NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
580 reports98,931 miles · Aug 4, 2011
Power Train
THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL HAS FAILED ON MY CAR. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED AT HIGH SPEED IT COULD CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE TO SEIZE THUS LOCKING THE FRONT WHEELS AND CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL/SERIOUS VEHICLE DAMAGE. THERE IS WIDESPREAD INFORMATION ABOUT THIS ON THE INTERNET DOCUMENTING THE FAILURES, SOME OF WHICH HAVE DESTR…
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THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL HAS FAILED ON MY CAR. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED AT HIGH SPEED IT COULD CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE TO SEIZE THUS LOCKING THE FRONT WHEELS AND CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL/SERIOUS VEHICLE DAMAGE. THERE IS WIDESPREAD INFORMATION ABOUT THIS ON THE INTERNET DOCUMENTING THE FAILURES, SOME OF WHICH HAVE DESTROYED THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE IN THE PROCESS. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HASN'T ISSUED A RECALL . I AM FORCED TO REPLACE THIS PART MYSELF SINCE VW WILL NOT COVER THIS PART DESPITE THE FACT THAT THEY NOW HAVE AN UPGRADED REPLACEMENT PART AS THEY KNOW THE ORIGINAL IS DEFECTIVE. CST TO REPAIR AT DEALERSHIP $1600. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10417033
90,000 miles · Jul 29, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER HAVING HER TRANSMISSION FLUSHED BY THE DEALER, THEY NOTIFIED HER THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER SHIFT INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HER THAT SHE WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER HAVING HER TRANSMISSION FLUSHED BY THE DEALER, THEY NOTIFIED HER THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER SHIFT INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HER THAT SHE WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION SINCE IT WAS FAULTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.
NHTSA ODI #10416262
76,000 miles · Jul 29, 2011
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDOWS AND DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK, AND THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT ROLL UP OR DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT INDICATED THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE DRIVERS DOOR WIRING HARNESS. THE WIRES WERE TO SHORT AND CAUSED THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDOWS AND DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK, AND THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT ROLL UP OR DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT INDICATED THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE DRIVERS DOOR WIRING HARNESS. THE WIRES WERE TO SHORT AND CAUSED THE WIRING RUBBER BOOT, DOOR LOCKS, AND WINDOWS TO FAIL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR WIRING HARNESS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
NHTSA ODI #10415592
90,000 miles · Jul 20, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE ENGINE IN OUR 2006 TDI DSG BEGAN TO EXHIBIT ROUGH IDLING. AT A CERTAIN POINT IT BECAME EVIDENT SOMETHING WAS WRONG. THE VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED BY A VW DEALERSHIP AT THE SPECIFIED INTERVALS (I CALL THEM THE $400 OIL CHANGES). I COULD HEAR WHAT SOUNDED LIKE AN INTAKE VALVE POPPING AND COULD FEEL A PULSATION IN THE TU…
