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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
92,000 miles · Aug 11, 2018
Electrical System

THE DRIVER DOOR WIRING HARNESS IS TO SHORT AND IN TIME THE WIRES BREAK WHERE THE WIRES GO FROM THE BODY INTO THE DOOR. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE 2005 AND 2004 YEARS FOR THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11119350

111,000 miles · Jul 10, 2018
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeats

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE DRIVER SEAT STARTED TO MOVE FORWARD ON ITS OWN TOWARDS THE STEERING WHEEL IN WHICH I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE DRIVER SEAT IT WOULD NOT REVERSENEARLY CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HORN NO LONGER WORKS DUE TO SOME SORT OFELECTRICAL ISSUE. THE IS…

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WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE DRIVER SEAT STARTED TO MOVE FORWARD ON ITS OWN TOWARDS THE STEERING WHEEL IN WHICH I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE DRIVER SEAT IT WOULD NOT REVERSENEARLY CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HORN NO LONGER WORKS DUE TO SOME SORT OFELECTRICAL ISSUE. THE ISSUE TOOK PLACE WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11110654

174,600 miles · Jun 15, 2018
Air BagsCrashInjury

2016 AUTO ACCIDENT, ALL VEHICLE.AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY INCLUDING DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS WITH EXTENSIVE CRUMBLE ZONE AND FRONT END DAMAGE. IN MOTION, SUDDEN STOP REAR-ENDED, TRUCK IN FRONT WHILE GETTING ONTO URBAN COMMUTER INTERSTATE FROM RAMP, DUE TO MULPLE COLLISIONS AHEAD ON HEAVY TRAFFIC INTERSTATE LANES NOT VISIBLE FROM LOWER…

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2016 AUTO ACCIDENT, ALL VEHICLE.AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY INCLUDING DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS WITH EXTENSIVE CRUMBLE ZONE AND FRONT END DAMAGE. IN MOTION, SUDDEN STOP REAR-ENDED, TRUCK IN FRONT WHILE GETTING ONTO URBAN COMMUTER INTERSTATE FROM RAMP, DUE TO MULPLE COLLISIONS AHEAD ON HEAVY TRAFFIC INTERSTATE LANES NOT VISIBLE FROM LOWER ON RAMP. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO UPPER BODY, HEAD FACE, BACK, LIMBS, CONTINUED MEDICAL ISSUES. FOLLOWING ACCIDENT, VW VEHICLE WAS NOT OPERATIONAL, PUSHED OFF THE INTERSTATE BY HIGHWAY PATROL VEHICLE, AND TOWED, SCRAPED BY INSURANCE. UNK AIRBAGS FOR 2006 VW JETTA 4DSD, WHICH FAILED TO DEPLOY. CAR IS NOT ON TAKATA AIRBAG LIST (STARTS AT 2009 VW)

NHTSA ODI #11102181

148,700 miles · Jun 11, 2018
Seats

ABOUT A WEEK AGO, I NOTICED MY DRIVER'S SEAT WAS TOO FAR FORWARD, SO I USED THE SEAT ADJUSTMENT CONTROLS TO MOVE IT BACK TO WHERE IT WAS COMFORTABLE. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AND PERIODICALLY THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, WHETHER I WAS DRIVING (HIGHWAY OR LOCAL), STATIONARY, OR STOPPED (WITH THE ENGINE TURNED OFF!), THE SEAT BACK WOULD MOVE BA…

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ABOUT A WEEK AGO, I NOTICED MY DRIVER'S SEAT WAS TOO FAR FORWARD, SO I USED THE SEAT ADJUSTMENT CONTROLS TO MOVE IT BACK TO WHERE IT WAS COMFORTABLE. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AND PERIODICALLY THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, WHETHER I WAS DRIVING (HIGHWAY OR LOCAL), STATIONARY, OR STOPPED (WITH THE ENGINE TURNED OFF!), THE SEAT BACK WOULD MOVE BACK AND FORTH, SOMETIMES LUNGING FORWARD 4-6 INCHES AND THEN BACK ABOUT 10 INCHES. THIS CAUSED ME, WHILE DRIVING, TO BE PRESSED ALMOST ON THE STEERING WHEEL OR AT FULL ARMS-LENGTH, BACK AND FORTH NUMEROUS TIMES. SOMETIMES PUSHING ONE/ANY OF THE SETTING BUTTONS WOULD STOP THE ROCKING FOR A SHORT TIME; SOMETIMES IT HAD NO EFFECT. THIS ISSUE IS OF SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN TO ME AS IT MAKES STEERING AND BRAKING/ACCELERATING VERY DIFFICULT AND NOT CONTROLLABLE. THERE MUST BE A RECALL ON THIS MODEL AS THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED ON THIS SITE SINCE THE MODEL FIRST CAME OUT IN 2006! IT IS UNCONSCIONABLE THAT NO RECALL HAS YET BEEN ISSUED.

