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: power train
245 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Nov 3, 2008, fire
THE VOLKWAGEN TDI 1.9L ENGINE WHEN COUPLED TO THE DSG( DIRECT SHIFT GEAR) TRANSMISSION HAS AN EXTREMELY HIGH FAILURE RATE OF THE DMF (DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL). FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED BETWEEN 10K AND 100K MILES. THE INTERNAL CONSTRUCTION OF THE FLYWHEEL IS IMPROPER AND WILL SEPARATE LEADING TO THE TOTAL FAILURE OF THE UNIT. WHEN THE UNIT FAILS IT CAUSES A VERY SPECIFIC AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES. THE DMF CAN SEPARATE AND THEN FRACTURE INTO LARGE SHRAPNEL TYPE PIECES. THIS SHRAPNEL WILL THE CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION AND POSSIBLY THE ENGINE TO SEIZE. WHEN THE SEIZURE OCCURS IS CAUSES THE FRONT TIRES TO LOCK AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN POSSIBLE INJURY OR DEATH. THE SHRAPNEL CAN ALSO CAUSE THE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION CASE RESULTING IT THE LOSS OF PRESSURIZED TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS FLUID CAN CONTACT THE TURBOCHARGER AND RESULT IN AN UNDER HOOD FIRE. CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE IS COMMON AS WELL. VWA(VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA) IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS REDESIGNED THE DMF. THE NEW DESIGN HAS NOT FAILED. THE DMF HAS BEEN RECALLED IN THE EUROPEAN UNION AS A SAFETY CONCERN . VWA HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN NOT COVERING THIS REPAIR UNDER EVEN IT'S STANDARD WARRANTY. NO VOLUNTARY RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. I CURRENTLY HAVE AN EXAMPLE OF THE FAILED PART AVAILABLE. THIS MODEL HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH ON A LARGE SCALE IF NOT ADDRESSED. *TR
Power train, Oct 24, 2008
A 2006 VOLKWAGEN JETTA 1.9 TDI MODEL WHICH I CURRENTLY OWN IS NOW DISABLED DUE TO AN OVERSIGHT IN TORQUE MANAGEMENT IN THE CLUTCH/ DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL DESIGN ORIGINALLY INTENDED FOR A LESS POWERFUL POWERPLANTS. IN MY PARTICULAR INSTANCE THE FLYWHEEL HAS DISINTEGRATED SHATTERING THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING/CASING. THIS ALONE IS A SERIOUS DANGER DUE TO THE HIGH RATE OF SPEED OF THESE FLYING CAST ALUMINUM FRAGMENTS LET ALONE THE COMPLETE LOSS OF VEHICLE MOVEMENT ON POSSIBLE BUSY ROUTES. CURRENTLY I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THE WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR DUE TO OWNER ABUSE! MY JETTA HAS NEVER BEEN MODIFIED AS LONG AS I HAVE OWNED IT OR BEEN DRIVEN IRRESPONSIBLY. THIS VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN THIRTYONE THOUSAND MILES LOGGED AND HAS SUFFERED CATASTROPHIC DRIVE LINE FAILURE DUE TO POOR ENGINEERING, NO I'VE BEEN TOLD VW'S MIS ENGINEERING IS MY"THE CONSUMERS" RESPONSIBILITY! *TR
Power train, Oct 22, 2008
DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL (DMF) FAILURE AT 28,000 MILES. SYMPTOM: VERY ROUGH VIBRATION WHEN LETTING CLUTCH OUT AND WHEN SHIFTING. CLUTCH DOES NOT SHOW ANY ABNORMAL SLIPPAGE. WIFE IS SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR WITH OUR KIDS AFTER READING ABOUT RELATED FAILURES AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. DEALER WON'T COVER COST. PRIVATE REPAIR FACILITY DIAGNOSED THIS AND SAID MINIMUM $1,800 TO DO THE REPAIR, AND THAT VW HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE ISSUE FOR A WHILE. FORTUNATELY, THE VEHICLE STILL DRIVES WELL WHEN CLUTCH IS ENGAGED, SO I GUESS I'LL CONTINUE TO TAKE MY CHANCES FOR A WHILE LONGER UNTIL SOMETHING MORE CATASTROPHIC HAPPENS AND WE'RE FORCED TO MAKE THE REPAIR. *TR
Power train, Oct 20, 2008
MY 2006 TDI, VW JETTA: ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO I BEGAN HEARING CLUNKING NOISE RELATED TO TRANSMISSION/CLUTCH. ON FRIDAY OCTOBER 17 ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 35E CLUTCH FAILED COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE HAS 67,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
Power train, Oct 16, 2008
2006 VW JETTA TDI (TURBODEISEL) WITH DSG TRANSMISSION: WHEN CAR IS PARKED ON INCLINED SURFACE WITH FRONT END LOWER THAN REAR END, CAR WILL NOT SMOOTHLY ENGAGE REVERSE GEAR. VEHICLE TRANSMISSION WILL EITHER NOT ENGAGE REVERSE GEAR AT ALL, OR WITHOUT ANY WARNING WILL ABRUPTLY ENGAGE AND CATAPULT VEHICLE IN REVERSE 4 TO 5 FEET EVEN WHEN GRADUALLY INCREASING ENGINE REVS. THIS IS DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE WHEN BACKING OUT INTO PARKING LOT LANES WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. ALSO, VEHICLE CONTINUES TO ROLL FORWARD OR REVERSE APPROXIMATELY 6 INCHES DEPENDING ON INCLINE WHEN PLACED IN PARK POSITION AND AFTER BRAKE RELEASED. *TR
Power train, Oct 14, 2008
ON A RETURN TRIP FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE TO CONNECTICUT ON INTERSTATE 91 IN MY 2006 VW JETTA TDI, I DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH AND THE PEDAL BECAME STUCK AT THE FLOOR. I WORKED TO FREE IT, BUT BEING UNABLE TO DO SO, COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WITH NO ABILITY TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN GEAR, WE (MYSELF AND MY FAMILY) WERE STUCK IN A DANGEROUS LOCATION. I WAS ABLE TO FREE THE PEDAL, BUT THE CLUTCH NO LONGER WORKED AND WE HAD TO WAIT THERE FOR ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 50,000 MILES AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THOUGH THERE WAS LITTLE WEAR ON THE CLUTCH SURFACE. WITH SOME INVESTIGATION ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND THAT THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND I BELIEVE IT IS A SAFETY PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY VW. *TR
Power train, Sep 15, 2008
I HAD A 2006 VW JETTA TDI. MY WIFE WAS ON HER WAY TO WORK WHEN SHE WENT TO TAKE OFF FROM A STOP SIGN AND THE CLUTCH STUCK TO THE FLOOR AS THE CAR SAT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. AS ALL THE REST OF THE COMPLAINTS GO WITH THIS CAR THE DEALER PAID FOR THE PARTS AND I HAD TO PAY $1000 DOLLARS OF LABOR. WITHIN THE 2 WEEKS OUR CAR WAS IN THIS DEALER 3 OTHER 2006 JETTA TDI CAME IN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. IT WASN'T A WALK IN THE PARK TO HAVE VW PAY FOR AT LEAST HALF. ALSO IT TOOK THE DEALER 2 WEEKS TO GET THIS JOB DONE. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT VOLKSWAGEN NEEDS TO TAKE CARE OF. ANOTHER THING I WAS TOLD BY VW OF AMERICA WAS THAT THIS IS A WEAR AND TEAR ITEM AND NOT PART OF THE DRIVE TRAIN WARRANTY. IF A PART HAS ANY MOVEMENT ON A CAR IT GOES THROUGH WEAR AND TEAR. SO IF A PISTON RING BREAKS AND LOCKS THE MOTOR UP IS THAT COVERED OR IS THAT WEAR AND TEAR. WE HAVE LEARNED OUR LESSON AND WILL NEVER BUY VOLKSWAGEN EVER AGAIN. BY THE WAY ONLY 50,000 MILES ON CAR. *TR
