2006 Volkswagen Jetta
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 580 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 6th highest complaint count among 26 Jetta model years with reports.
Of the 2006 reports, 15 involved a crash and 6 involved a fire. 17 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, master cylinderSep 23, 2020
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.
If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 20E064000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engineMar 7, 2014
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.
A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
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.
Campaign 14E007000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsDec 10, 2010
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 10V621000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, driveline, driveshaftMay 19, 2009
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 09V164000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsSep 24, 2007
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.
NONCOMPLIANCE CAN INHIBIT PROPER HEADLAMP AIM ADJUSTMENT FOR ROADWAY ILLUMINATION, IMPROPERLY AIMED HEADLAMPS COULD CAUSE REDUCED ROAD VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
Campaign 07V442000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, windshield wiper/washerJun 25, 2007
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 07V284000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
65 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Feb 4, 2010, crash
THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON MY 2006 VW JETTA CAME ON DURING 2006. I NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FROM VW OF A DEFECT BUT WHEN BRINGING MY CAR IN FOR MAINTENANCE, THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS A "NOTICE" OF A DEFECT IN THE UNDERSEAT SENSOR AND/OR WIRING. ON 6/27/06 MY CAR HAD A DRIVER SIDE FRONT IN CRASH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF. THE BODY SHOP SAID THAT THERE WAS PROBABLY NOT ENOUGH DAMAGE TO SET OFF THE AIRBAGS. SHORTLY AFTER GETTING MY CAR OUT OF THE SHOP (2+ MONTHS BECAUSE VW PARTS ARE NOT READILY AVAILABLE) THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS BACK ON. I'VE BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR MAINTENANCE AT THE VW DEALER BUT THEY HAVE NEVER MENTIONED THE AIRBAG LIGHT WHICH IS PLAIN SIGHT. I WORRY ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY, FRIENDS AND MYSELF. TO ADD INSULT, THE ELECTRONIC SWITCH ON THE TRUNK OPERATES OFF AND ON, THE TRUNK DOES NOT LATCH UNLESS SLAMMED REPEATEDLY, AND WITHIN THE LAST WEEK THE DRIVER'S ELECTRIC WINDOW HAS CEASED TO FUNCTION. *TR
Air bags, Aug 20, 2009
THE CAR AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES RANDOMLY. DEALER INDICATES SYSTEM MUST BE RESET FOR A CHARGE OF $80 EACH TIME. DEALER REFUSES TO REPAIR PROBLEM UNDER WARRANTY. AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Air bags, Jul 31, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH OF THE AIR BAG LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE MIDDLE CONSOLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PASSENGER OCCUPANCY MODULE PRODUCED A FAULTY CODE, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE SEAT, SENSOR PAD, AND MODULE NEEDED TO BE REMOVED. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT NUMEROUS OTHER CONSUMERS WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE. HE BELIEVES THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED. THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 08/28/09. *LJ THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THERE WAS A LOW VOLTAGE SIGNAL SENT FROM THE BATTERY THAT CAUSED A MALFUNCTION IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE. UPDATED 08/31/09.*JB
Air bags, Jul 29, 2009
