Page 10 of 12 · complaints 451–500 of 580

2006 Volkswagen Jetta complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2006 record →

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed May 30, 200820,000 milesCA

BRAKES NEED TO BE REPLACED EVERY 20,000 MILES. VW CLAIMS THIS IS NORMAL. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 13, 200815,000 milesIL

AT TEMPERATURES LESS THAN 15 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, MY 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI WITH DSG TRANSMISSION SURGES FORWARD UPON STARTING. THIS SURGE HAPPENS IF THE CAR IS IN PARK (P) OR NEUTRAL (N). THE SURGE IS NOTICEABLE EVEN WITH THE PARKING BRAKE SET AND STANDARD BRAKING SYSTEM APPLIED. THIS SURGE DOES NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO START NORMALLY (E.G. STALLS THE ENGINE). THE SURGE HAPPENS ONLY ONCE DURING A COLD START. AFTERWARD, THE CAR STARTS AND RUNS NORMALLY. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 10, 20083,300 milesCO

AT 15F DEGREES OR LOWER TEMPERATURES THE VOLKSWAGEN DSG TRANSMISSION WILL IMPEDE THE DIESEL ENGINES ABILITY TO START, LEAVING THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE. VWAG AND VWOA HAS KNOWLEDGE OF THIS SYSTEM DEFECT PROVIDING NO SOLUTION. VWOA CONTINUES TO SELL THESE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES. *TR

Fuel System, Diesel
Filed May 9, 200885,486 milesVA

ENGINE FAILURE ON MY 2006 VOLKSWAGEN DIESEL JETTA. THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL FUEL INJECTOR OVER FUELED THE CYLINDERS AND CAUSED THE PULL RODS TO BEND AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE, COSTS ARE $7,500 TO REPAIR THE ENGINE. CAR IS ONLY 2 AND HALF YEARS OLD WITH 85,0000 MILES. *TR

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed May 8, 2008DC

LETTER FROM SENATOR ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT, REGARDING HIS CONCERNS WITH THE 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE CLUTCH STARTED SLIPPING. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE 5-SPEED VEHICLES WERE MADE WITH A DEFECTIVE CLUTCH PLATE, BUT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REMOVED TO DETERMINE IF THE VEHICLE HAD THE DEFECTIVE PART. THE DEALER STATED IF THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE THE DEFECTIVE PART, THE CONSUMER WOULD BE CHARGED $500 IN LABOR FEES FOR REMOVING THE TRANSMISSION. *JB

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed May 7, 200850,000 milesCA

VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI - VW REFUSED TO HONOR THE WARRANTY OF A DEFECTIVE CLUTCH/FLYWHEEL ISSUE. THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURANCE APPARENTLY. I LEARNED OF THIS WHEN I WENT ONLINE TO DO SOME RESEARCH ABOUT THE PROBLEM. VOLKSWAGEN IS HONORING THE WARRANTIES IN EUROPE WITH THE SAME ISSUE BUT IGNORING ITS QUALITY / SAFETY ISSUE HERE IN THE US. THE DEFECTIVE CLUTCH / FLYWHEEL ISSUE CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY AND OR DEATH WHEN THE FLYWHEEL DISENTIGRATES. *TR

Power Train › Driveline
Filed Apr 27, 200834,000 milesFL

PREMATURE FAILURE OF CLUTCH. *TR

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Apr 19, 200840,362 milesCA

MY 2006 VW JETTA TDI CLUTCH WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CLUTCH WAS DEPRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND WOULD NOT COME BACK UP. I PULLED IT BACK UP AND IT WOULD NOT GO BACK DOWN. CLUTCH WAS NEVER SPONGY BEFOREHAND AND JUST WENT OUT WITH NO PRIOR INDICATION OF A PROBLEM. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY (CAR HAS APPROX 40,000 MILES). AFTER DOING RESEARCH AND FINDING OUT OTHERS HAVE SAME PROBLEM I WILL BE COMPLAINING TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT COVERED. I AM A STUDENT AND MY HUSBAND IS IN THE ARMY WE DON'T HAVE $2000 TO PAY FOR SUCH A REPAIR, THAT WAS NOT CAUSED BY "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR". *TR