Power train, Sep 13, 2008
AT 23,000 MILES, WITHOUT WARNING, NO INITIAL SIGNS OF CONCERN, CLUTCH FAILS, DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO RETURN. MY MISFORTUNE HAPPENED EXACTLY HOW THE OTHER NUMEROUS COMPLAINANTS DID. FOUND VW TECHNICAL BULLETIN #2016615 DATED 11/05/07 DESCRIBED AS 'CLUTCH, FRICTION MATERIAL FLAW' (SACHS MANUFACTURED ONLY) NOTES ONLY SACHS CLUTCH PLATES ARE AFFECTED BY THIS FLAW AND THEREFORE ONLY ISSUES WITH THE SACHS CLUTCH PLATE WILL BE COVERED UNDER THIS TECHNICAL BULLETIN. THERE ARE NO KNOWN FRICTION MATERIAL FLAWS WITH LUK CLUTCH PLATE OR PRESSURE PLATE.' BULLETIN EXTENDS THE WARRANTY ON THESE PARTS AN EXTRA 4 YEARS / 50000 MILES. MY CLUTCH PLATE HAPPENS TO BE A LUK...AFTER READING THE SCORES OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT CLUTCHES GOING OUT AT 10-50K MILES, I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S TRUE ANYMORE...MY SUSPICION IS THAT MAYBE THE PROBLEM IS REALLY WITH THE LUK MANUFACTURED CLUTCH PLATE AND THAT THE TECHNICAL BULLETIN WAS ISSUED COVERING THE SACHS BRAND TO AVOID HAVING TO WARRANT THE LUK BRAND. *TR UPDATED 09/18/08. *JB
Power train, Aug 18, 2008
MY 2006 JETTA 2.5 HAS AN INTERMITTENT ACCELERATOR HESITATION. IT CAN OCCUR WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD OR HOT. IT SEEMS TO OCCUR WHEN IT IS ROLLING FREE AT NEAR 5 TO 10 MPH, AND WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED NOTHING HAPPENS FOR A SECOND OR TWO. THEN IT CATCHES AND GOES. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jul 3, 2008
MY CAR BEGAN LEAKING OIL AFTER LAST CHANGE AT BERT SMITH VOLKSWAGEN IN ST. PETERSBURG FLORIDA. CHECKED UNDERNEATH CAR AND FOUND TRANSMISSION CASING AND FLYWHEEL HOUSING CRACKED. TOOK PICTURES BUT ACCORDING TO BERT SMITH VOLKSWAGEN THIS IS JUST DIRT AND GREASE STAINS, THEY CANNOT SHOW ME ANOTHER CAR WITH THE SAME "STAINS". *TR
Power train, Jun 17, 2008
CLUTCH FAILURE ON 2006 JETTA TDI CLUTCH FAILED WHILE DRIVING REPAIR OF CLUTCH BY OWNER, DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR. *TR
Power train, Equipment, Jun 11, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 1-30 MPH, SHIFTING FROM 3RD TO 2ND GEAR, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURS WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING IS TURNED ON HIGH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS. SHE FEELS IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT PUTS HER AT RISK OF CRASHING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SHOP ON FOUR OCCASIONS. THE FIRST THREE TIMES THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. AFTER THE MOST RECENT FAILURE, THE MECHANIC DETERMINED A POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 24,000.
