2006 Volkswagen Jetta

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2006 Volkswagen Jetta
BUILT 2026-08-02

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 PER YEAR

2006: 580 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1980	0
1981	0
1982	0
1983	0
1984	1
1985	13
1986	14
1987	18
1988	19
1989	28
1990	22
1991	31
1992	30
1993	17
1994	117
1995	220
1996	31
1997	54
1998	192
1999	349
2000	439
2001	668
2002	702
2003	455
2004	231
2005	248
2006	580
2007	201
2008	188
2009	888
2010	852
2011	606
2012	499
2013	515
2014	386
2015	193
2016	160
2017	158
2018	30
2019	537
2020	51
2021	65
2022	41
2023	41
2024	36
2025	21
2026	3

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18%

18% of complaints: electrical system — 102 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

POWER TRAIN 16%

16% of complaints: power train — 92 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

POWER TRAIN 13%

13% of complaints: power train — 76 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY

AIR BAGS 10%

10% of complaints: air bags — 60 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

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, 20180615

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, 20121015

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, 20120621

POWER TRAIN 7%

7% of complaints: power train — 39 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2006 — complaint volume: 580

R 20070824 — visibility

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. O

Campaign 07V284000 — 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

R 20090630 — power train

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 FACTOR

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.

Campaign 09V164000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20110131 — 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. T

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 RESERV

Campaign 10V621000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140501 — engine and engine cooling

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.

Campaign 14E007000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20201030 — service brakes, hydraulic

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.

Campaign 20E064000 — check if this car was fixed