TiresCrash
Filed Apr 12, 20087,561 milesVA

THE ORIGINAL ACCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE WE WERE TRAVELING FOR CHRISTMAS (DEC 26, 2006). IN A BRAND NEW CAR WITH "UP GRADED" CONTINENTAL TIRES GOING ABOUT 60 MPH THE TIRES DISINTEGRATED, THE CAR SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT HIGHWAY WALL. IT WAS A CLEAR TIRE MALFUNCTIONED AND AFTER SENDING TIRE TO CONTINENTAL NORTH AMERICA IN CHARLOTTE, NC THEY SAID THAT THEIR "INSPECTORS" FOUND NO FAULT. WE ASKED THEM TO RECONSIDER AND ENDED UP GETTING A $1,500 GOODWILL OFFER FROM THEM. NEEDLESS TO SAY WE HAD A RENTAL CAR FOR 8 WEEKS WHILE OUT CAR WITH $6,000 IN DAMAGES WAS FIXED. JUST THIS WEEK AS WE WERE ABOUT TO COUNTER OFFER AND GET AT LEAST OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES, SINCE ITS GOING INTO THE 2ND YEAR, ANOTHER "UPGRADED TIRE" SHREDDED. THIS TIME WITH OUR 4 MONTH OLD SON IN IT. THE ONLY THING EXTRA THEY ADDED TO THE CLAIM WAS TO PAY FOR NEW TIRES FOR US. THEY HAVE NOT BARGAINED IN GOOD FAITH AND THEY ARE USING THEIR CORPORATE POWER TO DEFLECT THE LIABILITY OF PRODUCING INFERIOR PRODUCTS. OF THE ORIGINAL SET OF 4 "UPGRADED" TIRES, 3 HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH 2 COMPLETELY SHREDDING THROUGH THE MIDDLE. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Pads
Filed Apr 11, 200810,000 milesAZ

REAR BRAKES WEAR UNEVENLY (DRIVER SIDE REAR PADS HAVE WORN AT AN INCREDIBLE RATE) REAR BRAKES ALSO LOCK UP EASILY WHILE BRAKING ON LOOSE PAVEMENT OR GRAVEL. *TR

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Apr 9, 200839,012 milesNM

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI 5-SPEED WITH 39,000 MILES. MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN MEXICO IN JANUARY OF 2006, AND I PURCHASED IT IN JUNE OF 2006. THIS WEEK, THE CLUTCH STARTED SLIPPING AND IT WARRANTED A VISIT TO THE LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT INFORMED ME THAT MANY 2006 VW JETTA TDI 5-SPD VEHICLES WERE MADE WITH A DEFECTIVE CLUTCH PLATE, BUT THEY WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE MY TRANSMISSION TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT MY VEHICLE HAD THE DEFECTIVE PART. THEY INFORMED ME THAT IF MY VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE THE DEFECTIVE PART, THEY WOULD CHARGE ME NEARLY $500 IN LABOR FEES FOR REMOVING THE TRANSMISSION FOR INSPECTION. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE MY VEHICLE INSPECTED TO DETERMINE WHETHER IT HAS THE DEFECTIVE PART, NOR SHOULD I HAVE TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE WHEN THIS CLUTCH HAS BEEN FAILING PREMATURELY. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS CLUTCH PLATE ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. I ALSO FOUND 88 PAGES ON ONE FORUM ALONE (HTTP://FORUMS.TDICLUB.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=137014) ABOUT THIS PART AND THE CLUTCH/FLYWHEEL ASSEMBLY FAILING PREMATURELY. MANY OF THESE PEOPLE WERE FORCED TO PAY FOR A NEW CLUTCH AT A COST OF OVER $2000.00. SOME WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THIS CLUTCH PLATE AND THE CORRESPONDING ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN RECALLED BECAUSE OF SAFETY CONCERNS IN MANY COUNTRIES EXCEPT FOR THE UNITED STATES. I FEAR HAVING MY CLUTCH FAIL WHEN I NEED THE ENGINE TO BE ENGAGED. IF I WERE TO HAVE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER, IT COULD

Air Bags
Filed Apr 6, 200866,000 milesMI

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE SEATBELT LIGHT HAS COME ON AND STAYED ON. THE FIRST TIME VWOA REPAIRED WIRING UNDER MY SEAT AT 49,000 MILES. THE LIGHT IS NOW ON AGAIN, LESS THAN ONE YEAR LATER AND THEY WILL NOT REPAIR IT UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE I HAVE MORE THAN 12,000 MILE SINCE REPAIR. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE COVERED REGARDLESS OF TIME. SAFETY IS THE PRIORITY AND IF VWOA HAS A SAFETY DEFECT THEY NEED TO STAND BEHIND IT. *TR

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Mar 18, 200854,754 milesCA

2006 JETTA TDI. DMF AND CLUTCH FAILURE AFTER 54,000 MI OF NORMAL DRIVING. CAR STUCK IN GEAR WHILE DRIVING, UNABLE TO STOP AND GO. NOT COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. DESCRIBED AS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. CHEAP DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL AND CLUTCH COMPONENTS! *TR

