2006 Volkswagen Jetta: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 580 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (38% of complaints); the 2004 and 2005 and 2007 and 2008 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Sep 2020
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 580 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Nov 2022
“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 manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The contact was referred to the NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 156,000.”Owner report · Power Train · May 2021
“The driver's side window stopped working. The problem was traced back to a faulty wiring harness in the door hinge. This is a very common vw issue, and many other online complaints reference a wire harness that is too short. I repaired the severed wires with butt connectors. After the repair was completed, the airbag light came on. I inspected the whole airbag system (connectors, wiring, fuses, etc.) to no avail. The airbag light is still illuminated on the dashboard. Again, others have complained of this same issue when fixing a vw's window (I.e., fix the window and the airbag light illuminates). The two issues should not be connected, and this is a major safety concern for me.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“There has been tampering done to my vehicle how do I assure safety and have it investigated and have a repair man look over the vehicle after the theft?”Owner report · Suspension · May 2020
“There is vacuum pump defect, mechanical engine mounting brackets, breaks, hoses/pumps, windshield fluid mounted houses near windshield (fluid sprays through these houses on to the windshield) and key ignition interlock. Please call audi for the full description of defective parts and required maintenance. Was driving vehicle heard a loud pop or breaking noise and the vehicle would not operate stiffening the steering wheel. Auto was stolen and came back with loud screeching noise. Unknown.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2020
“There are some mounting brackets, suspension brackets, nuts and bolts associated to the operation of the vehicle that have broke more than once please contact me and I will give u further detail.[xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).. *tr”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jan 2020
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2019
“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.”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2019
“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.”Owner report · Power Train · May 2019
“Takata recall ignition switch was locked. Vehicle was stationary and when turning key it wouldn't turn. Car was in park and foot on brakes and turn of the stirring wheel didn't get it to turn. Had to get towed and the full ignition switch replaced.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2019
When filing, owners marked a crash in 15 of these complaints and injuries in 17 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Jetta 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 Jetta reliable?
NHTSA has 580 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta. The most complained-about area is power train (38% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2006 Volkswagen Jetta problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 74,000 miles or less.
Does the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder. 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.