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: electrical system
112 reports, newest first. Show all
Equipment, Electrical system, Nov 7, 2007
MY RADIO/NAVIGATION SYSTEM ON MY 06 VW JETTA HAS STOPPED WORKING AND RESORTED TO "SAFE MODE" AFTER FOUR ATTEMPTS OF THE DEALERSHIP ATTEMPTING REPAIR, THEY HAVE STATED THAT THEY WILL SUPPLY AND INSTALL A NEW RADIO. THIS IS STILL YET TO HAPPEN. ALSO, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLOCK DOES NOT KEEP CORRECT TIME, RESETS BACK TO 12:00 EACH TIME I GET IN THE CAR. THE WEATHER INDICATOR ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DINGS WITH A SNOWFLAKE, WHEN THERE IS NO PRECIPITATION. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 7, 2007
MY SPEEDOMETER IS READING FAST (WHEN I AM GOING 75 IT READS 80) WHEN COMPARED TO RADAR AND GPS. I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN TO MY DEALER AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE UNIT WAS OK, BUT THAT UP TO A 10% TOLERANCE IS ALLOWED BY FEDERAL REGULATIONS. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Jul 17, 2007
VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS DUE TO INSUFFICIENT BATTERY CHARGE. OWNER OBSERVED BRAKE LIGHTS INCLUDING CHMSL WOULD COME ON INDEPENDENTLY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, SHUT OFF, AND UNOCCUPIED WITH NO BRAKE PEDAL APPLICATION. NO OTHER LIGHTS WERE ON AT THE SAME TIME INTERIOR, HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS WERE ON. THIS WAS PRESUMABLY THE CAUSE OF THE BATTERY DRAIN ISSUE. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AFTER JUMP STARTING THE VEHICLE OWNER OBSERVED LOSS OF POWER WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE. INPUT TO THE ACCELERATOR WAS MOMENTARILY INEFFECTIVE AND HAD TROUBLE MAINTAINING HIGHWAY SPEED. THE ENGINE DID NOT STALL AND NO FAULT CODES WERE GENERATED. POWER WAS RESTORED AFTER A FEW SECONDS, BUT THE SYMPTOMS WOULD OCCUR SEVERAL TIMES DURING A DRIVE. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO A VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP SERVICE FACILITY (LINDSAY VW IN STERLING, VA) ON 7/13/2007. THE OWNER DESCRIBED THE ABOVE SYMPTOMS TO THE SERVICE ADVISOR. THE OWNER WAS CALLED LATER ON THE SAME DATE AND TOLD THAT THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT VERIFY THE CLAIM AND THAT NO REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. TOOK CAR TO A DIFFERENT DEALER (FAIRFAX VW) WHO CORRECTLY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE REPAIR PART IS THE SAME PART USED IN THE RECALL. THE CAR WAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY AND THE REPAIR INVOICE EVEN STATES "RECALL" ON IT BUT THE DEALER SAYS MY CAR IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND I NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION.
