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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

Power Train complaints

245 reports
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72,500 miles · Aug 31, 2010
Power Train

2006 VW JETTA TDI WITH DSG AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: WHILE SLOWING DOWN APPROACHING A STOPLIGHT VEHICLE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO STAY IN GEAR ACTING LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. VEHICLE HAD FLASHING LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD BEHIND GEAR-SHIFT INDICATIONS. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RE-ENGAGE TRANSMISSION, GEARS FINALLY ENGAGED AND VEHICLE WAS D…

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2006 VW JETTA TDI WITH DSG AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: WHILE SLOWING DOWN APPROACHING A STOPLIGHT VEHICLE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO STAY IN GEAR ACTING LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. VEHICLE HAD FLASHING LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD BEHIND GEAR-SHIFT INDICATIONS. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RE-ENGAGE TRANSMISSION, GEARS FINALLY ENGAGED AND VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO SIDE OF HIGHWAY. TURNED VEHICLE OFF, WAITED SEVERAL MINUTES AND RESTARTED VEHICLE AND IT OPERATED NORMALLY. OWNER'S MANUAL SAID TO CONTACT DEALER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IF THIS HAPPENS. DEALER SAID CODE WAS PB1819-VALVE BODY FAILURE. VEHICLE MILEAGE: 72,500. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10353028

40,000 miles · Aug 30, 2010
Power Train

I HAVE A 2006 VW JETTA EQUIPPED WITH A DSG AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I HAVE A FLYWHEEL THAT IS FAILING. THIS CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO LOCK UP AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I NOTICE WHILE SEARCHING ONLINE THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL JETTA. I THINK THAT THIS SHOULD BE EXAMINED AND VW SHOULD HAVE TO MAKE THIS RIGHT. …

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I HAVE A 2006 VW JETTA EQUIPPED WITH A DSG AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I HAVE A FLYWHEEL THAT IS FAILING. THIS CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO LOCK UP AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I NOTICE WHILE SEARCHING ONLINE THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL JETTA. I THINK THAT THIS SHOULD BE EXAMINED AND VW SHOULD HAVE TO MAKE THIS RIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10352650

103,000 miles · Aug 25, 2010
Power Train

THE DMF FLYWHEEL ON 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI COMES APART. MINE SEPARATED AND WAS SCRAPING SO I STOPPED DRIVING IT UNTIL I RECEIVED THE NEW FLYWHEEL AND CLUTCH. IT STARTED WITH A SCRAPING SOUND THAT HAPPENED MORE FREQUENT EVERYDAY AND A LITTLE LOUDER. AFTER 5 DAYS I REALIZED IT WAS COMING FROM THE FLYWHEEL. THERE ARE NUMEROUS PR…

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THE DMF FLYWHEEL ON 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI COMES APART. MINE SEPARATED AND WAS SCRAPING SO I STOPPED DRIVING IT UNTIL I RECEIVED THE NEW FLYWHEEL AND CLUTCH. IT STARTED WITH A SCRAPING SOUND THAT HAPPENED MORE FREQUENT EVERYDAY AND A LITTLE LOUDER. AFTER 5 DAYS I REALIZED IT WAS COMING FROM THE FLYWHEEL. THERE ARE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THESE I HAVE FOUND ON FREDS TDI PAGE. MOST WERE FROM A DIFFERENT FLYWHEEL MANUFACTURER AND I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE MINE WAS MADE BY SACHS THESE CAN CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE TO A VEHICLE IF IT BREAKS APART. THIS CAR SEEMS REALLY WELL MADE AND IS ALOT OF FUN TO DRIVE. I HAVE BEEN REAL HAPPY WITH IT BUT THINK THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED AND COULD BE DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10351657

68,000 miles · Aug 23, 2010
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY DECELERATED AND WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE CONTACT'S ATTEMPTS TO DRIVE FORWARD OR IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY DECELERATED AND WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE CONTACT'S ATTEMPTS TO DRIVE FORWARD OR IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED REPLACING. A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED BUT PRODUCED NO FAILURE CODES. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO COVER ONE HALF OF THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

NHTSA ODI #10351260

16,257 miles · Aug 12, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED VARIOUS RECURRING FAILURES SINCE THE DATE IT WAS PURCHASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHERE THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED, THROTTLE VALVES WERE CLEANED, THE RECIRCULATION VALVE WAS REPLACED, THE ENGINE FAN CONTROL MODULE W…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED VARIOUS RECURRING FAILURES SINCE THE DATE IT WAS PURCHASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHERE THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED, THROTTLE VALVES WERE CLEANED, THE RECIRCULATION VALVE WAS REPLACED, THE ENGINE FAN CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED, THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR WAS REPLACED, THE CRANK CASE BREEDER VALVE WAS REPLACED, THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED, AND THE CAM SHAFT FOLLOWER WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL 09V164000, POWER TRAIN DRIVELINE, DRIVESHAFT AND HAD THE SUNROOF DRAINED DUE TO WATER LEAKAGE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,257 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,000.

