The Lemon Index2006 Volkswagen Jetta.
The 2006 Volkswagen Jetta is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 219 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 305, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 6 recalls, and it gets 22 to 33 mpg combined. The best Volkswagen Jetta year is 2018.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 580 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Volkswagen Jetta year. 2006 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 37K to 104K miles on the car (507 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 35K–96K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 60K–118K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 52K–129K miles
Recalls 6
- brakes 2020
The fluid seal crimp on the master cylinder may be insufficient, causing brake fluid to leak or the cylinder to come apart.
- engine 2014
A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- fuel system, gasoline 2010
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.
Show all 6 recalls
- transmission & drivetrain 2009
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 25,594 MY 2006-2009 JETTA 5TH GENERATION EQUIPPED WITH 2.01 ENGINE.
- lights 2007
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…
- visibility 2007
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Volkswagen told dealers about
Volkswagen sent dealers 474 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Headlights may intermittently dim slightly at idle
- Tech Tips (Torque Converter/Flywheel/Flexplate installation): Incorrect torque converter
- Tech Tips (Comfort Module (J393) or BCM (J519) Replacement): This document informs if a…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Fuel cost and engines
About $2850–3200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.9L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 5-cyl.
In owners' words
Clutch and flywheel failed at 23,740 miles. Sudden failure, without warning. Caused the car to come to a complete stop, pulled the clutch pedal to the floor.
2006 Volkswagen Jetta owner · NHTSA complaint 10201279
More owner reports
Clutch has failed twice while driving. First time march 2007 at 8,000 miles. Clutch and flywheel replaced and failed again may 2007 at 10,000 miles.
NHTSA complaint 10191906
Clutch assembly in both my 2006 VW Jetta's had to be replaced, because of incorrect assembly at plant. One is running well, the other one is still not running properly.
NHTSA complaint 10198388
Quick answers
Is the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 3× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 305; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Volkswagen Jetta year by this measure is 2018.
What are the most common 2006 Volkswagen Jetta problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (51%), lights (11%) and electrical (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta have?
6 safety recalls (latest: brakes). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta get?
22 to 33 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2006 Volkswagen Jetta problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 37,000 and 104,000 miles. The middle report was at 71,500 miles, from 507 complaints.
Does the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 51% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta cost in fuel a year?
About $2850 to $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta have?
1.9L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 5-cyl.
What Volkswagen Jetta year is better than the 2006?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2018, 2020 and 2015.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works