10th Nov 2009, 06:18

I have a 2006 Jetta TDi that has the aforementioned defective radio buttons. In my opinion, this appears to have no relationship to oils/suntan lotion coming into contact with the buttons. The buttons that are bubbling on my radio are random at best. Some of the buttons that I use on a daily basis are bubbling and some of them are not. In fact, there are buttons that I never utilize that have bubbled. I say that this is simply a material defect.

I took it to the dealer and they have ordered a replacement radio that will fall under the car's warranty. I am happy that my car's warranty is being honored, however I am concerned that in another three years the replacement radio will have the same defect and I will be without a warranty - what then.

The rest of the car has performed beautifully. The radio has been the only disappointment thus far.

2nd Dec 2009, 09:10

My 2009 Jetta SE has been rattling since the 3rd day of ownership. It has spent more than 30 days in the shop for repairs. Every time I pick it up, it is still rattling, loud. The rattles seem to come from everywhere, but mostly from the center dash behind the air vents and the sun roof. I would like to know if this is happening to other people. Something should be done about it.

3rd Jan 2010, 21:48

My 2006 VW Jetta's stereo buttons are also peeling. I too rarely use my stereo and have never used any type of chemical or cleaner on the dashboard or stereo buttons. It appears to be a defect on VW's part... the black paint is not adhering properly to the plastic buttons pieces. VW should have came up with a better solution to ensure that this does not happen on a vehicle that costs on average 20k or more. I'm in the process of selling my vehicle and will never buy another VW again...

16th Jan 2010, 12:32

Anyone experience a mechanical problem with the 2.5 engine, which requires a replacement of the complete head assembly?

Just had the problem on a 07 Jetta at 34K miles. Still under warranty. The dealer said it is a $5K repair job.

Obviously not German engineering, gotta be Italian!

15th May 2010, 05:03

I'm also having the rattling noises coming from the dashboard, and all of the radio buttons are now white since the paint has come off completely, but my biggest concern is that clicking noise coming from (only god knows), when I get to the first light each morning. Any suggestions on that?? :(

26th May 2010, 08:18

I have a 2006 Jetta that I bought used in 2008. I have the same problem with the clicking in the morning in the passenger rear. I have no idea what it is. I was hoping it was nothing... ;)

My radio buttons have also peeled and bubbled. Someone said they got it replaced under warranty. Really?

11th Jun 2010, 08:10

If you notice, in 2007 Volkswagen started using silver buttons on their radios. This might be the reason it is a 2006 issue, and only a 2006 issue.

I am in the process of buying a 2006 GLI, and one of the buttons is a little messed up already, but there is nothing else wrong with the car. I am planning on replacing this and was told by the dealer that even though I will not be under warranty, that they will meet me halfway. They also told me that the buttons will be silver on the new one, so it will look a little different, but will make it look like an '07 if anything. Most people won't even notice!

18th Jul 2010, 22:23

My 2005 Jetta, which I bought in 2007, has had the buttons peeling for over a year now. The dealership said they could do nothing since it was out of warranty. It's really frustrating every time I get into my car. I feel like for such a "high-performance" car, the radio buttons shouldn't be so cheap. I wish there was a solution.

11th Aug 2010, 17:35

Picked up a 2006 from a VW dealer... noticed two buttons on the entry-level Jetta were bubbly and another two on their way. Ended up returning the vehicle as they did not disclose it was auctioned out, shipped in from the other side of the country, and had an airbag light the next day (I live 300km from the dealer). They were apologetic and gave me a good deal on a loaded 2008 with leather. Nice ride!

29th Aug 2010, 14:26

I have a 2006 Jetta. Its radio buttons have been bubbled recently. Also engine and EPC warning lights are turned on sometimes. I am scared of this car. What happens next?

6th Sep 2010, 14:47

I too have a 2005 1/2 with the stereo buttons bubbling and peeling. I am wondering about how this will affect the resale value? Has anyone heard anything about VW doing a recall?

15th Sep 2010, 13:10

Love to drive VW. Hate to fix, which is too often. Just pooped engine head at 290000 km. Dropping in an 07 engine with 25000km for 6500.00. When will the tyranny end!

13th Oct 2010, 11:06

I bought my 2005 VW Jetta after leasing it for the first 3 years.

From the beginning, when starting the car, it sounded like a bad lawn mower! My buttons early on started to peel. I thought this was due to the heat living in Fl, I know now otherwise.

Last year I noticed my headliner started to come undone right under the sunglass compartment, and recently by the interior light and back! The dealer said this would cost $ 1000.00 just to have that fixed, which is clearly a manufacture error and poor workmanship!

My fist Jetta I had for 5 years and the windows fell down right from the get go, I don't even open them on this car.

This is really a shame, because not only is the car great to look at, but for a small person like me I always felt comfortable because it handled well for me. Now unfortunately when buying a new car it will not be a VW, since VW clearly has issues that should be recalled and fixed and not at the owner's expense.

1st Nov 2010, 20:08

I have a 2005 Jetta with a 2.5. Love the car, but at 98,000 miles it developed a rough idle then would not start.

Dealer said I had lost compression in #1 cylinder. $425.00 just to tear apart and diagnose.

Service Manager said he had another 05 Jetta 2.5 in the shop with the same symptoms that he had already torn apart. A cam bolt had broken and the engine was shot. Six to seven grand for a new engine.

Hauled my car home, bought a salvage 07 engine for 900.00, had it installed for 450.00.

Called an independent VW shop about re-programing and the owner told me he also had a 05 Jetta 2.5 with the same symptoms, but had not torn it down yet.

14th Nov 2010, 20:11

I am trying to sell a 2005 Jetta 2.5. 74,000 miles After reading all the comments I may be stuck with it.

My buttons were bubbling, quite common on these radios. If you check any online photos of this car, most of the radios are like this. The buttons are white, coated in black with the line through the middle of them to show up at night. We took a black marker to touch them up. They don't look so bad now. I think it would be very easy to pop the cover off the radio and replace all the buttons. Of course this would be too easy.

My 05 also rattles when first starting, then calms down very shortly. Not all the time just some of the time. I also hear a tuck tuck tuck tuck noise like a vent door trying to close all the time. Does anyone know what this is?