Power train, Jun 2, 2008
NOTICED VERY ROUGH IDLE. DEALER DIAGNOSED MANUAL TRANSMISSION FLYWHEEL MALFUNCTIONING WITHOUT VISUAL INSPECTION. THE FAULT WAS PLACED WITH ME. WEAR AND TEAR. DEALER CLAIMED MUST FIX, NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, QUOTED $2100. IF THIS PROBLEM IS ALLOWED TO WORSEN, THE FAILURE MODE IS A COMPLETE CLUTCH FAILURE AND ON A BUSY FREEWAY IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I WENT TO A THIRD PARTY GARAGE AND PAID $1200 FOR A MORE RELIABLE SINGLE MASS FLYWHEEL. THE DAMAGED SACHS DMF IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. *TR
Power train, May 13, 2008
AT TEMPERATURES LESS THAN 15 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, MY 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI WITH DSG TRANSMISSION SURGES FORWARD UPON STARTING. THIS SURGE HAPPENS IF THE CAR IS IN PARK (P) OR NEUTRAL (N). THE SURGE IS NOTICEABLE EVEN WITH THE PARKING BRAKE SET AND STANDARD BRAKING SYSTEM APPLIED. THIS SURGE DOES NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO START NORMALLY (E.G. STALLS THE ENGINE). THE SURGE HAPPENS ONLY ONCE DURING A COLD START. AFTERWARD, THE CAR STARTS AND RUNS NORMALLY. *TR
Fuel system, Diesel, Power train, May 10, 2008
AT 15F DEGREES OR LOWER TEMPERATURES THE VOLKSWAGEN DSG TRANSMISSION WILL IMPEDE THE DIESEL ENGINES ABILITY TO START, LEAVING THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE. VWAG AND VWOA HAS KNOWLEDGE OF THIS SYSTEM DEFECT PROVIDING NO SOLUTION. VWOA CONTINUES TO SELL THESE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Diesel, Power train, May 9, 2008
ENGINE FAILURE ON MY 2006 VOLKSWAGEN DIESEL JETTA. THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL FUEL INJECTOR OVER FUELED THE CYLINDERS AND CAUSED THE PULL RODS TO BEND AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE, COSTS ARE $7,500 TO REPAIR THE ENGINE. CAR IS ONLY 2 AND HALF YEARS OLD WITH 85,0000 MILES. *TR
Power train, May 8, 2008
LETTER FROM SENATOR ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT, REGARDING HIS CONCERNS WITH THE 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE CLUTCH STARTED SLIPPING. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE 5-SPEED VEHICLES WERE MADE WITH A DEFECTIVE CLUTCH PLATE, BUT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REMOVED TO DETERMINE IF THE VEHICLE HAD THE DEFECTIVE PART. THE DEALER STATED IF THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE THE DEFECTIVE PART, THE CONSUMER WOULD BE CHARGED $500 IN LABOR FEES FOR REMOVING THE TRANSMISSION. *JB
Power train, May 7, 2008
VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI - VW REFUSED TO HONOR THE WARRANTY OF A DEFECTIVE CLUTCH/FLYWHEEL ISSUE. THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURANCE APPARENTLY. I LEARNED OF THIS WHEN I WENT ONLINE TO DO SOME RESEARCH ABOUT THE PROBLEM. VOLKSWAGEN IS HONORING THE WARRANTIES IN EUROPE WITH THE SAME ISSUE BUT IGNORING ITS QUALITY / SAFETY ISSUE HERE IN THE US. THE DEFECTIVE CLUTCH / FLYWHEEL ISSUE CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY AND OR DEATH WHEN THE FLYWHEEL DISENTIGRATES. *TR
Power train, Apr 27, 2008
PREMATURE FAILURE OF CLUTCH. *TR
Power train, Apr 19, 2008
