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2005 Volkswagen Jetta

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Jetta years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta are substantially higher than the model-year median of 68.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

206 reports with mileage · 42 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 84 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports14 fire reports7 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

26 reports
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625,000 miles · Mar 25, 2009
Air BagsCrashInjury

MY DAUGHTER HIT THE BACK OF A VOLVO SUV WITH HER 2005 VW JETTA AND NOT 1 AIR BAG DEPLOYED LEAVING HER IN THE HOSPITAL FOR A MONTH'S STAY WITH MAJOR BRAIN TRAUMA AND $100,000 + DOLLARS IN MEDICAL BILLS INSTEAD OF A MINOR TRIP TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM FOR AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. HER ENTIRE FRONT END IS IN THE WINDSHIELD. (WE HAVE PHOTOS…

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MY DAUGHTER HIT THE BACK OF A VOLVO SUV WITH HER 2005 VW JETTA AND NOT 1 AIR BAG DEPLOYED LEAVING HER IN THE HOSPITAL FOR A MONTH'S STAY WITH MAJOR BRAIN TRAUMA AND $100,000 + DOLLARS IN MEDICAL BILLS INSTEAD OF A MINOR TRIP TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM FOR AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. HER ENTIRE FRONT END IS IN THE WINDSHIELD. (WE HAVE PHOTOS).BECAUSE SHE HIT THE VOLVO AT THE WRONG ANGLE, WAS THE DETERMINED REASONING AS TO WHY THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. ARE YOU KIDDING ME. LET'S TAKE A CLOSER LOOK INTO VW'S ADVERTISEMENTS FOR SAFETY. MY DAUGHTER WAS FOOLED BY THIS NONSENSE AND THE REST OF THE COUNTRY IS BEING FOOLED ALSO. I WILL PURSUE THIS FOR CORRECTION FOR AS LONG AS NEED BE.LET'S HOPE THE BOARD GETS ON BOARD WITH THIS UNSAFE ISSUE! "AIRBAGS ONLY DEPLOY IF YOU HIT THE FRONT END AT A CERTAIN ANGLE? AGAIN< ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I'M SURE JOHN.Q. PUBLIC WILL BE VERY INTERESTED TO SEE THESE PIX ONLINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10263068

42,500 miles · Nov 28, 2008
Air BagsLatches/locks/linkages

MY TRUNK HAS NEVER CLOSED PROPERLY FROM THE DAY I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK WITHIN A FEW WEEKS TO BE REPAIRED. THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART AND IT TOOK A FEW MORE WEEKS. WHEN THEY REPLACED IT, IT STILL CONTINUED NOT TO CLOSE PROPERLY. I HAVE THE OLD PART. I ALSO RECENTLY HAD AN AIR BAG DEFAULT SENSOR COME …

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MY TRUNK HAS NEVER CLOSED PROPERLY FROM THE DAY I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK WITHIN A FEW WEEKS TO BE REPAIRED. THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART AND IT TOOK A FEW MORE WEEKS. WHEN THEY REPLACED IT, IT STILL CONTINUED NOT TO CLOSE PROPERLY. I HAVE THE OLD PART. I ALSO RECENTLY HAD AN AIR BAG DEFAULT SENSOR COME ON. I HAVE CONTACTED THEM MULTIPLE TIMES REGARDING THIS AND THEY CONTINUE TO ADVISE THAT THEY WILL HAVE TO CHARGE ME A DIAGNOSIS OF 97.50 AND I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR A RENTAL IF THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE CONTINUOUSLY HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I HAVE TRIED TO DROP THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEY INSIST THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE ROOM AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET TO MY VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL DAYS. THESE ARE VERY SERIOUS HAZARDS THAT COULD BE LIFE THREATENING YET THEY FAIL TO RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF THEIR CUSTOMER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10250074

58,000 miles · Sep 3, 2008
Air BagsEquipmentSeat Belts

I OWN A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN NEW JETTA 2.5 WHICH JUST HAD AN INCIDENT OF THE AIRBAG FAULT LIGHT GOING ON. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE SERVICED AND WAS INFORMED THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WHICH WAS THE REASON FOR THE LIGHT. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY AT 58,00 MILES AND MY WARRANTY WAS ONLY EXTENDED TO 50,000 …

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I OWN A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN NEW JETTA 2.5 WHICH JUST HAD AN INCIDENT OF THE AIRBAG FAULT LIGHT GOING ON. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE SERVICED AND WAS INFORMED THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WHICH WAS THE REASON FOR THE LIGHT. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY AT 58,00 MILES AND MY WARRANTY WAS ONLY EXTENDED TO 50,000 MILES, LEAVING ME TO SHOULDER THE COSTS OF A NEW SEAT BELT BUCKLE. THE SEATBELT'S INNER ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS HAVE BURNED OUT, BUT THERE ARE NO OTHER DEFECTS WITH THE BUCKLE. BECAUSE THE CIRCUIT HAS BURNED OUT, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM IS CONSIDERED UNSTABLE AND MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY DURING AN ACCIDENT. I FEEL THAT IN NO WAY SHOULD I BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT REGARDLESS OF MY VEHICLE'S WARRANTY STATUS. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, I HAVE FOUND THAT MANY VOLKSWAGEN OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS SAFETY ISSUE BUT STRANGELY VOLKSWAGEN HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS DEFECT. ALTHOUGH I CANNOT FIND ANY INCIDENTS OF ACCIDENT REGARDING THIS DEFECT, I FEEL THAT A PROACTIVE APPROACH AND INVESTIGATION IS BETTER THAN SOMEONE LOSING THEIR LIFE OR LOVED ONE FROM THIS DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10240812

