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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 580

Of the 2006 reports, 15 involved a crash and 6 involved a fire. 17 people were injured.

Primary concernPower train245 reports · 42% of complaints
Owner complaints580Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship6 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Power train245
  2. Electrical system112
  3. Air bags65
  4. Engine and engine cooling54
  5. Engine39
  6. Exterior lighting32
  7. Service brakes28
  8. Seats25

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

580 reports, newest first.

  1. Air bags, Mar 17, 2014

    AIR BAG INDICATION LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CAR WAS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY TYPE OF COLLISION AT THAT TIME. AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE. SRS CODE NOT ABLE TO BE CLEARED FROM MEMORY. *TR

  2. Engine, Mar 17, 2014

    CAM WEAR FOUND ON 6/8/11, 195761 MILES. CAM SHAFT WEAR SEEN DURING TIMING BELT CHANGE. REPLACED CAM SHAFT, FOLLOWERS, AND BEARINGS. FACTORY RECOMMENDED OIL AND OIL CHANGE INTERVALS WERE USED. CAM SHAFT WAS ALSO REPLACED ON 11/03/09 AT 123086 MILES AFTER THE FOLLOWING INCIDENT: KNOCKING HEARD FROM ENGINE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY NEAR DESTINATION, APPROXIMATELY 300 MILES FROM HOME. VEHICLE ARRIVED AT DESTINATION, BUT WOULD NOT START. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MECHANIC. CAMSHAFT WEAR AND FOLLOWER BORE FOUND TO BE DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR AND WAS REPLACED USING OEM PARTS. VEHICLE WAS USING FACTORY RECOMMENDED OIL AT REGULAR INTERVALS. *TR

  3. Air bags, Mar 17, 2014

    AIR BAG INDICATION LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CAR WAS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY TYPE OF COLLISION AT THAT TIME. AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE. SRS CODE NOT ABLE TO BE CLEARED FROM MEMORY. *TR

  4. Engine, Mar 17, 2014

    KNOCKING HEARD FROM ENGINE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY NEAR DESTINATION, APPROXIMATELY 300 MILES FROM HOME. VEHICLE ARRIVED AT DESTINATION, BUT WOULD NOT START. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MECHANIC. CAMSHAFT WEAR AND FOLLOWER BORE FOUND TO BE DAMAGED AND WAS REPLACED USING OEM PARTS. VEHICLE WAS USING FACTORY RECOMMENDED OIL AT REGULAR INTERVALS. CAM WEAR FOUND AGAIN ON 6/8/11, 195761 MILES. CAM SHAFT WEAR SEEN DURING TIMING BELT CHANGE. REPLACED CAM SHAFT, FOLLOWERS, AND BEARINGS. ONCE AGAIN, FACTORY RECOMMENDED OIL AND OIL CHANGE INTERVALS WERE USED. *TR

  5. Engine, Mar 17, 2014

    CAM SHAFT AND LIFTER INFERIOR QUALITY!!WHAT HAS HAPPENED ACCORDING TO OTHER OWNERS OF TDI'S THAT I HAVE TALKED TO IS THAT THE CAMSHAFT AND LIFTERS HAVE FAILED. THEY WERE BUILT INFERIOR AND BREAKDOWN. THIS CAUSES A LOT OF CONFUSION WITH MECHANICS TRYING FOR ENDLESS HOURS TO FIGURE OUT WHY ITS SMOKING. WITH A LOT OF RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THAT THE CAMSHAFT AND LIFTERS ARE INFERIOR AND BREAKDOWN. WHY DOES VOLKSWAGEN DO THAT TO PEOPLE, IT COST ME SO MANY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS REPLACING TURBO, MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR TO REBUILDING THE ENGINE FOR GOD SAKE TO FIND THAT IT IS THE CAM AND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS. *TR

  6. Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 13, 2014

    DRIVER'S REAR DOOR LOCK STOPPED RESPONDING TO THE BUTTONS ON IT, AND ON THE MAIN CONTROL, AND ON THE REMOTE. IT INTERMITTENTLY WORKED UNTIL MARCH AND IS NOW DEAD. THE CAR CANNOT BE LOCKED AND THAT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