Power Train
Filed Mar 18, 200830,700 milesNY

THE FLYWHEEL HAS FAILED AND DISABLED THE VEHICLE. THIS IS AN UNSAFE AND UNDER DESIGNED COMPONENT OF THE DRIVE TRAIN. THE FLYWHEEL SELF DESTRUCTED. IN ALL MY YEARS I HAVE NEVER HEARD OR EXPERIENCED A FLYWHEEL SELF DESTRUCTION ON A CAR 2 YEARS OLD WITH 30K MILES. *TR

Parking Brake2 injured
Filed Mar 3, 200819 milesFL

BRAKES/STEERING/ESP-VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT AFTER MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS OR U-TURNS. SOMETIMES SO AGGRESSIVELY THAT IT HAS CAUSED INJURY TO THE DRIVERS AND DAMAGE TO THE CAR'S RIM AND TIRE. VEHICLE MOVES AFTER PUT IN PARK AND THE IGNITION HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. SOMETIMES, IT MOVES AFTER GETTING OUT AND WALKING AWAY. HAVE BEEN TOLD BY TWO DEALERSHIPS THAT THIS IS NORMAL. I DON'T FEEL THAT MOVING 6 INCHES OR MORE IS SAFE, ESPECIALLY AROUND CHILDREN AND SMALL PETS. SEAT MEMORY-SEAT STARTED MOVING ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING. ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS AS IN THE MIDDLE OF BRAKING, THE SEAT MOVED ALL THE WAY BACK WHERE I COULD NOT REACH THE PEDALS. MEMORY HAS NOT BEEN RIGHT EVEN AFTER REPLACING SWITCHES AND I AM STRESSED AND WONDER WHEN THE SEAT WILL START MOVING ON ITS OWN AGAIN. *TR

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Feb 26, 200833,650 milesAR

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2006 VW TDI USED, WITH 33K MILES. AFTER ONE DAY OF OWNERSHIP THE CLUTCH PEDAL WENT THE FLOOR. I PULLED THE PEDAL UP WITH MY TOE, AND GOT IT TO ENGAGE ONE MORE TIME, THEN BACK TO THE FLOOR. AFTER THAT, THE CAR WOULDN'T PULL ITSELF IN ANY GEAR. THE CAR NEVER SLIPPED, VIBRATED, ETC., NO SYMPTOMS OF A WORE CLUTCH, JUST INSTANT FAILURE. I CALLED VW ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, AND VW TOWED IT TO A DEALER 3HOURS AWAY. BEFORE THE DEALER TORE INTO IT THEY CALLED ME AND SAID THAT IF IT IS DUE TO CLUTCH WEAR/ABUSE THAT IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED. AFTER SOME RESEARCH HERE ON TDICLUB, I FOUND THAT DMF, AND CLUTCH FAILURES WERE VERY COMMON AND GENERALLY WARRANTED. I TOLD THE DEALER TO GO AHEAD AND TEAR INTO THE CAR TO FIND OUT MORE. TODAY I GET A CALL AND THEY TELL ME THAT THE CLUTCH IS WORE OUT, AND THAT IT IS NOT COVERED. THE ADVISOR ON THE PHONE SAID THAT HALF THE CLUTCH ON ONE SIDE IS ALMOST COMPLETELY GONE, AND THE OTHER SIDE IS COMPLETELY GONE. AND IF I COME PICK IT NOW, I WILL ONLY BE OUT $550, OR I CAN HAVE THEM DO THE REPAIR FOR $1800. I TOLD HIM TO NOT DO ANYTHING YET, AND THAT I WOULD CALL HIM BACK TOMORROW WITH AN ANSWER. THE SERVICE ADVISOR WAS VERY NICE, AND AS HELPFUL AS HE COULD BE, BUT COULD NOT WARRANTY THE CLUTCH OR REPAIR. *TR

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Feb 14, 2008NM

I AM LEASING A 2006 VW JETTA SINCE JAN. 2006. EVER SINCE, PERIODICALLY ONE OF THE DAYLIGHT HEADLIGHTS (MOSTLY THE RIGHT LIGHT) DOES NOT TURN OFF AFTER TURNING OFF THE MOTOR. I THEN TURN THE MOTOR BACK ON, MOVE THE CAR AND TURN IT OFF AGAIN. THE LIGHT WILL THEN TURN OFF. VW SERVICE IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT COULD NEVER DETECT ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. 6 WEEKS AGO, MY BRAKE LIGHT WENT OUT AND THE BULBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ON FEB 3RD, THE DAYLIGHT HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE TOAS HAD A SNOWSTORM AND THE SUPPORTING HEADLIGHTS (SMALLER) WERE NOT SUFFICIENT ENOUGH. I CALLED VW HEADQUARTERS ON 2-3 AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED. I WANTED VW TO START A CASE ON IT, REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT BULBS AND CREDIT ME FOR THE BRAKE LIGHT I REPLACED EARLIER, BECAUSE I THINK THAT THE LIGHTING ISSUE COMES FROM ONE SOURCE. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH VW SERVICE FOR 2-5, BUT HAD TO RESCHEDULE FOR 2-12 DUE TO A SNOWSTORM. HOWEVER, MEANWHILE THE DAYLIGHT HEADLIGHTS TURNED BACK ON AGAIN (AFTER TWO DAYS OF NOT FUNCTIONING). I BROUGHT THE CAR TO HAVE THE LIGHTS CHECKED AND VW SERVICE WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG, BUT STARTED A CASE ON IT. MEANWHILE, VW HEADQUARTER CALLED AND TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. YESTERDAY AGAIN, THE LIGHTS DID NOT TURN OFF AFTER PARKING, AND I ALMOST HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP JUST TO PROVE THAT I AM NOT MAKING ANYTHING UP! IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING TO DEAL WITH SUCH INCOMPETENT PEOPLE AT THE DEALERSHIP AND

