2006 Volkswagen GOLF: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
70,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 model year. Data snapshot: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 12 complaints (16.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 1 | 8.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 8.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 8.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Clockspring/Spiral Cassette | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Other Fuel Types:Turbo/Supercharger | 1 |
| Equipment | 1 |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Air Bags: 1; Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Clockspring/Spiral Cassette: 1; Electrical System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Other Fuel Types:Turbo/Supercharger: 1; Equipment: 1; Fuel System, Other: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 5 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2006: 2; 2007: 4; 2011: 2; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10168121 · 2006-09-13 (September 13, 2006)
SPEEDOMETER PROVIDES AN INCORRECT READING BY GERMAN LAW. THIS READING IS OFF BY 1-10 MPH, AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD. IT IS ALSO EASILY FIXED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10168121 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10168303 · 2006-09-14 (September 14, 2006)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE (ONLY 14,500 MILES) ALL OF A SUDDEN, THERE WAS A LOSS IN POWER AND A WHINING SOUND. THE WHINING SOUND INCREASED SPEED AND PITCH WHEN STEPPING ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THEN SOON AFTER, SMOKE CAME FROM THE TAIL PIPE. PARKED CAR AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER OF PURCHASE. DEALER WILL NOT INSPECT CAR FREE UNDER WARRANTY UNLESS I CAN PROVE THAT I USED THE VW APPROVED MOTOR OIL. CALLED DEALER SERVICE MANAGER AND GOT SAME REPLY. CALLED VW CUSTOMER CARE NUMBER AND GOT THE SAME REPLY. BY THIS TIME, CAR WAS NOT OPERABLE FOR ALMOST…
Owner-reported narrative. 14,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10168303 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10178209 · 2007-01-09 (January 9, 2007)
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. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10178209 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10178324 · 2007-01-10 (January 10, 2007)
(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 VERIF…
Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10178324 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10184753 · 2007-03-11 (March 11, 2007)
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. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10184753 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10195995 · 2007-07-10 (July 10, 2007)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10195995 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10403938 · 2011-05-31 (May 31, 2011)
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.) *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10403938 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10415402 · 2011-07-27 (July 27, 2011)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 107,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10415402 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
07V063000 · Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch
Reported: 2007-02-20 (February 20, 2007)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