NHTSA ODI #10348971

177,000 miles · Aug 7, 2010
Power Train

VW JETTA TDI 2006, MILEAGE 177 000KM ON AUG 5, 2010, I HEARD A STRANGE NOISE FROM THE ENGINE /TRANSMISSION, AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HWY. AND I ALSO FELT VIBRATION AT 120-130KM /H. I PULLED INTO A VW DEALERSHIP TO CHECK IT OUT. THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOOK THE CAR FOR A TEST DRIVE AND TOLD ME THAT THERE IS A NOISE COMING FROM THE FL…

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VW JETTA TDI 2006, MILEAGE 177 000KM ON AUG 5, 2010, I HEARD A STRANGE NOISE FROM THE ENGINE /TRANSMISSION, AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HWY. AND I ALSO FELT VIBRATION AT 120-130KM /H. I PULLED INTO A VW DEALERSHIP TO CHECK IT OUT. THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOOK THE CAR FOR A TEST DRIVE AND TOLD ME THAT THERE IS A NOISE COMING FROM THE FLYWHEEL, BUT NOTHING SERIOUS. THE VERY NEXT DAY ON AUG 6,2010 WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY I HEARD MORE AND LOUDER NOISE FROM THE TRANS. AN AT I DROVE SLOWLY FOR ABOUT 7KM. INTO ANOTHER VW DEALER. AT THIS POINT AFTER A THEY RAISED THE CAR ON THE HOIST THEY TOLD ME THAT THE SPRINGS FROM THE FLYWHEEL ARE BROKEN AND THE FLYWHEEL NEEDS TO BE CHANGED. THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS IS COMMON ISSUE DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR. THE REPLACEMENT PART ( THE FLYWHEEL) WILL COST ABOUT $900CND. AND THE LABOR THEY TOLD ME WOULD BE 8H WHICH IS $800 SO TO TOTAL COST IS $2100. I DO NOT THINK THAT THIS A NORMAL TO HAVE THE FLYWHEEL BROKEN JUST LIKE THAT. I ALSO WON AN ODER CAR WHICH I DROVE OVER 400 000 AND NEVER HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FLYWHEEL. PLEASE ADVISE ON WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS AT THIS POINT. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ODI #10347898

91,000 miles · Jul 20, 2010
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL GEAR WHILE DRIVING. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 09V333000 POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91, 5000.

NHTSA ODI #10344256

61,000 miles · Jul 7, 2010
Power Train

PURCHASED A 2006 VW JETTA TDI, USED, WITH 61,800 MILES. CLUTCH FELT WEIRD TO ME WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR BUT THOUGHT IT WAS NORMAL. LESS THEN TWO WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE I NOTICED GEARS SLIPPING. THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED WORN CLUTCH DISK AND DAMAGED THROW-OUT BEARING. A PROPERLY MANUFACTURED CLUTCH ASSEMBLY SHOULD NOT FAIL AT …

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PURCHASED A 2006 VW JETTA TDI, USED, WITH 61,800 MILES. CLUTCH FELT WEIRD TO ME WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR BUT THOUGHT IT WAS NORMAL. LESS THEN TWO WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE I NOTICED GEARS SLIPPING. THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED WORN CLUTCH DISK AND DAMAGED THROW-OUT BEARING. A PROPERLY MANUFACTURED CLUTCH ASSEMBLY SHOULD NOT FAIL AT 61,000 MILES, IF EVER. FROM WHAT I'VE READ IT MAY BE DUE TO BAD DESIGN OF THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL, WHICH OVER-HEATS THE DISK AND CAUSES DAMAGE. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE WHICH MAY CAUSE SUDDEN LOSS OF CONTROL OF YOUR VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. MANY DRIVERS ARE NOT "IN-TUNE" WITH THEIR VEHICLE AND MAY NOT RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM UNTIL A SERIOUS ACCIDENT LIKE THIS DOES HAPPEN. THE ISSUE IS RAMPANT, AND SEEMS IT MAY BE INEVITABLE FOR MOST 2006 VW BUILDS. HTTP://FORUMS.TDICLUB.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=137014. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10341858

58,450 miles · Jun 30, 2010
Power Train

FLYWHEEL ISSUE IN A 2006 VW JETTA TDI. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10340866

80,000 miles · Jun 25, 2010
Power Train

THE ENGINE BEGAN CHATTERING WHILE IDLING. IT HAS 80K MILES. THE CHATTERING BECAME WORSE SO I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING WAS CRACKED, THE FLYWHEEL BROKEN AND SLIP KIT CRACKED. IT WAS LEAKING OIL FROM THE TRANSMISSION. TOTAL REPAIR WILL BE MORE THAN $6000 AND TAKE MORE THAN 6 WEEKS TO COMPLETE THE R…

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THE ENGINE BEGAN CHATTERING WHILE IDLING. IT HAS 80K MILES. THE CHATTERING BECAME WORSE SO I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING WAS CRACKED, THE FLYWHEEL BROKEN AND SLIP KIT CRACKED. IT WAS LEAKING OIL FROM THE TRANSMISSION. TOTAL REPAIR WILL BE MORE THAN $6000 AND TAKE MORE THAN 6 WEEKS TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR. THE PARTS DEALERS ARE HAVING A HARD TIME FINDING A FLYWHEEL. I HAVE HAD THE CAR SERVICED AT THE DEALER SINCE I BOUGHT IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10340002

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.