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Jan 19, 200833,900 milesTX

WAS EXITING THE HIGHWAY AND DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH. THE CLUTCH WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I HAVE LEARNED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH PREMATURE FAILURE OF CLUTCHES ON 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDIS. *TR

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Jan 19, 200835,767 milesHI

NO SYMPTOMS PRIOR TO FAILURE. WHILE EXITING FREEWAY, CLUTCH STOPPED OPERATING BETWEEN GEARS, WHILE DOWNSHIFTING. COULD NOT GET CAR BACK INTO GEAR AND HAD TO STOP IN MIDDLE OF MULTI LANE OFFRAMP, POINTING SLIGHTLY UPHILL. CLUTCH PEDAL WOULD COME ONLY HALF WAY UP. CLUTCH COULD NOT BE ENGAGED ENOUGH TO START ENGINE. AAA WAS CALLED AND ARRIVED AFTER 20 MINUTES, DURING WHICH TIME CAR REMAINED IN OFFRAMP. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER AND LEFT OVER LONG NEW YEAR'S WEEKEND. DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT INFORMED ME, ONCE THEY LOOKED AT IT, THAT THE CLUTCH HAD FAILED AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT AS IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I AGREED TO THE SERVICE SINCE THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE. I WAS CHARGED $1,863. FOR THE SERVICE, WHICH INCLUDED REPLACEMENT OF THE FLYWHEEL. I COMPLAINED THAT THE FLYWHEEL WAS PART OF THE ENGINE, AND SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS DIRECTED TO CALL VOLKSWAGEN AND SUBMIT A COMPLAINT. I ASKED TO RETAIN THE PARTS SO THAT I COULD SEE WHAT HAD GONE WRONG. THE NEXT DAY, BEFORE CALLING VOLKSWAGEN, I DISCOVERED FROM AN INDEPENDENT SOURCE THAT VOLKSWAGEN HAS HAD A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN OUT ON THE CLUTCH SINCE NOVEMBER 2007. AFTER VERIFYING FROM THE PARTS THAT I WAS COVERED, I INFORMED THE DEALERSHIP. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THEY ARE CUTTING ME A CHECK TO REPAY WHAT I SPENT ON THE REPLACEMENT. *TR

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Jan 17, 200826,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE VEHICLE HAS CONTINENTAL CONTI PRO CONTACT, SIZE 225/45R17 (NA) TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A THUMP. SHE STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE TREAD ON BOTH FRONT TIRES HAD SEPARATED. THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED BY HER FATHER. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND DOT NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 26,000.

Service Brakes, Air › Disc › Pads
Filed Jan 1, 200819,247 milesPA

REAR BRAKE PAD WEAR WORN OUT AT 19K. DEALER SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG AND WANTS $272.72 FOR THE PAIR. *CN

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Dec 5, 20072 milesIN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE HEADLIGHTS AIM TOO HIGH AND DO NOT SHINE ON THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V442000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL OCCURRED AFTER THE CAP WAS PLACED ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LIGHTS MET VOLKSWAGEN SPECIFICATIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,877. UPDATED 3/18/08 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED DEALER WOULD NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 03/18/08 *TR

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Dec 2, 20071 milesMN

MY VW DEALER TELLS ME THAT THE HIGH AND LOW HEADLIGHTS CANNOT BE ADJUSTED SEPARATELY ON MY 2006 JETTA. THE LOW BEAMS ILLUMINATE THE ROAD FOR ABOUT 100 FEET AND THE HIGH BEAMS ONLY ILLUMINATE THE TREE TOPS. I CANNOT SEE THE ROAD SAFELY TO DRIVE WITH ANY COMBINATION. THEY HAVE ADJUSTED THE BEAMS SEVERAL TIMES AND CANNOT FIX IT TO A SAFE CONDITION. *TR

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Nov 28, 20076 milesSC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HIGH BEAMS WERE AIMED TOO HIGH. THEY SHINE UPWARDS INTO THE TREES. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO ADJUST THE HIGH AND LOW BEAMS. HIS VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V442000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS); HOWEVER, HE IS STILL EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT OFFERED ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE AND THE DEALER NEVER PLACED THE ADJUSTER CAP ON THE HEAD LAMPS. THE ENGINE SIZE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,000.

