2006 Volkswagen GTI

▲ Better than typical

2006 Volkswagen GTI
RENDERED 2026-08-02T09:48:30.430Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2006: 43 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1985	2
1986	2
1987	2
1988	0
1989	0
1990	0
1991	1
1992	0
1993	0
1994	0
1995	18
1996	9
1997	10
1998	10
1999	8
2000	45
2001	74
2002	124
2003	53
2004	7
2005	8
2006	43
2007	77
2008	67
2009	167
2010	53
2011	54
2012	40
2013	34
2014	10
2015	97
2016	66
2017	50
2018	16
2019	178
2020	8
2021	3
2022	26
2023	6
2024	28
2025	0

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 16%

16% of complaints: power train — 7 distinct reports on file.

AIR BAGS 16%

16% of complaints: air bags — 7 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

CAMSHIFT SENSOR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND OFF EVERY 2 DAYS

NHTSA ODI report, 20190221

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED, WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180503

ENGINE 12%

12% of complaints: engine — 5 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING AND VEHICLE WAS QUICKLY CONSUMED IN FLAMES. POWER LOSS WAS INITIALLY NOTICED ON THE HIGHWAY, BUT VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND STARTED TO BURN ON A SIDE STREET WHILE STOPPED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20160530

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILURE THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130123

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%

12% of complaints: electrical system — 5 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

CAR INFORMATION: 2006 VOLKSWAGEN GTI 2.0T, 59,279 MILES. INCIDENT: WENT TO START CAR AFTER EATING IN A RESTAURANT, IGNITION COIL EXPLODED. MELTED THE WIRING HARNESS, VALVE COVER AND DAMAGED OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20100505

VEHICLE WAS RUNNING ROUGH, PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF ENGINE. RESTARTED AND VEHICLE STILL IDLED VERY ROUGH. WHILE CALLING VW ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD.

NHTSA ODI report, 20071006

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 9%

9% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 4 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20070427 — 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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2007, AND WILL BE CONDUCTED IN SEVERAL STAGGERED MAILINGS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21, 2007. VEHICLE

Campaign 07V063000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20071031 — exterior lighting

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 REQUIRE

Remedy: 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 AIM

Campaign 07V442000 — check if this car was fixed