THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER OVER HEATED AND MELTED THE SEAT AND CLOTHING OF THE DRIVER. NO BURNS WERE NOTICED ON THE DRIVERS BODY, BUT COULD FEEL THE INTENSE HEAT FROM THE HEATER.
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.
Seats complaints
25 reportsWHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, MY DRIVERS SEAT BEGAN MOVING ON IT'S OWN. THE TOP PART OF THE SEAT PUSHED ME UP AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE THE BOTTOM HALF PULLED ME BACK SO I COULDN'T REACH THE PEDALS. I HAD MY 2 YR OLD GRANDCHILD IN THE BACKSEAT AND BARELY MADE IT OFF OF THE FREEWAY. THE SEAT CONTINUES TO MOVE EVEN …
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WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, MY DRIVERS SEAT BEGAN MOVING ON IT'S OWN. THE TOP PART OF THE SEAT PUSHED ME UP AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE THE BOTTOM HALF PULLED ME BACK SO I COULDN'T REACH THE PEDALS. I HAD MY 2 YR OLD GRANDCHILD IN THE BACKSEAT AND BARELY MADE IT OFF OF THE FREEWAY. THE SEAT CONTINUES TO MOVE EVEN WHILE THE CAR IS OFF. THE TOW TRUCK REFUSED TO HELP BECAUSE OF LEGAL REASONS AND THE VW DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE ME $140 JUST TO LOOK AT IT BECAUSE IT'S NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS DEFECT THAT CAN CAUSE A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. VW SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DEFECTIVE PARTS REGARDLESS OF THE YEAR OF THE CAR AND SHOULD NOT BE CHARGING ANYONE TO FIX THIS.
DRIVERS SEAT ADJUSTMENT AUTOMATICALLY MOVES SEAT WHILE DRIVING. IF YOU ARE TALL, THE SEAT MOVES YOU INTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND I'M AFRAID THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AS YOU CANNOT TURN STEERING WHEEL AND YOUR KNEES ARE PINNED UNDER THE DASH.
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE DRIVER SEAT STARTED TO MOVE FORWARD ON ITS OWN TOWARDS THE STEERING WHEEL IN WHICH I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE DRIVER SEAT IT WOULD NOT REVERSENEARLY CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HORN NO LONGER WORKS DUE TO SOME SORT OFELECTRICAL ISSUE. THE IS…
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WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE DRIVER SEAT STARTED TO MOVE FORWARD ON ITS OWN TOWARDS THE STEERING WHEEL IN WHICH I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE DRIVER SEAT IT WOULD NOT REVERSENEARLY CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HORN NO LONGER WORKS DUE TO SOME SORT OFELECTRICAL ISSUE. THE ISSUE TOOK PLACE WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY.
ABOUT A WEEK AGO, I NOTICED MY DRIVER'S SEAT WAS TOO FAR FORWARD, SO I USED THE SEAT ADJUSTMENT CONTROLS TO MOVE IT BACK TO WHERE IT WAS COMFORTABLE. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AND PERIODICALLY THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, WHETHER I WAS DRIVING (HIGHWAY OR LOCAL), STATIONARY, OR STOPPED (WITH THE ENGINE TURNED OFF!), THE SEAT BACK WOULD MOVE BA…
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ABOUT A WEEK AGO, I NOTICED MY DRIVER'S SEAT WAS TOO FAR FORWARD, SO I USED THE SEAT ADJUSTMENT CONTROLS TO MOVE IT BACK TO WHERE IT WAS COMFORTABLE. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AND PERIODICALLY THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, WHETHER I WAS DRIVING (HIGHWAY OR LOCAL), STATIONARY, OR STOPPED (WITH THE ENGINE TURNED OFF!), THE SEAT BACK WOULD MOVE BACK AND FORTH, SOMETIMES LUNGING FORWARD 4-6 INCHES AND THEN BACK ABOUT 10 INCHES. THIS CAUSED ME, WHILE DRIVING, TO BE PRESSED ALMOST ON THE STEERING WHEEL OR AT FULL ARMS-LENGTH, BACK AND FORTH NUMEROUS TIMES. SOMETIMES PUSHING ONE/ANY OF THE SETTING BUTTONS WOULD STOP THE ROCKING FOR A SHORT TIME; SOMETIMES IT HAD NO EFFECT. THIS ISSUE IS OF SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN TO ME AS IT MAKES STEERING AND BRAKING/ACCELERATING VERY DIFFICULT AND NOT CONTROLLABLE. THERE MUST BE A RECALL ON THIS MODEL AS THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED ON THIS SITE SINCE THE MODEL FIRST CAME OUT IN 2006! IT IS UNCONSCIONABLE THAT NO RECALL HAS YET BEEN ISSUED.