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Nov 28, 200717,000 milesPA

I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2006 JETTA TDI (STANDARD SHIFT); AT THE TIME OF THIS INCIDENT THE VEHICLE HAD APPROX. 17,000 MILES ON IT. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND UPON DOWNSHIFTING THE CLUTCH FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS STUCK IN GEAR; I WAS UNABLE TO TAKE THE CAR OUT OF GEAR OR CHANGE SPEED. THIS INCIDENT LED ME TO HAVE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY WHILE BEING UNABLE TO SAFELY CONTROL THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION IT APPEARS THAT THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SACHS CLUTCHES FROM VOLKSWAGEN. CLEARLY, WITHOUT A RECALL, THIS IS PUTS MANY DRIVERS IN AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE SITUATION. THE DEALER REPAIRED THIS PROBLEM FOR NO COST; HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNAWARE THAT THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON AND THAT VW HAS RECENTLY RELEASED A SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING THE FAILING CLUTCHES. A RECALL IS THE ANSWER; HOWEVER, VW SO FAR HAS NOT HAD TO ISSUE ONE. *TR

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Nov 27, 2007OK

2006 VW JETTA RECALL ON HEADLAMP INSPECTION/MODIFICATION. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE HEADLAMPS ARE NOW BACK WHERE THEY WERE. CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT THE HIGH BEAMS SHINE INTO THE TREE TOPS. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE HIGH BEAMS WERE USELESS AS THEY SHINED ABOUT 20 FEET DOWN THE ROAD. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO ILLUMINATION CHANGE LOOKING DOWN THE ROAD BETWEEN THE LOW BEAMS AND THE HIGH BEAMS. THE CONSUMER HAD THE HEADLIGHTS ADJUSTED SO THAT THE HIGH BEAMS WERE EFFECTIVE, BUT THEN THE LOW BEAMS SHINED DOWN VERY CLOSE TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHICH DID NOT PROVIDE ILLUMINATION FAR ENOUGH DOWN THE ROAD. RECALL # 07V442000*JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Nov 22, 200722,000 milesGA

MY 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 2.5L STARTED MAKING STRANGE NOISES FROM MY REAR BRAKES AT 23,000 TOTAL VEHICLE MILES. WHEN I REMOVED THE REAR BRAKE PADS, THEY WERE ALREADY WORN TO THE STUDS AND ETCHING THE REAR BRAKE DISCS. BRAKING EFFORT AND STOPPING DISTANCES WERE INCREASING. I HAVE NEVER OWNED A CAR WITH BRAKES THAT WORE OUT IN 20,000 MILES, AND IF I DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO, I WOULD HAVE DESTROYED THE BRAKES ENTIRELY AND/OR HAD A FAILURE. APPARENTLY, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE CARS BECAUSE THE HAND BRAKE IS NOT FULLY RELEASED. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Nov 15, 20078,000 milesPA

AFTER 3 MONTHS OF DRIVING MY NEW JETTA, THE AIRBAG LIGHT TURN ON AND STAYED ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY FIXED IT. OVER THE NEXT YEAR THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON 6 TIMES. ONCE IT TURNED ON BEFORE I EVEN LEFT THE DEALERSHIPS PARKING LOT. AND YES THE LEMON LAW APPLIES IN THIS CASE. I LOVE MY JETTA BUT VWOA SERVICE RECORD SUCKS. *TR

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Nov 13, 200720,000 milesFL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE VEHICLE HAS CONTINENTAL CONTI PRO CONTACT, SIZE 205/55R16 (NA) TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE TIRE CHORD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER. THE OTHER TWO TIRES WERE ABOUT TO FAIL AS WELL, SO SHE NOTIFIED THE CONTINENTAL MANUFACTURER REGARDING REPLACEMENT TIRES. CONTINENTAL REFUSED TO REPLACE THE TIRES AND ADVISED HER TO CALL NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 20,000.