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THE ENGINE IN OUR 2006 TDI DSG BEGAN TO EXHIBIT ROUGH IDLING. AT A CERTAIN POINT IT BECAME EVIDENT SOMETHING WAS WRONG. THE VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED BY A VW DEALERSHIP AT THE SPECIFIED INTERVALS (I CALL THEM THE $400 OIL CHANGES). I COULD HEAR WHAT SOUNDED LIKE AN INTAKE VALVE POPPING AND COULD FEEL A PULSATION IN THE TURBO INTAKE HOSE. I CHECKED ON SOME OF THE FORUMS AND WAS SHOCKED TO LEARN OF THE EARLY CAMSHAFT FAILURE PROBLEM COMMON TO THE PD ENGINES. IT SEEMS THAT VW NARROWED UP THE INTAKE AND EXHAUST CAM LOBES BY ABOUT 30% TO MAKE ROOM FOR THE INJECTOR LOBE, AND TRIED TO COMPENSATE FOR THIS INADEQUATE DESIGN BY MANDATING "SPECIAL" OIL (WHICH I CAN ONLY HOPE OUR DEALER USED EACH TIME THE OIL WAS CHANGED). IT TURNS OUT THOUGH, THAT A CRITICAL CAN WEAR ADDITIVE IN THIS OIL, ZDDP, IN SUFFICIENT QUANTITIES CAN CAUSE EARLY FAILURE OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER (AN ITEM WHICH HAS A LONGER WARRANTY PERIOD THAN THE ENGINE). IT SEEMS THAT THE ZDDP ONLY EXISTS IN SUFFICIENT QUANTITY IN VW "SPECIAL" OIL TO GET THROUGH THE ENGINE WARRANTY PERIOD, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME PROTECTING THE CONVERTER FROM WARRANTY FAILURE. I BOUGHT AN AFTER MARKET CAM KIT AND INSTALLED IT MYSELF, SAVING NEARLY $3000 IN THE PROCESS. SINCE THEN WE'VE PUT ANOTHER 60K MILES, USING MOBIL TD TRUCK 5W40 OIL... SO FAR SO GOOD. I THINK THIS WHOLE SITUATION IS DISGRACEFUL AT BEST AND VW SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL PD CAMSHAFT FAILURES TO A PERIOD SIGNIFICANTLY LONGER THAN THE 80,000 KM WARRANTY. THE PRIMARY REASON WE PAID 32K FOR A COMPACT SEDAN WAS THE REPUTED LONGEVITY OF THE DIESEL ENGINE. THIS FAILURE, ALONG WITH THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL FIASCO HAS MADE OUR PURCHASE OF THIS SILVER COLORED LEMON ANYTHING BUT A GOOD INVESTMENT. UNTIL VW FACES UP TO THEIR MORAL RESPONSIBILITIES IN THIS MATTER I WOULD CAUTION ANYONE CONSIDERING THIS MAKE OF VEHICLE. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10413798
21,000 miles · Jul 14, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO INTERMITTENTLY HESITATE TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO INTERMITTENTLY HESITATE TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
NHTSA ODI #10412292
64,346 miles · Jul 6, 2011
Electrical System
ELECTRICAL HARNESS IN PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LEADS TO INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL FAILURES THAT CAN LEAD TO SAFETY ISSUES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10410697
131,000 miles · Jun 30, 2011
Power Train
I HAVE A 2006.5 JETTA TDI WITH A DSG TRANSMISSION AND 130,000 MILES. MY CAR HAS HAD ALL TRANSMISSION SERVICE COMPLETED AT THE DEALERSHIP. MY INCIDENT BEGAN AT A RED LIGHT. WHEN I WENT TO HIT THE GAS, MY CAR DID NOT MOVE. THE ENGINE REVVED BUT NOTHING. I TURNED THE CAR OFF. ONCE I STARTED IT AGAIN, I WAS ABLE TO GET TO MY DESTIN…
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I HAVE A 2006.5 JETTA TDI WITH A DSG TRANSMISSION AND 130,000 MILES. MY CAR HAS HAD ALL TRANSMISSION SERVICE COMPLETED AT THE DEALERSHIP. MY INCIDENT BEGAN AT A RED LIGHT. WHEN I WENT TO HIT THE GAS, MY CAR DID NOT MOVE. THE ENGINE REVVED BUT NOTHING. I TURNED THE CAR OFF. ONCE I STARTED IT AGAIN, I WAS ABLE TO GET TO MY DESTINATION. WHEN I WENT TO LEAVE, IT DID IT AGAIN AT A STOP SIGN. I WAS AGAIN ABLE TO TURN OFF MY CAR AND RESTART. IT MOVED APPROXIMATELY 20 FT INTO INTERSECTION, THEN NOTHING. I TURNED IF OFF TWO MORE TIMES AND FINALLY MADE IT THROUGH INTERSECTION (APPROXIMATELY 40 FT THROUGH). WHILE IN DRIVE (GOING APPROX. 20 MPH), THE CAR SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, ALL LIGHTS ON INSTRUMENT PANEL WERE BLINKING, JUST AS BEFORE. I SAT FOR A FEW MINUTES, THEN I TRIED TO DRIVE HOME AGAIN IN THE MANUAL GEAR SHIFTING MODE. I MADE IT APPROXIMATELY 1/2 MILE WHEN IT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AGAIN (GOING APPROX. 