  7. Fuel system, Diesel, Power train, Engine, Feb 24, 2014

    AT APPROX 80-90K I STARTED HEARING A CLATTERING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE AND EXTRA NOISE WHEN IDLING. ALSO, THE CAR HAS A HARD TIME SHIFTING (AUTOMATIC TRANS). AFTER TAKING THE CAR TO A MECHANIC, I WAS TOLD THAT IT'S THE DSG DMF COMING APART AND RATTLING. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FIND IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM. IT STARTED HAPPENING SHORTLY AFTER MY CAR WENT OUT OF CPO WARRANTY, WHICH EXPIRED AT 74K. I DIDN'T REALLY PAY THAT MUCH ATTENTION TO IT UNTIL IT GOT WORSE. THIS IS A 06 TDI MKV WITH AUTO DSG, BRM ENGINE. ALSO EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTIES WITH SOOT IN FUEL FILTER, LIKELY DUE TO FAULTY SEAL IN FUEL INJECTORS UNDER CAM SHAFT. ONCE AGAIN, COMMON PROBLEM ACCORDING TO MECHANICS AND ONLINE FORUMS ON THIS MODEL. THERE'S A RECALL ON THE DMF FOR THIS MODEL IN AUSTRALIA, NEEDS TO HAVE ONE FOR US. *TR

  8. Power train, Feb 15, 2014

    DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL FAILED CATASTROPHICALLY AND WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. FLYWHEEL FAILURE SENT METAL SHRAPNEL INTO TRANSMISSION, CRACKING THE BELL HOUSING AND THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT ERRATICALLY. THE CAR WAS MECHANICALLY TOTALED AND VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA REFUSED TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE VEHICLE, DESPITE IT BEING A DOCUMENTED AND KNOWN ISSUE. OTHERS HAVE REPORTED THAT THIS PART WAS RECALLED IN AUSTRALIA BUT NOT THE UNITED STATES. COST OF REPAIR WAS BEYOND VALUE OF VEHICLE AND CAR WAS DEEMED A TOTAL MECHANICAL LOSS. *TR

  9. Power train, Feb 8, 2014

    OUR JETTA EXPERIENCED A "FALSE NEUTRAL" PROBLEM BACK IN DECEMBER, 2013. (95,000 MILES) I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT IT COULD BE DUE TO A LOW VOLTAGE CONDITION. I CHECKED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND FOUND THE ALTERNATOR TO BE FAULTY. I REPLACED IT AND KEPT DRIVING THE CAR. EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE UNTIL MID JANUARY, 2014 WHEN WE EXPERIENCED ANOTHER FN EVENT. WE WERE ABLE TO SWITCH THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON AND THE CONDITION WENT AWAY. I CALLED OUR LOCAL VW DEALER AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE RESULTS OF THIS TEST CAME BACK AND THEY SAID WE NEEDED A NEW MECHATRONICS UNIT (THIS CONTROLS THE TRANSMISSION) AT A COST OF $2300.00 I AM FAMILIAR WITH THESE CARS AND ALSO FAMILIAR WITH THE FACT THAT VW HAS ALREADY INVESTIGATED THIS ISSUE IN LATER YEAR CARS. THIS INVESTIGATION (NHTSA ACTION# PE09035) RESULTED IN A RECALL CAMPAIGN (NHTSA# 09V333000) WHERE VW REPLACED DEFECTIVE MECHATRONICS UNITS AND EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE AFFECTED UNITS TO 10YRS/100,000 MILES. LESS THAN 24 HOURS AFTER RECEIVING THIS DIAGNOSIS, THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, LUCKILY IT WAS AT AN INTERSECTION AND THE SPEED WAS LESS THAN 15MPH. I HAD THE CAR TOWED BACK TO THE VW DEALER, THE TRANSMISSION MUST NOW BE REPLACED ($6,000.00) I CONTENT THAT THIS IS THE SAME OR NEARLY THE SAME ISSUE ADDRESSED IN THE PREVIOUS CAMPAIGN AND THAT VW DID NOT FIND THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE MECHATRONICS AND SUBSEQUENT TRANSMISSION FAILURE. A NEW INVESTIGATION NEEDS TO BE OPENED TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM, IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHICH HAS ALREADY BEEN ADDRESSED FOR SOME OF THEIR VEHICLES. VW NEEDS TO BE MADE TO ADDRESS IT FOR ALL DSG EQUIPPED VEHICLES, ESPECIALLY ONES MANUFACTURED BEFORE THE PREVIOUSLY INVESTIGATED LOT. I CONTACTED VWOA AND EVEN THOUGH MY VEHICLE IS STILL WITHIN THE MILEAGE RANGE OF THE WARRANTY EXTENSION THEY WILL NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE IN THE REPAIRS. *TR

