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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.

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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

Air Bags complaints

65 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2020
Air BagsSuspensionUnknown Or Other

THERE IS VACUUM PUMP DEFECT, MECHANICAL ENGINE MOUNTING BRACKETS, BREAKS, HOSES/PUMPS, WINDSHIELD FLUID MOUNTED HOUSES NEAR WINDSHIELD (FLUID SPRAYS THROUGH THESE HOUSES ON TO THE WINDSHIELD) AND KEY IGNITION INTERLOCK. PLEASE CALL AUDI FOR THE FULL DESCRIPTION OF DEFECTIVE PARTS AND REQUIRED MAINTENANCE. WAS DRIVING VEHICL…

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THERE IS VACUUM PUMP DEFECT, MECHANICAL ENGINE MOUNTING BRACKETS, BREAKS, HOSES/PUMPS, WINDSHIELD FLUID MOUNTED HOUSES NEAR WINDSHIELD (FLUID SPRAYS THROUGH THESE HOUSES ON TO THE WINDSHIELD) AND KEY IGNITION INTERLOCK. PLEASE CALL AUDI FOR THE FULL DESCRIPTION OF DEFECTIVE PARTS AND REQUIRED MAINTENANCE. WAS DRIVING VEHICLE HEARD A LOUD POP OR BREAKING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT OPERATE STIFFENING THE STEERING WHEEL. AUTO WAS STOLEN AND CAME BACK WITH LOUD SCREECHING NOISE. UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11383091

115,000 miles · Jul 21, 2020
Air BagsElectrical System

THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW STOPPED WORKING. THE PROBLEM WAS TRACED BACK TO A FAULTY WIRING HARNESS IN THE DOOR HINGE. THIS IS A VERY COMMON VW ISSUE, AND MANY OTHER ONLINE COMPLAINTS REFERENCE A WIRE HARNESS THAT IS TOO SHORT. I REPAIRED THE SEVERED WIRES WITH BUTT CONNECTORS. AFTER THE REPAIR WAS COMPLETED, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME …

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THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW STOPPED WORKING. THE PROBLEM WAS TRACED BACK TO A FAULTY WIRING HARNESS IN THE DOOR HINGE. THIS IS A VERY COMMON VW ISSUE, AND MANY OTHER ONLINE COMPLAINTS REFERENCE A WIRE HARNESS THAT IS TOO SHORT. I REPAIRED THE SEVERED WIRES WITH BUTT CONNECTORS. AFTER THE REPAIR WAS COMPLETED, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. I INSPECTED THE WHOLE AIRBAG SYSTEM (CONNECTORS, WIRING, FUSES, ETC.) TO NO AVAIL. THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS STILL ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. AGAIN, OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED OF THIS SAME ISSUE WHEN FIXING A VW'S WINDOW (I.E., FIX THE WINDOW AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES). THE TWO ISSUES SHOULD NOT BE CONNECTED, AND THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME.

NHTSA ODI #11340605

121,000 miles · Jan 27, 2020
Air Bags

AIRBAG/SEATBELT LIGHT CAME ON RANDOMLY WHILE CAR WAS OCCUPIED AND IN PARK. NO ACCIDENTS.

NHTSA ODI #11302380

Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 2019
Air Bags

THE AIRBAG DRIVER IS NO WOKS..THE AIR BAG IS ON CHECK ALL TIME.

NHTSA ODI #11270320

127,000 miles · May 19, 2019
Air BagsSeat Belts

APRIL 12, 2019 AIRBAG LIGHT APPEARED. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SERVICE CENTER OF THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP CAR WAS PURCHASED AT. AFTER DIAGNOSIS THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT TESTED FAULTY WHICH COULD BE RENDERING THE AIRBAG INOPERABLE. THE PARTS NEEDED TO BE ORDERED IN ORDER TO REPAIR IT AT A SECOND APPOINTMENT. CONCERNING THAT …

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APRIL 12, 2019 AIRBAG LIGHT APPEARED. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SERVICE CENTER OF THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP CAR WAS PURCHASED AT. AFTER DIAGNOSIS THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT TESTED FAULTY WHICH COULD BE RENDERING THE AIRBAG INOPERABLE. THE PARTS NEEDED TO BE ORDERED IN ORDER TO REPAIR IT AT A SECOND APPOINTMENT. CONCERNING THAT THE DEALERSHIPS DON'T CARRY PARTS THAT COULD AFFECT THE SAFETY FEATURES OF THE JETTA IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THIS JETTA HAS NEVER HAD THE AIRBAGS DEPLOY OR ANY ISSUES WITH THE SEAT BELTS UNTIL NOW.

