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2006 Volkswagen Gti

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

40 reports with mileage · 3 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 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports3 fire reports1 injury reports

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

7 reports
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48,145 miles · Jun 23, 2016
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAFT WAS FRACTURED. THE FUEL PRESSURE PUMP AND THE CAMSHAFT WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAFT WAS FRACTURED. THE FUEL PRESSURE PUMP AND THE CAMSHAFT WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,145.....UPDATED 08/29/16 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10876219

33,000 miles · Feb 20, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

2006 VOLKSWAGEN GTI - CAM FOLLOWER DEFECT IN OCTOBER, 2010 I PURCHASED A USED 2006 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR, I TOOK IT TO A VW MECHANIC TO HAVE IT LOOKED OVER. EVERYTHING LOOKED GOOD BUT HE REQUESTED TO INSPECT THE CAM FOLLOWER AS HE KNEW THERE WAS A DEFECT IN ITS DESIGN THAT COULD CAUSE MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE ENGI…

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2006 VOLKSWAGEN GTI - CAM FOLLOWER DEFECT IN OCTOBER, 2010 I PURCHASED A USED 2006 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR, I TOOK IT TO A VW MECHANIC TO HAVE IT LOOKED OVER. EVERYTHING LOOKED GOOD BUT HE REQUESTED TO INSPECT THE CAM FOLLOWER AS HE KNEW THERE WAS A DEFECT IN ITS DESIGN THAT COULD CAUSE MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE IF NOT MONITORED. I HAD TO PAY HIM $75 IN LABOR TO REMOVE THE CAM FOLLOWER SO THAT IT COULD BE INSPECTED. IT WAS FINE. HE MENTIONED IT LOOKED SO NEW THAT IT PROBABLY HAD BEEN REPLACED. ANYWAYS, HE SUGGESTED THAT I HAVE IT INSPECTED EVERY TIME I HAVE THE OIL CHANGED OTHERWISE I WOULD RISK UP TO $2,500 IN REPAIR COSTS TO REPLACE ENGINE PARTS THAT COULD BE DAMAGED IF THE FOLLOWER FAILS. I CAN'T BELIEVE THERE'S NO RECALL FOR THIS? I HAVE TO PAY AN EXTRA $75 EVERY OIL CHANGE TO HAVE THIS INSPECTED DUE TO THE NEGLIGENCE OF VW. I KNOW THAT IN NEWER GTI MODELS THEY'VE REDESIGNED THE FOLLOWER. THIS DEFECT IS DANGEROUS AS IF THE FOLLOWER FAILS WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE ENGINE SEIZES, A MAJOR ACCIDENT COULD OCCUR. VW TSB #15 07 04. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10383406

80,050 miles · Dec 22, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train

OWNER OF A 2006 VW GTI, THREW ENGINE CODE FOR KNOWN TSB REGARDING CAM FOLLOWER AND CAM SHAFT WEAR AT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. MECHANIC INSPECTED SITE AND DISCOVERED THAT CAM SHAFT WEAR/ DAMAGE WAS EXTREME AND WOULD REQUIRE REPLACEMENT OF HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, CAM SHAFT, AND CAM FOLLOWER ALL OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY. THIS IS A …

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OWNER OF A 2006 VW GTI, THREW ENGINE CODE FOR KNOWN TSB REGARDING CAM FOLLOWER AND CAM SHAFT WEAR AT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. MECHANIC INSPECTED SITE AND DISCOVERED THAT CAM SHAFT WEAR/ DAMAGE WAS EXTREME AND WOULD REQUIRE REPLACEMENT OF HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, CAM SHAFT, AND CAM FOLLOWER ALL OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND SHOULD HAVE SOME EXTENSION ON FACTORY WARRANTIES FROM VW OF AMERICA INSTEAD OF EXPECTING OWNERS TO PONY UP $1600-2400 IN REPAIR COSTS WHEN IT INEVITABLY FAILS. FOR NOTE OF KNOWN ISSUE, SEE VW TSB #2013147/8. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10372176

84,000 miles · Feb 12, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. THE CONTACT NOTICED A REDUCTION IN POWER ALONG WITH A SHUDDERING OF THE VEHICLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CRANK CASE BREATHER HOSE AND A FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR; HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM INTENSIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS ALMOST INOPERABLE. THE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. THE CONTACT NOTICED A REDUCTION IN POWER ALONG WITH A SHUDDERING OF THE VEHICLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CRANK CASE BREATHER HOSE AND A FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR; HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM INTENSIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS ALMOST INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE VACUUM HOSE WAS REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO PERFORMED THE IGNITION COIL RECALL REPAIR ON THE VEHICLE. WHEN HE PICKED UP THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN HE TURNED THE VEHICLE ON; HOWEVER, THE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT HE HAD A VALVE LASH AND FUEL PUMP MODULE REPAIR. WHILE DRIVING LONG A DISTANCE, THE VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE BEGAN TO BLINK ON AND OFF. THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED BY A SECOND DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A MAJOR FAILURE WITH THE CAMSHAFT SYSTEM WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, AND A CAM FOLLOWER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST HIM. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 84,000.

