2006 Volkswagen Jetta: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta: 4 recalls, 580 owner complaints and up to 33 mpg combined.
Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 2 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #07V284000 · 2007 · 58,900 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If this happens, the chafing has the potential to cause a fuel leak over time. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
The fix: 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.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #07V442000 · 2007 · 340,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Noncompliance can inhibit proper headlamp aim adjustment for roadway illumination, improperly aimed headlamps could cause reduced road visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #09V164000 · 2009 · 25,594 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the driveshaft screws and replace the screws free of charge. The recall began on June 24, 2009.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #10V621000 · 2010 · 228,236 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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…
2 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Engine & cooling Equipment recall #14E007000 · 2014 · 50 vehicles
What's wrong: These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi a4, 2000-2006 Audi tt, 1998-2005 Volkswagen beetle, 1999-2006 golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt May develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.
Why it matters: A failure of the timing belt May cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix: Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014.
Brakes (hydraulic) Equipment recall #20E064000 · 2020 · 38 vehicles
What's wrong: The fluid seal crimp on the master cylinder May be insufficient, causing brake fluid to leak or the cylinder to come apart.
Why it matters: If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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. The recall began October 30, 2020.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 6 mention a fire, 17 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (245): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (101), noise or vibration (50), stalls / loses power (35).
- Electrical (112): the most common themes are electrical failure (59), door / lock issues (56), warning light on (14).
- Airbags (65): the most common themes are warning light on (26), fails to deploy (12).
- Engine & cooling (54): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (18), noise or vibration (9), warning light on (9).
The 2006 Volkswagen Jetta has 580 owner complaints, ranking #6 of 37 Jetta model years for complaints (2.1× the average Jetta year). Complaints peaked in 2011 (76 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 71,491 miles. Neighboring years: 2005 (248 complaints, 4 recalls), 2007 (201 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 30 | 37 | 33 | Diesel |
| 1.9 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 30 | 38 | 33 | Diesel |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 29 | 25 | Premium |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | Premium |
| 2.5 L 5-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 28 | 22 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 5-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 28 | 22 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta.
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FAQ
Does the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta, plus 2 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2006 Volkswagen Jetta problems?
Owners have filed 580 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (245), electrical (112), airbags (65).
What gas mileage does the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta get?
EPA ratings run up to 33 mpg combined (1.9 L, Manual 5-spd), across 6 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2006 Volkswagen Jetta repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.