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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.

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

Equipment complaints

6 reports
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20,000 miles · Aug 20, 2009
EquipmentParking BrakeService Brakes, Hydraulic

THE REAR BRAKE PADS, ON THE VEHICLE SIDE WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE ATTACHED, WEAR VERY PREMATURELY. THE DEALER INDICATED THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE HAS FAULTY BRAKE ADJUSTERS. THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10281168

Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2009
EquipmentLatches/locks/linkagesVisibility

THIS VEHICLE DESIGN ALLOWS FOR POOR REAR VISIBILITY IN GENERAL; HOWEVER, IT IS AMPLIFIED IN LOW LIGHT SITUATIONS WITH THE COMBINATION OF HIGH REAR HEAD RESTS, A GLARE ON THE BACK GLASS FROM THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT, AND IF YOU HAVE A REAR SPOILER THIS MAKES FOR A REALLY BAD COMBINATION. NIGHTTIME VISIBILITY IN A JETTA IS THE EQUIV…

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THIS VEHICLE DESIGN ALLOWS FOR POOR REAR VISIBILITY IN GENERAL; HOWEVER, IT IS AMPLIFIED IN LOW LIGHT SITUATIONS WITH THE COMBINATION OF HIGH REAR HEAD RESTS, A GLARE ON THE BACK GLASS FROM THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT, AND IF YOU HAVE A REAR SPOILER THIS MAKES FOR A REALLY BAD COMBINATION. NIGHTTIME VISIBILITY IN A JETTA IS THE EQUIVALENCE OF WEARING A BLIND FOLD. OH AND THE SALESMAN NEGLECTED TO MENTION THAT THE ALL WEATHER PACKAGE INCLUDED A TRUNK THAT WILL NOT SHUT OR STAY SHUT IN COLD WEATHER. EVEN THE REPLACEMENT LATCHES NEED REPLACING. VW IS MAKING BIG BUCKS ON THE CONSUMER HOPING TO SAVE A FEW DOLLARS WITH FUEL ECONOMY. VW NOT ONLY FAILS TO ADDRESS OR ACKNOWLEDGE THE DEFECTS WITH THESE VEHICLES, BUT TO EXACERBATE THE SITUATION THEY ATTEMPT TO LOCK YOU -THE CONSUMER INTO THEIR MONOPOLY, FOR EXAMPLE:KEYLESS REMOTES IN WHICH THE BATTERIES ARE ONLY REPLACEABLE BY VW DEALERS, A SYNTHETIC VW OIL, A VERY COSTLY TRUNK LATCH, THAT WITH MY EXPERIENCE YOU END UP REPLACING ANNUALLY...THE LIST GOES ON. WHATEVER HAPPENED TO OLD FASHIONED CUSTOMER SERVICE? TO SUM IT UP MY JETTA HAS ALOT OF BUGS...NOT TO WORRY, I'M SURE VW HAS PATENTED THE PESTICIDE, JUST HOPE I'M ABLE TO AFFORD THAT-CAN USE THE MONEY I'M SAVING IN FUEL ECONOMY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10256171

31,000 miles · Jun 22, 2008
EquipmentVisibility

2006 VOLKWAGEN JETTA TDI VEHICLE DOM: 10/05 MILEAGE: 31,000 WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER SYSTEM THE 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA IS EQUIPPED WITH AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT MOUNTED WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR AND HOOD MOUNTED WASHER FLUID SPRAY NOZZLES. IN THE AREA OF THE RIGHT HOOD HINGE THERE IS A FLEXIBLE HOSE SECTION IN THE PLUMBING OF THE …

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2006 VOLKWAGEN JETTA TDI VEHICLE DOM: 10/05 MILEAGE: 31,000 WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER SYSTEM THE 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA IS EQUIPPED WITH AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT MOUNTED WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR AND HOOD MOUNTED WASHER FLUID SPRAY NOZZLES. IN THE AREA OF THE RIGHT HOOD HINGE THERE IS A FLEXIBLE HOSE SECTION IN THE PLUMBING OF THE SYSTEM TO ALLOW FOR OPENING OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HOOD WHILE MAINTAINING WASHER SYSTEM PLUMBING INTEGRITY. ROUTINE UNDERHOOD FLUID CHECKS AND SERVICE INTERVALS REQUIRING ENGINE ACCESS HAVE WEAKENED AND CRACKED THE FLEXIBLE PORTION OF THE PLUMBING RENDERING THE WINDSHIELD WASHER INOPERATIVE ON MY VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10231972

