← 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

Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints

6 reports
Clear category filter
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…

Read full complaint

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

179,545 miles · Mar 5, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control

TAKATA RECALL. I WAS DRIVING ON A SPEED LIMIT OF 35MPH WHEN MY VEHICLE SHIFTED DOWN TO FIRST GEAR AND MY PRNDS INDICATORS STARTED BLINKING, IT WOULD SHIFT TO SECOND GEAR AFTER THAT. LATER ON CALLED MY FRIEND AND HE DOSE NOT KNOW THE EXACT PROBLEM BUT HE SAID IT IS A LIMP MODE CAR, WHAT EVER THAT MEANS. GOOD THING I JUST GOT O…

Read full complaint

TAKATA RECALL. I WAS DRIVING ON A SPEED LIMIT OF 35MPH WHEN MY VEHICLE SHIFTED DOWN TO FIRST GEAR AND MY PRNDS INDICATORS STARTED BLINKING, IT WOULD SHIFT TO SECOND GEAR AFTER THAT. LATER ON CALLED MY FRIEND AND HE DOSE NOT KNOW THE EXACT PROBLEM BUT HE SAID IT IS A LIMP MODE CAR, WHAT EVER THAT MEANS. GOOD THING I JUST GOT OFF A HIGHWAY AND COUPLE MINS IT HAPPENED. THANK YOU JESUS! THE CAR IS 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI 1.9L. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10958685

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

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

110,000 miles · Jan 16, 2012
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE TRAVELING IN RAIN AT 70 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED THE SPEEDOMETER DROPPED TO ZERO, THE BRAKE AND ABS/ESP WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE WHERE THREE CHIMES. A SECOND LATER ALL WENT BACK TO NORMAL. THIS HAPPENED 6 TIMES THAT DAY, AND HAS HAPPENED AT IRREGULAR INTERVALS SINCE AT LEAST 7 TIMES. THERE IS NO CORRELATI…

Read full complaint

WHILE TRAVELING IN RAIN AT 70 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED THE SPEEDOMETER DROPPED TO ZERO, THE BRAKE AND ABS/ESP WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE WHERE THREE CHIMES. A SECOND LATER ALL WENT BACK TO NORMAL. THIS HAPPENED 6 TIMES THAT DAY, AND HAS HAPPENED AT IRREGULAR INTERVALS SINCE AT LEAST 7 TIMES. THERE IS NO CORRELATION ANYMORE BETWEEN WET AND DRY CONDITIONS, CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT HAVE TO BE ENGAGED, I DO NOT HAVE TO BE TRAVELING AT A CONSTANT SPEED. THERE ARE NO TROUBLE CODES STORED IN THE VEHICLES COMPUTER, AND THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10443991

19 miles · Mar 3, 2008
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Parking BrakeSeatsInjury

BRAKES/STEERING/ESP-VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT AFTER MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS OR U-TURNS. SOMETIMES SO AGGRESSIVELY THAT IT HAS CAUSED INJURY TO THE DRIVERS AND DAMAGE TO THE CAR'S RIM AND TIRE. VEHICLE MOVES AFTER PUT IN PARK AND THE IGNITION HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. SOMETIMES, IT MOVES AFTER GETTING OUT AND WALKING AWAY. HAVE …

Read full complaint

BRAKES/STEERING/ESP-VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT AFTER MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS OR U-TURNS. SOMETIMES SO AGGRESSIVELY THAT IT HAS CAUSED INJURY TO THE DRIVERS AND DAMAGE TO THE CAR'S RIM AND TIRE. VEHICLE MOVES AFTER PUT IN PARK AND THE IGNITION HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. SOMETIMES, IT MOVES AFTER GETTING OUT AND WALKING AWAY. HAVE BEEN TOLD BY TWO DEALERSHIPS THAT THIS IS NORMAL. I DON'T FEEL THAT MOVING 6 INCHES OR MORE IS SAFE, ESPECIALLY AROUND CHILDREN AND SMALL PETS. SEAT MEMORY-SEAT STARTED MOVING ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING. ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS AS IN THE MIDDLE OF BRAKING, THE SEAT MOVED ALL THE WAY BACK WHERE I COULD NOT REACH THE PEDALS. MEMORY HAS NOT BEEN RIGHT EVEN AFTER REPLACING SWITCHES AND I AM STRESSED AND WONDER WHEN THE SEAT WILL START MOVING ON ITS OWN AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10219874

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.