2006 Volkswagen Golf Problems
- Complaints
- 12filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 70,000miles, 7 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 24 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 27 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2006 Volkswagen Golf (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2006 Volkswagen Golf. The part named most often is vehicle speed control, with 3 complaints (25% of the total), followed by air bags (2) and engine cooling (2). 7 of the complaints include a mileage, and 43% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 70,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 359 technical service bulletins for this model year. Vehicle speed control complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Air bags2 17%
- Engine cooling2 17%
- Electrical system1 8.3%
- Equipment1 8.3%
- Fuel system1 8.3%
- Other or unknown1 8.3%
- Seat belts1 8.3%
- Seats1 8.3%
Also reported: Body and structure (1), Suspension (1).
Example complaints
Vehicle speed control: “- the contact owns a 2006 vw GOLF 16000 and stopping and pressing on the accelerator the vehicle revved up, but did not move. The contact said that it didn't happen all of the time, and the weather conditions have not been a factor. The contact took the car to the dealer they made an adjustment, but the contact felt that itwas worse now.”
NHTSA complaint #10178209, filed 2007-01, 16,000 milesAir bags: “I was rear ended while my car was at a dead stop. The pick up truck behind me hit me going at an estimated speed of 50 MPH causing me to hit the car in front of me. Both my front and rear end of my car suffered severe damages, but my air bag did not deploy and my seat came unlocked and caused me to smash into my steering wheel and dashboard.”
NHTSA complaint #10184753, filed 2007-03Engine cooling: “While driving vehicle (only 14,500 miles) all of a sudden, there was a loss in power and a whining sound. The whining sound increased speed and pitch when stepping on the accelerator pedal. Then soon after, smoke came from the tail pipe. Parked car and had it towed to the dealer of purchase. Dealer will not inspect car free under warranty unless I can prove that I used the vw approved motor oil. Called dealer service manager and got same reply. Called vw customer care number and got the same reply. By this time, car was not operable for almost 3 weeks just sitting in the dealer service lot. …”
NHTSA complaint #10168303, filed 2006-09, 14,500 milesMileage when problems were reported
43% of the 7 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 16,000 and 107,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Volkswagen Golf. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golf · sedan FWD | not rated | 5 / 5 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2006 Volkswagen Golf version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golf FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 21 | 27 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Golf FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Golf FWD | 1.9L 4-cyl · diesel | 5-speed manual | 31 | 40 | 34 | $2,800 |
| Golf FWD | 1.9L 4-cyl · diesel | 5-speed automatic | 28 | 40 | 32 | $3,000 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 07V063000Feb 20, 2007Exterior lighting › Brake lights › SwitchCovers: Volkswagen Golf 1999–2006, GTI 1999–2006, Beetle 2001–2007 +3 more
On certain passenger, wagon, and convertible vehicles equipped with or without cruise control, a brake light switch may malfunction if it was installed incorrectly.
Recall details for the 2006 Volkswagen Golf → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 359 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11038143Sep 9, 2026Other or unknown. This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
- 10241177Aug 21, 2023Engine cooling. Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards
- 10237427May 30, 2023Engine cooling. Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
- 10235138Apr 24, 2023Engine cooling. Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
- 10228180Dec 12, 2022Equipment. Update model year applicability to include 2023.
- 10228178Dec 6, 2022Electrical system. Battery testing and charging using special tools VAS6161 & GRX3000VAS Charger. Updated to include additional model year applicability.
- 10214458Jun 15, 2022Equipment. This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
- 10206820Jan 21, 2022Engine, Equipment, Engine cooling. Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)
- 10204722Dec 15, 2021Electrical system. This bulletin contains general instructions for software updates.
- 10205517Dec 13, 2021Engine cooling. Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)
Other model years of the Volkswagen Golf
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 11 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Too new |
| 2022 | 81 | 200 | 0 | — | — | 42 · Typical | Falling |
| 2021 | 7 | — | 1 | 5 | 33 | — | Not enough data |
| 2020 | 6 | 8,590 | 2 | 5 | 32 | — | Not enough data |
| 2019 | 63 | 556 | 6 | 5 | 32 | 71 · More | Rising |
| 2018 | 29 | 3,300 | 6 | 5 | 29 | 21 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2017 | 117 | 24,306 | 5 | 5 | 29 | 53 · Typical | Stable |
| 2016 | 85 | 30,000 | 9 | 5 | 29 | 45 · Typical | Stable |
| 2015 | 131 | 19,500 | 12 | 5 | 29 | 83 · More | Stable |
| 2014 | 12 | 36,611 | 5 | — | 26 | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 43 | 50,000 | 5 | — | 26 | 12 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2012 | 48 | 17,775 | 6 | — | 26 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2011 | 110 | 28,000 | 6 | — | 27 | 82 · More | Falling |
| 2010 | 70 | 33,800 | 4 | — | 26 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2006 | 12 | 70,000 | 1 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 19 | 62,400 | 2 | — | 24 | — | Falling |
| 2004 | 28 | 47,233 | 2 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 26 | 69,152 | 2 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 74 | 59,720 | 3 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2001 | 116 | 65,300 | 5 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 88 | 60,000 | 5 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 64 | 71,000 | 4 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 18 | 66,000 | 1 | — | 24 | — | Stable |
| 1997 | 7 | 80,500 | 0 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 1995 | 43 | 202,800 | 4 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 41 | 72,000 | 4 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 7 | — | 4 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
| 1992 | 6 | — | 1 | — | 25 | — | Not enough data |
| 1991 | 8 | — | 2 | — | 25 | — | Not enough data |
| 1990 | 10 | 83,000 | 4 | — | 25 | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 17 | 65,000 | 3 | — | 25 | — | Stable |
| 1988 | 9 | — | 5 | — | 25 | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 13 | — | 4 | — | 26 | — | Not enough data |
| 1985 | 10 | — | 5 | — | 25 | — | Not enough data |
All Volkswagen Golf model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2006 Volkswagen Golf have?
NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2006 Volkswagen Golf as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2006 Volkswagen Golf is reported most often?
Vehicle speed control is named most often, in 3 complaints (25% of the total), followed by air bags with 2.
Has the 2006 Volkswagen Golf been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Volkswagen Golf get?
The EPA rates the 2006 Volkswagen Golf (Golf, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 21 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2006 Volkswagen Golf reported?
Among the 7 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 70,000 miles and the middle half falls between 16,000 and 107,000 miles; 43% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.