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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
51,000 miles · Jul 24, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

I COMPLAINED TO THE VW DEALER ABOUT MY A/C IN MY JETTA GLI. THEY TOLD ME THEIR WAS NOTHING WRONG TWICE. NOW MY AC DOESN'T WORK ANYMORE. WHEN I COMPLAINED MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10235601

39,000 miles · Jul 3, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

MY CAR BEGAN LEAKING OIL AFTER LAST CHANGE AT BERT SMITH VOLKSWAGEN IN ST. PETERSBURG FLORIDA. CHECKED UNDERNEATH CAR AND FOUND TRANSMISSION CASING AND FLYWHEEL HOUSING CRACKED. TOOK PICTURES BUT ACCORDING TO BERT SMITH VOLKSWAGEN THIS IS JUST DIRT AND GREASE STAINS, THEY CANNOT SHOW ME ANOTHER CAR WITH THE SAME "STAINS". …

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MY CAR BEGAN LEAKING OIL AFTER LAST CHANGE AT BERT SMITH VOLKSWAGEN IN ST. PETERSBURG FLORIDA. CHECKED UNDERNEATH CAR AND FOUND TRANSMISSION CASING AND FLYWHEEL HOUSING CRACKED. TOOK PICTURES BUT ACCORDING TO BERT SMITH VOLKSWAGEN THIS IS JUST DIRT AND GREASE STAINS, THEY CANNOT SHOW ME ANOTHER CAR WITH THE SAME "STAINS". *TR

NHTSA ODI #10233159

71,000 miles · Jun 26, 2008
Air BagsElectrical System

I HAVE A 2006 VW JETTA TDI WITH APPROXIMATELY 70,000 MILES ON IT. THIS AUTO WAS PURCHASED TO BE USED PRIMARILY AS A COMMUTER CAR FOR MY WIFE AND I. LAST WEEK WE SUDDENLY STARTED SEEING THE DASHBOARD WARNING "AIR BAG FAULT". UPON TAKING IT TO THE LOCAL VWOA DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THIS INVESTIGATED WE WERE INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A…

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I HAVE A 2006 VW JETTA TDI WITH APPROXIMATELY 70,000 MILES ON IT. THIS AUTO WAS PURCHASED TO BE USED PRIMARILY AS A COMMUTER CAR FOR MY WIFE AND I. LAST WEEK WE SUDDENLY STARTED SEEING THE DASHBOARD WARNING "AIR BAG FAULT". UPON TAKING IT TO THE LOCAL VWOA DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THIS INVESTIGATED WE WERE INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A VWOA TECHNICAL BULLETIN (THAT EVIDENTLY HAD BEEN OUT FOR SOME TIME) WHICH INDICATED THAT SOME CONNECTOR(S) LOCATED UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT THAT ARE RELATED TO THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS NOT A MAINTENANCE ITEM NOR ANYTHING THAT WE COULD HAVE CAUSED BUT VWOA IS INDICATING THAT DUE TO THE AUTO NOT BEING WITHIN THE WARRANTY (4 YEAR AND/OR 50,000 MILES AS WE'VE BEEN TOLD) THAT WE WILL NOW HAVE TO PAY APPROXIMATELY $400 TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED. WE WERE FURTHER INFORMED BY THE VWOA SERVICE THAT WITHOUT THIS REPAIR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS CONSIDERED TO BE IN AN "UNSTABLE STATE" AND COULD POTENTIALLY NOT ACTIVATE THE AIRBAG WHEN NEEDED OR POSSIBLY ACTIVATE AT AN INAPPROPRIATE TIME. THE VW DEALER ALSO SAID THAT VWOA CONSIDERS THIS TO BE SO UNSAFE THAT THEY ISSUE A FREE RENTAL AND REQUIRE THE REPAIR TO BE MADE BEFORE RELEASING THE AUTO AGAIN....BUT ONLY IF YOU'RE UNDER WARRANTY. VWOA DID MANAGE TO COME THROUGH WITH SOME "GOOD WILL ASSISTANCE" (THEIR WORDS) BY PROVIDING $200 TOWARDS THE REPAIR. THIS AIRBAG ISSUE HAS BEEN A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE 2006 VW JETTA (MAYBE OTHER YEARS AS WELL I'M NOT SURE) FOR SOME TIME. VWOA INDICATES THAT THIS ISSUE IS NOT A MAJOR CONCERN AND IS THEREFORE NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. I HAVE READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON NHTSA AND OTHER SITES THAT SEEM TO INDICATE THAT THIS IS A LARGER ISSUE THAN VWOA STATES. I THINK A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED DUE TO THE OBVIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS INVOLVED WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. HOPEFULLY THERE WILL BE BEFORE ANY INJURIES AND/OR FATALITIES OCCUR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10232424

