2006 Volkswagen Gti: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2006 Volkswagen Gti: 2 recalls, 43 owner complaints and up to 25 mpg combined.

Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #07V063000 · 2007 · 1,002,000 vehicles
What's 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.
Why it matters: The brake lights could become inoperative, or remain on. Failure to provide the proper signal when braking could lead to a crash without warning.
The fix: 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…
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #07V442000 · 2007 · 340,000 vehicles
What's 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.
Why it matters: Noncompliance can inhibit proper headlamp aim adjustment for roadway illumination, improperly aimed headlamps could cause reduced road visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 3 mention a fire, 2 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (11): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (6).
- Fuel system (7): the most common themes are warning light on (2).
- Airbags (7): the most common themes are fails to deploy (2), warning light on (2).
- Electrical (5): the most common themes are electrical failure (4), fire / smoke (2).
The 2006 Volkswagen Gti has 43 owner complaints, ranking #14 of 36 Gti model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 39). Complaints peaked in 2009 (8 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 44,700 miles. Neighboring years: 2005 (8 complaints, 1 recalls), 2007 (77 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 29 | 25 | Premium |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | Premium |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | Premium |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S5) | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2006 Volkswagen Gti.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2006 Volkswagen Gti have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2006 Volkswagen Gti. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2006 Volkswagen Gti problems?
Owners have filed 43 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (11), fuel system (7), airbags (7).
What gas mileage does the 2006 Volkswagen Gti get?
EPA ratings run up to 25 mpg combined (2.0 L, Automatic (S6)), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2006 Volkswagen Gti repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.