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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
175,000 miles · Dec 16, 2016
Air BagsElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL FAILURES THAT INCLUDED THE HEADLIGHTS SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING, THE DOOR SENSORS ERRONEOUSLY INDICATING THE DOORS WERE OPENED (WHICH ALSO CAUSED AN AUDIBLE WARNING CHIME TO ACTIVATE), AND THE FLOOR LIGHTS ILLUMINAT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL FAILURES THAT INCLUDED THE HEADLIGHTS SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING, THE DOOR SENSORS ERRONEOUSLY INDICATING THE DOORS WERE OPENED (WHICH ALSO CAUSED AN AUDIBLE WARNING CHIME TO ACTIVATE), AND THE FLOOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCKS AND WINDOWS WOULD NOT OPERATE, THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD NO LONGER OPERATE, AND THE AIR BAG SENSOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

NHTSA ODI #10935594

Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2016
Power Train

I'VE GOT A 2006 JETTA, 2.0TDI WITH THE DSG, I PURCHASED 04-16-2016 FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. IT SEEMS AS IF EVERY TIME I STOPS AND TAKES IT OUT OF GEAR AND ATTEMPTS TO GO INTO REVERSE IT WON'T ENGAGE AND THE FLASH OF DEATH HAPPENS. HAS TO TURN THE CAR OFF/ON TO GET IT TO MOVE AGAIN. THIS IS A CLASSIC SAFETY HAZARD. I READ VOLK…

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I'VE GOT A 2006 JETTA, 2.0TDI WITH THE DSG, I PURCHASED 04-16-2016 FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. IT SEEMS AS IF EVERY TIME I STOPS AND TAKES IT OUT OF GEAR AND ATTEMPTS TO GO INTO REVERSE IT WON'T ENGAGE AND THE FLASH OF DEATH HAPPENS. HAS TO TURN THE CAR OFF/ON TO GET IT TO MOVE AGAIN. THIS IS A CLASSIC SAFETY HAZARD. I READ VOLKSWAGEN AND AUDI (FEW YEARS AGO) ARE RECALLING 16,000 VEHICLES BECAUSE OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS THAT MAKE THEM LOSE POWER -- OR COMPLETELY STALL -- OUT OF THE BLUE.

NHTSA ODI #10928150

110,000 miles · Nov 27, 2016
SeatsUnknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING MY 2006 VW JETTA THE DRIVERS POWER SEAT STARTED TO MOVE BY ITSELF FORWARD THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES TO THE POINT WHERE MY KNEES WHERE PUSHED TO THE DASH AND MY RIGHT KNEE ACTUALLY TURNED CAR OFF BY HITTING MY KEYS ON KEY CHAIN OCCASIONALLY WHEN I HAVE GONE OUT IN MORNING TO START THE CAR THE SEAT HAS BEEN PUS…

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WHILE DRIVING MY 2006 VW JETTA THE DRIVERS POWER SEAT STARTED TO MOVE BY ITSELF FORWARD THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES TO THE POINT WHERE MY KNEES WHERE PUSHED TO THE DASH AND MY RIGHT KNEE ACTUALLY TURNED CAR OFF BY HITTING MY KEYS ON KEY CHAIN OCCASIONALLY WHEN I HAVE GONE OUT IN MORNING TO START THE CAR THE SEAT HAS BEEN PUSHED FORWARD AND BATTERY HAS BEEN WEAKENED I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY THE FACT THAT THIS SEAT MOVES WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10928091

155,000 miles · Nov 6, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN TURNING OFF THE ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI #10924548

191,000 miles · Sep 4, 2016
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

MY CAR HAS SOME SHIFTING PROBLEMS WHEN IN MOTION.MY CAR HAS A JERKING MOTION THAT IT DOES WHEN GOING INTO GEARS AND WHEN SLOWING DOWN ITS ROUGH GOING DOWN GEARS.

NHTSA ODI #10903551

175,000 miles · Aug 24, 2016
Engine

MY CAMSHAFT AND LIFTERS WENT BAD AND WERE REPLACED IN 2015. IT WAS JUST AROUND 100,000 MILES. THEN I FOUND OUT TODAY THAT THEY WERE BAD AGAIN. MY UNDERSTANDING FROM THE MECHANIC IS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, AND LOOKING AT THE VOLKSWAGEN TDI FORUM, THAT YEAR IS PARTICULARLY BAD. THIS CAMSHAFT FAILURE CAUSED A LOSS OF POW…

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MY CAMSHAFT AND LIFTERS WENT BAD AND WERE REPLACED IN 2015. IT WAS JUST AROUND 100,000 MILES. THEN I FOUND OUT TODAY THAT THEY WERE BAD AGAIN. MY UNDERSTANDING FROM THE MECHANIC IS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, AND LOOKING AT THE VOLKSWAGEN TDI FORUM, THAT YEAR IS PARTICULARLY BAD. THIS CAMSHAFT FAILURE CAUSED A LOSS OF POWER ON THE INTERSTATE DURING A HEAVY TRAFFIC TIME, BOTH TIMES. FIRST INCIDENT WAS ON I-240 IN ASHEVILLE MIDDAY. SECOND TIME WAS TRAVELLING WEST ON I-40 NEAR MORGANTON, NC IN EVENING TRAFFIC. LOSS OF POWER, SMOKING. I COULD BARELY GET OFF THE EXIT. I WAS LUCKY NOT TO HAVE IMPEDED TRAFFIC, BOTH TIMES.

