2006 Volkswagen Golf: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 12 owner complaints on record; most reports concern engine and engine cooling.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 volkswagen golf. The contact stated that the air bag clockspring failed. As a result, the driver's air bag would not to deploy in the event of a crash due to lack of electricity. The vehicle was taken to schumacher volkswagen (3001 okeechobee boulevard, west palm beach, fl 33409) where it was diagnosed that the clockspring failed. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in the manufacturer warranted clockspring repair. The manufacturer also advised that the repair was covered for a three year warranty and 36,000 miles. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 119,390.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2019
“Electrical system for hatch door stops working. Hatch will not close. Is a common issue and needs to be fixed at the manufacturer's expense.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2018
“The front hood latch and locking mechanism has a design error that makes it difficult to close and lock the hood. The hood latch and locking mechanical parts in my opinoin needs to be modified to work correctly. Car hoods need to be secured and lock properly for the safe operation of a vehicles. I am unable to driver the vehicle because the hood will not close.”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 volkswagen golf. While driving approximately 55 mph, the hood of the vehicle unlatched without warning and shattered the windshield. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the windshield, hood, and other unknown components needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that they were unwilling to pay for the repair. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Dec 2015
“2006 vw golf tdi 70k miles of normal driving conditions in illinois. Failure of both driver and passenger side coil springs within 6 weeks of each other. In each case the coil spring broke towards the end. At the top on one side, on the bottom on the other side. Coil springs are generally fairly sturdy under normal driving conditions. Could there have been a manufacture defect? (the failed springs to not appear to be corroded at the failure point, looks more like clean snap.) *tr”Owner report · Suspension · May 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 volkswagen golf. The contact stated that the rear passenger seat belt stitching began to unravel. The dealer and manufacturer were notified but denied any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 107,000 and current mileage was 112,000. Updated 08/15/11 *bf updated 08/24/11”Owner report · Seat Belts · May 2011
“Tl*the contact owns a 2006 volkswagen golf. The contact stated that the vehicle idles when the accelerator pedal is depressed to the floor. The failure causes the vehicle to stall while the engine is still running. He also stated that the vehicle does not respond to the fuel injection. The dealer has not offered much assistance. The VIN and failure mileage were unknown. The current mileage is 21,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Other · Jul 2007
“I was rear ended while my car was at a dead stop. The pick up truck behind me hit me going at an estimated speed of 50 mph causing me to hit the car in front of me. Both my front and rear end of my car suffered severe damages, but my air bag did not deploy and my seat came unlocked and caused me to smash into my steering wheel and dashboard. *jb”Owner report · Equipment · Mar 2007
“Tl*- the contact owns a 2006 vw golf 16000 and stopping and pressing on the accelerator the vehicle revved up, but did not move. The contact said that it didn't happen all of the time, and the weather conditions have not been a factor. The contact took the car to the dealer they made an adjustment, but the contact felt that itwas worse now. *ak”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2007
“Speedometer provides an incorrect reading by german law. This reading is off by 1-10 mph, and is a safety hazard. It is also easily fixed. *jb”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Feb 2006
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.
Remedy: CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2007, AND WILL BE CONDUCTED IN SEVERAL STAGGERED MAILINGS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21, 2007. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2006 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Golf by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Volkswagen Golf reliable?
NHTSA has 12 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2006 Volkswagen Golf. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling.
Does the 2006 Volkswagen Golf have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling:engine. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.