40 MPH) AND LIGHTS BLINKING. I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE ME TO THE DEALERSHIP. HEAVEN FORBID I HAD BEEN GOING FASTER AND THIS HAPPENED OR SOMEONE HAD HIT ME IN THE INTERSECTION AS I TRIED TO TURN ACROSS TRAFFIC. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A RECALL FOR 2007-2009 TRANSMISSIONS AND EXTENDED WARRANTY. I SUGGEST EXPANDING THIS TO INCLUDE ALL MODELS WITH DSG TRANSMISSIONS SINCE THEY OBVIOUSLY HAVE DANGEROUS RELIABILITY PROBLEMS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10410131
Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA COOLING FAN STOPPED WORKING AT JUST OVER 50K MILES AND 2 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY. VW OF AMERICA WILL NOT COVER THIS (AS IT IT OUT OF WARRANTY). IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FOR MANY CUSTOMERS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10405609
61,144 miles · Jun 1, 2011
Power Train
OUR VW HAS A DSG TRANSMISSION. WE HAVE HEARD A STRANGE SOUND SINCE ABOUT OCTOBER, 2010. IT WAS FINALLY DIAGNOSED AS A DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL FAILURE. THE DEALER REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING. VW FINALLY AGREED TO PAY FOR 1/2 THE REPAIR PARTS AND WE HAD TO PAY ALL OF THE LABOR. WE OBTAINED DATA ON THE INTERNET THAT DUE TO PROBLEMS WITH…
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OUR VW HAS A DSG TRANSMISSION. WE HAVE HEARD A STRANGE SOUND SINCE ABOUT OCTOBER, 2010. IT WAS FINALLY DIAGNOSED AS A DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL FAILURE. THE DEALER REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING. VW FINALLY AGREED TO PAY FOR 1/2 THE REPAIR PARTS AND WE HAD TO PAY ALL OF THE LABOR. WE OBTAINED DATA ON THE INTERNET THAT DUE TO PROBLEMS WITH THIS DSG TRANSMISSION, VW HAD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON ALL DSG OR S-TRONIC TRANSMISSIONS FOR 10 YEARS/100K MILES. THE DEALER TOLD US WE WERE WRONG! WE BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE A VW WITH A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION AND ASK THAT YOU REQUIRE VW TO MAKE THE REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY AND THAT YOU, PLEASE, ADD THIS COMPLAINT TO THOSE THAT YOU MAY ALREADY HAVE.
NHTSA ODI #10404930
Mileage unknown · May 29, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
I TOOK MY 2006 VW JETTA TDI, 5 SP, 40K MILES TO THE VW DEALERSHIP FOR ITS 40K SERVICE ON 5/27/11. AFTER THE SERVICE WAS COMPLETED, I STARTED THE CAR AND NOTICED IT WAS RUNNING VERY ROUGH (THE CAR WASN'T RUNNING ROUGH WHEN I DROPPED IT OFF FOR SERVICE). MY SERVICE REP TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN WHO CHECKED ALL T…
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I TOOK MY 2006 VW JETTA TDI, 5 SP, 40K MILES TO THE VW DEALERSHIP FOR ITS 40K SERVICE ON 5/27/11. AFTER THE SERVICE WAS COMPLETED, I STARTED THE CAR AND NOTICED IT WAS RUNNING VERY ROUGH (THE CAR WASN'T RUNNING ROUGH WHEN I DROPPED IT OFF FOR SERVICE). MY SERVICE REP TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN WHO CHECKED ALL THE FILTERS AND RE-BLED THE FUEL FILTER TO REMOVE ANY AIR BUBBLES THAT MAY HAVE BEEN TRAPPED, WHICH DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN TOOK THE COVER OFF THE ENGINE AND IDENTIFIED THE THAT THE CAMSHAFT IS WEARING. MAINTENANCE ON THIS CAR IS COMPLETED EVERY 5K MILES AND SERVICED BY THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS PURCHASED FROM.
NHTSA ODI #10404759
Official recalls
4Dec 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.
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.
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.
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 ↗