MY 2006 VW JETTA TDI CLUTCH WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CLUTCH WAS DEPRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND WOULD NOT COME BACK UP. I PULLED IT BACK UP AND IT WOULD NOT GO BACK DOWN. CLUTCH WAS NEVER SPONGY BEFOREHAND AND JUST WENT OUT WITH NO PRIOR INDICATION OF A PROBLEM. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY (CAR HAS APPROX 40,000 MILES). AFTER DOING RESEARCH AND FINDING OUT OTHERS HAVE SAME PROBLEM I WILL BE COMPLAINING TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT COVERED. I AM A STUDENT AND MY HUSBAND IS IN THE ARMY WE DON'T HAVE $2000 TO PAY FOR SUCH A REPAIR, THAT WAS NOT CAUSED BY "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR". *TR
Power train, Apr 9, 2008
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI 5-SPEED WITH 39,000 MILES. MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN MEXICO IN JANUARY OF 2006, AND I PURCHASED IT IN JUNE OF 2006. THIS WEEK, THE CLUTCH STARTED SLIPPING AND IT WARRANTED A VISIT TO THE LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT INFORMED ME THAT MANY 2006 VW JETTA TDI 5-SPD VEHICLES WERE MADE WITH A DEFECTIVE CLUTCH PLATE, BUT THEY WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE MY TRANSMISSION TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT MY VEHICLE HAD THE DEFECTIVE PART. THEY INFORMED ME THAT IF MY VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE THE DEFECTIVE PART, THEY WOULD CHARGE ME NEARLY $500 IN LABOR FEES FOR REMOVING THE TRANSMISSION FOR INSPECTION. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE MY VEHICLE INSPECTED TO DETERMINE WHETHER IT HAS THE DEFECTIVE PART, NOR SHOULD I HAVE TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE WHEN THIS CLUTCH HAS BEEN FAILING PREMATURELY. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS CLUTCH PLATE ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. I ALSO FOUND 88 PAGES ON ONE FORUM ALONE (HTTP://FORUMS.TDICLUB.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=137014) ABOUT THIS PART AND THE CLUTCH/FLYWHEEL ASSEMBLY FAILING PREMATURELY. MANY OF THESE PEOPLE WERE FORCED TO PAY FOR A NEW CLUTCH AT A COST OF OVER $2000.00. SOME WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THIS CLUTCH PLATE AND THE CORRESPONDING ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN RECALLED BECAUSE OF SAFETY CONCERNS IN MANY COUNTRIES EXCEPT FOR THE UNITED STATES. I FEAR HAVING MY CLUTCH FAIL WHEN I NEED THE ENGINE TO BE ENGAGED. IF I WERE TO HAVE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER, IT COULD EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND ENDANGER MYSELF AND THE OCCUPANTS OF MY VEHICLE. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO BRING THIS PROBLEM TO THE SURFACE, AND PROMPT AN INVESTIGATION BY THE NHTSA TO LOOK INTO THIS KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE? THESE DEFECTIVE PARTS NEED TO BE RECALLED AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. IT SEEMS THAT NHTSA IS IGNORING THIS MATTER AT THE CONSUMER'S EXPENSE, AND THE AUTOMAKERS BENEFIT. *TR
Power train, Other or unspecified, Mar 18, 2008
THE FLYWHEEL HAS FAILED AND DISABLED THE VEHICLE. THIS IS AN UNSAFE AND UNDER DESIGNED COMPONENT OF THE DRIVE TRAIN. THE FLYWHEEL SELF DESTRUCTED. IN ALL MY YEARS I HAVE NEVER HEARD OR EXPERIENCED A FLYWHEEL SELF DESTRUCTION ON A CAR 2 YEARS OLD WITH 30K MILES. *TR