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Nov 7, 20073,000 milesMA

MY RADIO/NAVIGATION SYSTEM ON MY 06 VW JETTA HAS STOPPED WORKING AND RESORTED TO "SAFE MODE" AFTER FOUR ATTEMPTS OF THE DEALERSHIP ATTEMPTING REPAIR, THEY HAVE STATED THAT THEY WILL SUPPLY AND INSTALL A NEW RADIO. THIS IS STILL YET TO HAPPEN. ALSO, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLOCK DOES NOT KEEP CORRECT TIME, RESETS BACK TO 12:00 EACH TIME I GET IN THE CAR. THE WEATHER INDICATOR ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DINGS WITH A SNOWFLAKE, WHEN THERE IS NO PRECIPITATION. *TR

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Sep 28, 20077,890 milesMO

I HAVE A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI. INITIALLY I WAS SLOWING DOWN ON THE INTERSTATE, AS SOON AS I WAS GETTING READY TO STOP DUE TO CONSTRUCTION, WHEN THE SHIFTER HIT FIRST, THE CAR BUCKED, DIED AND I LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. I ALSO NOTICED THAT NONE OF THE GEARS IN THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SYNC AND ALLOW ME INTO THEM. I PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHEN I REALESED MY FOOT FROM THE CLUTCH, THE PEDAL DID NOT COME BACK UP. I SHUT DOWN THE CAR, CRAWLED OUT THE PASSENGER SIDE, I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR FOR LEAKS AND ANYTHING THAT MAY INDICATE A MAJOR FAILURE. WHEN I PULLED THE CLUTCH BACK UP MANUALLY, THE PEDAL WOULD NOT GO BACK DOWN BUT HALF WAY. I PUSHED HARD ENOUGH TO GET THE CLUTCH INTERLOCK SWITCH TO DISENGAGE, AND TRIED TO START THE CAR. WHEN THE STARTER ENGAGED, THE ENGINE DRAGGED WITH SOMETHING ELSE. I ABANDONED THE CAR TO GET TO A PHONE. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER, THEY GAVE ME A PHONE NUMBER TO ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME TO TOW THE CAR TO THE NEAREST VW CERTFIED REPAIR SHOP. EVENTUALLY I CONVINCED THEM TO TOW THE CAR, AND WHEN I MET HIM AT THE CAR, I NOTICED A LEAK OF EITHER HYDRAULIC, GEAR, OR DIESEL FLUID. WHEN I GOT ON THE INTERNET I FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM DUE TO A POOR DESING IN THE FLYWHEEL. VW TENDS TO REFUSE TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH CLAIMING THAT IT WAS PREMATURE WEAR DUE TO POOR DRIVING HABITS. THE FLYWHEEL TENDS TO CRACK OR EVEN SHATTER CAUSING NOT ONLY CLUTCH ISSUES BUT ALSO TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE ISSUES. THIS ISSUE CAN

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Sep 17, 2007WA

I PURCHASED A 2006 JETTA TDI AND MY MILES ARE OFF....IT SEEMS AS THOUGH EVERYONE I TALK TO WITH THIS CAR HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM GOING 3-5 MILES SLOWER THEN WHAT IT IS SHOWING. I WAS THINKING OVER TIME WHEN I HAVE DRIVEN 55,000 MILES THAT I HAVE ONLY DRIVEN 50,000. I THINK THIS IS WRONG FOR A COMPANY TO DO AND VW WILL NOT DO A THING ABOUT IT. *TR

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Sep 12, 200735,000 milesWA

JUST HAD THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL AND CLUTCH REPLACED @ 40,000 MILES WHICH IS CRAZY. CLUTCH WAS SLIPPING AND AFTER HEARING ABOUT THE TRANSMISSIONS DESTROYED WHEN THE DMF COMES APART, I SPENT $1,400.00 CDN TO REPLACE IT. IVE DRIVEN CLUTCHES ALL MY LIFE (33 YEARS) AND NEVER HAD TO REPLACE A CLUTCH BEFORE 200,000 MILES. *TR

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Sep 3, 200725,456 milesPA

2006 JETTA TDI MADE IN MEXICO IN 01/06. PURCHASED 04/06. CAR WAS ALWAYS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE FROM A STANDING START. CLUTCH SEEMED TO LOCK UP PREMATURELY. MANY TIMES THIS CAUSES THE ENGINE TO STALL. AT ~25,000 MILES THE CLUTCH STARTED SLIPPING ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE IS OVERWHELMING EVIDENCE AMONG OTHER VW JETTA TDI OWNERS THAT THIS IS A SIGN OF PREMATURE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL FAILURE. THERE ARE TWO SCENARIOS THAT MAKE THIS FAILURE A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK TO THE DRIVER AND ANY PASSENGERS: 1. SLIPPAGE OF THE CLUTCH AT HIGH SPEEDS CAUSES LOSS OF SPEED CONTROL WHILE MERGING OR PASSING. 2. LOCKING OF THE CLUTCH FROM A STANDING START CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL POSSIBLY LEAVING THE CAR IN THE WAY OF OTHER TRAFFIC. I AM IN CONTACT WITH THE DEALER TO GET THIS FAILED DMF REPLACED BEFORE THERE ARE ANY SERIOUS INJURIES OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. *TR

