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: engine and engine cooling
54 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 24, 2006
IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE NOTICED A CHEMICAL SMELL SIMILAR TO WET PAINT OCCASIONALLY EMITTING FROM THE A/C VENTS. IN THE LAST TWO DAYS, IT HAS BECOME CONSTANT AND I HAVE REFRAINED FROM USING THE A/C FOR FEAR THAT IT IS SOMETHING HARMFUL. WE HAVE LOOKED THE CAR OVER, RAN THE A/C AND BLOWER WHILE OUT OF THE CAR AND CHECKED EVERYTHING WE CAN THINK OF WITH NO SOLUTION. THE DEALERSHIP SUGGESTED WE SPRAY LYSOL IN THE AIR INTAKE AND SEE IF THAT HELPS, BUT I DO NOT WANT TO MASK THE ODOR ESPECIALLY IF IT SOMETHING WITH WHICH WE SHOULD BE CONCERNED. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 19, 2006
WHILE DRIVING MY NEW 2006 JETTA TDI MOTOR VEHICLE WITH A TOTAL MILEAGE ON THE ODOMETER READING OF APPROXIMATELY 385 MILES, ON JUNE 12, 2006, ON I-84 IN WATERBURY, CT. THE MOTOR VEHICLE STALLED WHILE TRAVELING IN THE LEFT HAND LANE OF THE HIGHWAY. AT THE TIME OF THE STALL, THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION WAS OPERATING IN THE DRIVE MODE, IN 5TH GEAR WITH RPMS AT APPROXIMATELY 1300 RPM. DURING THE STALL THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED INTERMITTENT POWER, WHILE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL EXHIBITING A FLASHING NUMERAL 3, ON THE GEAR INDICATOR. I MANEUVERED THE VEHICLE TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE WITH MUCH DIFFICULTY AS THE ENGINE STALLED OUT COMPLETELY. THIS MANEUVER CAUSED A MAJOR INTERRUPTION TO THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY AND A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK TO ME AND OTHER MOTORISTS ON THE HIGHWAY. AFTER PULLING OVER THE BREAKDOWN LANE, I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND PROCEED TO MY DESTINATION, DURING WHICH TIME THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. ON JUNE 15, 2006, DRIVING WITH APPROX. 484 MILES, WHILE ON RT. 8 SOUTHBOUND IN WATERBURY, CT. THE SUBJECT MOTOR VEHICLE STALLED ONCE AGAIN WHILE DRIVING IN THE LEFT HAND LANE. I ONCE AGAIN WAS FORCED TO MAKE ANOTHER EMERGENCY CROSSING OF A MAJOR CONNECTICUT HIGHWAY IN A STALLED VEHICLE. *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
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 7, 2006
2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, ENGINE MAKES A VERY LOUD RATTLING NOISE FOR THE FIRST MINUTE EVERYTIME THE CAR IS COLD AND AT FIRST STARTUP IN THE MORNING...EVERY SINGLE DAY , AFTER REPORTING THE PROBLEM TO MY DEALER I WAS TOLD THAT THIS NOISE IS ON ALL 2006 JETTA'S AND THE MANUFACTURER IS WORKING ON SOLVING THE PROBLEM, I FIRST REPORTED THE PROBLEM LAST MAY 2005 WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR AND I HAVE SINCE MADE 2 OFFICIAL COMPLAINTS DIRECTLY WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WITH THE DEALER. I HAVE NOW WARNED THEM A THIRD TIME AND WILL WAIT THE OFFICIAL 30 DAYS BEFORE ESCALATING IT TO ARBITRATION. *NM