RoadVitals

2006 Volkswagen GTI

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
43
Latest Feb 11, 2020
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Sep 24, 2007
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
4
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 43 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Volkswagen GTI, most frequently naming the engine, fuel system and transmission categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 348 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
07V442000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Sep 24, 2007
340,000 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: NONCOMPLIANCE CAN INHIBIT PROPER HEADLAMP AIM ADJUSTMENT FOR ROADWAY ILLUMINATION, IMPROPERLY AIMED HEADLAMPS COULD CAUSE REDUCED ROAD VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF A CAP IN THE SOCKET OF THE LOW BEAM HORIZONTAL AIMING SCREW AND INSTALL ONE IF MISSING, AND INSPECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF A CAP IN THE SOCKET OF THE VERTICAL AIMING SCREW AND IF PRESENT, THE CAP WILL BE REMOVED. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON OCTOBER 31, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INCManufacturer number Q8View on NHTSA.gov
07V063000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

Feb 20, 2007
1,002,000 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
The risk: THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2007, AND WILL BE CONDUCTED IN SEVERAL STAGGERED MAILINGS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21, 2007. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INCManufacturer number N4View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 43
EngineFuel system
Filed Feb 11, 2020

FUEL INJECTOR FAILD OPEN AND DUMPED FUEL INTO THE CYLINDER AND IT HYDRO LOCKED. I WAS IN MOTION AND CHECK ENGINE FLASHING AND ENGINE RUNNING ROUGH

NHTSA ID
11308622
Incident
Feb 1, 2020
AirbagsEngine
Filed Feb 21, 2019

CAMSHIFT SENSOR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND OFF EVERY 2 DAYS

NHTSA ID
11181610
Incident
Jan 4, 2019
Mileage
122,000 mi
AirbagsExterior lighting
Filed May 3, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED, WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BULB FROM THE HEADLIGHT SOCKET DETACHED WHEN THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FOG LIGHTS FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ID
11091608
Incident
Apr 19, 2018
Mileage
160,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Jun 23, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAFT WAS FRACTURED. THE FUEL PRESSURE PUMP AND THE CAMSHAFT WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,145.....UPDATED 08/29/16 *BF

NHTSA ID
10876219
Incident
Jun 5, 2016
Mileage
48,145 mi
Engine
Filed May 30, 2016
Fire reported

ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING AND VEHICLE WAS QUICKLY CONSUMED IN FLAMES. POWER LOSS WAS INITIALLY NOTICED ON THE HIGHWAY, BUT VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND STARTED TO BURN ON A SIDE STREET WHILE STOPPED.

NHTSA ID
10871482
Incident
May 18, 2016
Mileage
110,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Nov 6, 2015

CAR LOST ACCELERATION AT APPROX 40 MPH ON 4 LANE ROAD. DEALER DIAGNOSTIC CLAIMS BROKEN CAM CHAIN. DEALER DID NOT CHECK WARRANTY EXTENSION PART CAM FOLLOWER WHICH IS KNOWN TO FAIL (PER CORY FROM VWOA) BUT HAS ANOTHER WARRANTY EXTENSION PART INTAKE CAMSHAFT ON REPAIR LIST. THERE ARE SEVERAL HUNDREDS OF THESE INCIDENTS HAPPENING WITH A QUICK SEARCH.

NHTSA ID
10788829
Incident
Oct 30, 2015
Mileage
74,800 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Jun 23, 2014