30,235 miles · Jun 23, 2008
Electrical System

I PURCHASED A 2006 JETTA ATTRACTED BY AN EXTENSIVE LIST OF FEATURES AND CONVENIENCES THAT I WANTED AS A CONSUMER. ONE OF THIS FEATURES INCLUDED THE AUTOMATIC WINDOW OPENING VIA REMOTE CONTROL, FEATURE THAT IS NOT NORMALLY SEEN ON VEHICLES OF ITS CLASS AND PRICE. VOLKSWAGEN DID AN UPDATE TO THE SOFTWARE TO THIS VEHICLE AND WITH…

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I PURCHASED A 2006 JETTA ATTRACTED BY AN EXTENSIVE LIST OF FEATURES AND CONVENIENCES THAT I WANTED AS A CONSUMER. ONE OF THIS FEATURES INCLUDED THE AUTOMATIC WINDOW OPENING VIA REMOTE CONTROL, FEATURE THAT IS NOT NORMALLY SEEN ON VEHICLES OF ITS CLASS AND PRICE. VOLKSWAGEN DID AN UPDATE TO THE SOFTWARE TO THIS VEHICLE AND WITHOUT MY CONSENT TOOK THAT OPTION OUT. I PAID FOR THAT CONVENIENCE AND VW CANT EVEN TELL ME WHY IT WAS REMOVED FROM THE COMPUTER. THE DEALER CANT TELL ME EITHER BECAUSE ACCORDING TO THEM THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT'S ON THE SOFTWARE UPDATE. IN ANY CASE I NEED TO BE COMPENSATED BY THIS INCONVENIENCE OR THE SOFTWARE NEEDS TO BE RETROFITTED TO GET ME THIS OPTION BACK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10232038

31,000 miles · Jun 22, 2008
EquipmentVisibility

2006 VOLKWAGEN JETTA TDI VEHICLE DOM: 10/05 MILEAGE: 31,000 WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER SYSTEM THE 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA IS EQUIPPED WITH AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT MOUNTED WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR AND HOOD MOUNTED WASHER FLUID SPRAY NOZZLES. IN THE AREA OF THE RIGHT HOOD HINGE THERE IS A FLEXIBLE HOSE SECTION IN THE PLUMBING OF THE …

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2006 VOLKWAGEN JETTA TDI VEHICLE DOM: 10/05 MILEAGE: 31,000 WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER SYSTEM THE 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA IS EQUIPPED WITH AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT MOUNTED WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR AND HOOD MOUNTED WASHER FLUID SPRAY NOZZLES. IN THE AREA OF THE RIGHT HOOD HINGE THERE IS A FLEXIBLE HOSE SECTION IN THE PLUMBING OF THE SYSTEM TO ALLOW FOR OPENING OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HOOD WHILE MAINTAINING WASHER SYSTEM PLUMBING INTEGRITY. ROUTINE UNDERHOOD FLUID CHECKS AND SERVICE INTERVALS REQUIRING ENGINE ACCESS HAVE WEAKENED AND CRACKED THE FLEXIBLE PORTION OF THE PLUMBING RENDERING THE WINDSHIELD WASHER INOPERATIVE ON MY VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10231972

