← 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
180,000 miles · Oct 6, 2017
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR SEEMINGLY POPS OUT OF GEAR (GOES FROM 50 MPH TO 10 MPH OR LESS WITH NO WARNING). IT WILL NOT ACCELERATE, EVEN WHEN PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL. VERY UNSAFE! WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT IS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE (ONE WHICH VW RECALLED 2007-2010 MODELS FOR).

NHTSA ODI #11032140

126,000 miles · Sep 20, 2017
Unknown Or Other

TRANSMISSION GET STUCK IN 4TH GEAR WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #11024693

132,200 miles · Aug 9, 2017
Unknown Or Other

THERE IS A DEFECT ON THE HEADLINER THAT THE FABRIC WILL START FALLING OFF AND SAGGING AND THE CAR WAS MADE IN 2006 IT SHOULDN'T FALL OFF FOR AWHILE LONGER AND IT STARTED SAGGING AND IT'S DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WITH IT FALLING DOWN CUZ I CAN'T SEE AS WELL TO TURN IN A DIFFERENT LANE AND IT WAS GETTING ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT WAS STARTI…

Read full complaint

THERE IS A DEFECT ON THE HEADLINER THAT THE FABRIC WILL START FALLING OFF AND SAGGING AND THE CAR WAS MADE IN 2006 IT SHOULDN'T FALL OFF FOR AWHILE LONGER AND IT STARTED SAGGING AND IT'S DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WITH IT FALLING DOWN CUZ I CAN'T SEE AS WELL TO TURN IN A DIFFERENT LANE AND IT WAS GETTING ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT WAS STARTING TO SAG BUT IT CUT OFF MY VISION TO SEE WHEN TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY AND I CUT SOMEONE OFF CAUSE I DIDN'T SEE THEM AND I ALMOST GOT IN A WRECK

NHTSA ODI #11013852

180,000 miles · Aug 3, 2017
Electrical SystemPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING ON AN INCLINE, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD DOWNSHIFT. FURTHERMORE, THE BATTERY WOULD DRAIN OVERNIGHT AND THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO START. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LEE SUMMIT VOLKSWAGEN DE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING ON AN INCLINE, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD DOWNSHIFT. FURTHERMORE, THE BATTERY WOULD DRAIN OVERNIGHT AND THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO START. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LEE SUMMIT VOLKSWAGEN DEALER (LOCATED IN LEE SUMMIT, MO, (816) 600-4224) WHERE AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA ODI #11012648

Mileage unknown · May 10, 2017
Vehicle Speed Control

THROTTLE LAG EITHER IN START OR MOVING FROM 1ST TO 2ND TO 3RD TO 4TH TO 5TH TO 6TH. FELT MORE STRONG WHEN USING THE TIPTRONIC TRANSMISSION IN AUTOMATIC. ALSO FELT IN MANUAL BUT NOT AS STRONGLY, VEHICLE DOES NOT MOVE WHEN PEDAL DEPRESSED UNTIL APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 20 SECONDS AFTER APPLYING PRESSURE. CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION W…

Read full complaint

THROTTLE LAG EITHER IN START OR MOVING FROM 1ST TO 2ND TO 3RD TO 4TH TO 5TH TO 6TH. FELT MORE STRONG WHEN USING THE TIPTRONIC TRANSMISSION IN AUTOMATIC. ALSO FELT IN MANUAL BUT NOT AS STRONGLY, VEHICLE DOES NOT MOVE WHEN PEDAL DEPRESSED UNTIL APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 20 SECONDS AFTER APPLYING PRESSURE. CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN TURNING INTO OR ONTO A STREET OR HIGHWAY. THE EXPECTATION IS THE CAR WILL MOVE, BUT RESPONSE IS SLOW. THIS IS MORE NOTICEABLE AS THE WEATHER GETS WARMER.

