2006 Volkswagen Jetta

580 federal complaints (792 component records) · 4 recall campaigns on file · 430 service bulletins · 6 Canadian recalls
See all 44 model years of the Volkswagen Jetta →
Engine
1.9L 4-cyl
Fuel
Diesel, Premium, Regular
Drive
FWD
EPA economy
30 city / 37 hwy
Federal complaints
580
Recall campaigns
4
Specifications show one example EPA configuration for this model year; other engines, drivetrains, and trims exist and the records below cover all of them.
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.

Power train
254
Electrical system
114
Engine & cooling
94
Air bags
65
Lighting
35
Brakes
29
Glass & wipers
25
Body & structure
25
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

0 years old: 74 complaints01 years old: 62 complaints2 years old: 63 complaints3 years old: 55 complaints4 years old: 82 complaints5 years old: 57 complaints56 years old: 41 complaints7 years old: 29 complaints8 years old: 41 complaints9 years old: 15 complaints10 years old: 19 complaints1011 years old: 7 complaints12 years old: 14 complaints13 years old: 10 complaints14 years old: 8 complaints15 years old: 1 complaints1516 years old: 1 complaints17 years old: 1 complaints18 years old: 0 complaints19 years old: 0 complaints20+ years old: 0 complaints20+
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 580 of 580 complaints with a usable failure date.

Odometer when the failure occurred

0,000 - 20,000 miles: 52 complaints020,000 - 40,000 miles: 63 complaints40,000 - 60,000 miles: 67 complaints40k60,000 - 80,000 miles: 81 complaints80,000 - 100,000 miles: 83 complaints80k100,000 - 120,000 miles: 53 complaints120,000 - 140,000 miles: 37 complaints120k140,000 - 160,000 miles: 15 complaints160,000 - 180,000 miles: 12 complaints160k180,000 - 200,000 miles: 12 complaints200,000+ miles: 14 complaints200k+
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 489 of 580 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

254 complaint records3 fire reports2 crash reports
"CLUTCH FAILURE ON 2006 JETTA TDI CLUTCH FAILED WHILE DRIVING REPAIR OF CLUTCH BY OWNER, DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR. *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 →

Electrical system

114 complaint records3 fire reports3 crash reports
"ELECTRICAL HARNESS IN PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LEADS TO INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL FAILURES THAT CAN LEAD TO SAFETY ISSUES. *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 electrical system parts in the directory →

Engine & cooling

94 complaint records
"PURCHASED A "PRE-OWNED CERTIFIED" 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA AFTER HITTING 90,000 MILES THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND CV BOOT NEED TO BE REPLACED. *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 engine & cooling 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.

CampaignComponentSummaryRemedy
10V621000Fuel System, GasolineVOLKSWAGEN 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
09V164000Power TrainVOLKSWAGEN 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.Normally free
07V442000Exterior LightingCERTAIN 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...Normally free
07V284000VisibilityCERTAIN 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.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.

RecallSystemUnits (CA)Summary
2010444
2010-12-10
Fuel System30,255On certain Golf, Golf wagon, Jetta and Rabbit equipped with a 2.5L Engine, a small plastic tab located on the windshield washer fluid reservoir may chafe against an underhood fuel supply line.
2009141
2009-05-14
Structure2,388On certain vehicles, driveshaft cover plate screws may not have been torqued properly during vehicle assembly. Should they loosen, a knocking sound may be heard while the vehicle is in motion.
2007306
2007-09-18
Lights And Instruments52,475Certain vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of CMVSS 108 - Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated Equipment. 1).
2007210
2007-06-22
Other2,707Certain vehicles 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 chaffing could cause a fuel leak over time.
2006122
2006-05-24
Lights And Instruments244,526On certain Golf, GTI, Jetta, Jetta wagon, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, Passat and Passat wagon, the brake lamp switch may malfunction.
Show 1 more Canadian recalls
RecallSystemUnits (CA)Summary
2005192
2005-06-29
Fuel System5,379On certain vehicles equipped with a 2.5L gasoline engine, a fuel supply line clamp located in the engine compartment may not be positioned properly and could leak. A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, may cause a fire.

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.

