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2006 Volkswagen GTI problems

The most common problem on the 2006 Volkswagen GTI is transmission and drivetrain, typically around 42,000 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical GTI model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
78/100
Owner complaints
43
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
349
Worst area
Transmission
Fuel economy
22-25mpg

The worst 2006 Volkswagen GTI problems

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

Problems by type

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

Specific symptoms reported on the 2006 Volkswagen GTI

Fuel pump 7Check engine light 5

Recalls 2

Exterior lighting: headlightsReported September 24, 2007 · 340,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.
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.

Recall number 07V442000 · Recall details

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 2 recalls for the 2006 Volkswagen GTI

Technical service bulletins for the 2006 Volkswagen GTI 349

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

See all 349 bulletins for the 2006 Volkswagen GTI

2006 Volkswagen GTI fuel economy

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

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.0L 4‑cylFWD21-222924-25
1.8L 4‑cylFWD19-2127-2922-24

What 2006 Volkswagen GTI owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Feb 11, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · UT

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

Filed Feb 21, 2019 · Airbags, Engine · 122,000 miles · PA

Camshift sensor check engine light on and off every 2 days

Filed May 3, 2018 · Airbags, Lights · 160,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Jun 23, 2016 · Engine, Fuel system · 48,145 miles · CO

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

Filed May 30, 2016 · Engine · 110,000 miles · VA · fire

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.

Filed Nov 6, 2015 · Engine, Fuel system · 74,800 miles · ID

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.

Filed Jun 23, 2014 · Airbags, Electrical · 47,400 miles · IN

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 the federal safety agency 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 #.

Filed Feb 20, 2014 · Brakes, Transmission · 64,000 miles · MD

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.

Filed Oct 24, 2013 · Body, Visibility · 87,500 miles · WA

Stock driver-side mirror fell out of mirror housing as I was driving down the highway with my windows down. Glass exploded as it hit my car and debris was sent into the passenger compartment. The event was very loud and startling. Some of the debris hit my face. Large piece of glass found in rear seat. Drivers immediately behind me swerved due to flying debris. There are deep gouges and cuts in the driver side door from the impact of the mirror and debris. The debris had enough energy to penetrate both the clear coat and paint. Glass mirror looks to have failed due to the adhesive backing holding the mirror onto its plastic casing failed. Filed a report with vw of america to explain incident. So far they have not taken action and have only responded by having the incident "documented internally". Exploding glass entering the passenger compartment can potentially get into the driver's eyes and cause a life-threatening situation. Flying debris caused by failed adhesives holding on the mirror can cause accidents for other drivers on the road. Not having a mirror can also lead to impaired situational awareness which may lead to accidents.

Filed May 22, 2013 · Airbags · 105,000 miles · WI

Passive occupant detection system module not functioning after warranty work done by volkswagen. This is extremely problematic, as the passenger airbag will no longer engage, regardless of how much weight is in the passenger seat. In the event of a car accident, the airbag would not deploy for the passenger, and the passenger's life would be in jeopardy. Volkswagen will not stand by their product, and they refuse to offer any aid or help to fix the situation. They want $1800 for the part, just to ensure the safety of the individuals in the car.

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Questions about the 2006 Volkswagen GTI

Is the 2006 Volkswagen GTI reliable?

Owners have filed 43 complaints about the 2006 Volkswagen GTI, fewer than a typical GTI model year.

What is the 2006 Volkswagen GTI year score?

The 2006 Volkswagen GTI scores 78 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Volkswagen GTI: 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 GTI?

Transmission and drivetrain, with 11 complaints, typically around 42,000 miles. Next is engine (10).

How many recalls does the 2006 Volkswagen GTI have?

2 recalls, covering exterior lighting.

What year does the Volkswagen GTI have bad transmission?

The Volkswagen GTI model years with the most transmission complaints are 2019 (62 complaints), 2007 (40 complaints) and 2008 (40 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2006 Volkswagen GTI get?

Official estimates for the 2006 Volkswagen GTI range from 22 to 25 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 21-22 city and 29 highway.

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