WHILE DRIVING MY 2006 VW JETTA THE DRIVERS POWER SEAT STARTED TO MOVE BY ITSELF FORWARD THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES TO THE POINT WHERE MY KNEES WHERE PUSHED TO THE DASH AND MY RIGHT KNEE ACTUALLY TURNED CAR OFF BY HITTING MY KEYS ON KEY CHAIN OCCASIONALLY WHEN I HAVE GONE OUT IN MORNING TO START THE CAR THE SEAT HAS BEEN PUS…
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WHILE DRIVING MY 2006 VW JETTA THE DRIVERS POWER SEAT STARTED TO MOVE BY ITSELF FORWARD THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES TO THE POINT WHERE MY KNEES WHERE PUSHED TO THE DASH AND MY RIGHT KNEE ACTUALLY TURNED CAR OFF BY HITTING MY KEYS ON KEY CHAIN OCCASIONALLY WHEN I HAVE GONE OUT IN MORNING TO START THE CAR THE SEAT HAS BEEN PUSHED FORWARD AND BATTERY HAS BEEN WEAKENED I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY THE FACT THAT THIS SEAT MOVES WHILE DRIVING. *TR
WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY (HUTCHINSON RIVER PARKWAY, WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY), MY POWER DRIVER'S SEAT STARTED MOVING FORWARD (TOWARDS THE WHEEL) ON ITS OWN. I STOPPED IT BY PUSHING BACK ON THE SWITCH. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED TWICE MORE WITHIN THE NEXT 5 MINUTES AND AGAIN OVERNIGHT (LAST NIGHT) WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED (I CAME TO IT T…
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WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY (HUTCHINSON RIVER PARKWAY, WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY), MY POWER DRIVER'S SEAT STARTED MOVING FORWARD (TOWARDS THE WHEEL) ON ITS OWN. I STOPPED IT BY PUSHING BACK ON THE SWITCH. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED TWICE MORE WITHIN THE NEXT 5 MINUTES AND AGAIN OVERNIGHT (LAST NIGHT) WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED (I CAME TO IT THIS MORNING AND FOUND THE SEAT WAS PUSHED ALL THE WAY FORWARD). OBVIOUSLY, A DRIVER'S SEAT WITH A MIND OF ITS OWN COULD BE A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. THE SEAT MOVING WHILE THE CAR IS PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED MEANS IT MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO BE STOPPED EVEN BY SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE. AT 6FT2, I WOULD BE CRUSHED IF I WERE UNABLE TO STOP THE SEAT FROM MOVING UP.
