AFTER ABOUT 22,000 MILES THE ENGINE STARTED LOSING POWER, AND THE CLUTCH STARTED MAKING NOISES AND VIBRATIONS UPON ENGAGING/DISENGAGING. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WE WERE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, SO THE LOSS OF POWER WAS REALLY DANGEROUS. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE WHOLE FLYWHEEL AND CLUTCH ASSEMBLY. *AK
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
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.
Power Train complaints
245 reportsI WAS DRIVING MY 2006 VW JETTA TDI ON FREEWAY DOING ABOUT 60 MPH WHEN I NEEDED TO DOWN SHIFT FROM TRAFFIC AND WHEN DEPRESSING THE CLUTCH IT STUCK TO THE FLOOR MANAGED TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD CALLED DEALER I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM. THEN TOLD ME TO TRY TO PULL UP THE CLUTCH PEDAL AND IF SO TRY PUMPING THE CLUTCH AND IF FEELS G…
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I WAS DRIVING MY 2006 VW JETTA TDI ON FREEWAY DOING ABOUT 60 MPH WHEN I NEEDED TO DOWN SHIFT FROM TRAFFIC AND WHEN DEPRESSING THE CLUTCH IT STUCK TO THE FLOOR MANAGED TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD CALLED DEALER I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM. THEN TOLD ME TO TRY TO PULL UP THE CLUTCH PEDAL AND IF SO TRY PUMPING THE CLUTCH AND IF FEELS GOOD THEN GIVE IT A TRY. SO I DID ,THE PEDAL CAM UP, I PUMPED IT FELT OK I JUST STARTED THE CAR , SLOWLY RELEASED THE CLUTCH THE CAR SHOT FORWARD AND DIED WITH A CLUNK. SO I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER ( NOT MINE ). TALKING TO THE SERVICE REP HE TOLD ME THEIR HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THESE CLUTCHES AND THEY HAD DONE EIGHT OF THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL UNDER WARRANTY . I CALLED TO SEE IF IT WAS READY THEY TOLD ME IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND THAT THE CAR WAS READY TO BE PICKED UP AND I OWED THEM $2700.00 FOR THE REPAIRS IE; NEW CLUTCH, PRESSURE PLATE, FLYWHEEL AND BEARING. I COMPLAINED TO NO AVAIL. MY CAR HAS 20,000 MILES AND OTHER PROBLEMS THEY HAVE NOT FIGURED OUT YET. *TR
AROUND 12-13K MI A LOT OF STRANGE VIBRATION APPEARED ON THE CLUTCH PEDALS, A LOT OF PULSATION DURING TAKE OFFS AND SHIFTS, SLIGHT GRINDING NOICE DURING SHIFTS, VIBRATION FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE SHIFT LEAVERAGE AT AROUND 2K RPM. MAKES IT EASY TO STALL ESPECIALY DURING HOT DAYS. DEALER IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM AS THE FAILI…
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AROUND 12-13K MI A LOT OF STRANGE VIBRATION APPEARED ON THE CLUTCH PEDALS, A LOT OF PULSATION DURING TAKE OFFS AND SHIFTS, SLIGHT GRINDING NOICE DURING SHIFTS, VIBRATION FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE SHIFT LEAVERAGE AT AROUND 2K RPM. MAKES IT EASY TO STALL ESPECIALY DURING HOT DAYS. DEALER IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM AS THE FAILING DMF AND THROW-OUT BEARING AND POSSIBLY A SPRING/PRESSURE PLATE. THE CLUTCH DISK ITSELF WAS NOT SLIPPING.
