FaultScore

FaultScore report

2006 Volkswagen Golf problems

Owners have filed 16 complaints about the 2006 Volkswagen Golf with NHTSA between 2006 and 2019. The largest single group is the acceleration & cruise control. Across this model's run it ranks 16 of 25 worst.

C

FaultScore 50/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Volkswagen Golf.

How this is worked out

The numbers

16

Complaints

3

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries reported

70,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

43%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 11 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure 73 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 11
Against the median year of the Volkswagen Golf. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
37.5% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 73
43% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2006 compares with every other Volkswagen Golf

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2006 Volkswagen Golf

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Acceleration & Cruise Control 3 18.8%

Median failure at 16,000 miles

Airbags 2 12.5%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 119,390 mi

Engine & Cooling 2 12.5%

Median failure at 15,250 miles

Other & Unspecified 1 6.3%
Equipment & Accessories 1 6.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Doors, Latches & Locks 1 6.3%

Median failure at 130,000 miles

Seats 1 6.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Seat Belts 1 6.3%

Median failure at 107,000 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 1 6.3%
Suspension 1 6.3%

Median failure at 70,000 miles

Body & Structure 1 6.3%
Electrical System 1 6.3%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

10,000 – 24,999 miles 3 42.9%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 1 14.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 3 42.9%

NHTSA crash tests

The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own photographs and star ratings.

These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.

Configuration Overall Front Side Rollover
2006 Volkswagen Golf 4-DR. w/SAB

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Sep 2006 peak 3 Aug 2019

Recalls on the 2006 Volkswagen Golf

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 2010444 30,255 units in Canada

Fuel System

On certain Golf, Golf wagon, Jetta and Rabbit equipped with a 2.5L Engine, a small plastic tab located on the windshield washer fluid reservoir may chafe against an underhood fuel supply line. If chafing occurs fuel leakage could develop which, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and, if necessary, replace the fuel line. In addition, as a preventive measure, the plastic tab from the windshield washer fluid reservoir will be removed.

Recall 2006122 244,526 units in Canada

Lights And Instruments

On certain Golf, GTI, Jetta, Jetta wagon, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, Passat and Passat wagon, the brake lamp switch may malfunction. If this happens, the brake lamps could become inoperative; or could come on and stay on, even though the vehicle is parked. Correction: Dealers will replace the brake lamp switch with a newly revised version. This action includes vehicles previously affected by Transport Canada recall 03-184 and 04-075. The switch installed during this prior repair may not function properly. Note: parts available December 2006.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Wilmington, NC Crash 1 injured

SEATS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10184753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wilmington, NC Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10184753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wilmington, NC Crash 1 injured

EQUIPMENT

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.

NHTSA complaint #10184753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 119,390 miles DEL RAY Beach, FL

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE

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.

NHTSA complaint #11242479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Columbus, OH

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

NHTSA complaint #11150775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Columbus, OH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #11150775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Moreno Valley, CA

STRUCTURE:BODY

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.

NHTSA complaint #11015599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles Atlanta, GA

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

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.

NHTSA complaint #10825561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 107,000 miles Elizabeth City, NC

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

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

NHTSA complaint #10415402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Bloomington, IL

SUSPENSION:FRONT

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.)

NHTSA complaint #10403938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mayking, KY

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

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.

NHTSA complaint #10195995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mayking, KY

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

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.

NHTSA complaint #10195995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wilmington, NC Crash 1 injured

SEATS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10184753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wilmington, NC Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10184753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wilmington, NC Crash 1 injured

EQUIPMENT

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.

NHTSA complaint #10184753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 16,000 miles Colchester, VT

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

(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.

NHTSA complaint #10178324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 16,000 miles Mayking, KY

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

NHTSA complaint #10178209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 14,500 miles Beach Park, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

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 3 WEEKS JUST SITTING IN THE DEALER SERVICE LOT. DEALER SERVICE AND VW OF AMERICA REFUSE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR. DEALER SAID THEY WOULD INSPECT THE CAR FOR $625.00. IF FOUND TO BE A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT, I WOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY THE $625.00 NOW I AM WAITING FOR THE DEALER SERVICE TO TELL ME THAT IT WAS NOT A DEFECT AND THAT SOMEHOW THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS MY FAULT.

NHTSA complaint #10168303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Richboro, PA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

NHTSA complaint #10168121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.