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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

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

54 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE NOTICED A CHEMICAL SMELL SIMILAR TO WET PAINT OCCASIONALLY EMITTING FROM THE A/C VENTS. IN THE LAST TWO DAYS, IT HAS BECOME CONSTANT AND I HAVE REFRAINED FROM USING THE A/C FOR FEAR THAT IT IS SOMETHING HARMFUL. WE HAVE LOOKED THE CAR OVER, RAN THE A/C AND BLOWER WHILE OUT OF THE CAR A…

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IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE NOTICED A CHEMICAL SMELL SIMILAR TO WET PAINT OCCASIONALLY EMITTING FROM THE A/C VENTS. IN THE LAST TWO DAYS, IT HAS BECOME CONSTANT AND I HAVE REFRAINED FROM USING THE A/C FOR FEAR THAT IT IS SOMETHING HARMFUL. WE HAVE LOOKED THE CAR OVER, RAN THE A/C AND BLOWER WHILE OUT OF THE CAR AND CHECKED EVERYTHING WE CAN THINK OF WITH NO SOLUTION. THE DEALERSHIP SUGGESTED WE SPRAY LYSOL IN THE AIR INTAKE AND SEE IF THAT HELPS, BUT I DO NOT WANT TO MASK THE ODOR ESPECIALLY IF IT SOMETHING WITH WHICH WE SHOULD BE CONCERNED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10163368

484 miles · Jun 19, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING MY NEW 2006 JETTA TDI MOTOR VEHICLE WITH A TOTAL MILEAGE ON THE ODOMETER READING OF APPROXIMATELY 385 MILES, ON JUNE 12, 2006, ON I-84 IN WATERBURY, CT. THE MOTOR VEHICLE STALLED WHILE TRAVELING IN THE LEFT HAND LANE OF THE HIGHWAY. AT THE TIME OF THE STALL, THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION WAS OPERATING IN THE DRIVE MODE…

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WHILE DRIVING MY NEW 2006 JETTA TDI MOTOR VEHICLE WITH A TOTAL MILEAGE ON THE ODOMETER READING OF APPROXIMATELY 385 MILES, ON JUNE 12, 2006, ON I-84 IN WATERBURY, CT. THE MOTOR VEHICLE STALLED WHILE TRAVELING IN THE LEFT HAND LANE OF THE HIGHWAY. AT THE TIME OF THE STALL, THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION WAS OPERATING IN THE DRIVE MODE, IN 5TH GEAR WITH RPMS AT APPROXIMATELY 1300 RPM. DURING THE STALL THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED INTERMITTENT POWER, WHILE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL EXHIBITING A FLASHING NUMERAL 3, ON THE GEAR INDICATOR. I MANEUVERED THE VEHICLE TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE WITH MUCH DIFFICULTY AS THE ENGINE STALLED OUT COMPLETELY. THIS MANEUVER CAUSED A MAJOR INTERRUPTION TO THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY AND A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK TO ME AND OTHER MOTORISTS ON THE HIGHWAY. AFTER PULLING OVER THE BREAKDOWN LANE, I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND PROCEED TO MY DESTINATION, DURING WHICH TIME THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. ON JUNE 15, 2006, DRIVING WITH APPROX. 484 MILES, WHILE ON RT. 8 SOUTHBOUND IN WATERBURY, CT. THE SUBJECT MOTOR VEHICLE STALLED ONCE AGAIN WHILE DRIVING IN THE LEFT HAND LANE. I ONCE AGAIN WAS FORCED TO MAKE ANOTHER EMERGENCY CROSSING OF A MAJOR CONNECTICUT HIGHWAY IN A STALLED VEHICLE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10160122

1,000 miles · Mar 12, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

ON 2/1/06 I LEASED A NEW 2006 JETTA ONLY TO HAVE THE ENGINE NOT START ON 2/27/06. I WAS STUCK IN A GAS STATION PARKING LOT WITH A DEAD CELL PHONE AWAITING A TOW TRUCK FOR 1.5 HRS. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. LATER THAT DAY THEY TOLD ME POSSIBLY A FUEL PUMP BUT WEREN'T SURE A…

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ON 2/1/06 I LEASED A NEW 2006 JETTA ONLY TO HAVE THE ENGINE NOT START ON 2/27/06. I WAS STUCK IN A GAS STATION PARKING LOT WITH A DEAD CELL PHONE AWAITING A TOW TRUCK FOR 1.5 HRS. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. LATER THAT DAY THEY TOLD ME POSSIBLY A FUEL PUMP BUT WEREN'T SURE AND THAT I SHOULD ARRANGE FOR A RENT-A-CAR. THEY HAD THE CAR FOR 3 DAYS AND WHEN I PICKED IT UP THEY STATED IT WAS A PROGRAM THAT NEEDED TO BE UPDATED AND EVERYTHING IS FINE. IT IS NOW A WEEK AND A HALF LATER AND THE IGNITION KEY WOULDN'T TURN IN THE IGNITION. I CONTINUED TO SWITCH BETWEEN MY ALARM KEY AND MECHANIC KEY UNTIL IT FINALLY TURNED AND STARTED. ONCE ON THE ROAD THE CAR DIED IN MID DRIVE. THE ENGINE COMPLETELY TURNED OFF WHILE DOING ABOUT 25MPG. THANK GOD THERE WAS NO ONE AROUND ME, THE CAR CAME TO A STOP AND RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY AND DRIVEN BACK TO WORK. LEAVING WORK THE CAR DIDN'T TURN OVER AT ALL. YOU COULD HEAR THE CRANKING OF THE ENGINE BUT WAS NOT TURNING OVER, THE SAME PROBLEM AS BEFORE. THE CAR IS NOW AT THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN, NO LOANER CAR WAS GIVEN TO ME AND THERE WAS SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ALREADY UNDERWAY. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THE CARS ENGINES SOUND. WHEN THE CAR IS INITIALLY STARTED IN THE MORNING IT IS A HARD LOUD ROUGH SOUND THAT GIVES AFTER A MINUTE OR SO. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10152498

Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, ENGINE MAKES A VERY LOUD RATTLING NOISE FOR THE FIRST MINUTE EVERYTIME THE CAR IS COLD AND AT FIRST STARTUP IN THE MORNING...EVERY SINGLE DAY , AFTER REPORTING THE PROBLEM TO MY DEALER I WAS TOLD THAT THIS NOISE IS ON ALL 2006 JETTA'S AND THE MANUFACTURER IS WORKING ON SOLVING THE PROBLEM, I FIRST REPORTED…

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2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, ENGINE MAKES A VERY LOUD RATTLING NOISE FOR THE FIRST MINUTE EVERYTIME THE CAR IS COLD AND AT FIRST STARTUP IN THE MORNING...EVERY SINGLE DAY , AFTER REPORTING THE PROBLEM TO MY DEALER I WAS TOLD THAT THIS NOISE IS ON ALL 2006 JETTA'S AND THE MANUFACTURER IS WORKING ON SOLVING THE PROBLEM, I FIRST REPORTED THE PROBLEM LAST MAY 2005 WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR AND I HAVE SINCE MADE 2 OFFICIAL COMPLAINTS DIRECTLY WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WITH THE DEALER. I HAVE NOW WARNED THEM A THIRD TIME AND WILL WAIT THE OFFICIAL 30 DAYS BEFORE ESCALATING IT TO ARBITRATION. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10149679

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.