Overview & Reviews

Two new trim levels join the Jetta lineup for 2006: the upscale 2.0T and the sporty GLI. Both feature a 200-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, and both can be equipped with VW's trick DSG direct shift gearbox. All Jettas besides the Value Edition now feature standard alloy wheels, and torso-protecting rear-seat side airbags are newly optional.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 529.00

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  DISAPOINTED 100% - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By zorica - November 7 - 4:19 am

  Will never buy another VW vehicle. Custome service care is below zero, service dep is garbage. Have so many problems from start on my 2006 TDI Jetta, paint peeling off radio buttons, speedometer and clock always 10 km/min over. Problems with AC from start, wheelbearing, lights, dual mass flywheel etc. Noone cares, no one (VW) wants totake responisibility for defective part - flywheel, and on one admited that AC and wheelbearing were defective until I run out of the warrany. [non-permissible content removed] I am discusted in VW all together.

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  Dangerous car to drive or ride in - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By dennisinwv - April 15 - 7:34 am

  Purchased my 2006 Jetta TDI in July, 2006. Timing belt broke at 42,000 miles. Camshaft had to be replaced under warranty. Camshaft failed again at 150,000 miles (timing belt was fine). Camshaft failed again at 270,000 miles. Without warning car was lost power while in cruise - almost run over by tractor-trailers more than once. Research reveals an enormous camshaft problems for TDI owners. VW put a bandaid on the original camshaft failure and allowed my family to drive and ride in an unsafe vehicle. VW mgt knew they had a problem and discontinued the 1.9 TDI engine. VW should have informed 2006 TDI owners that their car could lose power without warning.

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  On the CR used car to avoid list - Great! - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ppetrie - January 1 - 3:02 pm

  This car has so many engineering deficiencies, that result in so many expensive repairs just to keep it running, that CR in April 2011, put it on the used car to avoid list. The four areas with 3 to 5 times the incidence of repair for an average vehicle were: Cooling system - Engine cooling fan cassette & related wiring goes out at around 60K to 80K miles $800 to $1,200; A/C system, compressor seizes; Body Hardware failures - window regulators, door latches, trunk latches; and I think, major Fuel System issues. On my car, it wouldnt hold an on center track - cant be fixed, design flaw, making extended highway travel fatiguing; stalls without warning at idle - problem cant be identified.

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  I So Much Prefer My Husbands 2002 Buick LeSabre - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By KP - December 21 - 7:21 pm

  I own a 2006 VW Jetta TDI and my husband owns a 2002 Buick LeSabre. My vehicle has less than 140,000 miles whereas his has 165,000 miles. Other than front wheel bearings, he has had no major repair issues. Before my VW reached 100,000 miles, I needed to replace the engine turbo and have my manual transmission (not the clutch but the synchro "gearing") rebuilt. I now have learned that the vehicle has an engine "belt," not "chain," which needs to be changed every 80,000 to 100,000 miles at a mere cost of $1,700 (inclusive of water pump which, because of its location creating labor costs, has been recommended to be replaced now as well)! The black sprayed knobs on the radio had peeled off within two years after purchase, and the dealership says that they cannot be repaired short of buying a new radio. There are many "blind spots" when driving the VW chilling dependence upon rear and side mirrors when changing lanes. The Buick has great visibility. Those who say German engineering is superior to American ought take heed that, in my opinion, such generalization is false. Next time I buy General Motors!

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  DONT BUY A VW! - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ihatevws - May 19 - 12:49 am

  I bought a 2006 VW Jetta TDi brand new. I am giving this review now that it has 130,000 miles on it. Heres the scoop. At 85K miles the dual mass fly wheel broke. Cost me $1500 to fix. At 90K miles the A/C compressor went out, cost me $750 to fix. At 110K miles the copressor has gone out again. Guess why? Cause the cooling fans under the hood went out! Guess what else? The relays are built into the fan so you have to buy the entire fan assembly. This car is nothing but junk. Its been a total nighmare and I hope VW goes out of business very soon! Next time I will buy something from Japan!

