2006 Volkswagen Jetta Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 112about this part
- Share
- 19%of 580 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 112 complaints about the electrical system of the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta, 19% of the 580 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving the vehicle at approximately 65 MPH the driver seat started to move forward on its own towards the steering wheel in which I was unable to control the driver seat it would not reversenearly causing a serious accident. I also noticed that the vehicle horn no longer works due to some sort ofelectrical issue. The issue took place while I was driving on a major highway.”
NHTSA complaint #11110654, filed 2018-07, 111,000 miles“While driving home with my wife, she stated that she thought she had noticed a burning smell. The heated seats were on as it was a cold morning. The next day I noticed that the back rest of the seat had a smoldering mark as well as some sort of smoke damage as if there was a fire on the inside of the seat. We later looked on her jacket and noticed that there was transfer of the leather to her jacket.”
NHTSA complaint #10558469, filed 2014-01, 86,000 miles“The indicator lights on the driver's door console turns off when the door is open slightly more than halfway. If the door is closed the power window does not work sometimes, so I have to open the door slightly for it to work. Driver side door works occasionally as well as the trunk with the key less entry. I did some research on the internet and I now believe that it's the wiring harness causing the problems.”
NHTSA complaint #10626191, filed 2014-08, 139,000 miles“I was accelerating from a stop sign and I heard a notification beep on my car's dashboard. I looked down to see what was wrong and suddenly my steering locked up on me. Having no control of my car, I drifted into a car parked on the right side of the street, causing my car to flip over.”
NHTSA complaint #10522270, filed 2013-06, 97,800 miles“Window on driver side sometimes are inoperative. This can be because of wires inside the drivers side door are too short. Can be a problem if in an emergency my window must be rolled down. If I'm trapped, what happens if I can't roll down my window to get out! Also, ceiling headliner is coming down. Can no longer see through my rearview mirror! The headliner liner was cut too short so I can't fix it. Please help. Thank you so much.”
NHTSA complaint #10632918, filed 2014-09, 60,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10228178Dec 6, 2022Battery testing and charging using special tools VAS6161 & GRX3000VAS Charger. Updated to include additional model year applicability.
- 10204722Dec 15, 2021This bulletin contains general instructions for software updates.
- 10205518Dec 6, 2021Battery testing using VW special tools, updated to include additional model year applicability and include I.D.4.
- 10203476Nov 8, 2021Update to model year applicability.
- 10198233Jun 21, 2021Software Version Management (SVM)
- 10186978Feb 8, 2021Software Version Management (SVM) instruction updated to include model year 2021
- 10185676Jan 14, 2021Battery testing. Updated to include additional model and model year applicability.
- 10180585Sep 25, 2020This document outlines updates to the ODIS diagnostic software. Updates include corrected diagnostic test plans for the stated vehicles.
- 10169135Dec 5, 2019Update model applicability to MY 2020.
- 10163542Jul 29, 2019Update vehicle metadata to include pull ahead models. Also includes R32 2002-2007 and 2002-2006 Jetta Wagon.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 50% |
| 2025 | 3 | 9% |
| 2024 | 7 | 15% |
| 2023 | 9 | 21% |
| 2022 | 10 | 23% |
| 2021 | 13 | 19% |
| 2020 | 17 | 31% |
| 2019 | 154 | 28% |
| 2018 | 3 | 9% |
| 2017 | 33 | 21% |
| 2016 | 36 | 22% |
| 2015 | 49 | 25% |
| 2014 | 94 | 24% |
| 2013 | 148 | 29% |
| 2012 | 138 | 28% |
| 2011 | 186 | 31% |
| 2010 | 233 | 27% |
| 2009 | 107 | 12% |
| 2008 | 42 | 22% |
| 2007 | 45 | 22% |
| 2006 | 112 | 19% |
| 2005 | 48 | 19% |
| 2004 | 36 | 16% |
| 2003 | 97 | 21% |
| 2002 | 148 | 21% |
| 2001 | 117 | 18% |
| 2000 | 60 | 14% |
| 1999 | 44 | 13% |
| 1998 | 41 | 21% |
| 1997 | 17 | 31% |
| 1996 | 4 | 13% |
| 1995 | 45 | 20% |
| 1994 | 24 | 21% |
| 1993 | 2 | 12% |
| 1992 | 6 | 20% |
| 1991 | 4 | 13% |
| 1990 | 4 | 18% |
| 1988 | 1 | 5% |
| 1987 | 2 | 11% |
| 1986 | 1 | 7% |
| 1985 | 1 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
245 complaintsAir bags
65 complaintsEngine cooling
54 complaintsEngine
39 complaintsExterior lighting
32 complaintsBrakes
30 complaintsSeats
25 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
24 complaintsFuel system
23 complaintsBody and structure
23 complaintsVehicle speed control
18 complaintsOther or unknown
16 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology