21st Jan 2006, 12:10

Agree with all the engine noise comments. I've had my 06 Jetta for a couple of weeks now and that seems to be its only screw up. Don't really know why it sounds like that, but yes, after about 5 or so seconds it "settles down." The 5 cyl. manual transmission is very responsive and the car definitely has a lot of pep. The funny thing is, the engine noise at start up does NOT resemble anything with more "muscle" as some dealers have suggested (or another comment mentions). It just sounds like a malfunction or a defect. But yes, it's actually normal. Go figure the Germans.

21st Feb 2006, 08:38

I bought my 06 New Jetta in November, and found the car to be much better than the older model. This is my second VW, I just had an 01' Wolfsburg. That car was fine as well until I started having problems with the check engine light.

I also agree that the engine rattling is very annoying. Other that that the car is GREAT!! It's fun to drive. With the added satellite lite radio, I don't mind taking long trips. The car has a smooth ride and came so many standard features. Trunk room is spacious, and the manual transmission is so soft and easy to shift.

I was torn between the Honda Accord, and Pontiac G6. I am glad I went with the New Jetta..

Jersey Gurl..

16th May 2006, 20:21

The sound is normal during the startups. This happens only for the first time of the day or after engine has been idle for sometime like more than 4-5 hours. Its the hydraulic valves lifting system. Its not unusual. Believe me. I own a new jetta and did lot of research in that. See the VW forums.

21st Nov 2006, 08:53

The VW 2.5 engine is not just half the Lamborghini engine. The head is very similar, but the rest of the engine is all new. To compare this engine to the GM "Iron Duke" is laughable. Given proper maintenance, the VW engine should have no trouble exceeding 300,000 miles of service.

2nd Jan 2007, 22:27

I have to agree, its only a matter of time until things start breaking on the car, unless VW has fixed their problems (I highly doubt this). If you need proof of all the problems VW cars eventually have, just take a look at some of the comments left for the older models.

12th Feb 2007, 21:46

I disagree that the car will be unreliable. The 4th generation cars built from 1999-2004 were indeed terrible. However, the new Jetta, and in particular the 5 cylinder engine have thus far proved to be very reliable, with only a few issues reported such as rattling speakers (which was subsequently fixed and hardly affects the drivability of the car)

30th Apr 2007, 12:24

I agree with the start up noise being very annoying. I've been bugging my local agency to find out what can be done. Eventually they told me VW is in the process of revising the software that manages the auxiliary air pump. (It adds more air to the cat. converter to reduce pollution during cold starts). They're revising the software in stages and whether your car will qualify will depend on the vehicle VIN.

30th Apr 2007, 14:22

Isn't the Iron Duke an inline engine and the 305 5.0 a Vee style engine?

How exactly are they alike?

12th Jun 2007, 12:36

I am on my 3rd set of brakes and calibers on the rear. They are lasting about seven thousand miles. I just took it in and they or worn to the 50% mark again. They keep telling me this is OK. I think having to replace rear brakes and rotors every three months is not normal. The front brakes have 80% left and they are the original set. Normally fronts wear out faster than rears. It also stalls all the time. Naturally they can find no problem. It blows fuses, has an ABS light that comes on, but besides that it is a great car. LOL.

2nd Sep 2007, 22:41

I recently purchased a used 2005 Volkswagen Jetta 2.5. I think the car is great after it warms up for 10 seconds. The engine noise and rattling when you start a cold engine is really scary. It sounds like the exhaust system is going to come off. I sure hope they can come up with the software to fix the problem soon. This noise really hurts the cars image.

3rd Oct 2007, 10:40

I'm very happy with my 06 Jetta, but the oddest thing happened this summer- the decal facing on all of the radio buttons is bubbling up and peeling off. I've never sprayed anything on them and I live in upstate NY where weather is not excessively hot- what is that all about?

1st Jul 2008, 09:31

I have a 2005 Volkswagen Jetta and my radio buttons have also bubbled up and are now peeling. I'm also wondering what this is all about. Does anyone know or how to fix it?

9th Jul 2008, 08:40

My radio buttons have bubbled too. It will cost around $600 to get them to replace the radio as they cannot just fix the buttons. I am no longer under warranty and they have so far said they won't meet in middle or budge at all on helping get this fixed. It is not acceptable to me to have my 3 year old $21000 car fall apart after keeping up with the expensive maintenance schedule. The black finish on the steering wheel started rubbing off after the first year, the passenger side window button black finish has peeled and the black finish under the side mirror knob has bubbled. My car makes that rattling noise when it starts too! I will never buy another VW!

5th Aug 2008, 09:17

I have a 2006 turbo diesel, and have also had my radio buttons bubble and peel. My car is also no longer under warranty, but my price tag was definitely over 21,000. I think they should have a recall on these buttons, it is just unacceptable.

This has been the only problem with my car, I love it to death; but I saw others on here saying they are getting up to 56mpg and am wondering why I do not get that. I average about 40mpg and I check it on every refill.

20th Aug 2008, 09:24

My VW Passat 06 also has radio buttons that are bubbling. I took it in for one of the many services I have had to have for computer glitches, and they told me that they had never seen it and my car is the only one that has done it. Told me I must have sprayed something on the buttons - which I haven't. It's obviously a defect.