Engine
1.9L 4-cyl
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
When it fails
The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.
Vehicle age when the failure occurred
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 124 of 124 complaints with a usable failure date.
Odometer when the failure occurred
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 106 of 124 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Power train
47 complaint records2 crash reports
"2006 NEW BEETLE TDI TRANSMISSION (DSG) FAILURE. CAN SUDDENLY SLOW AND OPERATED AT HIGH REV'S. LUCKY I DID NOT GET REAR ENDED. *TR..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse power train parts in the directory →
Engine & cooling
20 complaint records
"CPSC:I1380279A. 2006 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. CONSUMER STATED THE CAR IS EMITTING STRONG FUMES THAT SMELLS LIKE BURNING WAX OR CRAYONS. ALSO STATED IT IS MAKING HER SICK. *LN UPDATED 09/25/13*LJ..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse engine & cooling parts in the directory →
Electrical system
13 complaint records
"THIS VEHICLE HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE IMMOBILIZER. THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WICH SHOULD BE RESPONSABILITY OF THE MANUFACTURER. AT WARM DAYS THERE IS NO PROBLEM, BUT IN COLD DAYS THE IMMOBILIZER ACTIVATES AND THERE IS IMPOSSIBLE START THE CAR...."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse electrical system parts in the directory →
Recall campaigns
Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10V621000 | Fuel System, Gasoline | 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. | Normally free |
| 07V063000 | Exterior Lighting | ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY. | Normally free |
| 06V043000 | Equipment | CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 17-INCH WHEELS AND A 2.5L ENGINE FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. | Normally free |
Transport Canada recalls
Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010445 2010-12-10 | Fuel System | 5,928 | On certain New Beetle and New Beetle convertible equipped with a 2.5L Engine, a fastening clamp on a hydraulic hose of the power steering system may be located in an improper position, which could cause chafing against an underhood fuel... |
| 2006122 2006-05-24 | Lights And Instruments | 244,526 | On certain Golf, GTI, Jetta, Jetta wagon, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, Passat and Passat wagon, the brake lamp switch may malfunction. |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| V691901201047916 Jan 2024 | Unknown Or Other | Airbag / Pyrotechnic Safety Belt Deployment Inquiries, update to contact information due to retirement. | |
| V171901201285565 Aug 2023 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards | |
| V171901201285562 May 2023 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments. | |
| V171901201285560 Apr 2023 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments. | |
| V941901201152119 Dec 2022 | Equipment | Update model year applicability to include 2023. |
Show 55 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| V271901201189422 Dec 2022 | Electrical System | Battery testing and charging using special tools VAS6161 & GRX3000VAS Charger. Updated to include additional model year applicability. | |
| V171901201285543 Jan 2022 | Engine | Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments) | |
| A002155201173212 Dec 2021 | Electrical System | This bulletin contains general instructions for software updates. | |
| V171901201285542 Dec 2021 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments) | |
| V271901201189417 Dec 2021 | Electrical System | Battery testing using VW special tools, updated to include additional model year applicability and include I.D.4. | |
| TT 01 21 03 Dec 2021 | Equipment | Explanation of error message received from scan tool when erasing diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) in Control Module -623- after repair. | |
| V171901201285541 Dec 2021 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments) | |
| V691901201047914 Nov 2021 | Electrical System | Update to model year applicability. | |
| V171901201285540 Oct 2021 | Engine | Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments) | |
| V0018092053065_3 Oct 2021 | Equipment | Additional safety related Inquiry and Reporting instruction. | |
| V171901201285539 Sep 2021 | Equipment | Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments) | |
| V171901201285537 Jul 2021 | Equipment | Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments) | |
| V171901201285536 Jun 2021 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments) | |
| V001713203384614 Jun 2021 | Engine | Fuel Additive to Help Prevent Sporadic Misfire Faults | |
| V171806201781315 Jun 2021 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Engine oil consumption measurement. | |
| V011615201481513 Jun 2021 | Engine | VW approved gasoline fuel additive, update to include additional models and model year applicability. | |
| V011812201460317 Jun 2021 | Electrical System | Software Version Management (SVM) | |
| V171901201285535 Jun 2021 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments) | |
| V871812200556626 May 2021 | Equipment | Removing musty odor from A/C system. Updated to include additional model and model year applicability. | |
| V171901201285534 May 2021 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments) | |