I WAS DRIVING ON I-80, I MOVED TO THE OFF RAMP , AND WHEN I PUSHED THE CLUTCH, IT WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. THE 2006 JETTA TDI WITH 26 000 MILES NOW NEEDED A NEW CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL, $1700 REPAIR BILL. THE NEW CLUTCHA ND FLYWHEEL WERE NOT THE SAME AS THE ORIGINAL. THE REPLACEMENT PARTS HAVE BEEN UPGRADED BY VOLKWAG…
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I WAS DRIVING ON I-80, I MOVED TO THE OFF RAMP , AND WHEN I PUSHED THE CLUTCH, IT WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. THE 2006 JETTA TDI WITH 26 000 MILES NOW NEEDED A NEW CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL, $1700 REPAIR BILL. THE NEW CLUTCHA ND FLYWHEEL WERE NOT THE SAME AS THE ORIGINAL. THE REPLACEMENT PARTS HAVE BEEN UPGRADED BY VOLKWAGEN, WHY? MAYBE THE ORIGINAL CLUTCH WAS DEFECTIVE. OR VOLKSWAGEN DID NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE ADDED TORQUE OF THE NEW PD ENGINE. VERY ANNOYING. *AK
GRINDING SOUND WHEN CLUTCH PEDELAL IS DEESSED, SHUDDERING AT TAKE OFF. DEALER AND VW WILL NOT WARRANTY AT 29000 MILES COST OF A NEW CLUTCH $2500. *AK
CLUTCH HAS FAILED TWICE WHILE DRIVING. FIRST TIME MARCH 2007 AT 8,000 MILES. CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL REPLACED AND FAILED AGAIN MAY 2007 AT 10,000 MILES. *TR
THE CAR JUMPS INTO GEAR AND LURCHES BECAUSE OF A HYDRAULIC BRAKE SWITCH IN THE MASTER CYLINDER THAT APPEARS TO TICK OR BE DELAYED IN TRANSMITTING THE ON /FF SIGNAL TO THE ACCELERATOR CIRCUIT WHICH DURING THE DELAY APPEARS UNRESPONSIVE AS IT IS DESIGNED NOT TO ALOW ACCELLERATING IN GEAR WHILE THE BRAKE IS ON. WHEN THE BRAKE SWIT…
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THE CAR JUMPS INTO GEAR AND LURCHES BECAUSE OF A HYDRAULIC BRAKE SWITCH IN THE MASTER CYLINDER THAT APPEARS TO TICK OR BE DELAYED IN TRANSMITTING THE ON /FF SIGNAL TO THE ACCELERATOR CIRCUIT WHICH DURING THE DELAY APPEARS UNRESPONSIVE AS IT IS DESIGNED NOT TO ALOW ACCELLERATING IN GEAR WHILE THE BRAKE IS ON. WHEN THE BRAKE SWITCH TURNS OFF , DELAYED UP TO 5 SECONDS, THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD AS THE DRIVER EXPECTS THAT THE ACCELERATOR IS NOT WORKING AND KEEPS PREASSING ON THE GAS. THIS LURCH IS VERY UNSAGFE AND CAUSED BY A STICKY OR DELAYED BRAKE SWITCH. I HAVE HAD THE SWITCH REPLACED ONCE ALREADY BUT ALL OF THE SWITCHES APPEAR TO BEHAVE IN THE SAME UNSAFE, DELAYED MANNER.*AK TO REPRODUCE THE DELAY, PUT AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 2006 JETTA TDI INTO DRIVE AND WATCH THE "FOOT ON BRAKE" INDICATOR ON THE DASHBORAD TURN OFF 1-5 SECONDS AFTER THE FOOT IS TAKEN OFF THE BRAKE.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE FELT THE VEHICLE'S CLUTCH SLIPPING WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY NEEDED REPLACING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE EXPERIENCED THE CLUTCH SLIPPING, DIFFICULTY SWITCHING GEARS, AND THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED SINCE THE VEHICLE W…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE FELT THE VEHICLE'S CLUTCH SLIPPING WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY NEEDED REPLACING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE EXPERIENCED THE CLUTCH SLIPPING, DIFFICULTY SWITCHING GEARS, AND THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE VIN, PURCHASE DATE, AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 33,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000.
