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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
75,000 miles · Jun 15, 2015
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY THE CAR'S TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTED BY IT-SELF AND WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE ENGINE'S ACCELERATION COMMANDS. SINCE THAN IS HAS BEEN MORE OFTEN, AND HAS CAUSED FEAR AND ANXIETY. THERE IS NO WARNING SIGNS ON THE DASHBOARD TO NOTIFY THE DRIVER OF ANY PROBLEMS. I RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND FOUND OU…

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WHILE DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY THE CAR'S TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTED BY IT-SELF AND WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE ENGINE'S ACCELERATION COMMANDS. SINCE THAN IS HAS BEEN MORE OFTEN, AND HAS CAUSED FEAR AND ANXIETY. THERE IS NO WARNING SIGNS ON THE DASHBOARD TO NOTIFY THE DRIVER OF ANY PROBLEMS. I RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE WERE OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE MODEL 2007 AND NEW-ER. THE 2006 MODEL IS NOT FOR SOME REASON INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. I CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN AND IT WAS JUST A WASTE OF TIME.

NHTSA ODI #10725245

153,000 miles · Apr 29, 2015
Visibility/wiper

JUST GOT THE CAR AND THE PREVIOUS OWNER SAID THE WIPER FLUID STOPPED WORKING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10713666

55,000 miles · Apr 9, 2015
Engine

I PURCHASED THIS 2006 VW JETTA TDI 1.9 TURBO DIESEL NEW IN 2006. AFTER ONLY 50K MILES, VW DEALERSHIP STATED THE TURBO CHARGER WENT BAD AND THE WARRANTY WAS INITIALLY REFUSED STATING IT WAS IMPROPER OIL USED. THIS WAS DISPROVED WITH RECEIPTS AND STILL CHARGED $500 OF A $2300 BILL. A FEW YEARS LATER NOW IN 2014,THE VEHICLE WAS TAK…

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I PURCHASED THIS 2006 VW JETTA TDI 1.9 TURBO DIESEL NEW IN 2006. AFTER ONLY 50K MILES, VW DEALERSHIP STATED THE TURBO CHARGER WENT BAD AND THE WARRANTY WAS INITIALLY REFUSED STATING IT WAS IMPROPER OIL USED. THIS WAS DISPROVED WITH RECEIPTS AND STILL CHARGED $500 OF A $2300 BILL. A FEW YEARS LATER NOW IN 2014,THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR NORMAL SERVICE AND THE NEXT WEEK, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AND VW STATES THE TURBO WENT BAD AND ARE GENERALLY ONLY GOOD FOR 50K MILES. AFTER SHARING MY ANGER ABOUT THIS, IT FELL UPON DEF EARS. I PURCHASED ANOTHER TURBO OUT OF CALIFORNIA, DUE TO NOT TRUSTING VW ANY LONGER. THIS NEW TURBO WAS INSTALLED AND DID NOT COME WITH THE WASTEGATE MODULE FOR IT WHICH IS REQUIRED FOR IT TO WORK. I SOON DISCOVERED THE WASTEGATE WAS BAD AND NEITHER OF THE TURBOCHARGERS WERE BAD, HOWEVER I HAD TO PURCHASE TWICE THE ENTIRE TURBOS SYSTEM FOR THIS ONE $35 PART THAT IS SOLD ON OTHER JETTA MODELS WITH MANUAL WASTEGATE BUT NOT THIS ONE. VW REFUSES TO SELL THIS PART AND REQUIRES THE WHOLE SYSTEM TO BE PURCHASED. THIS IS CORRUPT AND DISHONEST AND PREYS ON THE CONSUMERS. NOW I AM IN THIS POSITION AGAIN. GREAT CAR OTHER THAN THIS ISSUE. ITS RIDICULOUS.. ITS THE SAME ANALOGY OF BREAKING A SPARK PLUG AND HAVING TO BUY A NEW MOTOR TO FIX YOUR CAR! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10704751

3,000 miles · Mar 27, 2015
Unknown Or Other

I OWN A 2006 VW JETTA...2-3(UNDER WARRANTY) YEARS OR SO AFTER BUYING THIS CAR NEW I HAD TO HAVE THE HEADLINER & RADIO REPLACED DUE TO RUBBER USED IN MANUFACTURING OF THIS VEHICLE MELTED CAUSING FABRIC TO COME DOWN & BUTTONS ON RADIO TO MELT. TODAY MARCH 24, 2015 W/44,000 MILES ON MY CAR I DISCOVERED THAT RUBBER USED TO GLUE VINY…

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I OWN A 2006 VW JETTA...2-3(UNDER WARRANTY) YEARS OR SO AFTER BUYING THIS CAR NEW I HAD TO HAVE THE HEADLINER & RADIO REPLACED DUE TO RUBBER USED IN MANUFACTURING OF THIS VEHICLE MELTED CAUSING FABRIC TO COME DOWN & BUTTONS ON RADIO TO MELT. TODAY MARCH 24, 2015 W/44,000 MILES ON MY CAR I DISCOVERED THAT RUBBER USED TO GLUE VINYL MATERIAL TO INSIDE DOOR PANELS HAD ALSO CAUSED MATERIAL TO COME DOWN DUE TO MELTING. AS I WRITE THIS TO YOU MY CAR IS BEING REPAIRED AT THE COST OF APPROXIMATELY $550.00. I WOULD LOVE TO CONTINUE PURCHASING VW'S BECAUSE I LOVE THEM BUT THIS EXPERIENCE TO SAY NOTHING OF THE COST & INCONVENIENCE HAS MADE ME QUESTION WHETHER OR NOT TO PURCHASE ANOTHER VW IN THE FUTURE. PLEASE RESPOND TO THIS COMPLAINT AND IF I DO NOT HEAR FROM VW I WILL POST THIS COMPLAINT ON MY FACEBOOK PAGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10702080

262 miles · Feb 28, 2015
Electrical SystemSeats

DRIVER SEAT LOWER RIGHT BACK OVERHEATED. BURNT A HOLE IN THE SEAT AND MELTED THE COAT I WAS WEARING. SMELL OF BURNING IN THE CAR AND INTENSE HEAT ON MY BACK. TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEAT. WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION, NOTICED THE BURN IN THE SEAT AND LATER NOTICED A BURN ON MY COAT. INTERIOR OF THE CAR IS WELL MAINTAINED, N…

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DRIVER SEAT LOWER RIGHT BACK OVERHEATED. BURNT A HOLE IN THE SEAT AND MELTED THE COAT I WAS WEARING. SMELL OF BURNING IN THE CAR AND INTENSE HEAT ON MY BACK. TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEAT. WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION, NOTICED THE BURN IN THE SEAT AND LATER NOTICED A BURN ON MY COAT. INTERIOR OF THE CAR IS WELL MAINTAINED, NEVER FLOODED OR ABUSED. NOW I HAVE A CAR DRIVER SEAT THAT IS BADLY DAMAGED, A RUINED COAT AND SCARED TO OPERATE THE CAR OR TO PARK IN MY GARAGE IN FEAR OF A FIRE THAT COULD BURN DOWN MY HOUSE AND CAR PUTTING MY SELF AND FAMILY IN HARMS WAY. I HAVE NOTICED SEVERAL VW CARS IN THE PAST WITH THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE SAME SPOT AND WAS ALWAYS THANKFUL THAT IT WAS NOT MY CAR. NOW IT IS MY CAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. CALLED THE VW DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON THIS. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT CAN CAUSE A BAD BURN ON A PERSON. I AM GLAD I HAD A COAT ON WHILE DRIVING, OTHERWISE I WOULD HAVE HAD TO SEEK MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR THE BURN. WOULD LIKE TO SEE VW CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND REPLACE THE SEAT AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNERS. THIS IS A PREVENTABLE PROBLEM THAT NEEDS CORRECTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10691224

262,000 miles · Feb 28, 2015
Electrical SystemSeats

DRIVER SEAT LOWER RIGHT BACK OVERHEATED. BURNT A HOLE IN THE SEAT AND MELTED THE COAT I WAS WEARING. SMELL OF BURNING IN THE CAR AND INTENSE HEAT ON MY BACK. TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEAT. WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION, NOTICED THE BURN IN THE SEAT AND LATER NOTICED A BURN ON MY COAT.. INTERIOR OF THE CAR IS WELL MAINTAINED, …

