Illustration69,000 MILE CLUTCH FAILURE SEEMS TO BE COMMON PLACE BUT NO RECALL OR OFFER TO ASSIST IN THE COST OF REPAIRS. *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Jetta years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
890–25K
6925–50K
10850–75K
9875–100K
95100–150K
49150K+
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
Power Train complaints
245 reports2006 VW JETTA TDI WITH DSG AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL FAILING, VW DEALERS KEEP IN STOCK BECAUSE HIGH NUMBER OF FAILURES, MECHATRONIC UNIT FAILING WHEN DRIVING, VEHICLE WILL REACH 3RD GEAR THEN SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFT TO 1ST GEAR. RESULTING IN A HARD JERK. GEAR SHIFT INDICATORS ON DASH WILL START TO FLASH, SHUTTING OFF…
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2006 VW JETTA TDI WITH DSG AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL FAILING, VW DEALERS KEEP IN STOCK BECAUSE HIGH NUMBER OF FAILURES, MECHATRONIC UNIT FAILING WHEN DRIVING, VEHICLE WILL REACH 3RD GEAR THEN SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFT TO 1ST GEAR. RESULTING IN A HARD JERK. GEAR SHIFT INDICATORS ON DASH WILL START TO FLASH, SHUTTING OFF VEHICLE AND RESTARTING WILL RESET UNIT BUT AS SOON AS YOU GET TO 3RD GEAR PROBLEM REOCCURS. KNOWN ISSUE WITH 2007 -2009 DSG TRANSMISSIONS VW EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 10 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES ON THESE TRANSMISSIONS BUT FAIL TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE WITH 2006, CONTACTING VW WILL RESPOND WITH ONLY WE'RE SORRY. ALSO EXPECT LONG DELAYS IN GETTING A MECHATRONIC UNIT.
DSG AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION UNEXPECTEDLY SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS HAPPENED ABOUT SIX TIMES AFTER THE CAR HAD 30,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL ON THE 2006 VW JETTA TDI HAS EXCESSIVE NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. FLYWHEEL IS BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR
TRANSMISSION IS MY VEHICLE IS FAULTY. IT SHIFTS FUNNY AND SOMETIMES WHEN I PULL OUT IN TRAFFIC, THERE IS CONSIDERABLE LAG LIKE ALL POWER IS LOSS FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. ALSO, THE DMF IN THIS TRANSMISSION IS KNOWN TO HAVE PROBLEMS. I'VE BEEN TOLD THEY WERE RECALLED IN AUSTRALIA, BUT NOT THE US. THAT IS INSANE...CONSUMER S…
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TRANSMISSION IS MY VEHICLE IS FAULTY. IT SHIFTS FUNNY AND SOMETIMES WHEN I PULL OUT IN TRAFFIC, THERE IS CONSIDERABLE LAG LIKE ALL POWER IS LOSS FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. ALSO, THE DMF IN THIS TRANSMISSION IS KNOWN TO HAVE PROBLEMS. I'VE BEEN TOLD THEY WERE RECALLED IN AUSTRALIA, BUT NOT THE US. THAT IS INSANE...CONSUMER SAFETY MY [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHIFTED INTO REVERSE; THE VEHICLE HAD A DSG TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF WHICH RESET THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHIFTED INTO REVERSE; THE VEHICLE HAD A DSG TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF WHICH RESET THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WAS SEALED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,530. UPDATED 01/14/11*LJ
I'M IN THE MIDST OF GETTING A DSG TRANSMISSION REPAIRED AND IT COULD COST AS MUCH AS $4000. THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN MAKING "GRINDING" NOISES, AND I WAS TOLD THAT THERE ARE BEARINGS THAT WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. I KNOW THROUGH VARIOUS VW FORUMS THAT THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS ON THIS TRANSMISSION AND I WOULD LIKE VW TO BACK UP THEIR…
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I'M IN THE MIDST OF GETTING A DSG TRANSMISSION REPAIRED AND IT COULD COST AS MUCH AS $4000. THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN MAKING "GRINDING" NOISES, AND I WAS TOLD THAT THERE ARE BEARINGS THAT WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. I KNOW THROUGH VARIOUS VW FORUMS THAT THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS ON THIS TRANSMISSION AND I WOULD LIKE VW TO BACK UP THEIR PRODUCT. *TR
2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL IS FAILING. SOUND FROM BELL HOUSING GETTING LOUDER. OTHER OWNERS REPORT DRIVETRAIN LOCKUP WHEN FAILING. PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE HIGHER THAN NORMAL INCIDENT RATE. *TR
1 CLUTCH PEDAL WHEN DEPRESSED STAYS DOWN. 2 INTERMITTENT 3 , FLY WHEEL DAMAGE, RETURN BEARING DAMAGE, COST OF REPAIR $2400.00. *TR
2006 VW JETTA WITH DSG TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE LURCHED AND LOST POWER AS IF GAS HAD BEEN SWITCHED OFF OR TRANSMISSION WAS UNEXPECTEDLY DISENGAGED FROM ENGINE. THIS OCCURRED ON VERY HOT DAY, 100+ DEGREES, WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. VEHICLE REGAINED POWER 2-3 SECONDS AFTER LOSS. THIS HAPPENED 4 TO 5 TIMES ON A 400 MILE DRIV…
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2006 VW JETTA WITH DSG TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE LURCHED AND LOST POWER AS IF GAS HAD BEEN SWITCHED OFF OR TRANSMISSION WAS UNEXPECTEDLY DISENGAGED FROM ENGINE. THIS OCCURRED ON VERY HOT DAY, 100+ DEGREES, WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. VEHICLE REGAINED POWER 2-3 SECONDS AFTER LOSS. THIS HAPPENED 4 TO 5 TIMES ON A 400 MILE DRIVE. ONE TIME OCCURRED WHILE PASSING AND FORCED ME TO TAKE ACTION AND CANCEL MY PASS OF THE SLOWER MOVING VEHICLE. THIS HAS OCCURRED IN THE PAST BUT IT WAS ONLY ON A VERY HOT DRIVE ABOUT A YEAR OR TWO AGO. *TR
Official recalls
410V621000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.