WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS OR WILL NOT CHANGE GEARS WHILE THE GAS PEDAL IS BEING STEPPED ON ALSO AFTER A STOP IT WILL NOT ENGAGE AT TIMES IT STAYS ON 5 GEAR WHILE MOVING SLOWLY AND WILL NOT DOWN SHIFT. *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
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.
What owners actually said
580 reportsWAS GETTING HEAD ACHES WHEN DRIVING THE CAR AND SITTING IN TRAFFIC OR AT A STOP LIGHT. SMELLED A SULFUR LIKE SMELL FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. COULD HEAR LOUD BLOWING SOUNDS ON ACCELERATION. DEALERSHIP FOUND AN EXHAUST LEAK IN THE BACK OF THE DIESEL MOTOR FROM THE EGR COOLER ASSEMBLY. THE ENGINE WAS BLOWING SOOT IN TO THE ENGIN…
Read full complaint
WAS GETTING HEAD ACHES WHEN DRIVING THE CAR AND SITTING IN TRAFFIC OR AT A STOP LIGHT. SMELLED A SULFUR LIKE SMELL FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. COULD HEAR LOUD BLOWING SOUNDS ON ACCELERATION. DEALERSHIP FOUND AN EXHAUST LEAK IN THE BACK OF THE DIESEL MOTOR FROM THE EGR COOLER ASSEMBLY. THE ENGINE WAS BLOWING SOOT IN TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND IT COULD BE HEARD AND SMELLED THROUGH THE FIREWALL. THIS IS A DIESEL SO THE EXHAUST CONTAINS CARCINOGENIC CHEMICALS. DIESEL EXHAUST CONTAINS A NUMBER OF POTENTIALLY TOXICOLOGICALLY RELEVANT ORGANIC COMPOUNDS ACCORDING TO THE EPA THAT HAVE HUMAN HEALTH HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH EXPOSURE. THE EGR COOLER IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE 8 YEAR 80K FEDERAL EXHAUST EMISSION WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH IT IS A MANDATED PART OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AS PART OF THE EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION SYSTEM. A SHAFT GOING THROUGH THE WALL OF THE EGR COOLER CONNECTING TO A BUTTERFLY VALVE USED TO DIVERT THE EXHAUST GASES IN TO THE COOLER HAS A FAULTY SEAL THAT WILL FAIL AND ALLOW THE EXHAUST GAS TO EXIT THE EXHAUST IN TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND GET IN TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THIS IS NOT ONLY AN EPA VIOLATION BUT A HEALTH HAZARD TO EVERY VW TDI OWNER OR PASSENGER. TO REPAIR THE ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE EGR COOLER HAS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST TO THE OWNER OF $1000. VW CUSTOMER CARE WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THE PRODUCT BUT DID REALIZE THE ISSUE AND OFFER REPLACEMENT IN THE FIRST 2 YEARS OR 24K MILES. MOST ISSUES OCCUR AT 70K TO 120K MILES BECAUSE OF A POORLY DESIGNED PART. *TR
FIRST NOTICED THAT THE SUNROOF ON MY '06 JETTA TDI WOULD INTERMITTENTLY OPEN AND (SOMETIMES) CLOSE ON IT'S OWN. SINCE THEN MY DOOR LOCKS NO LONGER FUNCTION ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT AND REAR DOORS. I CANNOT USE THE KEY TO LOCK ALL OF THE DOORS AND ACTIVATE THE CAR ALARM. THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR NEVER LOCKS EVEN WITH THE KEY…
Read full complaint
FIRST NOTICED THAT THE SUNROOF ON MY '06 JETTA TDI WOULD INTERMITTENTLY OPEN AND (SOMETIMES) CLOSE ON IT'S OWN. SINCE THEN MY DOOR LOCKS NO LONGER FUNCTION ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT AND REAR DOORS. I CANNOT USE THE KEY TO LOCK ALL OF THE DOORS AND ACTIVATE THE CAR ALARM. THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR NEVER LOCKS EVEN WITH THE KEY AND CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE BY THE PASSENGER. THE ALARM SYSTEM WILL NOT ENGAGE AND THE REAR WINDOWS WILL ONLY OPERATE FROM THE DRIVER'S DOOR. INITIALLY THESE ISSUES WOULD COME AND GO BUT HAVE NOW BECOME A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM. THE CAR CANNOT BE SECURED. THESE ISSUES POSE A SAFETY HAZARD TO MY FAMILY AND MY PERSONAL PROPERTY. I WAS PLANNING ON PASSING THE CAR DOWN TO MY SON WHEN HE BECOMES OLD ENOUGH TO DRIVE (IN 2 YEARS) HOWEVER WITH THESE ISSUES I DO NOT TRUST THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE. AFTER RESEARCHING THE COMPLAINTS IN THIS DATABASE I AM SHOCKED THAT VW HAS NOT BEEN MADE TO FIX THE PROBLEM UNDER A RECALL. THIS IS A COMMON, RECURRING PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSES BY THE MANUFACTURER. *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…