Power train, Mar 18, 2008
2006 JETTA TDI. DMF AND CLUTCH FAILURE AFTER 54,000 MI OF NORMAL DRIVING. CAR STUCK IN GEAR WHILE DRIVING, UNABLE TO STOP AND GO. NOT COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. DESCRIBED AS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. CHEAP DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL AND CLUTCH COMPONENTS! *TR
Power train, Feb 26, 2008
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2006 VW TDI USED, WITH 33K MILES. AFTER ONE DAY OF OWNERSHIP THE CLUTCH PEDAL WENT THE FLOOR. I PULLED THE PEDAL UP WITH MY TOE, AND GOT IT TO ENGAGE ONE MORE TIME, THEN BACK TO THE FLOOR. AFTER THAT, THE CAR WOULDN'T PULL ITSELF IN ANY GEAR. THE CAR NEVER SLIPPED, VIBRATED, ETC., NO SYMPTOMS OF A WORE CLUTCH, JUST INSTANT FAILURE. I CALLED VW ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, AND VW TOWED IT TO A DEALER 3HOURS AWAY. BEFORE THE DEALER TORE INTO IT THEY CALLED ME AND SAID THAT IF IT IS DUE TO CLUTCH WEAR/ABUSE THAT IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED. AFTER SOME RESEARCH HERE ON TDICLUB, I FOUND THAT DMF, AND CLUTCH FAILURES WERE VERY COMMON AND GENERALLY WARRANTED. I TOLD THE DEALER TO GO AHEAD AND TEAR INTO THE CAR TO FIND OUT MORE. TODAY I GET A CALL AND THEY TELL ME THAT THE CLUTCH IS WORE OUT, AND THAT IT IS NOT COVERED. THE ADVISOR ON THE PHONE SAID THAT HALF THE CLUTCH ON ONE SIDE IS ALMOST COMPLETELY GONE, AND THE OTHER SIDE IS COMPLETELY GONE. AND IF I COME PICK IT NOW, I WILL ONLY BE OUT $550, OR I CAN HAVE THEM DO THE REPAIR FOR $1800. I TOLD HIM TO NOT DO ANYTHING YET, AND THAT I WOULD CALL HIM BACK TOMORROW WITH AN ANSWER. THE SERVICE ADVISOR WAS VERY NICE, AND AS HELPFUL AS HE COULD BE, BUT COULD NOT WARRANTY THE CLUTCH OR REPAIR. *TR
Power train, Jan 19, 2008
NO SYMPTOMS PRIOR TO FAILURE. WHILE EXITING FREEWAY, CLUTCH STOPPED OPERATING BETWEEN GEARS, WHILE DOWNSHIFTING. COULD NOT GET CAR BACK INTO GEAR AND HAD TO STOP IN MIDDLE OF MULTI LANE OFFRAMP, POINTING SLIGHTLY UPHILL. CLUTCH PEDAL WOULD COME ONLY HALF WAY UP. CLUTCH COULD NOT BE ENGAGED ENOUGH TO START ENGINE. AAA WAS CALLED AND ARRIVED AFTER 20 MINUTES, DURING WHICH TIME CAR REMAINED IN OFFRAMP. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER AND LEFT OVER LONG NEW YEAR'S WEEKEND. DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT INFORMED ME, ONCE THEY LOOKED AT IT, THAT THE CLUTCH HAD FAILED AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT AS IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I AGREED TO THE SERVICE SINCE THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE. I WAS CHARGED $1,863. FOR THE SERVICE, WHICH INCLUDED REPLACEMENT OF THE FLYWHEEL. I COMPLAINED THAT THE FLYWHEEL WAS PART OF THE ENGINE, AND SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS DIRECTED TO CALL VOLKSWAGEN AND SUBMIT A COMPLAINT. I ASKED TO RETAIN THE PARTS SO THAT I COULD SEE WHAT HAD GONE WRONG. THE NEXT DAY, BEFORE CALLING VOLKSWAGEN, I DISCOVERED FROM AN INDEPENDENT SOURCE THAT VOLKSWAGEN HAS HAD A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN OUT ON THE CLUTCH SINCE NOVEMBER 2007. AFTER VERIFYING FROM THE PARTS THAT I WAS COVERED, I INFORMED THE DEALERSHIP. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THEY ARE CUTTING ME A CHECK TO REPAY WHAT I SPENT ON THE REPLACEMENT. *TR