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  Unreliable - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jj78586 - March 7 - 1:53 pm

  I should have known this was a bad car the first time we started it at the dealership. Has always made a horrible sound when first starting. Everyone asks what is wrong with it. Dealer said this was normal for this engine. First 8 months were fine, then the problems began. Trunk would not stay closed, noises in the dash, cooling fans went out, bad spark plugs, bad coils, headliner falling down and headlight covers are cloudy. No more VWs for this family. We are going back to Ford.

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  A Coffin on Wheels - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By dennisinwv - January 28 - 12:08 am

  When my 2006 Jetta TDI had 42,000 miles a timing belt clip broke at 45 mph, and after a loud "clang" the engine locked up. I requested a new engine, but VW refused and instead repaired the existing engine with a new camshaft for cylinder #1. Since then two more camshafts have failed for cylinder #1. The vehicle suddenly lost power in front of a semi tractor trailer at 65 mph and my family was almost killed. Absolute lemon. VW Customer Care Center doesnt care. Period.

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  Horrible....Dont ever buy these - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Corey - November 15 - 10:43 pm

  Nothing but trouble. Have had engine problems forever. The radio emblems even wear off. How pathetic is that. Then, Volkswagen people try to give us the run-around all the time. And the warranty wont even cover it. Worst vehicle and company ive ever been associated with. Period, Never buy a Volkswagen. Ever.

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  Major TDI Engine Repairs...Cam failures - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By okcar4me - August 25 - 2:19 am

  Known issue on TDI owner club - cam shaft and lifters fail (not hardened correctly)... BRM Engine code 1.9L Costs to repair was $2000. Prevention: have timing belt replacement, at same time ask for mechanic to assess the valve lifters (followers)... for scarring, pitting and worse yet total failure! Will lose power, will trip all sorts of codes Check engine, progresses to worse! Sorry VW does not offer any ear to this problem.. I am going to japanese engines! Never again for me. If it happens report it to NHTSA ODI (google it). best wishes.....

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  Best car/worst car - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Scott - April 6 - 3:43 pm

  Bought my 2006 TDI new back in September 2005. Until last week, I couldnt give anything but high praises for the car and interior finish. Im a light driver and just recently turned over 86K miles. Always dealer maintained and it just completed its annual checkup about a month ago. Last week the car sputtered backing out of the garage and then had to get it towed into the dealer. My poor TDIs diagnosis: "On the initial diagnostic scan we found faults for fuel running rich in the oxygen sensors and mass air flow system. the vehicle was smoking and running in limp mode. Called tech line and was advised to remove valve cover and inspect for doming or for worn cam lobes - found lobes worn and tappets domed over. the camshaft is what pushes the tappets (cam followers) to move the valves in the engine. we were also advised to check fuel filter to make sure no oil is getting into fuel system. At this point to repair the vehicle the Camshaft, Tappets & Valve Cover Gasket while we have everything apart to complete those repairs it is also recommended to replace the timing belt & perform an intake carbon cleaning. the cost for the repairs including the initial diagnostic is $3838.00 plus tax. ". Needless to say Im stunned the engine failed at relatively low mileage. While the car has been kept in pristine shape, its not even worth $3.8K. The value of all VW diesels has taken a serious hit due to the emission scandal even though this model is not part of the recall. While VW headquarters was happy to listen to my concerns, they are unwilling to help with anything, and the dealer was not willing to offer any special incentives on a new VW for a person in this situation. The dealer would also not accept the 2006 as a trade in as they said the best I could expect was to donate it to charity and take the tax deduction. This car has never been wrecked, always garage kept and dealer maintained. Two weeks ago I would have said this is the best car Ive ever had and that VW was the best company to deal with. Ive changed my mind.