Model year record

2006 Volkswagen Jetta recalls & problems

The 2006 Volkswagen Jetta has 6 safety recalls and 580 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (254 complaints).

Recalls6safety recalls

Complaints580filed by owners

Crashes · fires15 · 6reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths17 · 0reported in complaints

2006 Volkswagen Jetta in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Service brakes, hydraulicSep 23, 2020

Foundation components › Master cylinder

Recall 20E06400038 vehicles

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

Engine and engine coolingMar 7, 2014

Engine

Recall 14E00700050 vehicles

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

Fuel system, gasolineDec 10, 2010

Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 10V621000228,236 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 trainMay 19, 2009

Driveline › Driveshaft

Recall 09V16400025,594 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 lightingSep 24, 2007

Headlights

Recall 07V442000340,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

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.

VisibilityJun 25, 2007

Windshield wiper/washer

Recall 07V28400058,900 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2006 Volkswagen Jetta 4-DR. w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

2006 Volkswagen Jetta NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Jetta Diesel

33mpg combined

City / highway	30 / 37 mpg
Fuel	Diesel

1.9 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Jetta Diesel

33mpg combined

City / highway	30 / 38 mpg
Fuel	Diesel

1.9 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Jetta

25mpg combined

City / highway	22 / 29 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,300/year to fuel

Jetta

24mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 29 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,400/year to fuel

Jetta

22mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 5 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

Jetta

22mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 5 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Clutch assembly	254	2	3	2	68,000 mi
Electrical systemInstrument cluster/panel; Ignition	114	3	3	2	90,000 mi
Air bagsFrontal; Frontal › Driver clockspring/spiral cassette	65	11	0	11	85,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Diesel	55	0	0	0	65,500 mi
Engine	39	0	0	0	123,543 mi
Exterior lightingHeadlights; Brake lights	32	0	0	0	13,500 mi
SeatsFront assembly › Head restraint	25	0	4	4	106,500 mi
StructureBody; Body › Door	25	0	0	0	77,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc › Rotor; Foundation components › Disc › Pads	22	2	0	2	24,750 mi
VisibilityRearview mirrors/devices › Interior; Sun/moon roof assembly	19	0	0	0	46,600 mi
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal	18	1	0	0	52,000 mi
Unknown or other	16	0	0	0	126,000 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Engine
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 isnât an option or it slips After about 45 mins all the prnds lights turned on and did the same in manual mode.. I read someone itâs a valve body that leads to a faulty Tranny Iâve read almost 150 of the same exact accounts on here and Reddit With the same 2006 Vw Jetta 2.5 Itâs too common of an issue Most of them were under 100k miles and never dealt with by the manufacturer Myself my car has roughly 168k miles and Iâve been working to fix it up I just got it a month or so ago And now I have to deal…
Jul 3, 2023
Service brakes
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.
Nov 1, 2022
Service brakes, hydraulic
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 replaced. Soon after repair, the failure returned. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 20E064000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) which she linked to the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed her that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately…
Mar 1, 2020 · 110,000 miles
Power train
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.
May 27, 2021 · 156,000 miles
Service brakes
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT ON INDICATING REPAIR IS NEEDED.
Nov 5, 2020 · 109,000 miles
Electrical system
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?
May 1, 2020
Engine
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
Jan 1, 2020 · 150,000 miles
Air bags
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.
May 1, 2020

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.