55,000 miles · Jun 17, 2008
Power Train

CLUTCH FAILURE ON 2006 JETTA TDI CLUTCH FAILED WHILE DRIVING REPAIR OF CLUTCH BY OWNER, DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10231339

Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2008
SuspensionTires

I OWN A 2006 VW JETTA TDI AND HAVE 30,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I NOTICED AT ABOUT 25,000 MILES THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END. I TOOK IT TO THE VW DEALER AND HAD THE FRONT END INSPECTED FOR PROBLEMS, BUT NONE NOTED. I HAD THE WHEEL ROTATED AND BALANCED AND THAT DID NOT HELP THE PROBLEM. THE TECH AT VW DE…

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I OWN A 2006 VW JETTA TDI AND HAVE 30,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I NOTICED AT ABOUT 25,000 MILES THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END. I TOOK IT TO THE VW DEALER AND HAD THE FRONT END INSPECTED FOR PROBLEMS, BUT NONE NOTED. I HAD THE WHEEL ROTATED AND BALANCED AND THAT DID NOT HELP THE PROBLEM. THE TECH AT VW DEALER NOTICED WEAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TIRE. HE STATED THAT MY TIRES (TURANZA EL 400-02, 205/55R16) ARE MORE THAN LIKELY THE CAUSE OF THE VIBRATION AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY COULD DO EXCEPT REPLACE ALL THE TIRES. WILL BE TAKING THE VEHICLE TO A FIRESTONE DEALER SOON TO FIGHT THE BATTLE WITH THEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10231327

24,000 miles · Jun 11, 2008
EquipmentPower Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 1-30 MPH, SHIFTING FROM 3RD TO 2ND GEAR, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURS WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING IS TURNED ON HIGH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS. SHE FEELS IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT PUTS…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 1-30 MPH, SHIFTING FROM 3RD TO 2ND GEAR, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURS WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING IS TURNED ON HIGH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS. SHE FEELS IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT PUTS HER AT RISK OF CRASHING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SHOP ON FOUR OCCASIONS. THE FIRST THREE TIMES THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. AFTER THE MOST RECENT FAILURE, THE MECHANIC DETERMINED A POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 24,000.

NHTSA ODI #10230767

53,186 miles · Jun 2, 2008
Power Train

NOTICED VERY ROUGH IDLE. DEALER DIAGNOSED MANUAL TRANSMISSION FLYWHEEL MALFUNCTIONING WITHOUT VISUAL INSPECTION. THE FAULT WAS PLACED WITH ME. WEAR AND TEAR. DEALER CLAIMED MUST FIX, NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, QUOTED $2100. IF THIS PROBLEM IS ALLOWED TO WORSEN, THE FAILURE MODE IS A COMPLETE CLUTCH FAILURE AND ON A BUSY FREEWAY IS A…

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NOTICED VERY ROUGH IDLE. DEALER DIAGNOSED MANUAL TRANSMISSION FLYWHEEL MALFUNCTIONING WITHOUT VISUAL INSPECTION. THE FAULT WAS PLACED WITH ME. WEAR AND TEAR. DEALER CLAIMED MUST FIX, NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, QUOTED $2100. IF THIS PROBLEM IS ALLOWED TO WORSEN, THE FAILURE MODE IS A COMPLETE CLUTCH FAILURE AND ON A BUSY FREEWAY IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I WENT TO A THIRD PARTY GARAGE AND PAID $1200 FOR A MORE RELIABLE SINGLE MASS FLYWHEEL. THE DAMAGED SACHS DMF IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10229671

20,000 miles · May 30, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKES NEED TO BE REPLACED EVERY 20,000 MILES. VW CLAIMS THIS IS NORMAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10229355

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.