NHTSA ODI #11208484

Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2019
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Structure

WITH MY CAR IN MOTION EVERY TIME I TURN MY CAR ON, I HAVE MULTIPLE WARNINGS THAT COME ON DUE TO A FAULT IN SENSORS CAUSING MY CAR TO HAVE THE ENGINE LIGHT ON. I HAVE ASKED THE DEALERSHIP IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS FOR AIR EMISSION ON MY CAR OR AIR BAG RECALLS ON MY CAR AND THERE ANSWER WAS NO. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE HAS BROK…

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WITH MY CAR IN MOTION EVERY TIME I TURN MY CAR ON, I HAVE MULTIPLE WARNINGS THAT COME ON DUE TO A FAULT IN SENSORS CAUSING MY CAR TO HAVE THE ENGINE LIGHT ON. I HAVE ASKED THE DEALERSHIP IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS FOR AIR EMISSION ON MY CAR OR AIR BAG RECALLS ON MY CAR AND THERE ANSWER WAS NO. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE HAS BROKEN OFF TO WHERE YOU CANNOT PROPERLY CLOSE THE DOOR (I HAVE KRAZY GLUED IT BACK ON ONCE ALREADY) AND IT JUST IS BECOMING A BIG ISSUE. EVERY TIME I FIX ONE ISSUE, ANOTHER ONE RISES UP CAUSING ME MORE HEADACHES AND STRESS DUE TO NO ONE HAVING ANSWERS FOR ME.

NHTSA ODI #11179735

193,028 miles · Nov 19, 2018
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. AT VARIOUS TIMES, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO WEST BROAD KIA (9001 WEST BROAD ST., RICHMOND, VA 23294, (804) 270-9000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG HIGH LIMIT WAS REACHED, WHICH MEANT THAT THE MEMORY SENSOR NEED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. AT VARIOUS TIMES, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO WEST BROAD KIA (9001 WEST BROAD ST., RICHMOND, VA 23294, (804) 270-9000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG HIGH LIMIT WAS REACHED, WHICH MEANT THAT THE MEMORY SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 193,028.

NHTSA ODI #11152429

111,000 miles · Jul 10, 2018
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeats

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE DRIVER SEAT STARTED TO MOVE FORWARD ON ITS OWN TOWARDS THE STEERING WHEEL IN WHICH I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE DRIVER SEAT IT WOULD NOT REVERSENEARLY CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HORN NO LONGER WORKS DUE TO SOME SORT OFELECTRICAL ISSUE. THE IS…

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WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE DRIVER SEAT STARTED TO MOVE FORWARD ON ITS OWN TOWARDS THE STEERING WHEEL IN WHICH I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE DRIVER SEAT IT WOULD NOT REVERSENEARLY CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HORN NO LONGER WORKS DUE TO SOME SORT OFELECTRICAL ISSUE. THE ISSUE TOOK PLACE WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11110654

174,600 miles · Jun 15, 2018
Air BagsCrashInjury

2016 AUTO ACCIDENT, ALL VEHICLE.AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY INCLUDING DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS WITH EXTENSIVE CRUMBLE ZONE AND FRONT END DAMAGE. IN MOTION, SUDDEN STOP REAR-ENDED, TRUCK IN FRONT WHILE GETTING ONTO URBAN COMMUTER INTERSTATE FROM RAMP, DUE TO MULPLE COLLISIONS AHEAD ON HEAVY TRAFFIC INTERSTATE LANES NOT VISIBLE FROM LOWER…

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2016 AUTO ACCIDENT, ALL VEHICLE.AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY INCLUDING DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS WITH EXTENSIVE CRUMBLE ZONE AND FRONT END DAMAGE. IN MOTION, SUDDEN STOP REAR-ENDED, TRUCK IN FRONT WHILE GETTING ONTO URBAN COMMUTER INTERSTATE FROM RAMP, DUE TO MULPLE COLLISIONS AHEAD ON HEAVY TRAFFIC INTERSTATE LANES NOT VISIBLE FROM LOWER ON RAMP. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO UPPER BODY, HEAD FACE, BACK, LIMBS, CONTINUED MEDICAL ISSUES. FOLLOWING ACCIDENT, VW VEHICLE WAS NOT OPERATIONAL, PUSHED OFF THE INTERSTATE BY HIGHWAY PATROL VEHICLE, AND TOWED, SCRAPED BY INSURANCE. UNK AIRBAGS FOR 2006 VW JETTA 4DSD, WHICH FAILED TO DEPLOY. CAR IS NOT ON TAKATA AIRBAG LIST (STARTS AT 2009 VW)

NHTSA ODI #11102181

83,894 miles · May 3, 2018
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (HEWLETT VOLKSWAGEN, 7951 HEWLETT LOOP ROAD, GEORGETOWN, TEXAS 78627) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CLOCKSPRING WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (HEWLETT VOLKSWAGEN, 7951 HEWLETT LOOP ROAD, GEORGETOWN, TEXAS 78627) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CLOCKSPRING WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,894. *TT

NHTSA ODI #11091522

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.