2006 Volkswagen Jetta Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Jul 15, 2023 · 580 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Jetta years
Far more complaints than other years 6th of 32 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 580 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta. That ranks 6th out of 32 Jetta model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is power train (245 complaints, 42%), typically at around 68,000 miles. Complaints mention 15 crashes, 6 fires, 17 injuries. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year.

Volkswagen Jetta
A 2025 Volkswagen Jetta SEL photographed in Flushing, Queens , New York, USA. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2006 Volkswagen Jetta problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Power Train245 · ~68,000 mi
Electrical System112 · ~90,000 mi
Air Bags65 · ~85,000 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling54 · ~64,000 mi
Engine39 · ~123,543 mi
Exterior Lighting32 · ~13,500 mi
Seats25 · ~106,500 mi
Structure23 · ~79,000 mi
Service Brakes, Hydraulic21 · ~27,500 mi
Vehicle Speed Control18 · ~52,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Power Train problems24542%68,000“dual mass” (22%)$3,250
Electrical System problems11219%90,000“wiring harness” (26%)—
Air Bags problems6511%85,000“air bag” (48%)$360
Engine and Engine Cooling problems549%64,000“dual mass” (9%)—
Engine397%123,543——
Exterior Lighting326%13,500——
Seats254%106,500——
Structure234%79,000——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic214%27,500——
Vehicle Speed Control183%52,000——
Visibility183%43,000——
Unknown or Other163%126,000——
Latches/locks/linkages142%76,500——
Fuel System, Diesel102%69,250——
Seat Belts102%73,000——
Steering102%51,000——
Fuel/propulsion System92%134,500——
Tires81%25,500——
Suspension71%3,700——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)61%110,000——
Equipment61%20,000——
Visibility/wiper61%150,000——
Fuel System, Gasoline51%41,000——
Service Brakes51%109,000——
Interior Lighting31%78,000——
Parking Brake31%10,010——
Wheels20%32,104——
Equipment Adaptive/mobility10%115,000——
Service Brakes, Air10%19,247——
Service Brakes, Electric10%60,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2011, with 76 complaints
2005: 3200532006: 46462007: 602007602008: 53532009: 572009572010: 71712011: 762011762012: 47472013: 262013262014: 53532015: 212015212016: 19192017: 8201782018: 15152019: 132019132020: 882021: 2202122022: 112023: 120231

n = 580 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2006 Volkswagen Jetta recalls (4)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsDec 10, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V621000 · 228,236 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Power train:driveline:driveshaftMay 19, 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V164000 · 25,594 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Exterior lighting:headlightsSep 24, 2007 · NHTSA campaign 07V442000 · 340,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: Noncompliance can inhibit proper headlamp aim adjustment for roadway illumination, improperly aimed headlamps could cause reduced road visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Visibility:windshield wiper/washerJun 25, 2007 · NHTSA campaign 07V284000 · 58,900 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

So it appears to be fine until about 30/45 mins drive time Then it starts shifting/slamming real hard and hesitates to shift in the next gear To the point where stopping and going isn’t an option or it slips After about 45 mins all the prnds lights turned on and did the same in manual mode.. I…

Engine · received Jul 15, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11532411

The windshield wiper broke the window, brakes need replaced to soon, fuel system car has trouble fueling and after fueling and engine over heating due to engine cooling malfunction. None of these have been repaired yet it shows 0 unprepared recalls.

Service Brakes · received Nov 27, 2022 · NHTSA complaint 11495054

The contact owns a 2006 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that brake fluid had leaked from her vehicle as the check engine light illuminated the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where she was informed that the brake master cylinder needed to be…

Service Brakes, Hydraulic · received Oct 28, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11438500

The contact owns a 2006 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the transmission shuddered without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The…

Power Train · received Jun 3, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11419495

Anti-lock brake light on indicating repair is needed.

Service Brakes · received Dec 28, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11385195

Other Volkswagen Jetta years

← 2005 Jetta · 2007 Jetta →

See all Volkswagen Jetta problems by year, every Volkswagen model, or the Volkswagen VIN decoder.

Similar Volkswagen models

Embed this 2006 Volkswagen Jetta badge on your site

Copy this code into your blog or forum post. It shows live complaint and recall counts and links back here.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta?

Owners most often report power train, electrical system, air bags problems. The top one, power train, accounts for 245 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta?

Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Jetta model years, the 2006 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.