  10. Electrical system, Air bags, Jan 28, 2014

    PURCHASED THE 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA IN AUGUST 2014 WITH 116,000 MILES. ONE MONTH LATER THE HORN WAS NOT WORKING. UPON DOING AN INTERNET SEARCH, DISCOVERED AN INORDINATE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS THAT THESE HORNS BECOME INOPERABLE EVEN WITH FEWER MILES. THE PROBLEM COMES WHEN PRESSING THE HORN PAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL, IT DOES NOT MAKE CONTACT TO SOUND THE HORN. THE AIRBAG ASSEMBLY IS LOCATED HERE AS WELL SO I DON'T FEEL IT'S SAFE TO TRY TO REPLACE IT MYSELF. THE QUOTE TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED WAS $900.00. VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS PART IMMEDIATELY! *TR

  11. Electrical system, Air bags, Seats, Jan 27, 2014

    OUR 2006 JETTA TDI HAD AN AIRBAG FAULT. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP AND THEY TESTED THE AIR CODE AND FOUND OUT THAT THE PASSENGER OCCUPANT DETECTOR MODULE WENT BAD DUE TO A ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION IN THE CIRCUIT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT ABLE TO SAY IF THE AIRBAGS WERE GOING TO WORK ON NOT IN THE CASE OF A CRASH. VOLKSWAGEN IS REFUSING TO TAKE ANY OWNERSHIP OF KEEPING THEIR VEHICLE SAFE AND COVERING THE COST OF THE PART. I CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN USA AND THEY GAVE THE REASON THEY WILL NOT COVER THE PART BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. I FEEL THAT VOLKSWAGEN IS BEING NEGLECTFUL TO THEIR CLAIM ON PROVIDING A SAFE VEHICLE. NOW THAT THE AIRBAG SENSOR IS GOING OUT, WE ARE HAVING MORE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH HEADLIGHTS, PARKING LIGHTS, TAILLIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS, DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS, AND TURN SIGNALS. *TR

  12. Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 22, 2014

    AFTER USING THE FOB TO LOCK THE DOORS WE NOTICED THE REAR DOORS WOULD NOT LOCK. IF THE CAR IS JUST SITTING THE REAR LOCKS WILL NOT LOCK LEAVING THE DOOR OPEN TO CHILDREN OR WOULD BE THIEVES. WE ALSO NOTICED THE REAR DOORS WOULD SHOW THEY WERE LOCKED ONCE WE WERE MOVING, BUT WERE ACTUALLY UNLOCKED ALLOWING THE REAR PASSENGER TO BE ABLE TO OPEN THE DOORS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE! VOLKSWAGEN NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE ASAP. *TR

  13. Engine, Jan 19, 2014

    DURING A HEAVY RAIN, AND WHILE SLOWING TO APPROACH A STOP , MULTIPLE EMERGENCY WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED IN THE DASH DISPLAY. LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR ADVISED TO SHUT OFF ENGINE IMMEDIATELY, GLOW PLUG INDICATOR FLASHED, AND TACHOMETER WENT TO ZERO (EVEN THOUGH ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING). I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, CHECKED OIL (LEVEL WAS FINE), BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. TOWED BACK HOME, AND 30 MINUTES LATER, ENGINE STARTED. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AT ANY TIME. PROBLEM RECURRED AGAIN IN HEAVY RAIN SEVERAL WEEKS LATER. EXAMINED WIRING HARNESS AND FOUND TWENTY INDIVIDUAL WEAR POINTS IN THE WIRES WHERE THE INSULATION WAS WORN ENOUGH TO EXPOSE THE COPPER STRANDS. THERE WERE NUMEROUS OTHER WEAR POINTS WITH NO COPPER VISIBLE, BUT ALL OF THE INSULATION WEAR MATCHED THE CORRUGATION OF THE RIBBING IN THE PLASTIC WIRE LOOM COVERING. CLOSER INSPECTION OF THE WEAR POINTS REVEALED THE MOST PREVALENT AND SERIOUS BARE WIRE CONDITIONS WERE IN THE AREA OF THE HARNESS SUPPORT CLAMPS. VERY CONCERNED REGARDING OTHER SIMILAR POTENTIAL WEAR PROBLEMS THAT COULD RESULT IN ENGINE FAILURE OR FIRE. *TR