AIR BAG DEFAULT- TO MANY TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE BACK IN SEPTEMBER OF 2006. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR IN 6 TIMES ON 11/06, 1/07, 9/08, 10/08, 12/08 AND 7/09. 5 TIMES TO VW OF HAYWARD AND 1 TIME TO MODESTO VW. I FEEL MY LIFE IS ALWAYS AT RISK NOT KNOWING IF MY AIRBAGS WILL WORK IF I AM IN A CAR ACCIDENT.*TR
Air bags, Jun 30, 2009
NOTHING SPECIFICALLY HAPPENED LEADING UP TO THE EVENT BUT AT AROUND 52000 MILES. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG ON/OFF INDICATOR WOULD NO LONGER SHOW THAT ANYONE WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE ORANGE/YELLOW AIRBAG LIGHT ALSO HAS BEEN ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY SINCE THEN. I HAD THE DEALER RUN DIAGNOSTICS IN IT TO DETERMINE THE ERROR CODE. INITIALLY THEY SAID THAT IT WAS A FAULTY CONNECTOR IN THE WIRING, BUT THAT WAS DISCOVERED TO NOT ACTUALLY BE THE CAUSE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE A FAULTY WEIGHT SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. BE AGREED TO COVER THE LABOR ON IT AT FIRST WHEN IT WAS THOUGHT TO BE A FAULTY WIRING CONNECTOR BUT WHEN IT WAS FOUND TO BE THE WEIGHT SENSOR THEY HAVE NOT RETURNED THE DEALERS CALLS. *TR
Air bags, Jun 16, 2009
THE BATTERY CURRENT WAS LOW IN MY 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA AND IT CAUSED A FAULT CODE. THE DEALER IS SAYING 3,500 DOLLARS TO FIX THIS. THE FAULT CODE IS MAKING MY AIRBAGS NOT WORK. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Air bags, Sep 12, 2008
STEERING WHEEL IS FAILING ELECTRICALLY. AIR BAG FAULT IN PASSENGER SIDE, NO HORN OR OTHER WHEEL CONTROLS. REAL/UNREALIZED SAFETY HAZARD(S) DUE TO NON WORKING ELECTRONICS IN STEERING WHEEL. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Jun 26, 2008
I HAVE A 2006 VW JETTA TDI WITH APPROXIMATELY 70,000 MILES ON IT. THIS AUTO WAS PURCHASED TO BE USED PRIMARILY AS A COMMUTER CAR FOR MY WIFE AND I. LAST WEEK WE SUDDENLY STARTED SEEING THE DASHBOARD WARNING "AIR BAG FAULT". UPON TAKING IT TO THE LOCAL VWOA DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THIS INVESTIGATED WE WERE INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A VWOA TECHNICAL BULLETIN (THAT EVIDENTLY HAD BEEN OUT FOR SOME TIME) WHICH INDICATED THAT SOME CONNECTOR(S) LOCATED UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT THAT ARE RELATED TO THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS NOT A MAINTENANCE ITEM NOR ANYTHING THAT WE COULD HAVE CAUSED BUT VWOA IS INDICATING THAT DUE TO THE AUTO NOT BEING WITHIN THE WARRANTY (4 YEAR AND/OR 50,000 MILES AS WE'VE BEEN TOLD) THAT WE WILL NOW HAVE TO PAY APPROXIMATELY $400 TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED. WE WERE FURTHER INFORMED BY THE VWOA SERVICE THAT WITHOUT THIS REPAIR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS CONSIDERED TO BE IN AN "UNSTABLE STATE" AND COULD POTENTIALLY NOT ACTIVATE THE AIRBAG WHEN NEEDED OR POSSIBLY ACTIVATE AT AN INAPPROPRIATE TIME. THE VW DEALER ALSO SAID THAT VWOA CONSIDERS THIS TO BE SO UNSAFE THAT THEY ISSUE A FREE RENTAL AND REQUIRE THE REPAIR TO BE MADE BEFORE RELEASING THE AUTO AGAIN....BUT ONLY IF YOU'RE UNDER WARRANTY. VWOA DID MANAGE TO COME THROUGH WITH SOME "GOOD WILL ASSISTANCE" (THEIR WORDS) BY PROVIDING $200 TOWARDS THE REPAIR. THIS AIRBAG ISSUE HAS BEEN A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE 2006 VW JETTA (MAYBE OTHER YEARS AS WELL I'M NOT SURE) FOR SOME TIME. VWOA INDICATES THAT THIS ISSUE IS NOT A MAJOR CONCERN AND IS THEREFORE NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. I HAVE READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON NHTSA AND OTHER SITES THAT SEEM TO INDICATE THAT THIS IS A LARGER ISSUE THAN VWOA STATES. I THINK A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED DUE TO THE OBVIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS INVOLVED WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. HOPEFULLY THERE WILL BE BEFORE ANY INJURIES AND/OR FATALITIES OCCUR. *TR
