2006 Volkswagen Golf/GTI
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 12 of 55 complaints (22%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (3) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 27 in 2005 to 55 in 2006.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | vs. 2006 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,500–3,500 | 2,550–3,500 | 2,600–3,500 | 3,100–3,250 | 3,100–3,250 | |
| Combined MPG | 22–36 | 22–35 | 22–34 | 24–25 | 24–25 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 19–32 / 27–42 | 19–32 / 27–41 | 19–31 / 27–40 | 21–22 / 29 | 20–22 / 29 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 283–404 | 291–404 | 299–404 | 355–370 | 355–370 | |
| Complaints filed | 35 | 27 | 55 | 79 | 68 | |
| Recalls issued | 6 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 3 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 2 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 7 | 7 | 8 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2006 Volkswagen Golf/GTI have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2006 Volkswagen Golf/GTI?
Engine: 12 of 55 NHTSA complaints (22%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Volkswagen Golf/GTI get?
EPA rates it 22–34 MPG combined across 8 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2006 Volkswagen Golf/GTI?
EPA estimates $2,600–$3,500 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (8)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.9L | Front-Wheel Drive | Diesel | Compact Cars | 31 mpg (high) | 40 mpg (high) | 34 mpg (high) | $2,650 | 299 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S5) | 4 | 1.9L | Front-Wheel Drive | Diesel | Compact Cars | 28 mpg | 40 mpg (high) | 32 mpg | $2,800 | 318 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 21 mpg | 27 mpg (low) | 24 mpg | $2,600 (low) | 370 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 21 mpg | 29 mpg | 24 mpg | $2,600 (low) | 370 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 21 mpg | 29 mpg | 24 mpg | $3,250 | 370 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (S5) | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 19 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | $3,500 (high) | 404 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 22 mpg | 29 mpg | 25 mpg | $3,100 | 355 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 21 mpg | 29 mpg | 24 mpg | $3,250 | 370 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 12 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 10 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · Campaign 14E007000 · Mar 12, 2014
Defect: The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.
Consequence: A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · Campaign 07V442000 · Sep 19, 2007
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.
Consequence: 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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER · Campaign 07E023000 · Mar 29, 2007
Defect: CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.
Consequence: LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH · Campaign 07V063000 · Feb 21, 2007
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.
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.