  14. Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Jan 18, 2014, crash

    BEEN TO MULTIPLE DEALERSHIPS CLAIMING IN FOX VALLEY IL ROCKFORD IL GLENVIEW IL THAT EITHER MY MECHUNIT IS BAD/FAULTY OR DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL IS BAD/FAULTY. WAS DRIVING WHERE EITHER MY CAR WOULD SHIFT VERY ROUGH AS IF SOMEONE WHO IS VERY INEXPERIENCED WOULD LET GO OF THE CLUTCH LATE AND SHIFT HARD/ROUGH INTO 1-2-3 WITH CLICKING NOISES. CAR JUST RECENTLY SHIFTED FROM 2 TO NEUTRAL AND SCARED THE CRAPOUT OF ME. THE CAR HAS EXTREME VIBRATION AND UNCONTROLLED SHIFT PATTERNS. WAS TURNING ONTO MY STREET AND CAR WENT FROM 3-2 TO NEUTRAL WHILE MY CAR WAS STILL IN DRIVE AND WENT INTO A SNOW BANK ON SIDE OF ROAD. WOULD JUST LIKE TO HAVE VOLKSWAGEN CONTACT ME TO EITHER REPLACE OR FIX THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS OWNERS OF A 2006 VW TDI OR ANY AUTOMATIC WITH DSG MECHUNIT BEWARE AND PLEASE BE CAREFUL. *TR

  15. Power train, Electrical system, Jan 7, 2014

    TRAVELING ALONG AT 55 MPH AND THE GEAR DISPLAY STARTED FLASHING/BLINKING AS THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. IT WOULD NOT RESTART. BATTERY IS FINE. *TR

  16. Electrical system, Seats, Jan 4, 2014, fire

    WHILE DRIVING HOME WITH MY WIFE, SHE STATED THAT SHE THOUGHT SHE HAD NOTICED A BURNING SMELL. THE HEATED SEATS WERE ON AS IT WAS A COLD MORNING. THE NEXT DAY I NOTICED THAT THE BACK REST OF THE SEAT HAD A SMOLDERING MARK AS WELL AS SOME SORT OF SMOKE DAMAGE AS IF THERE WAS A FIRE ON THE INSIDE OF THE SEAT. WE LATER LOOKED ON HER JACKET AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS TRANSFER OF THE "LEATHER" TO HER JACKET. *TR

  17. Power train, Electrical system, Structure, Dec 16, 2013

    I AM THE OWNER OF A 2006 VW JETTA TDI SEDAN. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED IN A PRIVATE SALE IN 2009. BY 2011 I WAS HAVING NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL FAILED JUST AFTER I HAD MY CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE TIMING BELT SERVICE (APPROXIMATE MILEAGE 106,000). I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED (AT MY EXPENSE) TO THE DEALERSHIP SINCE IT WASN'T SAFE TO DRIVE THE 130 MILES. DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM BUT VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA HAS NOT OFFERED ANY ASSISTANCE. APPARENTLY SOMEONE HAS TO DIE TO GET THEIR ATTENTION. APPROXIMATE COST OF REPAIRS: $1,800. 2ND BIG PROBLEM IS ELECTRICAL. WIRING HARNESS IN THE DRIVER DOOR FAILED SOON AFTER I PURCHASED IT. IT STARTED WITH THE DRIVER WINDOW SWITCH NOT WORKING. THEN THE LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON QUIT WORKING. THEN THE INTERIOR/EXTERIOR SAFETY LIGHTS. I HAVE HEARD THAT IT WILL PROGRESS TO THE TRUNK LID, THE OTHER WINDOWS, THE FUEL DOOR, ECT. ONCE AGAIN AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM DUE TO A POOR DESIGN. ONCE AGAIN VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA HAS REFUSED TO OFFER ASSISTANCE - THE DEALERSHIP QUOTED ME JUST UNDER $500 IN PARTS AND LABOR. WHY WOULD A HARNESS COST $205!!! THIRD PROBLEM IS COSMETIC ISSUES. THE PAINT IS FLAKING OFF ESPECIALLY NEAR THE SEAMS AND AT THE WHEEL WHEELS. RUST FORMED WHERE THE PAINT BUBBLED UP AT TWO OF THE FOUR WHEEL WHEELS. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR PAINT PROBLEMS IN THE GENERATION BEFORE THIS VEHICLE AND A 10-12 YEAR CORROSION WARRANTY THAT VW REFUSES TO HONOR. ADDITIONALLY, PROBLEMS WITH POOR MANUFACTURING PRACTICES AND MATERIALS ABOUND IN THIS VEHICLE. THE HEADLINER PULLS AWAY FROM THE PILLARS AT THE SEAMS IN THE REAR DUE TO DEFECTIVE MATERIALS. IT WILL SEPARATE FROM THE ROOF AND BECOME A HANGING VISIBILITY HAZARD. THE PLASTIC DASH PIECES DON'T FIT TOGETHER - SHRINKING AND PULLING AWAY AT THE SEAMS. STEREO BUTTONS (AS WELL AS DOOR SWITCHES) BUBBLE AND FLAKE OFF. *TR