NHTSA ODI #11101030

83,894 miles · May 3, 2018
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (HEWLETT VOLKSWAGEN, 7951 HEWLETT LOOP ROAD, GEORGETOWN, TEXAS 78627) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CLOCKSPRING WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (HEWLETT VOLKSWAGEN, 7951 HEWLETT LOOP ROAD, GEORGETOWN, TEXAS 78627) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CLOCKSPRING WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,894. *TT

NHTSA ODI #11091522

Mileage unknown · May 2, 2018
Electrical System

ELECTRICAL HARNESS IN DRIVER'S DOOR MANUFACTURED 2 INCHES TOO SHORT WIRES BROKEN NO WAY TO ADJUST DRIVER'S MIRROR PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR OPEN TRUNK OPEN GAS CAP OPEN DRIVERS WINDOW OR ANY OTHER WINDOWS NOR TO LOCK OR UNLOCK DOORS. WHEN SWITCHING DRIVERS THE OTHER DRIVER CANNOT ADJUST THE MIRRORS IT'S A SAFETY HAZARD ALONG WITH A…

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ELECTRICAL HARNESS IN DRIVER'S DOOR MANUFACTURED 2 INCHES TOO SHORT WIRES BROKEN NO WAY TO ADJUST DRIVER'S MIRROR PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR OPEN TRUNK OPEN GAS CAP OPEN DRIVERS WINDOW OR ANY OTHER WINDOWS NOR TO LOCK OR UNLOCK DOORS. WHEN SWITCHING DRIVERS THE OTHER DRIVER CANNOT ADJUST THE MIRRORS IT'S A SAFETY HAZARD ALONG WITH ALL THE OTHER INABILITIES OF THESE SWITCHES NOT WORKING IN THAT DOOR. VOLKSWAGEN KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF THOUSANDS OF CARS WITH THIS PROBLEM! JUST GO ONLINE AND SEE ALL THE COMPLAINTS.

NHTSA ODI #11091303

Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2018
Air BagsSeat Belts

AIRBAG LIGHT IS LITE. REPAIR GARAGE INDICATES PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT TENSIONER IGNITOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #11090482

164,000 miles · Apr 24, 2018
Unknown Or Other

THE CAR WAS PARKED IN A SUPERMARKET PARKING LOT. RETURNED TO MY CAR AND THE CAR WASN'T MOVEABLE, THE BRAKES, STEERING WHEEL AND ACCELERATOR WERE LOCKED. I HAD STARTER REPLACED BY A MECHANIC WHICH WAS A TEMPORARY FIX. LAST DIAGNOSTIC WAS BRAKE VACUUM PUMP AND GASKET HAVE TO BE REPLACED

NHTSA ODI #11089928

163,000 miles · Jan 8, 2018
Electrical SystemPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO PASS EMISSIONS INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE SIGNAL FROM THE ECU AND TRANSMISSION MODULE INDICATED THAT THERE WERE TWO PINS THAT WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. COLONIAL VO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO PASS EMISSIONS INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE SIGNAL FROM THE ECU AND TRANSMISSION MODULE INDICATED THAT THERE WERE TWO PINS THAT WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. COLONIAL VOLKSWAGEN (89 TURNPIKE RD, WEST BOROUGH, MA) WAS CONTACTED REGARDING THE FAILURE, BUT THEY REFUSED TO ASSIST THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 163,000. *TT *TR

NHTSA ODI #11061255

170,000 miles · Jan 2, 2018
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

VW JETTA TDI 2.5L 2006 - PLASTIC ENGINE COVER TAPPED A HOLE INTO FUEL RAIL. DIESEL FUEL LEAKED ALL OVER ENGINE AND ENGINE STARTED SMOKING. FIRE WAS IMMANENT HAD I CONTINUED TO DRIVE. LOST FUEL ON ROAD AND GROUND. VW CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE SAYS MY VIN DOES NOT SHOW A RECALL FOR THIS BUT THE LEAK ISSUE IS POSTED ALL OVER INTERNET A…

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VW JETTA TDI 2.5L 2006 - PLASTIC ENGINE COVER TAPPED A HOLE INTO FUEL RAIL. DIESEL FUEL LEAKED ALL OVER ENGINE AND ENGINE STARTED SMOKING. FIRE WAS IMMANENT HAD I CONTINUED TO DRIVE. LOST FUEL ON ROAD AND GROUND. VW CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE SAYS MY VIN DOES NOT SHOW A RECALL FOR THIS BUT THE LEAK ISSUE IS POSTED ALL OVER INTERNET AND TDI FORUM SITES AND YOUTUBE. VW SHOULD RECALL THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. HOLE LOOKS LIKE A LESION OR A SORE THAT HIS BEEN RUBBED BY THE PLASTIC COVER ON THE WEAK METAL TUBE FUEL RAIL. NOW, NEW JETTAS ARE MADE WITH RUBBER FUEL TUBES. THEY HAVE DEFINITELY KNOWN ABOUT THIS FOR MANY YEARS (SINCE 2007 AT LEAST).

NHTSA ODI #11057927

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.