30th Nov 2010, 12:51

Agree with the complaints about maintenance costs and poor quality of many parts.

Driver's door wiring replaced, both rad fans died, front wheel bearing, various sensors always acting up.

Wouldn't buy another VW.

19th Dec 2010, 13:33

2006 TDI - 150,000 miles. Still running strong, but it needs new motor mounts. This is the first repair other than the timing belt. Love it.

29th Dec 2010, 21:27

I have owned my '06 Jetta TDi from new. This car doesn't owe me 5 cents. It's a pleasure to drive, and minimal repair costs. Clock just turned 92k miles, and was told to change timing belt soon. My mechanic said that the car should out live me... I LOVE IT...

3rd Jan 2011, 19:48

We purchased our 2006 Jetta TDI in December 2006 and love it. Yes, the maintenance can be a little on the high side, but the car has 152,000 miles and has not given us a bit of trouble. We budget the maintenance costs and feel overall, with the great mileage, the maintenance costs are not an issue.

We look forward to another 152,000 miles with our car...

4th Jan 2011, 08:46

I drive a 06 Jetta TDI with 225k kms and I love the mileage I get. However, at around 200k the clutch had to be replaced. At 210k the cam shaft needed to be replaced, which upon further research seems to be a common problem with the 06 TDI. I would recommend trading before 180k, and to start off 2011 with a bang, the turbo needs to be changed now.

I had a 99 Golf TDI before this and put 300k on it when I traded it for the 06 and it was fantastic. I think it stems from moving the build plant from Germany to Mexico.

Disappointed with VW, but might buy again since no one else wants to bring a diesel to North America.

5th Jan 2011, 14:03

2006 Jetta TDI, have had every maintenance done, flywheel just went with only 65000km. I feel lucky though, there are still 2 months left on the warranty. Alternator was also changed under warranty about a year ago.

Fun car to drive, but I probably wouldn't buy another one only because of reliability concerns.

Does anyone know if they've corrected the flywheel problem, or should I expect another major break down at about 130,000kM?

17th Jan 2011, 19:12

Anyone owning a 2006 VW Jetta TDI should replace the Clutch and Flywheel with a single disk vs. the stock dual mass flywheel. That part is a piece of junk. I spoke with the parts guy at a VW dealership he said the same thing. When the dual mass pull apart, it will kill your transmission and who knows what else. Better safe than sorry. There are plenty of after markets to pick up a single disk flywheel and you won't have a catastrophic failure. No, it is not under warranty if it fails on you.

I changed mine @ 80,000 miles with a Stage 2 South Bend Endurance Clutch with 20Lb Flywheel for $647.00. I'm @ 142,000 miles now and no problem. Find a local shop that will put in in. A lot less than dealer plus you won't be getting that junk setup from VW.

18th Feb 2011, 15:22

I just bought an 06 TDI, and reading the comments above, I am very very scared to keep this car. The car currently has 160,000 KM, and I am thinking of trading it back in.

24th Feb 2011, 10:17

190,000 on my 06 TDI - and the flywheel is the first major repair I have had. I guess I must be lucky?!

Hope that this is not to start of bigger repairs to come.

1st Oct 2011, 06:30

Be on the look out for premature wear on the camshaft & lifters! At 191k the camshaft & lifters had to be replaced!

17th Mar 2012, 04:33

06 TDI, all maintenance done on schedule.

At 99000, replaced flywheel.

135000, replaced DSG transmission, $6000.00.

145000, replaced radiator fans.

I have replaced the heater fan twice.

185000, both drive shafts need to be replaced at $1100.00.

It's an expensive car to own. The DSG transmission is a piece of junk. Would not buy another VW.

22nd Jan 2015, 18:56

I too am disappointed in all the money I've had to put into my 2006 TDI. Bought it 2 years ago with 144000km from a dealer that certified it.

Since then...

New valve throttle assembly, 500+.

Flywheel, 1400.

Wheel hub and parts, 600.

Radiator leaks, losing oil... etc.. Never again.

8th May 2015, 20:18

Hi. I own a 2006 VW TDI AND THE FLYWHEEL IS SHATTERED. I CONTACTED VW Canada; they refuse to acknowledge that there are COUNTLESS VW JETTA TDIs with this very same defect. $2500 later, I am selling this car and never buying another VW based on their total denial of any problem with the dual-flywheel. It should be RECALLED - I suppose there are just too many faulty flywheels for them to take their heads out of the sand and professionally address this deplorable lack of support for VW owners. Other owners MAKE A NOISE - send me your similar experience.

20th Jun 2016, 17:38

Replaced our flywheel at 95,000, and we are being told we need to replace it again. The car has 130,000 miles on it. Very frustrating. The car is way too expensive parts wise to own.

15th Dec 2017, 13:28

Interesting, bought my 06 manual TDI at the 60K mark, and today it is at 225K and the dual mass flywheel just started making noise 2000 miles ago.

Other than that, the only thing I have had to do to the car is tires, oil changes every 10K, oil filter every 20K and the recommended timing belt replacement every 90K. I still have the original axles, wheel bearings, A/C compressor, clutch/fly wheel, cam, lifters, etc.

I was told by several VW mechanics that if you religiously follow the scheduled maintenance, the car will treat you well. I have done that and my car has been an absolute angel.