Electrical system, Jul 1, 2007
I HAVE A 2006 VW JETTA TDI WITH AN AUTOMATIC. THE SPEEDOMETER READS 5 MPH FAST AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 1, 2007
THE SPEEDOMETER ON THE 2006 JETTA, TDI READS 5 MILES PER HOUR LOWER THEN INDICATED SPEED BY GPS AND HIGHWAY RADAR. THE DEALER AND VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER SERVICE SITES THE SAE GUIDELINES ALLOWING AN ERROR OF UP TO 6 MILE PER HOUR. WHEN ASKED FOR A COPY OF THE DOCUMENT VOLKSWAGEN WOULD NOT PROVIDE IT. I WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT PURCHASE THAT THE SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER WERE IN ERROR ON ALL JETTA CARS. THE ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER ERROR WAS NOT DISCLOSED ALTHOUGH THE EXPECTED MILES PER GALLON WERE DISCLOSED BASED ON FAULTY INSTRUMENTATION. *NM
Electrical system, Nov 3, 2006
CONSUMER COMPLAINT CONCERNING THE 2005-2006 A5 JETTA INACCURATE SPEEDOMETER READING. *TS THE SPEEDOMETERS READS 4-5 MPH HIGHER THAN THE VEHICLE'S ACTUAL SPEED. *NM
Vehicle speed control, Electrical system, Oct 10, 2006
SPEEDOMETER READS 10 TO 15 PERCENT HIGH. AT 65 MPH THE SPEEDOMETER READS 73 MPH. DEALER STATED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH JETTA'S AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO CORRECT. *JB
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Structure, Wheels, Equipment, Other or unspecified, Sep 18, 2006
I HAVE A 06' JETTA IT HAS 10,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS. 1. STERO BROKE AFTER 2 MO. AND 6 CD'S WERE STUCK IN DAMAGED CD PLAYER AND I STILL HAVE NOT RECIEVED THEM BACK LIKE I WAS TOLD AFTER 4 MONTHS OF BEING FIXED. 2.PAINT WAS PEELING OFF FRONT BUMPER, WAS REPAIRED. 3. BACK CENTER CONSOLE WOULD NOT STAY IN PLACE. 4.STEERING WHEEL MAKES SQEAKING NOISE WHEN TURNED TO THE RIGHT. 5.HAZARD BUTTON FELL INTO DASH. 6.PAINT IS NOW PEELING AGAIN. 7.CHROME ON WHEEL IS PEELING. 8.A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE PUT IN AFTER 3 ATTEMPTS OF FIXING IT VW TECH SUPPORT TOLD THE VALENCIA SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO JUST REPLACE IT. 9.WHEN REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT WHICH IS HOLDING THE AXEL SPINNDELES AND WHEELS ALTOGETHER TO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE BOLT WAS STRIPPED AND TECH SUPPORT SAID IT WAS A FACTORY MALFUNCTION AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE UNLESS FIXED .WE CAME TO FIND OUT THE SQUEAKING NOISE FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. *NM
Electrical system, Aug 11, 2006
SPEEDOMETER IS NOT ACCURATE AND IN TIME I FOUND THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE. AT FIRST IT WAS TRUCKS RUNNING UP ON MY REAR BUMPER BEEPING HORNS AT ME. SO WHEN I DISCOVERED THE SPEEDOMETER WAS REGISTERING SLOW, I SPED UP. BUT THEN HOW MUCH YOU CAN NOT TELL AND I FIND MYSELF BREAKING WHEN I SEE A PATROL CAR. I WAS MAYBE 1 OR 2 OVER BUT YET YOU JUST DO NOT KNOW. ITS A DISTRACTION THAT I FIND MAY CAUSE A SAFETY ISSUE WHILE DRIVING. VW DOES THIS TO CONFORM TO A EUROPEAN STANDARD. THIS COULD BE EASILY CALIBRATED OUT AS THE CARS COMPUTER IS AWARE OF THE CORRECT SPEED AS VW CLAIMS THE ODOMETER IS NOT AFFECTED. UNECESSARY BREAKING OR A ROAD RAGED TRUCK DRIVER ARE SAFETY ISSUES. *NM
Electrical system, Jun 9, 2006