| ELSAallignVW Apr 2021 | Equipment | Elsa2Go campaign information is now 100% aligned with ElsaPro. This update to Elsa2Go ensures that both systems are displaying the same campaign information, including OPEN/CLOSED status, repair date as well as criterions at the same time without any discrepancy. | |
| TT 00 13 04_6 Apr 2021 | Equipment | Parts ordering information | |
| V171901201285533 Apr 2021 | Equipment | Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments) | |
| V941901201152117 Mar 2021 | Exterior Lighting | Exterior lighting moisture in lens updated to exclude LED lighting. | |
| V011615201481512 Mar 2021 | Fuel System | VW approved gasoline fuel additive, update to include additional models and model year applicability. | |
| V001713203384613 Feb 2021 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Update to top tier brochure purchasing url. | |
| V011812201460316 Feb 2021 | Electrical System | Software Version Management (SVM) instruction updated to include model year 2021 | |
| V171901201285532 Feb 2021 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Updated to include update recommended engine oil attachments. | |
| TT 97 14 02 Jan 2021 | Back Over Prevention | Data link diagnostics and tips | |
| V1719012012855_3 Jan 2021 | Equipment | Updated to include an additional model year applicability. | |
| V5515032021354_7 Jan 2021 | Structure | Body surfaces (engine compartment and underside of hood) are not directly visible (exposed) therefore do not match exterior paint finish. | |
| V271901201189416 Jan 2021 | Equipment | Battery testing. Updated to include additional model and model year applicability. | |
| SM C-2020 Dec 2020 | Equipment | This special notice is to inform dealers to return the part numbers listed (State of California only). | |
| V171806201781314 Nov 2020 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Oil consumption test updated to include additional models and model year applicability. | |
| TT 00 16 02-4 Oct 2020 | Engine | Mandatory fastener. | |
| TT 45 09 05-6 Sep 2020 | Service Brakes | Antilock brake function test direction. | |
| TT 45 09 05 Sep 2020 | Equipment | Antilock brake function test direction. | |
| VW Part Labels Aug 2020 | Equipment | Recall Reminder Part Labels | |
| TT 13 20 01 Aug 2020 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Oil pressure priming after engine replacement or internal repair. | |
| TT 45 09 05ss2 Jul 2020 | Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP) function test may not end on its own causing DTC. | |
| VOS-20-23 Jul 2020 | Electrical System | This document outlines updates to the ODIS diagnostic software. Updates include corrected diagnostic test plans for the stated vehicles. | |
| V001717203384611 Jun 2020 | Fuel System | Update brochure part number and recording URL. Update model and model year applicability. | |
| V871806201994715 Jun 2020 | Equipment | Metadata update (add MY 2014 Eos (missing). | |
| V0018052010380_8 Jun 2020 | Equipment | Update to include 2020-2021 model and model year applicability. | |
| V871806201994714 May 2020 | Equipment | Tool number added to table. Removal of Behr Flush Kit. VAS 6337/1A | |
| V941901201152115 Apr 2020 | Equipment | Updated to include additional models and model year applicability. | |
| V171901201285530 Apr 2020 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Update to Volkswagen engine oil specification attachments. | |
| Dealercomm200310 Mar 2020 | Equipment | Volkswagen After Sales Weekly Communication - March 10, 2020 | |
| V171901_2012855 Feb 2020 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Update to Volkswagen engine oil specification attachments. | |
| V171901201285528 Jan 2020 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Update to Volkswagen engine oil specification attachments. | |
| V1917012022548_8 Jan 2020 | Equipment | Update to Volkswagen Identifying and mixing of coolant. Introducing new coolant type. | |
| V1917012022548_7 Jan 2020 | Equipment | Update to Volkswagen Identifying and mixing of coolant. Introducing new coolant type. | |
| V011812_2014603 Dec 2019 | Electrical System | Update model applicability to MY 2020. | |
| V171901_2012855 Nov 2019 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards. | |
| V871806_2019947 Nov 2019 | Equipment | Include new special tool adapter and 2018 model year Jetta only |
Showing 60 of 291 distinct bulletins on file for this vehicle.
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Drive it from a dead stop, twice, on a hill if you can.Shudder, hesitation, or a lurch under light throttle is how this vehicle's largest complaint cluster shows itself. Then ask for the transmission service history in writing; repeat repairs are a pattern, not a fluke.
- Cold-start it yourself and listen for the first thirty seconds.Knocking, ticking that fades as it warms, or blue or white smoke on startup are the sounds of this vehicle's engine cluster. Check the oil level and the coolant color, and ask whether the engine or its head gaskets have ever been out.
- Sit in it with the engine off and test everything that has a switch.Windows, locks, lights, the cluster, the radio. Electrical faults are this vehicle's story and the hardest to see on a drive: an intermittent no-start waits for the second week of ownership. Ask for the battery's age and whether any control module has been replaced.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 3 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Volkswagen Beetle →