YearToAvoid

2006 Volkswagen Jetta Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

65/100

#8 most-complained of 21 Jetta years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2006 Volkswagen Jetta has 580 owner complaints and 4 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 65 out of 100 — #8 highest of 21 Jetta model years (verdict: Caution). The most reported problem area is transmission & powertrain (245 complaints, 42% of the total). Complaints report 15 crashes, 6 fires, and 17 injuries.

Complaints
580
Recalls
4
Crashes / fires
15 / 6
Injuries / deaths
17 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
24.5
21.5 city / 29 hwy

Top 2006 Volkswagen Jetta problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Transmission & Powertrain245 (42%)
  2. Electrical System138 (24%)
  3. Engine110 (19%)
  4. Airbags65 (11%)
  5. Structure & Body58 (10%)
  6. Brakes34 (6%)
  7. Fuel System23 (4%)
  8. Visibility & Wipers23 (4%)
  9. Other22 (4%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires16 (3%)
2006 Volkswagen Jetta complaints: complaints filed per quarter392005 Q42007 Q42009 Q42011 Q42013 Q42015 Q42017 Q42020 Q1
755 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2005 Q4 to 2023 Q3; peak 2011 Q1 (39).

2006 Volkswagen Jetta recalls

4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 10V621000Dec 10, 2010Fuel System228,236 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

    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. The jetta, jetta sportwagen, and rabbit vehicles may have a small plastic tab located on the windshield washer fluid reservoir that may chafe against an underhood fuel supply line. The new beetle and the new beetle convertible vehicles may have a fastening clamp on a hydraulic hose of the power steering system that may be located in an improper position which could cause chafing against an underhood fuel supply line.

    Risk: If chafing occurs, there is the potential for a fuel leak to develop. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.

    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 reservoir, or inspect the position of the fastening clamp and adjust the related fastening clamp into the correct position. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before january 31, 2011. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.

  2. NHTSA 09V164000May 19, 2009Transmission & Powertrain25,594 vehicles

    Power train:driveline:driveshaft

    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 factory specifications. Some screws may not have been torqued properly during assembly and could loosen over time, causing a knocking sound when the vehicle is in motion. The driveshaft screws could loosen to the point where the driveshaft detaches from the gearbox.

    Risk: If the vehicle is moving when this happens, the detached driveshaft could cause damage the gearbox housing. A damage gearbox housing could leak gearbox oil onto the street and create a risk of a vehicle crash for both the driver and other motorists.

    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.

  3. NHTSA 07V442000Sep 24, 2007Electrical System340,000 vehicles

    Exterior lighting:headlights

    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 required cap installed which disables the headlight horizontal aim and some vehicles may contain a cap that disables the vertical aiming screw.

    Risk: Noncompliance can inhibit proper headlamp aim adjustment for roadway illumination, improperly aimed headlamps could cause reduced road visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

    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 aiming screw and if present, the cap will be removed. The recall will begin on october 31, 2007. Owners may contact vw at 1-800-822-8987.

See all 4 recalls for the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta →

2006 Volkswagen Jetta fuel economy and fuel cost

City
21.5 MPG
Highway
29 MPG
Combined
24.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,950
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Diesel
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2006 compared with other Jetta years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2005Good40248424
2006Caution65580424.5
2007Good45201423
2008Good35188424

All Volkswagen Jetta years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta ranks #8 of 21 among Jetta model years (Complaint Index 65/100, verdict: Caution). It has 580 complaints and 4 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta?
The most reported problem areas are transmission & powertrain (245 complaints), electrical system (138 complaints), and engine (110 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 71,491 miles.
Does the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta, most recently reported 2010, covering fuel system, transmission & powertrain, electrical system, and visibility & wipers.
What is the fuel economy of the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta?
EPA rates the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta at 24.5 MPG combined (21.5 city / 29 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,950. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.