82,200 miles · Apr 15, 2008
Air Bags

I PURCHASED MY VW JETTA NEW IN 2005. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD A RECURRING ISSUE THAT I BELIEVE CAN CAUSE DEATH TO THE DRIVERS OR PASSENGERS IF THEY ARE IN A N ACCIDENT. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRBAGS (AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON) ABOUT 5 OR 6 TIMES.. THE MOST RECENT ONE BEING THE BEGINNING OF THE MONTH. THE TIMES THE LIGHT HAS COM…

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I PURCHASED MY VW JETTA NEW IN 2005. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD A RECURRING ISSUE THAT I BELIEVE CAN CAUSE DEATH TO THE DRIVERS OR PASSENGERS IF THEY ARE IN A N ACCIDENT. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRBAGS (AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON) ABOUT 5 OR 6 TIMES.. THE MOST RECENT ONE BEING THE BEGINNING OF THE MONTH. THE TIMES THE LIGHT HAS COME ON I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED.. BUT IT SEEMS TO ALWAYS BE THE SAME THING.. SOME SORT OF DAMAGED/SHORTING WIRES FROM WHAT THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME. I FEEL THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED ISSUE AND FEEL THAT FOR THE SAFETY OF OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO/RECTIFIED BY THE MANUFACTURER. I CALLED TODAY TO VW'S CUSTOMER SERVICE.. AND WAS BRUSHED OFF.. AND TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I HAVE PAID MANY TIMES TO GET THIS ISSUE FIXED.. I WAS NOT TRYING TO GET WARRANTY WORK DONE. I WAS TRYING TO BRING TO LIGHT A RE OCCURRING ISSUE THAT MY CAR WAS HAVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10224639

10,000 miles · Oct 27, 2005
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

DT: THE CONTACT STATED ON 8-16-05 WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR DIED. THEN IT LURCHED FORWARD, STOPPED AND LURCHED FORWARD AGAIN. THIS WAS THE FIFTH TIME THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERS. THE FIRST TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND THEY REPLACED A FUEL INJECTOR. THE SECOND TIME THE ABS LIGHT, THE AIR BAG LIGH…

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DT: THE CONTACT STATED ON 8-16-05 WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR DIED. THEN IT LURCHED FORWARD, STOPPED AND LURCHED FORWARD AGAIN. THIS WAS THE FIFTH TIME THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERS. THE FIRST TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND THEY REPLACED A FUEL INJECTOR. THE SECOND TIME THE ABS LIGHT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THEY INSTALLED A FULL DISTRIBUTOR RAIL. THE THIRD TIME THE ENGINE OVERHEATED, AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD NOT WORK . THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY AND COOLING FANS. THE FOURTH TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, AND THEY REPLACED A VALVE. THIS LAST TIME THE DEALER GAVE HIM A LOANER CAR. THEY HAVE NOT DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM YET. THE DEALER CALLED ON FRIDAY TO TELL HIM THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE LOANER CAR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10140929

6,000 miles · May 22, 2005
Air BagsCrash

I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AND FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. FOLLOWING THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAGS, MY HANDS WERE THROWN OFF THE STEERING WHEEL, CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE THEN PROCEDED TO GO STRAIGHT UP ONTO A CURB CAUSING THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE …

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I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AND FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. FOLLOWING THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAGS, MY HANDS WERE THROWN OFF THE STEERING WHEEL, CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE THEN PROCEDED TO GO STRAIGHT UP ONTO A CURB CAUSING THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE TO BE DAMAGED. THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE

NHTSA ODI #10121825

Official recalls

4

07V442000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

Sep 24, 2007

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 & remedy

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.

07V063000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Feb 20, 2007

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 & remedy

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.

05V305000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Jul 5, 2005

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L GASOLINE ENGINE, A FUEL SUPPLY LINE CLAMP LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT MAY NOT BE POSITIONED PROPERLY AND COULD CAUSE A FUEL LEAK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POSITION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FUEL SUPPLY LINE CLAMP AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE CLAMP. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 11, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.

04V586000 · Fuel System, Diesel

Dec 15, 2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE HIGH PRESSURE DIESEL PUMPS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN IMPROPER FASTENER, WHICH COULD ALLOW DIESEL FUEL TO ESCAPE FROM THE PUMP.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DIESEL PUMP. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 8, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.