BulletinTypeComponentSummary
SM 39-2026
Sep 2026
Unknown Or OtherThis special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
V171901201285565
Aug 2023
Engine And Engine CoolingUpdate to Volkswagen engine oil standards
V171901201285562
May 2023
Engine And Engine CoolingVolkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
V171901201285560
Apr 2023
Engine And Engine CoolingEngine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
V941901201152119
Dec 2022
EquipmentUpdate model year applicability to include 2023.
Show 55 more bulletins
BulletinTypeComponentSummary
V271901201189422
Dec 2022
Electrical SystemBattery testing and charging using special tools VAS6161 & GRX3000VAS Charger. Updated to include additional model year applicability.
V241801204513812
Sep 2022
EquipmentUpdate warranty table labor operation numbers due to recent Saga updates.
V241801204513811
Aug 2022
EquipmentUpdate warranty table labor operation numbers due to recent Saga updates.
SM 48-2022
Jun 2022
EquipmentThis special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
V171901201285543
Jan 2022
EngineUpdate engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)
A002155201173212
Dec 2021
Electrical SystemThis bulletin contains general instructions for software updates.
V171901201285542
Dec 2021
Engine And Engine CoolingUpdate engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)
V271901201189417
Dec 2021
Electrical SystemBattery testing using VW special tools, updated to include additional model year applicability and include I.D.4.
TT 01 21 03
Dec 2021
EquipmentExplanation 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 CoolingUpdate engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)
V691901201047914
Nov 2021
Electrical SystemUpdate to model year applicability.
V171901201285540
Oct 2021
EngineUpdate engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)
V0018092053065_3
Oct 2021
EquipmentAdditional safety related Inquiry and Reporting instruction.
V171901201285539
Sep 2021
EquipmentUpdate engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)
V2418012045138_9
Sep 2021
EquipmentUpdate to model year applicability.
V171901201285537
Jul 2021
EquipmentUpdate engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)
V171901201285536
Jun 2021
Engine And Engine CoolingUpdate engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)
V001713203384614
Jun 2021
EngineFuel Additive to Help Prevent Sporadic Misfire Faults
V171806201781315
Jun 2021
Engine And Engine CoolingEngine oil consumption measurement.
V011615201481513
Jun 2021
Fuel SystemVW approved gasoline fuel additive, update to include additional models and model year applicability.
V011812201460317
Jun 2021
Electrical SystemSoftware Version Management (SVM)
V171901201285535
Jun 2021
Engine And Engine CoolingUpdate engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)
V871812200556626
May 2021
EquipmentRemoving musty odor from A/C system. Updated to include additional model and model year applicability.
V171901201285534
May 2021
Engine And Engine CoolingUpdate engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)
ELSAallignVW
Apr 2021
EquipmentElsa2Go 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.
SM 33-2021
Apr 2021
EquipmentThis special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed and only order the successor parts going forward
TT 00 13 04_6
Apr 2021
EquipmentParts ordering information
V171901201285533
Apr 2021
EngineUpdate engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)
SM 22-2021
Mar 2021
EquipmentThis special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
V941901201152117
Mar 2021
Exterior LightingExterior lighting moisture in lens updated to exclude LED lighting.
V011615201481512
Mar 2021
Fuel SystemVW approved gasoline fuel additive, update to include additional models and model year applicability.
V001713203384613
Feb 2021
Engine And Engine CoolingUpdate to top tier brochure purchasing url.
V2418012045138_9
Feb 2021
EquipmentUpdate to brochure purchase url
V011812201460316
Feb 2021
Electrical SystemSoftware Version Management (SVM) instruction updated to include model year 2021
V171901201285532
Feb 2021
Engine And Engine CoolingUpdated to include update recommended engine oil attachments.
TT 97 14 02
Jan 2021
Back Over PreventionData link diagnostics and tips
V1719012012855_3
Jan 2021
EquipmentUpdated to include an additional model year applicability.
V5515032021354_7
Jan 2021
EquipmentBody surfaces (engine compartment and underside of hood) are not directly visible (exposed) therefore do not match exterior paint finish.
V271901201189416
Jan 2021
Electrical SystemBattery testing. Updated to include additional model and model year applicability.
SM C-2020
Dec 2020
EquipmentThis special notice is to inform dealers to return the part numbers listed (State of California only).
V171806201781314
Nov 2020
Engine And Engine CoolingOil consumption test updated to include additional models and model year applicability.
TT 00 16 02-4
Oct 2020
EngineMandatory fastener.
VOS-20-33
Sep 2020
Electrical SystemThis document outlines updates to the ODIS diagnostic software. Updates include corrected diagnostic test plans for the stated vehicles.
TT 45 09 05-6
Sep 2020
Service BrakesAntilock brake function test direction.
TT 45 09 05
Sep 2020
Service BrakesAntilock brake function test direction.
VW Part Labels
Aug 2020
EquipmentRecall Reminder Part Labels
TT 13 20 01
Aug 2020
Engine And Engine CoolingOil 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.
V001717203384611
Jun 2020
Fuel SystemUpdate brochure part number and recording URL. Update model and model year applicability.
V2418012045138_8
Jun 2020
Engine And Engine CoolingUpdate Top Tier brochure part number.
V871806201994715
Jun 2020
EquipmentMetadata update (add MY 2014 Eos (missing).
V0018052010380_8
Jun 2020
Equipment Adaptive/MobilityUpdate to include 2020-2021 model and model year applicability.
V871806201994714
May 2020
EquipmentTool number added to table. Removal of Behr Flush Kit. VAS 6337/1A
V941901201152115
Apr 2020
EquipmentUpdated to include additional models and model year applicability.
V171901201285530
Apr 2020
Engine And Engine CoolingUpdate to Volkswagen engine oil specification attachments.

Showing 60 of 430 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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 4 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.
  5. 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 Jetta →