NHTSA ODI #10898366

180,000 miles · Jul 6, 2016
Engine

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE JULY OF 2015, GOING ABOUT 70 MPH, MY 2006 VW JETTA SHOOK AND LOST ALL POWER. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS OR ANY LIGHTS AT THAT MATTER CAME ON. PRIOR TO THIS I WOULD NOTICE THAT TAKING OFF SOMETIMES THE TURBO WOULDNT KICK IN AND I WOULD HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO POWER WHILE GETTING UP TO SPEED. THIS ALSO HAP…

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE JULY OF 2015, GOING ABOUT 70 MPH, MY 2006 VW JETTA SHOOK AND LOST ALL POWER. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS OR ANY LIGHTS AT THAT MATTER CAME ON. PRIOR TO THIS I WOULD NOTICE THAT TAKING OFF SOMETIMES THE TURBO WOULDNT KICK IN AND I WOULD HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO POWER WHILE GETTING UP TO SPEED. THIS ALSO HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY AND ONCE OFF OF THE FREEWAY I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN ON AND WAS LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED. AFTER I LOST ALL POWER THE SECOND INCIDENT, I TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT 2 CYLINDERS WERE COMPLETELY DESTROYED. HAD TO SPEND 2400 DOLLARS TO HAVE A NEW MOTOR PUT IN AND NOW THE THING IS HAVING PROBLEMS AGAIN. BATTERY LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF WITHIN A SECOND AND THERE IS A LOUD TICKING NOISE WHILE IDLING. SOUNDS LIKE A LOUD VACUUM IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE DRIVING IT. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS OR TEMPERATURE GAUGE INCREASES ARE PRESENT. WHILE RESEARCHING RECALLS I NOTICED THERE WERE SOME FOR THE YEAR OF MY JETTA SO WANTED TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON.

NHTSA ODI #10883033

232,094 miles · Jul 4, 2016
EnginePower Train

I HAVE TWO MAJOR SAFTEY PROBLEMS THAT COULD HAVE ENDED IN A FATALITY.FIRST MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WITHOUT A WARNING WHILE I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE GOING 75 MPH AND A 18 WHEELER WAS BEHIND ME THE CAR DROPT DOWN TO 40 MPH AND I ALMOST GOT REARENDED BY THE SEMI.I HAD THE TRANSMISSION REBUILD.SECOND THING I PULLED OUT OF BURGERKING…

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I HAVE TWO MAJOR SAFTEY PROBLEMS THAT COULD HAVE ENDED IN A FATALITY.FIRST MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WITHOUT A WARNING WHILE I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE GOING 75 MPH AND A 18 WHEELER WAS BEHIND ME THE CAR DROPT DOWN TO 40 MPH AND I ALMOST GOT REARENDED BY THE SEMI.I HAD THE TRANSMISSION REBUILD.SECOND THING I PULLED OUT OF BURGERKING AND THE CAR HAS NO POWER AND ABOUT GOT TBONED AND THERES NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON.

NHTSA ODI #10882493

Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 2016
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES CONSTANTLY LOSS PRESSURE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKES EACH TIME THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT REPORTED THE CONCERN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WHO INDICATED THAT THE VE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES CONSTANTLY LOSS PRESSURE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKES EACH TIME THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT REPORTED THE CONCERN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WHO INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO BE FURTHER TESTED TO DETERMINE A REPAIR SOLUTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10881587

193,000 miles · Jun 28, 2016
Electrical SystemPower Train

MY VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI 2006 GOT THE PRNDS FLASH OF DEATH, AND I FOUND OUT IT WAS THE MECHATRONIC UNIT WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 75MPH WHEN THE FLASHES STARTED TO OCCUR. I COULDN'T GIVE MY ENGINE ANY POWER AND I STARTED TO DECELERATE AT A QUICK PACE, AND THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME ALMOST HIT ME. T…

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MY VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI 2006 GOT THE PRNDS FLASH OF DEATH, AND I FOUND OUT IT WAS THE MECHATRONIC UNIT WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 75MPH WHEN THE FLASHES STARTED TO OCCUR. I COULDN'T GIVE MY ENGINE ANY POWER AND I STARTED TO DECELERATE AT A QUICK PACE, AND THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME ALMOST HIT ME. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFTEY ISSUE FOR ME AND FOR ALL OTHER OCCUPANTS ON THE HIGHWAY, BECAUSE MY FAULTY CAR COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT, THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN MANY INJURIES. I WANT TO BRING THIS ATTENTION TO THE NHTSA TO, PROVIDE ME WITH MORE INFORMATION AS TO WHY THE VEHICLE IS FAULTY, AND THE AMOUNT OF TROUBLE I WOULD BE IN IF I DIDN'T MANAGE THIS SITUATION LIKE I DID TO PROTECT MYSELF AND EVERYONE ELSE.

NHTSA ODI #10881253

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.