Air bags, Apr 6, 2008
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE SEATBELT LIGHT HAS COME ON AND STAYED ON. THE FIRST TIME VWOA REPAIRED WIRING UNDER MY SEAT AT 49,000 MILES. THE LIGHT IS NOW ON AGAIN, LESS THAN ONE YEAR LATER AND THEY WILL NOT REPAIR IT UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE I HAVE MORE THAN 12,000 MILE SINCE REPAIR. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE COVERED REGARDLESS OF TIME. SAFETY IS THE PRIORITY AND IF VWOA HAS A SAFETY DEFECT THEY NEED TO STAND BEHIND IT. *TR
Air bags, Nov 15, 2007
AFTER 3 MONTHS OF DRIVING MY NEW JETTA, THE AIRBAG LIGHT TURN ON AND STAYED ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY FIXED IT. OVER THE NEXT YEAR THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON 6 TIMES. ONCE IT TURNED ON BEFORE I EVEN LEFT THE DEALERSHIPS PARKING LOT. AND YES THE LEMON LAW APPLIES IN THIS CASE. I LOVE MY JETTA BUT VWOA SERVICE RECORD SUCKS. *TR
Air bags, Jun 20, 2007
AIRBAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON WITH AN INTERMITTENT AIRBAG FAULT. 3RD TIME FOR THE REPAIR. THIS HAS BEEN A CONTINUAL PROBLEM SINCE JULY 2006. ONLY 3 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Apr 12, 2007, crash
WIFE STATED THAT WHEN SHE HIT BRAKES IT WAS HARD TO STOP CAR ,DID NOT SLOW, REAR ENDED A SUV AT ABOUT 30 MPH WHICH PUSHED FRONT END UP TO WINDSHIELD ABOVE BUMPER, PUSHED ENGINE INTO FIREWALL. SHE INCURRED MAJOR SEAT BELT BRUISING WITH NO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. AFTER INSPECTION THE INSURANCE COMPANY FOUND THAT TWO SENSORS HAD BEEN DISTORTED ALONG WITH CRACKED ENGINE MOUNTS AND BENT CRADLE. THEY TOTALED THE CAR DUE IN PART TO NO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT,T AND FELT THAT THE CAR WOULD BE UNSAFE AFTER REPAIRS. AFTER CONTACTING VOLKSWAGEN, THEY SAID THAT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. BUT WHAT IF MY WIFE HAD JUMPED INTO THE CAR AND FORGOT TO PUT THE SEAT BELT ON SHE WOULD HAVE GONE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY DEFECT SINCE MOST ACCIDENTS WOULD OVER RIDE THE BUMPER DUE TO LOW BUMPER HEIGHT. VOLKSWAGEN DOES NOT SEEM TO THINK THIS IS A PROBLEM FROM THE PICTURES I SENT THEM AND OUR TALK ON THE PHONE. *AK
Air bags, Apr 2, 2007
THE MANUFACTURER OF MY VEHICLE AND THE DEALER HAVE INFORMED ME THAT MY VOLKSWAGEN TDI'S WIRING HARNESS WAS CRUSHED DUE TO A FOREIGN OBJECT UNDERNEATH THE SEAT. ALTHOUGH I AM CONTESTING THAT THE OBJECT IS MINE, I DO THINK IT IS OF CONCERN THAT THE WIRING HARNESS IS NOT SECURED OR PROTECTED IN ANY WAY, AND ANY OBJECTS THAT SLIDE UNDERNEATH THE SEAT MAY CRUSH THIS HARNESS AND MAY POSSIBLY RENDER THE AIRBAG SYSTEM USELESS. *JB
Air bags, Mar 1, 2006
THE 'PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF' LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED AT ALL TIMES, WITH NO PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. THIS IS NOT PROBLEMATIC IN THE DAYTIME BUT, AT NIGHT, IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE OF THE DISTRACTION OF A VERY BRIGHT ORANGE LIGHT GLARING AT THE DRIVER. IF THE SYSTEM IS OPERATING NORMALLY, WHETHER IT'S ON OR OFF, THERE SHOULD NOT BE A WARNING LIGHT. HAVING THAT BRIGHT ORANGE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ALL THE TIME, AT NIGHT, IS NOT SAFE. *JB
Air bags, Dec 29, 2005
I AM CONTINUING TO HAVE A PROBLEM ON MY NEW MODEL 2005 JETTA. THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON 3 TIMES SINCE AUGUST 2005. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF APPLYING TO THE LEMON LAW PROGRAM IN CT. I HAVE SPOKE TO THE ATT GENERALS OFFICE AND THIS FALLS UNDER THE SAFETY CATEGORY AND FEELS I SHOULD FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THIS. I AM FRUSTRATED AND CONCERNED NOT KNOWING FOR SURE IF THE AIRBAG HAS BEEN FIXED OR NOT SINCE THIS PAST WEEK WAS THE THIRD ATTEMPT OF THEM FIXING THE PROBLEM. *NM