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Aug 30, 200729,960 milesNY

THERE IS A LIST OF PROBLEMS I'VE HAD WITH THIS CAR. FIRST THE ODOMETER READS 5-7 MILES HIGHER THAN MY ACTUAL SPEED, AND THE RADIO RECEPTION AND VOLUME OSCILLATES RANDOMLY. THE ENTIRE CAR STARTS TO SHAKE THE LONGER AT A STOP; SAY IN TRAFFIC OR EVEN AT A LONG RED LIGHT. IT'S EVEN WORSE ON AN A HILL, BOTH INCLINE AND DECLINE. THE FRICTION POINT CHANGES RANDOMLY WHICH MAKES IT QUITE EASY TO STALL OUT THE CAR FROM A STARTING POSITION. WHEN ONE TURNS THE WHEEL TO GO AROUND A TURN THE FRONT OF THE CAR PRODUCES A DEEP GROANING SOUND. THE PAINT IS ALSO CHIPPING OFF RANDOMLY; AND I HAND WAX AND WASH THIS VEHICLE MYSELF; SO IT MAKES NO SENSE SINCE IT'S ONLY A YEAR OLD. THE TOP COAT IS ACTUALLY PEALING OFF ON PARTS OF THE CAR. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY UPDATED THE SOFTWARE ON THE RADIO; AND I'M CURRENTLY WAITING FOR THE FLYWHEEL TO BE REPLACED, THE PART HASN'T COME IN YET.

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Aug 30, 200735,500 milesMI

HAD THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL COME APART. DEALER REPLACED FLYWHEEL, CLUTCH PLATE, BOLTS, A BEARING, AND A SUPPORT UNDER WARRANTY. THIS SEEMS TO BE A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM.

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Aug 30, 200723,740 milesTX

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.

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Aug 30, 200723,000 milesPA

EXPERIENCED CLUTCH FAILURE IN MY 2006 VW JETTA TDI AT 23K MILES (AT LEAST 10K HIGHWAY MILES). CAR HAD A LIFETIME HISTORY OF LESS THAN SMOOTH TAKE-OFF (FROM STAND STILL TO 1ST GEAR). FIRST SIGN OF MAJOR PROBLEM WAS TOTAL CLUTCH FAILURE (PEDAL STUCK TO FLOOR, UNABLE TO SHIFT) AFTER ABOUT 30 MIN. IN STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC ON INTERSTATE IN ROAD CONSTRUCTION ZONE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE: THIS FAILURE CAUSES DRIVER TO LOSE THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE AND HAS POTENTIAL TO CAUSE HIGH SPEED CRASH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC MERGING CONDITIONS. THIS IS ALSO A KNOWN ISSUE: ONLINE READING QUICKLY REVEALS THAT THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL & CLUTCH ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN PROBLEMATIC FOR SOME TIME, AND THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE IS FOUND IN THE 2005.5 & 2006 JETTA TDI. THREE EXAMPLES OF EVIDENCE FOR THIS ARE: #1. TO DATE, 46 MEMBERS OF THE ONLINE FORUM TDICLUB.COM HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS LOW MILEAGE CLUTCH AND/OR FLYWHEEL FAILURE. #2. VW HAS HAD RECALLS IN BOTH FINLAND AND AUSTRALIA FOR SAME/SIMILAR ISSUES. #3. THE PRODUCT DESCRIPTION OF SINGLE MASS FLYWHEEL & CLUTCH ADVERTISED AT DIESELGEEK.COM STATES: GETS RID OF THE FAILURE PRONE STOCK SACHS DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL. I REPEAT, THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, IT SEEMS THAT VW KNOWS THAT ORIGINAL PARTS ARE DEFECTIVE OR NOT UP TO THE JOB AS THEY HAVE UPGRADED THE REPLACEMENT PARTS. BUT VW REFUSES TO PAY FOR REPAIRS, CITING OWNER ERROR AND/OR WEAR-AND-TEAR. MY REPAIR COST $1700 AND VW SHOULD REIMBURSE ME. THE REPAIRED CLUTCH IS SMOOTHER THAN IT HAS EVER BEEN, INDICATION THAT IT WAS DEFEC

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Diesel
Filed Aug 30, 200722,000 milesOK

