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2006 Volkswagen Golf problems

The most common problem on the 2006 Volkswagen Golf is acceleration and speed control. It has fewer complaints than a typical Golf model year.

Fewer complaintsAmong the best years of this model
Year score
85/100
Owner complaints
12
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
359
Worst area
Acceleration
Fuel economy
24-34mpg

The worst 2006 Volkswagen Golf problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Acceleration
    3
  • Airbags
    2
  • Engine
    2
  • Body
    1
  • Electrical
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Acceleration
    3
  • Airbags
    2
  • Engine
    2
  • Body
    1
  • Electrical
    1
  • Fuel system
    1
  • Locks
    1
  • Seat belts
    1
  • Seats
    1
  • Suspension
    1

Recalls 1

Exterior lighting: brake lights: switchReported February 20, 2007 · 1,002,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain passenger, wagon, and convertible vehicles equipped with or without cruise control, a brake light switch may malfunction if it was installed incorrectly.
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.
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.

Recall number 07V063000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2006 Volkswagen Golf

Technical service bulletins for the 2006 Volkswagen Golf 359

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 359 bulletins for the 2006 Volkswagen Golf

2006 Volkswagen Golf fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
1.9L 4‑cyl DieselFWD28-314032-34
2.0L 4‑cylFWD2127-2924

What 2006 Volkswagen Golf owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 8, 2019 · Airbags · 119,390 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 volkswagen golf. The contact stated that the air bag clockspring failed. As a result, the driver's air bag would not to deploy in the event of a crash due to lack of electricity. The vehicle was taken to schumacher volkswagen (3001 okeechobee boulevard, west palm beach, fl 33409) where it was diagnosed that the clockspring failed. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in the manufacturer warranted clockspring repair. The manufacturer also advised that the repair was covered for a three year warranty and 36,000 miles. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 119,390.

Filed Nov 11, 2018 · Electrical · OH

Electrical system for hatch door stops working. Hatch will not close. Is a common issue and needs to be fixed at the manufacturer's expense.

Filed Aug 15, 2017 · Body · CA

The front hood latch and locking mechanism has a design error that makes it difficult to close and lock the hood. The hood latch and locking mechanical parts in my opinoin needs to be modified to work correctly. Car hoods need to be secured and lock properly for the safe operation of a vehicles. I am unable to driver the vehicle because the hood will not close.

Filed Feb 11, 2016 · Locks · 130,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 volkswagen golf. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the hood of the vehicle unlatched without warning and shattered the windshield. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the windshield, hood, and other unknown components needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that they were unwilling to pay for the repair. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

Filed Jul 27, 2011 · Seat belts · 107,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 volkswagen golf. The contact stated that the rear passenger seat belt stitching began to unravel. The dealer and manufacturer were notified but denied any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 107,000 and current mileage was 112,000. Updated 08/15/11 *bf updated 08/24/11

Filed May 31, 2011 · Suspension · 70,000 miles · IL

2006 vw golf tdi 70k miles of normal driving conditions in illinois. Failure of both driver and passenger side coil springs within 6 weeks of each other. In each case the coil spring broke towards the end. At the top on one side, on the bottom on the other side. Coil springs are generally fairly sturdy under normal driving conditions. Could there have been a manufacture defect? (the failed springs to not appear to be corroded at the failure point, looks more like clean snap.)

Filed Jul 10, 2007 · Acceleration, Fuel system · KY

Tl*the contact owns a 2006 volkswagen golf. The contact stated that the vehicle idles when the accelerator pedal is depressed to the floor. The failure causes the vehicle to stall while the engine is still running. He also stated that the vehicle does not respond to the fuel injection. The dealer has not offered much assistance. The VIN and failure mileage were unknown. The current mileage is 21,000.

Filed Mar 11, 2007 · Airbags, Seats · NC · crash · 1 injury

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.

Filed Jan 10, 2007 · Engine · 16,000 miles · VT

(1) intercooler leaking oil @ 16k miles on a 2006 vw golf tdi. Failure is due to chaffing of the aluminum intercooler pipes by the perpendicular piece of plastic that extends to it from the front passenger side grill and touches the intercooler. During normal driving, over time, the plastic moves and rubs against the intercooler and eventually creates holes where oil leaks out and puddles on the front side of the passenger wheel well. (2)as soon as I saw the oil puddling in small 3-5" circles, I brought the car to the dealer where they verified my concern. If left unchecked, this would lead to continued loss of oil, loss of boost and eventually failure of the turbo. (3)dealer is fixing under warranty, but told me they will only replace the intercooler and will do nothing to resolve the root cause of the problem, which is that the hard plastic rubs against the soft aluminum metal of the intercooler pipes and causes a hole. Dealer claims there is no tsb from vw which is absurd. Numerous internet searches and looking on www.tdiclub.com show many occurrences of this problem. It is specific to the tdi version of the golf since it has a turbo. At a minimum, the plastic needs to be trimmed and a piece of foam or something soft needs to be inserted so nothing hard can rub against the aluminum intercooler pipes. If the root cause is not addressed then this will continue to fail. It is a reliability concern, a safety concern (loss of boost, turbo failure), an environmental concern (leaking oil) and a cost concern since eventually the car will be out of warranty.

Filed Jan 9, 2007 · Acceleration · 16,000 miles · KY

Tl*- 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.

Compare the 2006 Volkswagen Golf

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Questions about the 2006 Volkswagen Golf

Is the 2006 Volkswagen Golf reliable?

Owners have filed 12 complaints about the 2006 Volkswagen Golf, fewer than a typical Golf model year.

What is the 2006 Volkswagen Golf year score?

The 2006 Volkswagen Golf scores 85 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Volkswagen Golf: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2006 Volkswagen Golf?

Acceleration and speed control, with 3 complaints. Next is airbags (2).

How many recalls does the 2006 Volkswagen Golf have?

1 recall, covering exterior lighting.

What gas mileage does the 2006 Volkswagen Golf get?

Official estimates for the 2006 Volkswagen Golf range from 24 to 34 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.9L 4-cyl diesel, FWD) gets 28-31 city and 40 highway.

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