Volkswagen

Jetta (A5)

2006-2010 · Midsize Sedan ยท 3 engines
Best Engine โœ… Recommended (3.9)
3,631 NHTSA Complaints
10 Recalls
35 Fire Reports
109 Crash Reports
Includes data from: GLIJETTAJETTA SPORTWAGEN
View all 4 generations of the Volkswagen Jetta → ๐Ÿ“‹ Inspection checklist

Engine Reliability Ratings

2.0T

2.0L 5-cyl / 200 hp
โœ… Recommended (3.9)
17 complaints 8.5 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
11
interior
3
engine
3
cooling
3
electrical
2

Known Issues

Transmission Issues (11 complaints)
Interior Issues (3 complaints)
Engine Issues (3 complaints)

TDI

2.5L 5-cyl Turbo / 150 hp
โŒ Avoid (1.8)
370 complaints 92.5 per year Gasoline
6 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

fuel system
145
engine
99
electrical
69
transmission
63
cooling
47

Known Issues

Fuel System Issues (145 complaints)
Typical onset: 18,540โ€“42,604 mi Est. repair: $2,200โ€“$8,125 (32 reports)
Engine Issues (99 complaints)
Typical onset: 20,746โ€“100,000 mi Est. repair: $1,041โ€“$8,875 (16 reports)
Electrical System Issues (69 complaints)

EA855 BGP/BGQ

2.5L 5-cyl / 150 hp
โŒ Avoid (1.6)
718 complaints 143.6 per year Gasoline
11 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
293
brakes
236
safety systems
99
engine
78
transmission
51

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (293 complaints)
Typical onset: 75,000โ€“140,000 mi Est. repair: $500โ€“$1,475 (42 reports)
Brakes Issues (236 complaints)
Typical onset: 71,500โ€“128,896 mi Est. repair: $950โ€“$2,575 (38 reports)
Safety Systems Issues (99 complaints)
Typical onset: 41,300โ€“91,647 mi Est. repair: $450โ€“$695 (17 reports)

2 additional engine variants with fewer than 10 complaints not shown.

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Volkswagen Jetta regardless of engine variant.

Electrical System Issues (362 complaints)
electrical critical
Brakes Issues (236 complaints)
brakes critical
Engine Issues (181 complaints)
engine critical
Fuel System Issues (146 complaints)
fuel_system serious
Transmission Issues (126 complaints)
transmission critical

Recalls (10)

20E064000Sep 22, 2020serious
Service Brakes

Tenneco Automotive (Tenneco) is recalling certain Beck/Arnley Master Cylinders, part number 072-9831, sold as aftermarket or replacement parts for 2004-2018 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2012-2019 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles. The fluid seal crimp on the master cylinder may be insufficient, causing brake fluid to leak or the cylinder to come apart.

19V679000Sep 24, 2019serious
Unknown Or Other

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015 Golf Sportwagen, 2013 Golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and Beetle Convertible vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.

16V913000Dec 19, 2016serious
Service Brakes

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Volkswagen Jetta A5 Sedan, 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen, Eos, GTI, Rabbit and Audi A3 vehicles, and 2010 Volkswagen Golf A6 vehicles. The Antilock Brake System (ABS) control unit may fail during ABS or Electronic Stability Control (ESC) activation, possibly causing a loss of vehicle control.

14E007000Jul 2, 2014serious
Engine & Cooling

The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.

11V490000Mar 9, 2011serious
Fuel System, Diesel

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL 2009-2012 JETTA AND JETTA SPORTWAGEN VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2008 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 AUDI A3 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH A 2.0L TDI COMMON RAIL DIESEL ENGINE/CLEAN DIESEL ENGINE. THE FUEL INJECTION PULSES COULD COINCIDE WITH THE NATURAL FREQUENCY OF THE INJECTOR LINE #2, IN SPECIFIC LOAD AND RPM CONDITIONS. THIS RESONANCE CREATES ADDITIONAL STRESS IN THE FUEL LINE.

10V621000Oct 11, 2010serious
Fuel System

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 JETTA, NEW BEETLE, NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE, MODEL YEAR 2009 JETTA SPORTWAGEN AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 RABBIT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES. THE JETTA, JETTA SPORTWAGEN, AND RABBIT VEHICLES MAY HAVE A SMALL PLASTIC TAB LOCATED ON THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR THAT MAY CHAFE AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE. THE NEW BEETLE AND THE NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A FASTENING CLAMP ON A HYDRAULIC HOSE OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM THAT MAY BE LOCATED IN AN IMPROPER POSITION WHICH COULD CAUSE CHAFING AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE.

09V333000Aug 19, 2009serious
Powertrain

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 2008 AND AUGUST 2009. THE WIRING HARNESS OF A TEMPERATURE SENSOR IN THE DIRECT SHIFT GEARBOX (DSG) MAY HAVE CONNECTOR WIRES THAT WERE INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED. WITH INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED CONNECTOR WIRES, A TEMPERATURE SENSOR HAS THE POTENTIAL TO FALSELY DETECT A HIGH GEARBOX OIL TEMPERATURE, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO ABRUPTLY SHIFT TO NEUTRAL. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE SELECTOR LEVER POSITION INDICATOR WITHIN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL FLASH. IN ADDITION, THE "DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL" INDICATOR LIGHT WILL BE ILLUMINATED, ALERTING THE DRIVER TO APPLY THE BRAKES.

09V164000May 18, 2009serious
Powertrain

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 25,594 MY 2006-2009 JETTA 5TH GENERATION EQUIPPED WITH 2.01 ENGINE. THE FASTENING SCREW CONTACT SURFACES ON THE DRIVESHAFT COVER PLATE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS. SOME SCREWS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TORQUED PROPERLY DURING ASSEMBLY AND COULD LOOSEN OVER TIME, CAUSING A KNOCKING SOUND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THE DRIVESHAFT SCREWS COULD LOOSEN TO THE POINT WHERE THE DRIVESHAFT DETACHES FROM THE GEARBOX.

07V284000Jun 24, 2007serious
Visibility

CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L GASOLINE ENGINES MAY HAVE A SMALL PLASTIC TAB LOCATED ON THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR THAT MAY CHAFE AGAINST THE UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE.

07V442000Sep 23, 2007serious
Exterior Lighting

CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." SOME VEHICLES MAY NOT HAVE HAD A REQUIRED CAP INSTALLED WHICH DISABLES THE HEADLIGHT HORIZONTAL AIM AND SOME VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN A CAP THAT DISABLES THE VERTICAL AIMING SCREW.

Alternatives in Midsize Sedan

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2006-2010 Volkswagen Jetta problems?

The 2006-2010 Volkswagen Jetta has accumulated 3,631 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Electrical System, Brakes, Engine. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Volkswagen Jetta engine is most reliable?

The 2006-2010 Volkswagen Jetta was offered with 5 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2.480000L 5-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2006-2010 Volkswagen Jetta a good used car?

The 2006-2010 Volkswagen Jetta can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 3,631 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2006-2010 Volkswagen Jetta have?

The 2006-2010 Volkswagen Jetta has 3,631 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2006-2010 Volkswagen Jetta?

There are 10 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2006-2010 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN โ€” check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Volkswagen Jetta?

Before buying a used Volkswagen Jetta, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Electrical System, Brakes, Engine, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Does the Jetta have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2006-2010 Volkswagen Jetta. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 3,631 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-07.

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