NHTSA ODI #10308911

80,139 miles · Apr 21, 2009
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train

ON APRIL 4, 2009 I DISCOVERED THAT MY FUEL PUMP, CAM FOLLOWER AND INTAKE CAM LOBE HAVE PREMATURELY WORN AS DESCRIBED IN A JUNE 2007 VW TSB #15 07 04. THE CAM FOLLOWER CAP WORE THROUGH, CAUSING THE FUEL PUMP PLUNGER TIP TO COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE CAM LOBE, WEARING ALL THREE PARTS TO THE POINT THAT THEY MUST BE REPLACED, AS PE…

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ON APRIL 4, 2009 I DISCOVERED THAT MY FUEL PUMP, CAM FOLLOWER AND INTAKE CAM LOBE HAVE PREMATURELY WORN AS DESCRIBED IN A JUNE 2007 VW TSB #15 07 04. THE CAM FOLLOWER CAP WORE THROUGH, CAUSING THE FUEL PUMP PLUNGER TIP TO COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE CAM LOBE, WEARING ALL THREE PARTS TO THE POINT THAT THEY MUST BE REPLACED, AS PER THE TSB, EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE WAS MAINTAINED AT THE DEALER DURING WARRANTY PERIOD PURSUANT TO VW SPECIFICATIONS, AND IN EXCESS OF THE INTERVALS CALLED FOR IN THE MAINTENANCE BOOKLET THAT CAME WITH THE CAR SINCE THE WARRANTY PERIOD EXPIRED. BECAUSE MY CAR NEVER DISPLAYED A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THE CAM WEAR WAS NEVER CHECKED BY THE SERVICING DEALER SINCE THEY ARE INSTRUCTED IN THE TSB NOT TO PROCEED IN THE ABSENCE OF A WARNING INDICATOR, AND BY THE TIME THE ISSUE WAS FOUND, VW DENIED WARRANTY CLAIMS DUE TO MILEAGE ON THE CAR (80,100 +/- AT THE TIME OF DISCOVERY). IT IS MY CONTENTION THAT THE PARTS WILL CONTINUE TO WEAR TO THE POINT THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND/OR CAM SHAFT MAY FAIL DURING HIGHWAY OPERATION, POSSIBLY CAUSING A COLLISION OR THE RELEASE OF FUEL INTO THE ENGINE BAY THEREBY CAUSING A RISK OF FIRE. THE VW MAINTENANCE BOOKLET MAKES NO MENTION OF THE NECESSITY OF REPLACING OR EVEN CHECKING THESE PARTS FOR WEAR THROUGH 100,000 MILES, AND IF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT ILLUMINATE, THE OWNER MAY HAVE NO WARNING OF AN IMPENDING FAILURE OF THE PARTS. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED ONE CAM FOLLOWER, AND HAVE THE ORIGINAL DAMAGED PART. AN UNSCIENTIFIC REVIEW OF VW OWNER WEBSITES INDICATES THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE, AND IN SOME INSTANCES HAS OCCURRED IN AS FEW AS 25,000 MILES. I HAVE CONTACTED VW DIRECTLY, AND WHILE THEY HAVE NOT DISPUTED THE FACT THAT THE PARTS ARE DEFECTIVE, THEY REFUSE TO OFFER ANY REPAIR ASSISTANCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10266297

11,400 miles · Jul 9, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline

THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THIS FAILURE. CAR HESITATED. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THIS WA S SUPPOSEDLY A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM THAT THE FUEL PUMPS WENT BAD IN DESERT TEMPERATURES. NEW FUEL PUMP TOOK 4+ WEEKS TO ARRIVE - BACK ORDERED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10195591

45 miles · Apr 12, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE CONSTANT TICKING SOUND OF THE FUEL LINES HITTING THE FIREWALL CAN BE HEARD WHILE THE CAR IS AT IDLE BEHIND THE GLOVE BOX. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE TO SECURE THE FUEL LINES AT THE FACTORY WHEN THE CARS ARE BEING BUILT. MANY VW DEALERS DON'T KNOW ABOUT THIS ISSUE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10155139

Official recalls

2

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.

07V063000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Feb 20, 2007

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2007, AND WILL BE CONDUCTED IN SEVERAL STAGGERED MAILINGS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21, 2007. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.

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.