AIR BAG LIGHT AND SYMBOL LIGHT IS ON WITH AN INTERNAL CODE STORED. UNCERTAIN IF AIR BAG WILL DEPLOY; POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN AFTER FINDING SEVERAL HUNDRED + PEOPLE COMPLAINING OF SIMILAR PROBLEM. I WAS INFORMED THAT A SERVICE NOTICE WAS SENT OUT; HOWEVER I DID NOT RECEIVE FOREMENTIONED NOTICE NOR ANY PRIOR OR SUBSEQUENT RECALL NOTICES OR BULLETINS FROM VOLKSWAGEN. APPARENTLY THE SERVICE BULLETIN EXPIRED JAN 2013 AND THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR "OBVIOUS SYSTEMIC PROBLEM ASSOCIATED WITH ALL 2006 MODEL YEAR VOLKSWAGENS". PEOPLE ARE STILL HAVING PROBLEMS AND THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST NOTED FROM SEVERAL POSTS INDICATE THAT IT IS AN $1800+ REPAIR, THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN AND NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON ALL 2006 VOLKSWAGEN AIR BAG FAULT LIGHT ISSUES TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT AIR BAG WILL DEPLOY IF VEHICLE IS IN AN ACCIDENT. VW REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THAT THE AIR BAG "MAY" OR "MAY NOT" DEPLOY. HOW MANY HOW MANY INJURIES OR FATALITIES HAVE TO OCCUR BEFORE YOU MAKE THEM TAKE ACTION? MY SON DRIVES THIS OCCASIONALLY AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT HIS SAFETY. NO PARENT SHOULD HAVE TO BURY A CHILD. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THE VEHICLE AND IT HAD AND STILL HAS EXTREMELY LOW MILEAGE AND HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR SUSTAINED DAMAGE OF ANY TYPE. JUST TYPE IN 2006 VW OR VOLKSWAGEN GTI AIR BAG LIGHT OR VW AIR BAG FAULT OR VW AIR BAG FAIL LIGHT IN ANY WEB BROWSER AND YOU WILL SEE JUST HOW LARGE OF A PROBLEM THIS HAS BEEN AND STILL IS. SERVICE BULLETIN NO.: SB-69-11-01 COMPONENT(S): AIR BAGS NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10038665 VEHICLE MAKE/MODEL/MODEL AND YEAR(S) ?VOLKSWAGENBEETLE2004-2008 ?VOLKSWAGENEOS2007-2008 ?VOLKSWAGENGTI2006-2008 ?VOLKSWAGENJETTA2005-2008 ?VOLKSWAGENPASSAT2006-2008 ?VOLKSWAGENR322006-2008 ?VOLKSWAGENRABBIT2006-2008 I HAVE HAD MY SON RESEARCH THIS PROBLEM AND I HAVE PROVIDED YOU HIS EMAIL AND TEL #. *TR

NHTSA ID
10605299
Incident
May 8, 2013
Mileage
47,400 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 20, 2014

CAR STARTED TO EXHIBIT INTERMITTENT ABS FAULTS WHICH WAS INDICATED BY DASH MIL AND THE FOLLOWING FAULT CODES: TRANSMISSION MODULE 18255 - PLEASE CHECK DTC MEMORY OF ABS CONTROLLER ABS BRAKES 00290 - ABS WHEEL SPEED SENSOR; REAR LEFT (G46) 012 - ELECTRICAL FAULT IN CIRCUIT - INTERMITTENT 00290 - ABS WHEEL SPEED SENSOR; REAR LEFT (G46) 008 - IMPLAUSIBLE SIGNAL - INTERMITTENT WITH THE CODES PRESENT BOTH ABS AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL ARE DISABLED. THE SAFETY COMPLAINT HOWEVER IS THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL IS PERIODICALLY LOCKED OUT. WHEN AT SPEED (60+ MPH) THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. MANUAL GEAR SELECT WILL NOT PUT THE CAR BACK INTO A DRIVE GEAR. DASH GEAR INDICATOR WILL INDICATE 6TH GEAR. AT LOWER SPEEDS (~25 MPH) THE TRANSMISSION WILL PERIODICALLY LOCK IN SECOND GEAR AND WILL NOT SHIFT TO A HIGHER GEAR. MANUAL GEAR SELECTION ALSO FAILS. PROBLEM SOMETIMES WILL NOT CLEAR DESPITE RESTARTING THE CAR MULTIPLE TIMES. THERE ARE NO INDICATIONS OF AN ACTUAL TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THE CAUSE SEEMS TO BE SOFTWARE OVERRIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION DUE TO INCORRECT ABS MODULE DATA. (TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE SEEMS TO THINK THE CAR IS IN A SKID AND IS HOLDING GEAR). SO FAR THE ABS MODULE,WHEEL SPEED SENSOR, AND TONE RING HAVE BEEN REPLACED. CONDITION IS STILL PRESENT. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM IS PRESENT SHIFT LOCK ALSO DOES NOT WORK. THE DEALER IS CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING THE WIRING HARNESSES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10565207
Incident
Dec 13, 2013
Mileage
64,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

V171901201285565

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards

V171901201285562

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION

Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.

V171901201285560

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION

Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.

V941901201152119

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Update model year applicability to include 2023.

V271901201189422

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Battery testing and charging using special tools VAS6161 & GRX3000VAS Charger. Updated to include additional model year applicability.

V241801204513812

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Update warranty table labor operation numbers due to recent Saga updates.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Volkswagen GTI by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026000—
2025010—
2024282050.2
2023650—
2022276056.5
2021410—
2020831—
20191794251.8
2018163158.5
2017522158.0
2016664156.9
2015976161.5
2014101355.5
2013342351.7
2012402352.9
2011542348.9
2010531144.1
20091672150.0
2008671142.1
2007771036.5
2006Viewing432045.8
2005810—
2004710—
2003531148.4
20021242254.5
2001742260.3
2000453253.8
1999821—
1998100039.3
1997100035.0
1996911—
1995182258.2
1994020—
1993020—
1992010—
1991110—
1990020—
1989010—
1988010—
1987220—
1986230—
1985220—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.