2006 Volkswagen Jetta Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2006 Volkswagen Jetta has 580 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 65, ranking 8th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Transmission & powertrain issues dominate at 42% of complaints, with four recall campaigns on file.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 65/100
- #8 of 21 Jetta years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 580
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 15
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 6
- Injuries
- 17
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24.5
- 21.5 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 17 / 0
Top 2006 Volkswagen Jetta problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain245 (42%)
- Electrical System138 (24%)
- Engine110 (19%)
- Airbags65 (11%)
- Structure & Body58 (10%)
- Brakes34 (6%)
- Fuel System23 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers23 (4%)
- Other22 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires16 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags reportedly fail to deploy during moderate-speed frontal or head-on collisions, sometimes even in crashes that destroyed the vehicle.
- Owners describe seat heaters overheating and burning through the seat fabric, in some cases producing visible smoke or embers.
- The clutch and dual mass flywheel on manual and DSG-equipped transmissions were reported to fail, in one case near 69,000 miles.
- Some owners report the airbag warning light illuminating with dealers citing a defective underseat sensor or wiring.
- One complaint described tires disintegrating at highway speed, causing loss of control.
2006 Volkswagen Jetta recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?
- Compared with other Jetta model years, the 2006 ranks 8th worst out of 21 years tracked, with a complaint index of 65 and a Caution verdict. Transmission & powertrain problems account for 42% of its 580 NHTSA complaints.
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Jetta?
- NHTSA complaints show Transmission & Powertrain issues lead at 42% of complaints, followed by Electrical System problems at 24% and Engine complaints at 19%. Median mileage at failure for transmission issues was 68,000.
- Does the 2006 Jetta have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists four recall campaigns for the 2006 Jetta covering the fuel system, transmission driveshaft screws, an electrical lamp defect, and a windshield washer fluid reservoir tab that could chafe a fuel line.
- How does the 2006 Jetta compare to other Jetta years?
- The 2006 Jetta's complaint index of 65 is worse than 2005, 2007, and 2008, which all carry Good verdicts with lower indexes of 40, 45, and 35. Years like 2009 through 2013 rank worse, with indexes reaching as high as 100.
- Were there airbag deployment problems in the 2006 Jetta?
- Yes, airbags made up 11% of complaints for the 2006 Jetta, and multiple owners reported crashes, including head-on collisions and rollovers, where the airbags did not deploy.