MYRModel Year Report

2006 Volkswagen Jetta

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2006 Volkswagen Jetta
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of 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
580
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2006

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Power train

44% of complaints

Complaints per year

1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 14 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1988: 19 complaints 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 22 complaints 1990 1991: 32 complaints 1992: 30 complaints 1993: 17 complaints 1994: 120 complaints 1995: 220 complaints 1996: 173 complaints 1996 1997: 141 complaints 1998: 192 complaints 1999: 349 complaints 2000: 439 complaints 2001: 668 complaints 2002: 702 complaints 2003: 456 complaints 2004: 231 complaints 2005: 248 complaints 2006: 580 complaints 2006 580 2007: 201 complaints 2008: 188 complaints 2009: 888 complaints 2010: 852 complaints 2011: 607 complaints 2012: 500 complaints 2013: 517 complaints 2014: 386 complaints 2014 2015: 194 complaints 2016: 161 complaints 2017: 159 complaints 2018: 31 complaints 2019: 549 complaints 2020: 53 complaints 2020 2021: 69 complaints 2022: 43 complaints 2023: 43 complaints 2024: 44 complaints 2025: 29 complaints 2026: 6 complaints 2026
1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 14 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1987 1988: 19 complaints 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 22 complaints 1990 1991: 32 complaints 1992: 30 complaints 1993: 17 complaints 1993 1994: 120 complaints 1995: 220 complaints 1996: 173 complaints 1996 1997: 141 complaints 1998: 192 complaints 1999: 349 complaints 1999 2000: 439 complaints 2001: 668 complaints 2002: 702 complaints 2002 2003: 456 complaints 2004: 231 complaints 2005: 248 complaints 2006: 580 complaints 2006 580 2007: 201 complaints 2008: 188 complaints 2009: 888 complaints 2010: 852 complaints 2011: 607 complaints 2011 2012: 500 complaints 2013: 517 complaints 2014: 386 complaints 2014 2015: 194 complaints 2016: 161 complaints 2017: 159 complaints 2017 2018: 31 complaints 2019: 549 complaints 2020: 53 complaints 2020 2021: 69 complaints 2022: 43 complaints 2023: 43 complaints 2023 2024: 44 complaints 2025: 29 complaints 2026: 6 complaints 2026
1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 14 complaints 1986 1987: 18 complaints 1988: 19 complaints 1988 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 22 complaints 1990 1991: 32 complaints 1992: 30 complaints 1992 1993: 17 complaints 1994: 120 complaints 1994 1995: 220 complaints 1996: 173 complaints 1996 1997: 141 complaints 1998: 192 complaints 1998 1999: 349 complaints 2000: 439 complaints 2000 2001: 668 complaints 2002: 702 complaints 2002 2003: 456 complaints 2004: 231 complaints 2004 2005: 248 complaints 2006: 580 complaints 2006 580 2007: 201 complaints 2008: 188 complaints 2008 2009: 888 complaints 2010: 852 complaints 2010 2011: 607 complaints 2012: 500 complaints 2012 2013: 517 complaints 2014: 386 complaints 2014 2015: 194 complaints 2016: 161 complaints 2016 2017: 159 complaints 2018: 31 complaints 2018 2019: 549 complaints 2020: 53 complaints 2020 2021: 69 complaints 2022: 43 complaints 2022 2023: 43 complaints 2024: 44 complaints 2024 2025: 29 complaints 2026: 6 complaints 2026

2006: 580 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19810
19820
19830
19841
198513
198614
198718
198819
198928
199022
199132
199230
199317
1994120
1995220
1996173
1997141
1998192
1999349
2000439
2001668
2002702
2003456
2004231
2005248
2006580
2007201
2008188
2009888
2010852
2011607
2012500
2013517
2014386
2015194
2016161
2017159
201831
2019549
202053
202169
202243
202343
202444
202529
20266

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

44% · 254 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and clutch assembly.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Electrical system

20% · 114 reports

Most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel and ignition.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Air bags

11% · 65 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and driver clockspring/spiral cassette.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

2016 auto accident, all vehicle.airbags failed to deploy including driver side airbags with extensive crumble zone and front end damage.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-06-15

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, he attempted to avoid crashing into a cat and lost control of the vehicle. The contact then crashed into a tree. The air bags did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-10-15

I was in 2 accidents I don't remember the dates, but one was in the latter part of 2010 and another was in 2008. In both accidents the air bags failed to deploy, the air bag light never goes off, even before the accidents.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-06-21

Engine and engine cooling

9% · 55 reports

Most commonly citing engine and exhaust system.

Engine

7% · 39 reports

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2006Complaint volume 580 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2007-08-24Visibility07V284000 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.

    Remedy: 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.…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2007-10-31Exterior lighting07V442000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2009-06-30Power train09V164000 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…

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2011-01-31Fuel system, gasoline10V621000 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.…

    Remedy: 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2014-05-01Engine and engine cooling14E007000 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...

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2020-10-30Service brakes, hydraulic20E064000 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.

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2006 Volkswagen Jetta — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 254 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 114 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 65 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 07V284000 · Visibility
  • Recall 07V442000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09V164000 · Power train
  • Recall 10V621000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 14E007000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 20E064000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 44% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.