  18. Engine, Nov 28, 2013

    VW IS VERY MUCH AWARE OF THE DEFECT REGARDING CAMSHAFT FAILURE IN THE ENGINE, RESULTING IN HIGH REPAIR COSTS AND DANGEROUS LOSS OF POWER THAT COULD RESULT IN A COLLISION. VW SOUTHTOWNE IN UTAH CALLED THE ENGINE "EXPERIMENTAL" BASICALLY ADMITTED THAT VW KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND ONLY BUILT THE ENGINE FOR 1.5 YEARS AS A RESULT. THEY ONLY RESPOND THAT THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND IS THE CONSUMERS PROBLEM TO PAY FOR A $4000 REPAIR ONTO OF PAYING FOR THE LOAN ON THE CAR. *TR

  19. Electrical system, Sep 27, 2013

    I HAVE RUN INTO NUMEROUS ISSUES ON MY CAR THAT HAVE CAUSED ME TO TROUBLESHOOT AND SOLVE THESE PROBLEMS. MULTIPLE TIMES I HAVE PULLED BACK THE ABRASION PROTECTION ON THE WIRING AND FOUND THAT THE INSULATION COMMON TO THE WIRES IS CRACK OR WORN OFF EXPOSING THE CENTER CONDUCTOR OF THE WIRES. MANY TIMES THERE ARE NUMEROUS WIRES WITHIN A HARNESS THAT ARE WORN THROUGH. SO FAR I HAVEN'T FOUND ANY THAT ARE SHORTED OUT BUT MANY ARE VERY CLOSE AND AT HIGH RISK OF CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT/FIRE. I AM AN AIRCRAFT ELECTRICIAN/INSPECTOR AND HAVE FOUND THE ABRASION PROTECTION TO BE HORRIBLE INADEQUATE. THERE ARE 2 HARNESSES THAT GO TO THE TURBO THAT HAVE A HARD PLASTIC ABRASION COVER BUT NOTHING SHIELDING THE WIRE FROM THIS COVER. ON BOTH OF THESE HARNESSES I FOUND THAT THE PLASTIC HAD WORN A SERIES OF RIDGES DOWN THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF WIRE THEY COVERED AND EXPOSED THE CONDUCTOR IN MULTIPLE PLACES. MY RIGHT HAND MIRROR TURN SIGNAL WAS NOT WORKING SO I PULLED IT OUT AND TESTED THE BULB AND FOUND THAT IT WAS GOOD. WHEN I PULLED THE RUBBER BOOT THAT COVERS THE WIRES IN THE DOOR JAM I FOUND A POWER WIRE IN THERE THAT THE INSULATION HAD CRACKED AND PULLED APART EXPOSING .150" OF CENTER CONDUCTOR IN MULTIPLE PLACES. IT SEEMS THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE WIRING IS EITHER POOR QUALITY OR JUST NOT PROTECTED CAUSING THE INSULATION TO FAIL AND BECOME A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD FOR POTENTIAL ELECTRICAL SHORTS OR FIRES. I HAVE HEARD THESE CARS ARE PRONE TO ELECTRICAL CAUSED FIRES AND STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE IN ORDER TO AVOID MORE VERY SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THESE CARS THAT COULD COST SOMEONE THEIR LIFE. I HAVE ONLY OWNED THIS CAR SINCE MAY OF 2013 AND HAVE ALREADY REPAIRED 4 WIRING HARNESSES THROUGHOUT THE CAR. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN ON A CAR THAT IS ONLY 7 YEARS OLD. *TR

  20. Service brakes, Sep 12, 2013

    AT MY CARS 20K SERVICE THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED REPLACEMENT. AT THE 50K THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. WEAR THIS RAPID IS DISCONCERTING AND DANGEROUS. HAD I NOT TAKEN MY CAR IN FOR REGULAR SERVICE THIS COULD HAVE LEAD TO A SERIOUS ISSUE. I DO NOT USE MY BRAKES HEAVILY. MOST OF MY DRIVING IS NON-HIGHWAY DRIVING, MOSTLY JUST TRAFFIC LIGHT TO TRAFFIC LIGHT. I CONSISTENTLY USE THE PARKING BRAKE WHEN PARKING. *TR