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DRIVER SEAT LOWER RIGHT BACK OVERHEATED. BURNT A HOLE IN THE SEAT AND MELTED THE COAT I WAS WEARING. SMELL OF BURNING IN THE CAR AND INTENSE HEAT ON MY BACK. TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEAT. WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION, NOTICED THE BURN IN THE SEAT AND LATER NOTICED A BURN ON MY COAT.. INTERIOR OF THE CAR IS WELL MAINTAINED, NEVER FLOODED OR ABUSED. NOW I HAVE A CAR DRIVER SEAT THAT IS BADLY DAMAGED, A RUINED COAT AND SCARED TO OPERATE THE CAR OR TO PARK IN MY GARAGE IN FEAR OF A FIRE THAT COULD BURN DOWN MY HOUSE AND CAR PUTTING MYSELF AND FAMILY IN HARMS WAY. I HAVE NOTICED SEVERAL VW CARS IN THE PAST WITH THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE SAME SPOT AND WAS ALWAYS THANKFUL THAT IT WAS NOT MY CAR. NOW IT IS MY CAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. CALLED THE VW DEALER, AND THEY SAID THAT THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON THIS. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT CAN CAUSE A BAD BURN ON A PERSON. I AM GLAD I HAD A COAT ON WHILE DRIVING, OTHERWISE I WOULD HAVE HAD TO SEEK MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR THE BURN. WOULD LIKE TO SEE VW CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND REPLACE THE SEAT AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNERS. THIS IS A PREVENTABLE PROBLEM THAT NEEDS CORRECTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10691223

101,000 miles · Feb 9, 2015
Electrical System

THERE IS NO POWER TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10682076

134,975 miles · Jan 30, 2015
Power Train

AFTER REPLACING THE CAM SHAFT AND TIMING BELT I TOOK THE CAR FOR A TEST DRIVE. THE PROBLEMS WERE APPARENT, A HARD SHIFT FROM A STOP INTO FIRST GEAR AND HARD SHIFTS ALL THE WAY TO 4TH GEAR. FROM A FULL STOP IT WILL NOT RESPOND TO THE ACCELERATOR AND IF IT DOES IT JOLTS. MULTIPLE TIMES CROSSING TRAFFIC THE ACCELERATOR DOES NOT …

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AFTER REPLACING THE CAM SHAFT AND TIMING BELT I TOOK THE CAR FOR A TEST DRIVE. THE PROBLEMS WERE APPARENT, A HARD SHIFT FROM A STOP INTO FIRST GEAR AND HARD SHIFTS ALL THE WAY TO 4TH GEAR. FROM A FULL STOP IT WILL NOT RESPOND TO THE ACCELERATOR AND IF IT DOES IT JOLTS. MULTIPLE TIMES CROSSING TRAFFIC THE ACCELERATOR DOES NOT RESPOND, AND I HAVE NEARLY BEEN HIT MULTIPLE TIMES. I BROUGHT IT INTO A SERVICE SHOP AND THEY HAVE SAID IT IS THE MECHATRONICS UNIT THAT CONTROLS THE TRANSMISSION. I WAS TOLD THAT IS AN ISSUE IN MANY VEHICLES LIKE MINE, AND TO REPORT IT TO NHTSA AND VOLKSWAGEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10680020

53,207 miles · Dec 29, 2014
Engine

WENT TO START CAR WAS MISFIRING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TOWED TO A SHOP THE TOLD ME MY TIMING CHAIN JUMPED AND IT WAS 2500 DOLLARS TO FIX. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10668779

Mileage unknown · Dec 25, 2014
StructureVisibility

VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 2006 SAGGING HEADLINER FABRIC FROM HEADLINER. THE SEPARATED HEADLINER FABRIC CREATES A VISIBILITY OBSTRUCTION AND POSSIBLY A DANGER TO THE DRIVERS VISIBILITY. IT SHOULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE. I CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER SERVICE BUT WAS TOLD THAT WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED, REPAIR WOULD BE UP TO ME. COST TO FIX IT AT…

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VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 2006 SAGGING HEADLINER FABRIC FROM HEADLINER. THE SEPARATED HEADLINER FABRIC CREATES A VISIBILITY OBSTRUCTION AND POSSIBLY A DANGER TO THE DRIVERS VISIBILITY. IT SHOULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE. I CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER SERVICE BUT WAS TOLD THAT WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED, REPAIR WOULD BE UP TO ME. COST TO FIX IT AT THE DEALER IS HOWEVER OVER $1000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10668211

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.