IllustrationAIRBAG/SEATBELT LIGHT CAME ON RANDOMLY WHILE CAR WAS OCCUPIED AND IN PARK. NO ACCIDENTS.
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
What owners actually said
580 reportsTRANSMISSION GOES INTO LIMP MODE ONCE VEHICLE REACHES NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. CODES ARE P1689 AND P0746. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE CAR WILL ONLY FUNCTION IN 2ND GEAR AND NOTHING ELSE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS ON INTERSTATES WHERE THE MINIMUM SPEED LIMIT CAN NOT BE REACHED. RESEARCHING ONLINE, THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND THE MECH…
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TRANSMISSION GOES INTO LIMP MODE ONCE VEHICLE REACHES NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. CODES ARE P1689 AND P0746. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE CAR WILL ONLY FUNCTION IN 2ND GEAR AND NOTHING ELSE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS ON INTERSTATES WHERE THE MINIMUM SPEED LIMIT CAN NOT BE REACHED. RESEARCHING ONLINE, THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND THE MECHATRONIC NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
CAR WILL NOT TURN OFF - KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN TURNING OFF THE ENGINE. HAVE TO PUSH THE STEERING WHEEL IN FORCEFULLY TO BE ABLE TO TURN KEY AND ENGINE OFF.
THE AIRBAG DRIVER IS NO WOKS..THE AIR BAG IS ON CHECK ALL TIME.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES WITHIN A YEAR. THE NEW BATTERY WAS REPLACED WITHIN A MONTH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE RADIO CAUSED THE BATTERY TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CAL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES WITHIN A YEAR. THE NEW BATTERY WAS REPLACED WITHIN A MONTH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE RADIO CAUSED THE BATTERY TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED YORK VOLKSWAGEN (3475 E MARKET ST, YORK, PA 17402, (717) 755-1015) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO GUARANTEE THAT THEY COULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE COULD NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE KEY FAILED TO INSERT INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR THE IGNITION FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 54,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
JETTA DRIVER SIDE DOOR WIRING HARNESS ISSUES CREATING THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS: DRIVER WINDOW SWITCH INOPERATIVE, FUEL DOOR SWITCH INOPERATIVE, DOOR AJAR LIGHT IS ON, DOOR LACK SWITCH INOPERATIVE. VEHICLE IS PARKED WHEN THIS PROBLEMS ARE PRESENT. THERE HAS BEEN TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ISSUED TO SOME 2006 JETTA OWNERS BUT N…
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JETTA DRIVER SIDE DOOR WIRING HARNESS ISSUES CREATING THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS: DRIVER WINDOW SWITCH INOPERATIVE, FUEL DOOR SWITCH INOPERATIVE, DOOR AJAR LIGHT IS ON, DOOR LACK SWITCH INOPERATIVE. VEHICLE IS PARKED WHEN THIS PROBLEMS ARE PRESENT. THERE HAS BEEN TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ISSUED TO SOME 2006 JETTA OWNERS BUT NO TO EVERYONE BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM. AN EXAMPLE OF THIS CAN BE FOUND HERE: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=P1EQ5XL-ZPM THIS PERFECTLY DESCRIBES THE ISSUES MENTIONED ABOVE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO WALLACE VOLKSWAGEN OF JOHNSON CITY …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO WALLACE VOLKSWAGEN OF JOHNSON CITY (3101 E OAKLAND AVE, JOHNSON CITY, TN 37601, (423) 952-0888) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION AND I CANNOT TURN OFF THE ENGINE
CAR CAN SPUTTER ON FREEWAY AT TIMES AND CAN STALL OUT WHEN DECELERATING FROM FREEWAY CRUISING SPEED. FUEL LINES ARE EMPTY DESPITE HAVING REPLACED FUEL PUMP AND FILTER, AS WELL AS WIRING HARNESS.
APRIL 12, 2019 AIRBAG LIGHT APPEARED. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SERVICE CENTER OF THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP CAR WAS PURCHASED AT. AFTER DIAGNOSIS THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT TESTED FAULTY WHICH COULD BE RENDERING THE AIRBAG INOPERABLE. THE PARTS NEEDED TO BE ORDERED IN ORDER TO REPAIR IT AT A SECOND APPOINTMENT. CONCERNING THAT …
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APRIL 12, 2019 AIRBAG LIGHT APPEARED. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SERVICE CENTER OF THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP CAR WAS PURCHASED AT. AFTER DIAGNOSIS THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT TESTED FAULTY WHICH COULD BE RENDERING THE AIRBAG INOPERABLE. THE PARTS NEEDED TO BE ORDERED IN ORDER TO REPAIR IT AT A SECOND APPOINTMENT. CONCERNING THAT THE DEALERSHIPS DON'T CARRY PARTS THAT COULD AFFECT THE SAFETY FEATURES OF THE JETTA IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THIS JETTA HAS NEVER HAD THE AIRBAGS DEPLOY OR ANY ISSUES WITH THE SEAT BELTS UNTIL NOW.
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.