  21. Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 30, 2013

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, SHE BEGAN TO SMELL GASOLINE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW THAT GASOLINE WAS LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V621000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) BUT WAS INFORMED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

  22. Power train, Aug 28, 2013

    VOLKSWAGON HAS A PROBLEM WITH A FAULTY DUAL MASS FLYWHEELS,THE SPRINGS BREAK INSIDE THE FLYWHEEL YOU HEAR A RATTLE WHEN THE CAR IS AT IDLE AND THE GOES AWAY WHEN IN GEAR.FROM READING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM I FINALLY FOUD OUT WHAT THIS NOISE IS.I HAVE ASKED THE SERVICE TECH TO SEE IF ANYTHING IS LOOSE AND THEY ALWAYS COME UP EMPTY.I FINALLY READ ABOUT THIS ON THE VW TDI FORUMS ONLINE.THEY SAID VW RECALLED THIS PROBLEM IN AUSTRAILIA BUT NOT IN THE UNITED STATES.I HAVE CALLED VW CUSTOMER LINE BUT ALL THE TELL ME IS WE HAVE NOT ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM SO THEY CAN'T HELP ME.ONE OF THE SPRINGS ALREADY BROKE A HOLE IN THE COVER FOR THE TRANSMISSION. I HOPE YOU CAN HELP! *TT

  23. Power train, Aug 22, 2013

    #1 JULY 262013 JETTA SEDAN 2.5L AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 87,850 MILES A D V E R T I S E M E N T S I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 2006 VW JETTA WITH A DSG TRANSMISSION AND 2.5 L MOTOR. THE VEHICLE LURCHES AND LOSES POWER AS IF GAS HAD BEEN SWITCHED OFF OR THE TRANSMISSION HAS BOGGED DOWN AND SEEMS TO OCCUR WHEN SHIFTING. IT ALSO HAPPENS FROM A DEAD STOP, WITH THE VEHICLE LURCHING FORWARD WITH CONSIDERABLE FORCE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGES. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON BOTH VERY HOT DAYS, 100+ DEGREES, AND ALSO DURING EVENING AND NIGHTTIME WHILE DRIVING ON SURFACE STREETS AND ON THE INTERSTATE THOUGH ON THE INTERSTATE IT DOESN'T LURCH FORWARD WHEN POWER IS RESTORED. THE VEHICLE USUALLY REGAINS POWER 3-5 SECONDS AFTER LOSS OF POWER MOST TIMES THIS OCCURS BUT THERE WERE A FEW TIMES THE VEHICLE STALLED. ONCE THIS HAPPENS THIS CONDITION CONTINUES TO OCCUR MORE WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVABLE. ONCE THE VEHICLE HAS COOLED OFF FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, 2 OR MORE HOURS, IT DRIVES WITH OUT THIS PROBLEM FOR THE SAME AMOUNT OF TIME, OR LESS, AS WHEN DRIVEN FROM A COLD START. THIS HAS ALSO OCCURRED WHILE PASSING AND FORCED ME TO CANCEL MY PASS OF A SLOWER MOVING VEHICLE AND MERGE INTO THE TRAFFIC WHICH ON ONE OCCASION HAD CLOSED RANKS LEAVING ME NO ROOM TO MERGE. I HAVE ONLY BEEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE FOR ABOUT A WEEK. THIS STATEMENT WAS POSTED AROUND 8-5-2013. THE PROBLEM IS STILL THE SAME. *TR

  24. Engine, Aug 19, 2013

    A RATTLING SOUND BEGAN TO COME FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SHORTLY AFTER PASSING 85,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. SCANNED THE COMPUTER AND FOUND SEVERAL CODES FOR MISFIRES AND VACUUM LEAKS ON THE VEHICLE ECU. TOOK IT TO A SHOP AFTER PERFORMING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE DID NOTHING TO SMOOTH OUT ENGINE OPERATION. SHOP SHORTLY CONTACTED ME BACK WITH A QUOTE OF THE TIMING CHAINS WERE COMING APART AND THE ENGINE WAS SEVERELY OUT OF TIME. AFTER SOME RESEARCH ONLINE THIS APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE EARLY 2.5L MK5 JETTA ENGINE. *TR

  25. Structure, Aug 5, 2013

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLINER UPHOLSTERY NEAR THE REAR WINDOW WAS SPLITTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UPHOLSTERY CENTER WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE ENTIRE UPHOLSTERY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.