OUR 2006 VOLKSWAGEN TDI WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AGAIN YESTERDAY FOR CLUTCH PROBLEMS. AT 2 MONTHS WITH 5,000 MILES THE CLUTCH WOULD INTERMITTENTLY NOT ENGAGE. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO DEALER , AND DEALER REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER, BLEED SYSTEM AND REASSEMBLED. AT 6 MONTHS, WITH 15,000 MILES THE CLUTCH FAILED, STRANDING US …
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OUR 2006 VOLKSWAGEN TDI WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AGAIN YESTERDAY FOR CLUTCH PROBLEMS. AT 2 MONTHS WITH 5,000 MILES THE CLUTCH WOULD INTERMITTENTLY NOT ENGAGE. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO DEALER , AND DEALER REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER, BLEED SYSTEM AND REASSEMBLED. AT 6 MONTHS, WITH 15,000 MILES THE CLUTCH FAILED, STRANDING US ALONG THE HIGHWAY. HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO REMOVED THE TRANSMISSION, AND INSPECTED DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL. SLIPPED THROW OUT, BEARING CAME APART, THE FORK FOR BEARING SLID INTO PRESSURE PLATE. REPLACED FLYWHEEL, CLUTCH PLATE, PRESSURE THROW OUT BEARING FORK AND SPRING. - AT 9 MONTHS WITH 20,000 MILES TRANSMISSION WHINED IN THIRD GEAR AND HAD A HARSH SHIFT IN ALL GEARS. WHILE DRIVING TO DEALER THE CAR POPPED OUT OF GEAR. DEALER FOUND TRANSMISSION LEAKING FLUID FROM BELL HOUSING. CALLED VOLKSWAGEN, AND WAS TOLD TO CHECK FOR CRACKS IN CASE. REMOVED CASE ,AND INSPECTED FOR CRACKS. HAD HAIRLINE CRACKS. REMOVED AND REPLACED TRANSMISSION, AND REASSEMBLED AND ADDED FLUID." THIS REPAIR TOOK THE LONGEST AS THE DEALER HAS TO WAIT FOR PARTS. THE CAR WAS AT THE DEALER THIS TIME FOR OVER THREE WEEKS. 4- 10 MONTHS WITH 22,000 MILES THREE WEEKS AFTER LAST REPAIR WE WERE AGAIN STRANDED AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AT A STOP SIGN DEPRESSED CLUTCH, PUT CAR IN FIRST, STARTED TO MOVE AND CAR MADE A LOUD NOISE AND CLUTCH WAS DEAD AGAIN. TOWED TO DEALER ,AND WE ARE WAITING TO HEAR AGAIN FROM THEM. BOTH MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE BEEN DRIVING STICK SHIFT FOR OVER 20 YEARS EACH. OUR DEALER HAS NEVER SUGGESTED THAT WE DON'T KNOW HOW TO DRIVE A STICK SHIFT ALTHOUGH I HAVE SEEN ONLINE THIS WAS OFTEN SAID AS SOON AS THE CLUTCH WENT OUT. EVERYTHING SO FAR HAS BEEN REPLACED AT NO COST TO US. THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION WAS VERY UNRELIABLE, AND IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IT COULD EASILY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. LUCKILY, WHILE WE DRIVE MANY MILES IT WAS MOSTLY COUNTRY HIGHWAYS. *AK
IN JANUARY SOMETHING BROKE OFF FROM THE TRANSMISSION AND KILLED THE ENTIRE ENGINE. IT GOT A NEW ENGINE AND A NEW TRANSMISSION. THAT HAS LED TO A SLEW OF OTHER DIFFERENT PROBLEMS FROM MINOR RATTLES TO DANGEROUS EXHAUST LEAKS AND OIL LEAKS. CORPORATE VW WAS ONLY ABLE TO GIVE ME TWO MONTHS CREDIT ON MY LOAN WHICH FROM READING EV…
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IN JANUARY SOMETHING BROKE OFF FROM THE TRANSMISSION AND KILLED THE ENTIRE ENGINE. IT GOT A NEW ENGINE AND A NEW TRANSMISSION. THAT HAS LED TO A SLEW OF OTHER DIFFERENT PROBLEMS FROM MINOR RATTLES TO DANGEROUS EXHAUST LEAKS AND OIL LEAKS. CORPORATE VW WAS ONLY ABLE TO GIVE ME TWO MONTHS CREDIT ON MY LOAN WHICH FROM READING EVERYWHERE IS JUST THEIR WAY OF GETTING US TO SHUT UP. NOW MY REAR BRAKES ARE METAL TO METAL AND I HAVE A BEARING PROBLEM. I HAVE READ THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT MY SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATES THAT I CAUSED IT BY HITTING A CURB WHICH IN TURN RUINED THE BEARING. I THINK THE BEARING WAS RUINED WHEN THEY PUT IN THE NEW ENGINE AND SCREWED WITH THE TORQUE. *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.
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