24,000 miles · Jun 11, 2008
EquipmentPower Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 1-30 MPH, SHIFTING FROM 3RD TO 2ND GEAR, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURS WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING IS TURNED ON HIGH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS. SHE FEELS IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT PUTS…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 1-30 MPH, SHIFTING FROM 3RD TO 2ND GEAR, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURS WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING IS TURNED ON HIGH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS. SHE FEELS IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT PUTS HER AT RISK OF CRASHING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SHOP ON FOUR OCCASIONS. THE FIRST THREE TIMES THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. AFTER THE MOST RECENT FAILURE, THE MECHANIC DETERMINED A POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 24,000.

NHTSA ODI #10230767

3,000 miles · Nov 7, 2007
Electrical SystemEquipment

MY RADIO/NAVIGATION SYSTEM ON MY 06 VW JETTA HAS STOPPED WORKING AND RESORTED TO "SAFE MODE" AFTER FOUR ATTEMPTS OF THE DEALERSHIP ATTEMPTING REPAIR, THEY HAVE STATED THAT THEY WILL SUPPLY AND INSTALL A NEW RADIO. THIS IS STILL YET TO HAPPEN. ALSO, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLOCK DOES NOT KEEP CORRECT TIME, RESETS BACK TO 12:00 EACH …

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MY RADIO/NAVIGATION SYSTEM ON MY 06 VW JETTA HAS STOPPED WORKING AND RESORTED TO "SAFE MODE" AFTER FOUR ATTEMPTS OF THE DEALERSHIP ATTEMPTING REPAIR, THEY HAVE STATED THAT THEY WILL SUPPLY AND INSTALL A NEW RADIO. THIS IS STILL YET TO HAPPEN. ALSO, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLOCK DOES NOT KEEP CORRECT TIME, RESETS BACK TO 12:00 EACH TIME I GET IN THE CAR. THE WEATHER INDICATOR ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DINGS WITH A SNOWFLAKE, WHEN THERE IS NO PRECIPITATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10208203

10,207 miles · Sep 18, 2006
Electrical SystemEquipmentPower Train

I HAVE A 06' JETTA IT HAS 10,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS. 1. STERO BROKE AFTER 2 MO. AND 6 CD'S WERE STUCK IN DAMAGED CD PLAYER AND I STILL HAVE NOT RECIEVED THEM BACK LIKE I WAS TOLD AFTER 4 MONTHS OF BEING FIXED. 2.PAINT WAS PEELING OFF FRONT BUMPER, WAS REPAIRED. 3. BACK CENTER CONSOLE WOULD NOT STAY IN P…

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I HAVE A 06' JETTA IT HAS 10,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS. 1. STERO BROKE AFTER 2 MO. AND 6 CD'S WERE STUCK IN DAMAGED CD PLAYER AND I STILL HAVE NOT RECIEVED THEM BACK LIKE I WAS TOLD AFTER 4 MONTHS OF BEING FIXED. 2.PAINT WAS PEELING OFF FRONT BUMPER, WAS REPAIRED. 3. BACK CENTER CONSOLE WOULD NOT STAY IN PLACE. 4.STEERING WHEEL MAKES SQEAKING NOISE WHEN TURNED TO THE RIGHT. 5.HAZARD BUTTON FELL INTO DASH. 6.PAINT IS NOW PEELING AGAIN. 7.CHROME ON WHEEL IS PEELING. 8.A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE PUT IN AFTER 3 ATTEMPTS OF FIXING IT VW TECH SUPPORT TOLD THE VALENCIA SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO JUST REPLACE IT. 9.WHEN REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT WHICH IS HOLDING THE AXEL SPINNDELES AND WHEELS ALTOGETHER TO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE BOLT WAS STRIPPED AND TECH SUPPORT SAID IT WAS A FACTORY MALFUNCTION AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE UNLESS FIXED .WE CAME TO FIND OUT THE SQUEAKING NOISE FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10168527

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.