009
Electrical System
VEHICLE TRUNK UNLATCHES WHILE VEHICLE IS STANDING OR IN MOTION, WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING. ITEMS IN TRUNK MAY SPILL ONTO HIGHWAY, CAUSING ACCIDENT OR INJURY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10281172
60,000 miles · Aug 20, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSATE DRAIN TUBE IS NOT SECURED FROM THE FACTORY. TUBE WILL POP LOOSE AND FILL VEHICLE CARPET WITH STAGNANT AIR CONDITIONING WATER. DEALER REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE OBVIOUS FACTORY DEFECT AS NO FASTENER WAS FOUND TO BE IN THE TUBE FASTENER TAB. DEALER REFUSES TO REPAIR PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10281171
80,000 miles · Aug 20, 2009
Air Bags
THE CAR AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES RANDOMLY. DEALER INDICATES SYSTEM MUST BE RESET FOR A CHARGE OF $80 EACH TIME. DEALER REFUSES TO REPAIR PROBLEM UNDER WARRANTY. AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10281170
50,000 miles · Aug 20, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE VEHICLE EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION COOLER LEAKS EXHAUST AFTER 50,000 MILES, EXPOSING THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS TO EXHAUST GASES. ALTHOUGH THE EGR SYSTEM IS PURELY FOR EMISSIONS CONTROL, THE DEALER REFUSED TO FIX THE PART UNDER THE COVERED EMISSIONS WARRANTY. THIS PROBLEM CAN CAUSE THE DEATH OF THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10281169
20,000 miles · Aug 20, 2009
EquipmentParking BrakeService Brakes, Hydraulic
THE REAR BRAKE PADS, ON THE VEHICLE SIDE WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE ATTACHED, WEAR VERY PREMATURELY. THE DEALER INDICATED THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE HAS FAULTY BRAKE ADJUSTERS. THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10281168
Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2009
Power Train
KNOCKING SOUND FROM PASSENGER FRONT, BROUGHT VEHICLE INTO DEALER, THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T HEAR ANY KNOCKING. LESS THAN A MONTH LATER IT GOT EXTREMELY WORSE, I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER SHOP & WAS TOLD IT WAS SOMETHING SERIOUS & NEEDED TO HAVE DEALERSHIP LOOK AT IT. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOOK 2 DAYS TO TELL ME WHAT THE …
Read full complaint
KNOCKING SOUND FROM PASSENGER FRONT, BROUGHT VEHICLE INTO DEALER, THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T HEAR ANY KNOCKING. LESS THAN A MONTH LATER IT GOT EXTREMELY WORSE, I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER SHOP & WAS TOLD IT WAS SOMETHING SERIOUS & NEEDED TO HAVE DEALERSHIP LOOK AT IT. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOOK 2 DAYS TO TELL ME WHAT THE ISSUE WAS AFTER HAVING TO REMOVE ENGINE, I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE FLYWHEEL & CLUTCH HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE FLYWHEEL DAMAGED THE CLUTCH. VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR & AFTER BEING TOLD ABOUT THIS WEBSITE & SEEING ALL THESE COMPLAINTS I CALLED VW & THEY REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS ISSUE EVEN WITH ALL THESE COMPLAINTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10280405
99,318 miles · Aug 10, 2009
Power Train
SUDDEN TRANSMISSION FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, SEVERAL TIMES THE TRANSMISSION LOST THE GEAR AND WENT TO NEUTRAL. THE CAR LOST POWER AND HAD TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. TWO TIMES THIS OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHERE I HAD TO MAKE AGGRESSIVE MANEUVERS TO AVOID A COLLISION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10280044
61,000 miles · Aug 7, 2009
Power Train
I NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM MY ENGINE/DRIVETRAIN ALONG WITH SEVERE ENGINE SHAKING. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL "TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS" REGARDING THE FLYWHEEL AND CLUTCH IN MY VEHICLE. ALL OF THE BULLETINS ACKNOWLEDGED KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH THE FLYWHEEL AND CLUTCH …
Read full complaint
I NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM MY ENGINE/DRIVETRAIN ALONG WITH SEVERE ENGINE SHAKING. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL "TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS" REGARDING THE FLYWHEEL AND CLUTCH IN MY VEHICLE. ALL OF THE BULLETINS ACKNOWLEDGED KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH THE FLYWHEEL AND CLUTCH PARTS. AFTER REMOVING THE TRANSMISSION TO INSPECT THE PROBLEM FURTHER IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FLYWHEEL DISINTEGRATED CAUSING $3800 IN DAMAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY THE REPAIR FACILITY AND REFUSED TO COVER THE REPAIR CHARGES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10279715
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 ↗
Illustration