← 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

Electrical System complaints

112 reports
Clear category filter
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

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…

Read full complaint

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

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

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…

Read full complaint

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

100,000 miles · May 19, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

ORIGINALLY, THE TURBO WOULD LOSE BOOST AND THE ENGINE WOULD LOSE POWER. AFTER SOME TIME, PARTICULARLY DURING WET WEATHER, THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY VIBRATE, JOLT, AND THEN THE ENGINE WARNING CHIME SOUNDS. THE TACHOMETER DROPS TO ZERO, THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT COMES ON, THE STABILITY CONTROL SHUTS OFF, THE GLOW PLUG LIGHTS FLASH, REA…

Read full complaint

ORIGINALLY, THE TURBO WOULD LOSE BOOST AND THE ENGINE WOULD LOSE POWER. AFTER SOME TIME, PARTICULARLY DURING WET WEATHER, THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY VIBRATE, JOLT, AND THEN THE ENGINE WARNING CHIME SOUNDS. THE TACHOMETER DROPS TO ZERO, THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT COMES ON, THE STABILITY CONTROL SHUTS OFF, THE GLOW PLUG LIGHTS FLASH, REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER WILL NOT WORK, CRUISE CONTROL WONT WORK, AND IF THE CAR IS SHUT OFF IT WILL NOT RESTART. THIS IS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS DURING SNOW OR RAIN, AS THE CAR LOSES TRACTION CONTROL DURING WEATHER IN WHICH IT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO HAVE. ALSO, IF THE CAR DIES AND IS ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD, DURING RAIN OR SNOW, THERE IS POOR VISIBILITY AND IT INCREASES THE RISK OF SOMEONE HITTING THE DISABLED CAR. I HAVE SEEN MANY MENTIONS OF THIS SAME EFFECT HAPPENING ON OTHER 2006 TDI MODELS, AND IT SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING ISSUE WITH THIS PARTICULAR MODEL AND ENGINE TYPE. THE ROOT CAUSE APPEARS TO BE AN ELECTRICAL HARNESS THAT RUNS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHAFING OVER TIME, WHICH HAPPENS OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD, BUT CAUSES SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERNS WITH ITS FAILURE MODE.

NHTSA ODI #10865770

120,000 miles · Feb 19, 2016
Air BagsElectrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE PARKING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE FUEL TANK LEAKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE PARKING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE FUEL TANK LEAKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA ODI #10837147

50,000 miles · Jan 21, 2016
Electrical System

MY VEHICLE HAS HAD PREVIOUS ELECTRICAL ISSUES AS THEY PERTAIN TO THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND WINDOW AND ITS CONNECTION TO ITS POWER DRAW AND BATTERY. IN 2014, THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY PLACED ON MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE FOR REPLACEMENT AND REPAIR OF THE WINDOW/DOOR MOTOR MECHANICS AND WIRING HARNESS. I AM NOW EXPERIENCING RECURRI…

Read full complaint

MY VEHICLE HAS HAD PREVIOUS ELECTRICAL ISSUES AS THEY PERTAIN TO THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND WINDOW AND ITS CONNECTION TO ITS POWER DRAW AND BATTERY. IN 2014, THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY PLACED ON MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE FOR REPLACEMENT AND REPAIR OF THE WINDOW/DOOR MOTOR MECHANICS AND WIRING HARNESS. I AM NOW EXPERIENCING RECURRING ISSUES AND MY BRAND NEW BATTERY'S CHARGE WILL NOT HOLD - OFTEN BEYOND 24 HOURS AS A FAILURE IS CAUSING A POWER DRAW TO DRAIN THE CAR'S BATTERY.

NHTSA ODI #10821486

249,000 miles · Dec 29, 2015
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

MY VW JETTA HAS HAD ISSUES LOSING ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ON AND OFF, TYPICALLY WHEN IT RAINS OR THE ROADS HAVE BEEN SALTED AND IT IS SLUSHY OR SNOWING. THIS LAST WEEK I WAS DRIVING AND I LOST TRACTION CONTROL, CRUISE CONTROL, TACHOMETER, ABS BRAKES AND OIL PRESSURE. THE CAR WOULD NOT IDLE. RESEARCHING THE ISSUE, I FOUND TH…

Read full complaint

MY VW JETTA HAS HAD ISSUES LOSING ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ON AND OFF, TYPICALLY WHEN IT RAINS OR THE ROADS HAVE BEEN SALTED AND IT IS SLUSHY OR SNOWING. THIS LAST WEEK I WAS DRIVING AND I LOST TRACTION CONTROL, CRUISE CONTROL, TACHOMETER, ABS BRAKES AND OIL PRESSURE. THE CAR WOULD NOT IDLE. RESEARCHING THE ISSUE, I FOUND THERE MAY BE AN ISSUE WITH THE WIRING HARNESS. I INSPECTED THE HARNESS AND DISCOVERED THAT SEVERAL WIRES HAVE BEEN CHAFED BY THE PLASTIC LOOM AND WORN THROUGH THE INSULATION, EXPOSING THE WIRES. I ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THE POSITIVE CABLE TO THE STARTER HAD CHAFED AND WORN THROUGH THE GROUND WIRE INSULATION CREATING A POTENTIAL HAZARD TO SHORT THE BATTERY.

NHTSA ODI #10816855

Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 2015
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine

ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO ,I TOOK MY JETTA TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER IN REGARD TO FRONT AIRBAGS RECALL. THE LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OFF. THEY REPAIRED IT, BUT AFTER A YEAR THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND STAYED ON. WHEN I CALL THE DEALER, I WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR AN INSPECTION OF THE CAR BEFORE THEY CAN DETERMINE IF IT IS DEFECTIVE OR …

Read full complaint

ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO ,I TOOK MY JETTA TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER IN REGARD TO FRONT AIRBAGS RECALL. THE LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OFF. THEY REPAIRED IT, BUT AFTER A YEAR THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND STAYED ON. WHEN I CALL THE DEALER, I WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR AN INSPECTION OF THE CAR BEFORE THEY CAN DETERMINE IF IT IS DEFECTIVE OR NOT. IT SEEMS TO ME THEY DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. ALSO MY HORN WANT OFF, ONE DAY, AND THE ONLY WAY I WAS ABLE TO STOP IT , WAS TO PULL THE FUSE OUT. WHEN I PUT THE FUSE BACK , THE HORN WOULD NOT WORK. NOTHING WRONG WITH THE FUSE. . MY YELLOW ENGINE LIGHT KEEP COMING ON , ESPECIALLY WHEN I USE MY A/C AND THERE IS A VERY STRANGE SMELL IN THE CAR. I ONLY HAVE 55000 MILES ON THIS CAR. AND TO TOP IT ALL, WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, I GOT A ICON LIGHTING UP IN REGARD TO MY COOLANT. THE LITTLE BLACK TUBE THAT CONNECTS TO THE RESERVOIR HAD SLIPPED OFF AND ALL THE ANTIFREEZE FELL OUT OF IT ONTO THE ENGINE. OWNING A VOLKSWAGEN IS A REAL NIGHTMARE, HAD HONDA BEFORE, PUT OVER 130000 MILES ON IT AND NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEM.WILL DEFINITELY NEVER BUY VOLKSWAGEN AGAIN AND WILL NOT RECOMMEND IT. TO ANYONE

NHTSA ODI #10789697

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.