NHTSA ODI #10984745

179,545 miles · Mar 5, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control

TAKATA RECALL. I WAS DRIVING ON A SPEED LIMIT OF 35MPH WHEN MY VEHICLE SHIFTED DOWN TO FIRST GEAR AND MY PRNDS INDICATORS STARTED BLINKING, IT WOULD SHIFT TO SECOND GEAR AFTER THAT. LATER ON CALLED MY FRIEND AND HE DOSE NOT KNOW THE EXACT PROBLEM BUT HE SAID IT IS A LIMP MODE CAR, WHAT EVER THAT MEANS. GOOD THING I JUST GOT O…

Read full complaint

TAKATA RECALL. I WAS DRIVING ON A SPEED LIMIT OF 35MPH WHEN MY VEHICLE SHIFTED DOWN TO FIRST GEAR AND MY PRNDS INDICATORS STARTED BLINKING, IT WOULD SHIFT TO SECOND GEAR AFTER THAT. LATER ON CALLED MY FRIEND AND HE DOSE NOT KNOW THE EXACT PROBLEM BUT HE SAID IT IS A LIMP MODE CAR, WHAT EVER THAT MEANS. GOOD THING I JUST GOT OFF A HIGHWAY AND COUPLE MINS IT HAPPENED. THANK YOU JESUS! THE CAR IS 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI 1.9L. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10958685

131,210 miles · Jan 20, 2017
Air BagsSeat Belts

THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT BELT LIGHT CAME ON , I PAID $1,110.00 , TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. IN LESS THAN A WEEK THE DRIVER SIDE DID THE SAME THING. I NEED HELP, PLEASE.

NHTSA ODI #10946584

276,000 miles · Jan 4, 2017
EngineFuel System, DieselVehicle Speed Control

THE VEHICLE HAS A LONG HISTORY OF THE THROTTLE BECOMING INOPERATIVE RESULTING IN NO-POWER (IDLE POWER STRICTLY SPEAKING) CONDITIONS. THAT CONDITION IS CLEARED WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS DEPRESSED AND RELEASED. RECENTLY THERE WAS AN INSTANCE OF UNCOMMANDED ACCELERATION: INSTEAD OF NO POWER, FULL POWER WAS APPLIED BY THE ENGINE.…

Read full complaint

THE VEHICLE HAS A LONG HISTORY OF THE THROTTLE BECOMING INOPERATIVE RESULTING IN NO-POWER (IDLE POWER STRICTLY SPEAKING) CONDITIONS. THAT CONDITION IS CLEARED WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS DEPRESSED AND RELEASED. RECENTLY THERE WAS AN INSTANCE OF UNCOMMANDED ACCELERATION: INSTEAD OF NO POWER, FULL POWER WAS APPLIED BY THE ENGINE. AGAIN CYCLING THE CLUTCH CLEARED THE CONDITION. THE NO-POWER CASES APPEARED MORE LIKELY IN URBAN DRIVING AND SOON AFTER A TRANSMISSION SHIFT BUT DID OCCUR UNDER ALMOST ANY CONDITIONS. THE FULL-POWER CASE OCCURRED ONCE, CLIMBING A HILL AT ~2800' ALTITUDE. THE POWER FAIL OCCURRED AS EARLY AS 34K MILES, AND CONTINUED WITH VW'S KNOWLEDGE UNTIL ~72K MILES, WHEN VW OF AMERICA TECHNICIANS FINALLY DID SOMETHING TO END IT. THOSE SYMPTOMS STARTED RECURRING AT ~270K MILES. THE ACCELERATION INCIDENT OCCURRED AT ABOUT 275K MILES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN OUT OF SERVICE; IT WILL BE SENT TO A SALVAGE YARD IF THE NTSB IS NOT INTERESTED IN THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10939638

250,000 miles · Dec 29, 2016
Power Train

DEFECTIVE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL SHOULD HAVE A SAFETY RECALL ALSO THE MECHATRONICS UNITS ARE FAILING AND CAUSING MAJOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. DROPPING OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING, DROPPING INTO A LOWER GEAR WHILE DRIVING CAUSING MAJOR ISSUES AND VW KNOWS ABOUT IT! THEIR CLAIM IS THAT THERE IS NO RECALL SO NOTHING IS BEING DONE!!!!! …

Read full complaint

DEFECTIVE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL SHOULD HAVE A SAFETY RECALL ALSO THE MECHATRONICS UNITS ARE FAILING AND CAUSING MAJOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. DROPPING OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING, DROPPING INTO A LOWER GEAR WHILE DRIVING CAUSING MAJOR ISSUES AND VW KNOWS ABOUT IT! THEIR CLAIM IS THAT THERE IS NO RECALL SO NOTHING IS BEING DONE!!!!! PLEASE HELP, HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WHEN IN WARRANTY AND NOTHING WAS DONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10938597

131,242 miles · Dec 19, 2016
Air Bags

PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. HAD REPAIRED. THEN DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON.

NHTSA ODI #10936135

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.