2006 Volkswagen Jetta
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
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 | 32 |
| 1992 | 30 |
| 1993 | 17 |
| 1994 | 120 |
| 1995 | 220 |
| 1996 | 173 |
| 1997 | 141 |
| 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 | 516 |
| 2014 | 386 |
| 2015 | 194 |
| 2016 | 161 |
| 2017 | 159 |
| 2018 | 31 |
| 2019 | 545 |
| 2020 | 51 |
| 2021 | 66 |
| 2022 | 42 |
| 2023 | 42 |
| 2024 | 40 |
| 2025 | 24 |
| 2026 | 5 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
44% of complaints: power train — 254 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and clutch assembly.
CRASH FIRE INJURY20% of complaints: electrical system — 114 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel and ignition.
CRASH FIRE INJURY11% of complaints: air bags — 65 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and driver clockspring/spiral cassette.
CRASH INJURYShow 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
9% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 55 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and exhaust system.
7% of complaints: engine — 39 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
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
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
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
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
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
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
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2006 Volkswagen Jetta — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for power train issues (254 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (114 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (65 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 07V284000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07V442000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09V164000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 10V621000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14E007000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20E064000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST 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 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.