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2006 Volkswagen JettaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 580 owner complaints about the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta, most often about the power train. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

2006 Volkswagen Jetta
28
CarFlaw IndexYear to avoid2.6× the Jetta median · #8 of 40 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints58035 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage68kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 15, 2023. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta has problems

580 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Power train2455
Electrical system1126
Air bags6511
Engine and engine cooling540
Engine390
Exterior lighting320
Seats256
Structure230
Service brakes, hydraulic212
20 other systems1436

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

4 recalls

2006 Volkswagen Jetta recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 10V-621 · Dec 10, 2010 · 228,236 vehicles

Risk. IF CHAFING OCCURS, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A FUEL LEAK TO DEVELOP.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Driveline: driveshaft

Recall 09V-164 · May 19, 2009 · 25,594 vehicles

Risk. IF THE VEHICLE IS MOVING WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE DETACHED DRIVESHAFT COULD CAUSE DAMAGE THE GEARBOX HOUSING.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Exterior lighting: headlights

Recall 07V-442 · Sep 24, 2007 · 340,000 vehicles

Risk. NONCOMPLIANCE CAN INHIBIT PROPER HEADLAMP AIM ADJUSTMENT FOR ROADWAY ILLUMINATION, IMPROPERLY AIMED HEADLAMPS COULD CAUSE REDUCED ROAD VISIBILITY, INCREASING…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer

Recall 07V-284 · Jun 25, 2007 · 58,900 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE CHAFING HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE A FUEL LEAK OVER TIME.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Volkswagen.

Mileage at failure

When do power train problems start?

68kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 234 power train complaints. 78% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
42under 30k miles182under 100k miles52100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs

What owners say repairs cost

Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.

Power train

41 owners mentioned a cost

$2,100median

Middle half: $1,800 – $2,700

Air bags

9 owners mentioned a cost

$400median

Middle half: $250 – $750

If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.

Best & worst years

2006 vs. every other Jetta year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Jetta median. How we score

'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2006 Volkswagen Jetta safety ratings

2006 Volkswagen Jetta 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2006 Volkswagen Jetta frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
2006 Volkswagen Jetta side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Stability control: Optional
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What Jetta owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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 read…
Complaint 11532411 · Jul 15, 2023
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…
Complaint 11419495 · Jun 3, 2021 · 156,000 miles
I HAVE A 2006 JETTA THAT I JUST GOT FROM A FRIEND, THEY STATED THAT IT NEEDED SOME SENSORS LIKE THE MAF REPLACED. I SPENT THE 39.99 AND BOUGHT THE CARFAX REPORT AS WELL TO ENSURE IT WAS A GOOD CAR. EVERYTHING WAS GREAT UNTIL I DROVE IT FOR THE FIRST TIME LONGER THAN 20 OR 30 MINUTES. I STARTED TO…
Complaint 11331181 · Jun 27, 2020 · 102,344 miles

Own a 2006 Jetta?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.