Read full complaint
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
THIS CAR HAD A DEFECTIVE CAMSHAFT AND LIFTERS. DEALER REFUSES TO REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY 2 YEARS AGO, NOW ITS GETTING WORST AND I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO REPAIR IT. *TR
WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY ROAD, WHILE ACCELERATING MY ENGINE STARTED REVVING, AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE. I PULLED OVER SAFELY BUT WAS UNABLE TO PUSH THE CAR IN NEUTRAL. WHEN TURNING THE CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN, MY PRDNS ON DASH WAS FLASHING. THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD WHILE IN DRIVE OR BACKWARDS WHILE IN REVERSE. WHEN I PUT THE …
Read full complaint
WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY ROAD, WHILE ACCELERATING MY ENGINE STARTED REVVING, AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE. I PULLED OVER SAFELY BUT WAS UNABLE TO PUSH THE CAR IN NEUTRAL. WHEN TURNING THE CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN, MY PRDNS ON DASH WAS FLASHING. THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD WHILE IN DRIVE OR BACKWARDS WHILE IN REVERSE. WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL NOTHING HAPPENS. I HAVE SEEN THAT THERE ARE RECALLS ON 2007 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TRANSMISSIONS, BUT WONDERING IF THIS COULD BE PART OF THAT PROBLEM. *TR
PURCHASED A "PRE-OWNED CERTIFIED" 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA AFTER HITTING 90,000 MILES THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND CV BOOT NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR
AT HIGHWAY SPEED, CAR SUDDENLY WENT INTO NEUTRAL WITH A FLASHING PRNDS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND "PRESS BRAKE PEDAL" INDICATOR. ONCE PULLED OVER ON THE ROAD, CAR WOULD LOCK IN PARK AND WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. CAR HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS HAVING A FAULTY MECHATRONIC UNIT. PREVIOUS RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR 2009-2010 M…
Read full complaint
AT HIGHWAY SPEED, CAR SUDDENLY WENT INTO NEUTRAL WITH A FLASHING PRNDS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND "PRESS BRAKE PEDAL" INDICATOR. ONCE PULLED OVER ON THE ROAD, CAR WOULD LOCK IN PARK AND WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. CAR HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS HAVING A FAULTY MECHATRONIC UNIT. PREVIOUS RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR 2009-2010 MECHATRONICS FOR THE SAME ISSUE, BUT NOT THIS 2006. NHTSA ACTION NUMBER IS PE09035 AND RECALL NUMBER IS 09V333000 FOR THE 2009-2010 CARS. VOLKSWAGEN NEEDS TO REALIZE THE SCOPE IS FAR BROADER THAN JUST 2009-2010 CARS. THIS VEHICLE ALSO SUFFERS FROM THE DRIVER'S DOOR WIRING HARNESS FAILURE LIKE MANY OTHERS (UNABLE TO LOCK DOORS, OPERATE WINDOWS, ETC). *TR
ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN ABUNDANT IN THIS VEHICLE STARTING IN 2012. DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCKS WORK RANDOMLY. THE CAR RESPONDS TO THE KEYS RANDOMLY EVEN WITH A NEW BATTERY. ALARM WILL SOUND WHEN IT FAILS TO RESPOND TO KEY. OVER THE LAST YEAR LIGHTS GO OUT MONTHLY. SHIFTER ELECTRONICS FAILED. REPAIRED IN JUNE 2014. MECHANIC HAD …
Read full complaint
ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN ABUNDANT IN THIS VEHICLE STARTING IN 2012. DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCKS WORK RANDOMLY. THE CAR RESPONDS TO THE KEYS RANDOMLY EVEN WITH A NEW BATTERY. ALARM WILL SOUND WHEN IT FAILS TO RESPOND TO KEY. OVER THE LAST YEAR LIGHTS GO OUT MONTHLY. SHIFTER ELECTRONICS FAILED. REPAIRED IN JUNE 2014. MECHANIC HAD NO IDEA WHY IT WOULD GO OUT WHICH WAS CAUSE FOR MY CONCERN. *TR
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. *…
Read full complaint
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
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.
Illustration