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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

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

9 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2020
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemSuspension

THERE HAS BEEN TAMPERING DONE TO MY VEHICLE HOW DO I ASSURE SAFETY AND HAVE IT INVESTIGATED AND HAVE A REPAIR MAN LOOK OVER THE VEHICLE AFTER THE THEFT?

NHTSA ODI #11383094

150,000 miles · Dec 11, 2020
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVisibility/wiper

THERE ARE SOME MOUNTING BRACKETS, SUSPENSION BRACKETS, NUTS AND BOLTS ASSOCIATED TO THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE THAT HAVE BROKE MORE THAN ONCE PLEASE CONTACT ME AND I WILL GIVE U FURTHER DETAIL.[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11383092

115,000 miles · May 23, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

CAR CAN SPUTTER ON FREEWAY AT TIMES AND CAN STALL OUT WHEN DECELERATING FROM FREEWAY CRUISING SPEED. FUEL LINES ARE EMPTY DESPITE HAVING REPLACED FUEL PUMP AND FILTER, AS WELL AS WIRING HARNESS.

NHTSA ODI #11209408

170,000 miles · Jan 2, 2018
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

VW JETTA TDI 2.5L 2006 - PLASTIC ENGINE COVER TAPPED A HOLE INTO FUEL RAIL. DIESEL FUEL LEAKED ALL OVER ENGINE AND ENGINE STARTED SMOKING. FIRE WAS IMMANENT HAD I CONTINUED TO DRIVE. LOST FUEL ON ROAD AND GROUND. VW CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE SAYS MY VIN DOES NOT SHOW A RECALL FOR THIS BUT THE LEAK ISSUE IS POSTED ALL OVER INTERNET A…

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VW JETTA TDI 2.5L 2006 - PLASTIC ENGINE COVER TAPPED A HOLE INTO FUEL RAIL. DIESEL FUEL LEAKED ALL OVER ENGINE AND ENGINE STARTED SMOKING. FIRE WAS IMMANENT HAD I CONTINUED TO DRIVE. LOST FUEL ON ROAD AND GROUND. VW CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE SAYS MY VIN DOES NOT SHOW A RECALL FOR THIS BUT THE LEAK ISSUE IS POSTED ALL OVER INTERNET AND TDI FORUM SITES AND YOUTUBE. VW SHOULD RECALL THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. HOLE LOOKS LIKE A LESION OR A SORE THAT HIS BEEN RUBBED BY THE PLASTIC COVER ON THE WEAK METAL TUBE FUEL RAIL. NOW, NEW JETTAS ARE MADE WITH RUBBER FUEL TUBES. THEY HAVE DEFINITELY KNOWN ABOUT THIS FOR MANY YEARS (SINCE 2007 AT LEAST).

NHTSA ODI #11057927

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…

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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

155,000 miles · Jul 8, 2015
Air BagsFuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED, BUT BEGAN TO JOLT AND MOVE SLOWLY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY "GEORGIA FUEL" AND THAT THE FUEL LINE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. ALSO, THE PASSENGER S…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED, BUT BEGAN TO JOLT AND MOVE SLOWLY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY "GEORGIA FUEL" AND THAT THE FUEL LINE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. ALSO, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAR WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REWIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.

NHTSA ODI #10732809

120,000 miles · Oct 4, 2014
EngineFuel/propulsion System

DRIVING ALONG THE ROAD AND COOLANT SUDDENLY FLUSHED OUT OF CAR. WATER PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH TIMING BELT. OIL LEAKS IN MULTIPLE PLACES ARE STARTING TO APPEAR. I WONDERED WHY I WAS GOING THROUGH SO MUCH OIL. MECHANIC ALERTED ME TO THE POOR DESIGN AND BUILD AND TOLD ME TO CHECK OF OPEN RECALLS AND SIMILAR PROBLEMS. *…

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DRIVING ALONG THE ROAD AND COOLANT SUDDENLY FLUSHED OUT OF CAR. WATER PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH TIMING BELT. OIL LEAKS IN MULTIPLE PLACES ARE STARTING TO APPEAR. I WONDERED WHY I WAS GOING THROUGH SO MUCH OIL. MECHANIC ALERTED ME TO THE POOR DESIGN AND BUILD AND TOLD ME TO CHECK OF OPEN RECALLS AND SIMILAR PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10641422

90,000 miles · Aug 30, 2013
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, SHE BEGAN TO SMELL GASOLINE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW THAT GASOLINE WAS LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V621000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, SHE BEGAN TO SMELL GASOLINE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW THAT GASOLINE WAS LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V621000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) BUT WAS INFORMED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10538093

149,000 miles · Feb 3, 2013
EngineFuel System, DieselFuel/propulsion System

MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING HOME AND SUDDENLY MY CAR STARTED JERKING AND MADE A "KNOCKING" SOUND, WITHOUT ANY WARNING (I.E. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT). WE WERE CLOSE TO HOME AND DECIDED TO CONTINUE ON; HOWEVER, IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MILES, THE PROBLEMS PERSISTED, STILL WITH NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR ANY INDICATION OF WHAT WAS WRONG WITH …

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MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING HOME AND SUDDENLY MY CAR STARTED JERKING AND MADE A "KNOCKING" SOUND, WITHOUT ANY WARNING (I.E. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT). WE WERE CLOSE TO HOME AND DECIDED TO CONTINUE ON; HOWEVER, IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MILES, THE PROBLEMS PERSISTED, STILL WITH NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR ANY INDICATION OF WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS, WHILE PARKED ON A SECURED PREMISE, I STARTED THE CAR UP AND IT HAD AN ERRATIC LOPING SOUND. I PROCEEDED TO CALL A NEARBY VOLKSWAGEN DEALER AND SPOKE TO TWO CERTIFIED VW MECHANICS, WHO FAILED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE THAT THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATION BEFORE THE CAR STARTED TO ACT UP AND SAID TO BRING IT IN TO SWAP OUT THE ENGINE AT APPROX. $7500; THEY DISMISSED THE PROBLEM AS "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR". I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND IT LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THAT IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE CAM, WHICH I HAD CONFIRMED BY AN AUTO-MECHANIC AFTER TOWING THE CAR IN. HE TOLD ME THE ENTIRE ENGINE WAS WARPED DUE TO THE CAM GOING OUT. OTHER 2006 VW JETTA TDI OWNERS HAVE COMMENTED ON THE SAME ISSUES, WHICH AT THIS POINT LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT IT IS NOT "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR", BUT A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10496238

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.