DRIVER SEAT LOWER RIGHT BACK OVERHEATED. BURNT A HOLE IN THE SEAT AND MELTED THE COAT I WAS WEARING. SMELL OF BURNING IN THE CAR AND INTENSE HEAT ON MY BACK. TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEAT. WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION, NOTICED THE BURN IN THE SEAT AND LATER NOTICED A BURN ON MY COAT. INTERIOR OF THE CAR IS WELL MAINTAINED, N…
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DRIVER SEAT LOWER RIGHT BACK OVERHEATED. BURNT A HOLE IN THE SEAT AND MELTED THE COAT I WAS WEARING. SMELL OF BURNING IN THE CAR AND INTENSE HEAT ON MY BACK. TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEAT. WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION, NOTICED THE BURN IN THE SEAT AND LATER NOTICED A BURN ON MY COAT. INTERIOR OF THE CAR IS WELL MAINTAINED, NEVER FLOODED OR ABUSED. NOW I HAVE A CAR DRIVER SEAT THAT IS BADLY DAMAGED, A RUINED COAT AND SCARED TO OPERATE THE CAR OR TO PARK IN MY GARAGE IN FEAR OF A FIRE THAT COULD BURN DOWN MY HOUSE AND CAR PUTTING MY SELF AND FAMILY IN HARMS WAY. I HAVE NOTICED SEVERAL VW CARS IN THE PAST WITH THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE SAME SPOT AND WAS ALWAYS THANKFUL THAT IT WAS NOT MY CAR. NOW IT IS MY CAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. CALLED THE VW DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON THIS. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT CAN CAUSE A BAD BURN ON A PERSON. I AM GLAD I HAD A COAT ON WHILE DRIVING, OTHERWISE I WOULD HAVE HAD TO SEEK MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR THE BURN. WOULD LIKE TO SEE VW CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND REPLACE THE SEAT AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNERS. THIS IS A PREVENTABLE PROBLEM THAT NEEDS CORRECTED. *TR
DRIVER SEAT LOWER RIGHT BACK OVERHEATED. BURNT A HOLE IN THE SEAT AND MELTED THE COAT I WAS WEARING. SMELL OF BURNING IN THE CAR AND INTENSE HEAT ON MY BACK. TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEAT. WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION, NOTICED THE BURN IN THE SEAT AND LATER NOTICED A BURN ON MY COAT.. INTERIOR OF THE CAR IS WELL MAINTAINED, …
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DRIVER SEAT LOWER RIGHT BACK OVERHEATED. BURNT A HOLE IN THE SEAT AND MELTED THE COAT I WAS WEARING. SMELL OF BURNING IN THE CAR AND INTENSE HEAT ON MY BACK. TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEAT. WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION, NOTICED THE BURN IN THE SEAT AND LATER NOTICED A BURN ON MY COAT.. INTERIOR OF THE CAR IS WELL MAINTAINED, NEVER FLOODED OR ABUSED. NOW I HAVE A CAR DRIVER SEAT THAT IS BADLY DAMAGED, A RUINED COAT AND SCARED TO OPERATE THE CAR OR TO PARK IN MY GARAGE IN FEAR OF A FIRE THAT COULD BURN DOWN MY HOUSE AND CAR PUTTING MYSELF AND FAMILY IN HARMS WAY. I HAVE NOTICED SEVERAL VW CARS IN THE PAST WITH THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE SAME SPOT AND WAS ALWAYS THANKFUL THAT IT WAS NOT MY CAR. NOW IT IS MY CAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. CALLED THE VW DEALER, AND THEY SAID THAT THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON THIS. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT CAN CAUSE A BAD BURN ON A PERSON. I AM GLAD I HAD A COAT ON WHILE DRIVING, OTHERWISE I WOULD HAVE HAD TO SEEK MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR THE BURN. WOULD LIKE TO SEE VW CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND REPLACE THE SEAT AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNERS. THIS IS A PREVENTABLE PROBLEM THAT NEEDS CORRECTED. *TR
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN IOWA AND TO MY HORROR, MY CAR SEAT STARTED MOVING BACK BY ITSELF. I COULD NOT REACH THE PEDALS IN THE CAR AND HAD TO HOLD THE ELECTRIC SEAT BUTTON AND FIGHT IT TO KEEP IT FROM MOVING BACK. THIS WAS PRETTY DIFFICULT SINCE THE CAR IS A STICK SHIFT. VOLKSWAGEN WAS UNINTERESTED IN HELPING DEFRAY T…
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN IOWA AND TO MY HORROR, MY CAR SEAT STARTED MOVING BACK BY ITSELF. I COULD NOT REACH THE PEDALS IN THE CAR AND HAD TO HOLD THE ELECTRIC SEAT BUTTON AND FIGHT IT TO KEEP IT FROM MOVING BACK. THIS WAS PRETTY DIFFICULT SINCE THE CAR IS A STICK SHIFT. VOLKSWAGEN WAS UNINTERESTED IN HELPING DEFRAY THE COST OF REPAIRING THIS VERY SERIOUSLY UNSAFE DEFECT! *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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