THIS HAS NOT RESULTED IN A CRASH ON MY BEHALF. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 75 MPH THE CAR WILL OCCASIONALLY (AVERAGES ONCE PER EVERY 1500 MILES) HESITATE THEN RESUME NORMAL OPERATIONS. THE DURATION OF THIS EVENT IS APPROXIMATELY 1 - 2 SECONDS. THE EFFECT OF THIS BEING THAT THE CAR SUDDENLY STARTS TO DECELERATE THEN SUDDENLY RESUME NORMAL BEHAVIOUR. THERE ARE NO INIDICATOR LIGHTS OR EVENTS LOGGED IN THE ONBOARD COMPUTER. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP NUMEROUS TIMES WHERE THEY ARE UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE ISSUE. I HAVE OFFERED TO DRIVE AROUND WITH A COMPUTER RUNNING VAGCOM (A VW DIAGNOSTICS APP) IF THEY WOULD PROVIDE IT IN ORDER TO CATCH THE ISSUE, YET VW AND THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP REFUSE TO DO SO. THIS INCIDENT HAS OCCURED AT LEAST 5 TIMES IN THE PREVIOUS 4 MONTHS, ONCE WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING. THAT PARTICULAR INCIDENT NEARLY RESULTED IN HER RUNNING INTO THE HIGHWAY DIVIDER. THE DATE NOTED BELOW IS THE FIRST INCIDENT.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 29, 200755,000 milesIL

DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL FAILURE IN TRANSMISSION OF 06 VW JETTA TDI. THE DMF HAS BROKEN AND IS DAMAGING THE TRANSMISION OF THE CAR. ATTEMPTING TO GET PROBLEM FIXED. *JB UPDATED 01-16-08. *KB UPDATED *JB

Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Interior
Filed Aug 28, 200724 milesOK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE REARVIEW MIRROR OVERADJUSTED, WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO PRODUCE A LARGE, RED GLARE ON THE REAR WINDOW. THE FAILURE CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24.

Power Train › Manual Transmission › Floor Shift Assembly
Filed Aug 15, 20071,900 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT GEARS AT 10 MPH, THE CLUTCH PEDAL DROPPED TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED OFF THE ROAD AND TOWED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THE CLUTCH HAS FAILED AND THE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,900.

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Aug 7, 200725,000 milesCO

MY SPEEDOMETER IS READING FAST (WHEN I AM GOING 75 IT READS 80) WHEN COMPARED TO RADAR AND GPS. I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN TO MY DEALER AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE UNIT WAS OK, BUT THAT UP TO A 10% TOLERANCE IS ALLOWED BY FEDERAL REGULATIONS. *TR

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Aug 7, 2007CO

WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND YOU ACTIVATE THE WINDSHIELD CLEANING SYSTEM, THE WIPERS WILL WIPE THREE TO FOUR TIMES AND THEN WAIT ABOUT 15 SECONDS AND THEN WIPE ONE FINAL TIME. DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE AS THE SPLASH BACK IS MINIMAL. HOWEVER, DURING THE WINTER MONTHS WHERE THERE IS AN INCREASED AMOUNT OF WATER AND CHEMICALS ON THE ROAD, THE TINY AMOUNTS OF SPLASH BACK THAT GETS ONTO THE WINDSHIELD ARE SMEARED WHEN THE FINAL SWIPE OCCURS AND OBSTRUCTS YOUR VIEW. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER TO HAVE CHECKED AND STOPPED, BUT WAS TOLD IT WAS A "FEATURE" OF THE VW VEHICLES AND COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Aug 7, 200729,000 miles00

DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL LEAKING FROM CENTER HUB CLUTCH FAILURE. *TR

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Aug 4, 200748,000 milesGA

ONLY 48,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND THE CLUTCH/FLYWHEEL ARE SHOT. ACCORDING TO AN INDEPENDENT TRANS SHOP THIS IS THE SECOND TIME ITS BEEN REBUILT WITH VW PARTS. *JB

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Aug 3, 20071,000 milesFL

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. *TR

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Aug 3, 200758,000 milesCO

FLYWHEEL AND CLUTCH CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. CLUTCH PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO FLOOR AND ENGINE SEIZED UP. CLUTCH WOULD NOT DISENGAGE ENGINE AND WAS SEIZED UP. DRIVER WAS OPERATING VEHICLE AT LOW SPEED WHEN FAILURE OCCURRED. IF FAILURE HAD HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IT LIKELY WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN HIGH-SPEED WRECK. *TR

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Aug 3, 200715,000 milesOH

FAULTY CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL. FLYWHEEL BLEW APART AND DESTROYED CLUTCH. THE INCIDENT NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WHICH COULD HAVE POSSIBLY KILLED MY ENTIRE FAMILY. *JB

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Aug 1, 200743,700 milesTX

CLUTCH IN MY 2006 JETTA TDI (MANUFACTURED 02/06) WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH. I LOST ABILITY TO SHIFT GEARS AND VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. DEALER SAYS THAT IT IS THE CLUTCH BUT FROM WHAT I HAVE RESEARCHED THESE CARS (MANUFACTURED BEFORE 03/06) HAVE A FAULTY DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL THAT COMES APART AND THEN TEARS UP THE CLUTCH. *JB

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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