Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Volkswagen Jetta owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The trunk did not latch when first closed. I then was able to get the trunk to latch after several attempts to close it. However, the trunk came open later on in my trip. This is not the first time that I have had trouble closing the trunk, but this is the first time that it has popped open while I was driving.
The wiring harness in the passenger front door has broken. The windows, locks, and blinker on mirror do not work at all or will work sporadically and the airbag light in the dash turned on indicating the airbags are disabled. A mechanic confirmed it was the wiring harness and it was temporarily fixed so the windows could be rolled up to prevent any damage inside from snow and rain. I received a letter from a settlement company in regards to the wiring harness needing to be replaced. The letter states "..the left front (driver's side) door or any wiring or connectors that needed to be replaced when replacing such wiring harness,..." I called the number to ask about the replacement of my wiring harness, and was told because it was the passenger door it did not meet the qualifications. …
The headliner is pulling away from the rear pillars. Being the primary driver of the vehicle I do not spend time in the back seat. My daughter is currently learning to drive so on a recent errand I was sitting in the back seat and looked up to see the headliner completely pulling away and coming down from the roof of the car and dome light. When I got back home, I did some internet research and found a multitude of websites, forums, etc. With people experiencing the same issue. Here are just a few of the addresses that I found: http://www.carcomplaints.com/Volkswagen/Jetta/2006/accessories-interior/headliner_separating_from_ceiling.shtml http://rich-blog.blogspot.com/2010/10/2006-Volkswagen-Jetta-tdi-headliner-problems.html http://forums.volkswagenvortex.com/showthread.php?5104886-sagging-falling-headliner-warranty-success-stories-please …
The driver's side window in my vehicle stopped working completely. When I took the vehicle to the dealer they told me the cause was a faulty driver's side door harness. There were several wires that were broken or about to break, and they suggested I replace it immediately. I was quoted over $400 for parts and labor. This issue was recalled on the earlier models, and then fixed on the 2008 and later models during production. However the 2006 and 2007 models are still affected by the problem. Volkswagen has not issued a recall for this crucial part and continues to let its customers pay for the dangerous design flaw in these vehicles. Warning to potential buyers: before purchasing a 2005.5 (newer body style), 2006, or 2007 Jetta check to make sure this problem has been fixed. …
I have a 06' Jetta it has 10,000 miles on it and has had several problems. 1. Stero broke after 2 mo. And 6 cd's were stuck in damaged cd player and I still have not recieved them back like I was told after 4 months of being fixed. 2.paint was peeling off front bumper, was repaired. 3. Back center console would not stay in place. 4.steering wheel makes sqeaking noise when turned to the right. 5.hazard button fell into dash. 6.paint is now peeling again. 7.chrome on wheel is peeling. 8.a brand new transmission had to be put in after 3 attempts of fixing it vw tech support told the valencia service department to just replace it. 9.when replacing the transmission the service department noticed that the drive shaft which is holding the axel spinndeles and wheels altogether to the steering wheel. …
Bought new vw Jetta sedan on 08/17/06. On 05/13/10 took the car to the dealer because of car decelerating while driving I.e. Dropping in seconds from 60 miles to 20 miles. It was taken to the dealer multiple times for the same problem. Dealer answer "unable to replicate problem" until warranty of four years expired. The problem continues even after the carbon accumulated on the throttle was cleaned and the fuel pump was replaced. Due to unsafe to drive, requested for the dealer to buy the car back as a lemon. The dealer refuses because the four yr warranty is over. …
Tl contact owns a 2006 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the driver's door where the hinges were located exhibits defective engineering within the wiring harness. Several of the wires were broken between the body of the vehicle and the door. The driver side window did not operate and the power door locks did not function due to the broken wires. He took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that the wiring harness needed to be replaced and they could not assist with repair expenses since the warranty was no longer valid. The contact was certain that replacing the wiring harness would not remedy the failure since the wiring harness was being damaged by the opening and closing of the door. He wrote the manufacturer but received no assistance there as well. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The current mileage was approximately 52,500. …
Drivers side door wiring harness has design flaw as reflected in numerous complaints documented on-line. Representative examples May be found at following link. Http://repairpal.com/Volkswagen-Jetta-2006. The design flaw poses an rescue hazard in event of accident, as non of the electrical door locks can be unlocked and windows cannot be lowered. Access to gas tank to fill requires dismantling of trunk compartment for manual latch manipulation, which carries risk of cuts and bruises. Repair costs $677.00. Should be repaired or replaced by Volkswagen at no cost to consumer.
With my car in motion every time I turn my car on, I have multiple warnings that come on due to a fault in sensors causing my car to have the engine light on. I have asked the dealership if there were any recalls for air emission on my car or air bag recalls on my car and there answer was no. The driver side door handle has broken off to where you cannot properly close the door (I have krazy glued it back on once already) and it just is becoming a big issue. Every time I fix one issue, another one rises up causing me more headaches and stress due to no one having answers for me.
Driver's side wiring harness failure - several wires in the wiring harness between the passenger compartment and driver door have failed, making it impossible to operate windows, door locks, release fuel door, and release trunk from driver door. There is no manual release for the fuel door. The failed wiring also results in a constant door ajar indication on the instrument panel and illumination of the front dome and entry lamps. Safety systems May be compromised if the onboard computer believes the door is ajar.
Body complaints in other Jetta years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the body & structure of the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta, 4% of the model year's 580 complaints. The component named most often is body (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Volkswagen Jetta body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Volkswagen Jetta body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 79,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.