THE SPEEDOMETER INCORRECTLY REFLECTS THE RATE OF SPEED AT WHICH THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING. THIS CAN BE VERIFIED BY USING A GPS UNIT WHICH WILL ACCURATELY REFLECT THE "TRUE" SPEED AT WHICH THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING. IN GENERAL, THE VEHICLE'S SPEEDOMETER REFLECTS A SPEED THAT IS 5-7 MPH GREATER THAN THE VEHICLES ACTUAL SPEED. FOR EXAMPLE, WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYS THE RATE OF SPEED AS 70 MPH, WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ACTUALLY TRAVELING ONLY 64 MPH. YOU CAN VISIT THE WEBSITE HTTP://WWW.TDICLUB.COM OR HTTP://WWW.VWVORTEX.COM AND VIEW THE FORUMS TO VERIFY THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH ALL NEW VW JETTA VEHICLES AND POSSIBLY OTHER VW MODELS. I AS WELL AS OTHER JETTA OWNERS WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS ISSUE CORRECTED SO THAT OUR SPEEDOMETERS ACCURATELY REFLECT THE RATE OF SPEED AT WHICH WE ARE TRAVELING. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Mar 12, 2006
ON 2/1/06 I LEASED A NEW 2006 JETTA ONLY TO HAVE THE ENGINE NOT START ON 2/27/06. I WAS STUCK IN A GAS STATION PARKING LOT WITH A DEAD CELL PHONE AWAITING A TOW TRUCK FOR 1.5 HRS. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. LATER THAT DAY THEY TOLD ME POSSIBLY A FUEL PUMP BUT WEREN'T SURE AND THAT I SHOULD ARRANGE FOR A RENT-A-CAR. THEY HAD THE CAR FOR 3 DAYS AND WHEN I PICKED IT UP THEY STATED IT WAS A PROGRAM THAT NEEDED TO BE UPDATED AND EVERYTHING IS FINE. IT IS NOW A WEEK AND A HALF LATER AND THE IGNITION KEY WOULDN'T TURN IN THE IGNITION. I CONTINUED TO SWITCH BETWEEN MY ALARM KEY AND MECHANIC KEY UNTIL IT FINALLY TURNED AND STARTED. ONCE ON THE ROAD THE CAR DIED IN MID DRIVE. THE ENGINE COMPLETELY TURNED OFF WHILE DOING ABOUT 25MPG. THANK GOD THERE WAS NO ONE AROUND ME, THE CAR CAME TO A STOP AND RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY AND DRIVEN BACK TO WORK. LEAVING WORK THE CAR DIDN'T TURN OVER AT ALL. YOU COULD HEAR THE CRANKING OF THE ENGINE BUT WAS NOT TURNING OVER, THE SAME PROBLEM AS BEFORE. THE CAR IS NOW AT THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN, NO LOANER CAR WAS GIVEN TO ME AND THERE WAS SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ALREADY UNDERWAY. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THE CARS ENGINES SOUND. WHEN THE CAR IS INITIALLY STARTED IN THE MORNING IT IS A HARD LOUD ROUGH SOUND THAT GIVES AFTER A MINUTE OR SO. *JB
Electrical system, Dec 1, 2005
SPEEDOMETER IS 5.3% FAST. NOT A HUGE SAFETY PROBLEM UNLESS YOU DO A LOT OF FREEWAY DRIVING AND ARE CONSTANTLY BEING PASSED BY IRATE DRIVERS BECAUSE YOU ARE DOING 70 INSTEAD OF 75 MPH. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN AND WAS TOLD IT IS WITHIN SPEC (5.3%)???? THE DEALER ALSO SAID THEY COULD REPLACE PARTS BUT IT WOULD NOT CHANGE THE CALIBRATION. VW OF AMERICA TECH DEPARTMENT WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT SAID "IT WAS WITHIN SPEC". THE SPEEDOMETER IS ALL ELECTRONIC WITH A SPEED SENSOR - THIS PROBLEM COULD BE EASILY CORRECTED WITH A QUICK SOFTWARE FIX. NOT ONLY DID I PAY $27000 FOR A NEW CAR THAT WILL NOT GIVE ME THE CORRECT VELOCITY BUT I SUSPECT VW OF AMERICA HAS USED A HIGHLY ACCURATE DIGITAL SPEEDOMETER AND HAVE KNOWINGLY CALIBRATED IT AT THE UPPER END OF THE LIMIT IN ORDER TO PUBLISH IMPROVED MILEAGE NUMBERS (46 MPG) SHOULD BE MORE LIKE 40. *JB