VehicleVerdict

2006 Volkswagen Jetta problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 792 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.7 times the median Jetta year — the 2006 model ranks #6 of 47 Jetta years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 28 injuries in total across these filings.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 254 reports (32% of the total).

792

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

21

Crash-involved

10

Fires reported

28

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Jetta years?

See all Jetta years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Volkswagen Jetta problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission25432%
Electrical System12115%
Engine9412%
Airbags658%
Lighting354%
Brakes324%
Visibility & Wipers253%
Seats253%
Body & Structure253%
Fuel System243%
Other213%
Speed Control182%
Latches & Locks142%
Seat Belts111%
Tires & Wheels101%
Steering101%
Suspension71%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

20E064000BrakesSeptember 23, 2020 · 38 units

Defect

Tenneco Automotive (Tenneco) is recalling certain Beck/Arnley Master Cylinders, part number 072-9831, sold as aftermarket or replacement parts for 2004-2018 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2012-2019 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles. The fluid seal crimp on the master cylinder may be insufficient, causing brake fluid to leak or the cylinder to come apart.

Consequence

If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Beck/Arnley will notify the distributors that sold the master cylinders and will work with the distributors to notify the end users. Affected master cylinders will be exchanged for a new master cylinder (part number 072-9990), free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact Tenneco customer service at 1-800-625-9319.

14E007000EngineMarch 7, 2014 · 50 units

Defect

The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.

Consequence

A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy

Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.

10V621000Fuel SystemDecember 10, 2010 · 228,236 units

Defect

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

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.

09V164000TransmissionMay 19, 2009 · 25,594 units

Defect

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

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.

07V442000LightingSeptember 24, 2007 · 340,000 units

Defect

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

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.

07V284000Visibility & WipersJune 25, 2007 · 58,900 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

BEEN TO MULTIPLE DEALERSHIPS CLAIMING IN FOX VALLEY IL ROCKFORD IL GLENVIEW IL THAT EITHER MY MECHUNIT IS BAD/FAULTY OR DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL IS BAD/FAULTY. WAS DRIVING WHERE EITHER MY CAR WOULD SHIFT VERY ROUGH AS IF SOMEONE WHO IS VERY INEXPERIENCED WOULD LET GO OF THE CLUTCH LATE AND SHIFT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 18, 2014 · crash

I WAS ACCELERATING FROM A STOP SIGN AND I HEARD A NOTIFICATION "BEEP" ON MY CAR'S DASHBOARD. I LOOKED DOWN TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG AND SUDDENLY MY STEERING LOCKED UP ON ME. HAVING NO CONTROL OF MY CAR, I DRIFTED INTO A CAR PARKED ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE STREET, CAUSING MY CAR TO FLIP OVER. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 24, 2013 · crash

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 15, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A NEARBY TRUCK CAUSING THE CONTACTS VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER, HOWEVER THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING OR AFTER THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES.THE VIN…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 25, 2010 · crash

MY VW DEALER TELLS ME THAT THE HIGH AND LOW HEADLIGHTS CANNOT BE ADJUSTED SEPARATELY ON MY 2006 JETTA. THE LOW BEAMS ILLUMINATE THE ROAD FOR ABOUT 100 FEET AND THE HIGH BEAMS ONLY ILLUMINATE THE TREE TOPS. I CANNOT SEE THE ROAD SAFELY TO DRIVE WITH ANY COMBINATION. THEY HAVE ADJUSTED THE BEAMS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · July 17, 2006

2006 Volkswagen Jetta — common questions

Is the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 792 complaints put the 2006 model at #6 of 47 Jetta years. It is one of the Jetta years to avoid.

What are the most common 2006 Jetta problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (254 complaints), electrical system (121 complaints), engine (94 complaints).

Does the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Volkswagen Jetta years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Jetta years to avoid are 2009, 2010, 2002, 2011, 2001, 2006, 2019, 2013, 2012, 2000, 2003, 2014, 1999, 2005, 1995. The cleanest record among Jetta years belongs to 1983.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.