WHEN TURNING ON THE CAR, THE AIR BAG DEFAULT BUTTON COMES ON. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Jetta years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
What owners actually said
248 reportsWHILE IDLE CAR RUMBLES AND SHAKES, WHILE ACCELERATING OR DECELERATING CAR SHAKES (FRONT END). MY FUELING SYSTEM IS TERRIBLE IT SEEMS AS IF GAS SOMETIMES DOESN'T GET TO MY CAR IT STALES VERY OFTEN WHILE DRIVING OR BRAKING AND ACCELERATING AGAIN. TERRIBLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. TRUNK WILL NOT OPEN FRONT LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHTS WORK …
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WHILE IDLE CAR RUMBLES AND SHAKES, WHILE ACCELERATING OR DECELERATING CAR SHAKES (FRONT END). MY FUELING SYSTEM IS TERRIBLE IT SEEMS AS IF GAS SOMETIMES DOESN'T GET TO MY CAR IT STALES VERY OFTEN WHILE DRIVING OR BRAKING AND ACCELERATING AGAIN. TERRIBLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. TRUNK WILL NOT OPEN FRONT LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHTS WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO. WHEN THE HEATER IS ON IT MAKES LOUD NOISE AND TICK EVEN WITH THE A/C ON IT DOES THE SAME THING. WHILE TURNING IT STALES AND THEN TAKE OFF REALLY FAST.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE, WHILE IDLED IN A DRIVE THRU LINE AT A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT. THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A JUNK YARD. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE IF A POLICE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE, WHILE IDLED IN A DRIVE THRU LINE AT A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT. THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A JUNK YARD. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE IF A POLICE REPORT OR FIRE REPORT WERE FILED. THE DEALER MIKE HAGGERTY VOLKSWAGEN (8920 S CICERO AVE, OAK LAWN, IL 60453 (708) 425-8989) TOLD THE CONTACT TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
THE TRANSMISSION IS TERRIBLY MADE. THERE IS ALSO AN ISSUE WITH THE FUEL INJECTION THAT DOES NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO RECEIVE THE CORRECT FUEL AS WELL AS THE GAS TANK. THE CAR JERKS BECAUSE OF THE GAS TANK AND THE CODES READ AD IF THE CAP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BUT THE WHOLE GAS TANK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
ENGINE MISFIRES WHILE DRIVING OR ACCELERATING OR SLOWING. THEN VEHICLE VIBRATES AND STALLS. INTERMITTENT AND WITHOUT WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH. VW GARAGE COULD NOT SOLVE THIS PROBLEM APRIL 11, 2019 AND MAY 7 TO 11,2019. VEHICLE HAD RECALL ON COILS APPROXIMATELY 2011 AND COILS WERE REPLACED BUT ONE FAILED FEW MONTHS LATER AND MAN…
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ENGINE MISFIRES WHILE DRIVING OR ACCELERATING OR SLOWING. THEN VEHICLE VIBRATES AND STALLS. INTERMITTENT AND WITHOUT WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH. VW GARAGE COULD NOT SOLVE THIS PROBLEM APRIL 11, 2019 AND MAY 7 TO 11,2019. VEHICLE HAD RECALL ON COILS APPROXIMATELY 2011 AND COILS WERE REPLACED BUT ONE FAILED FEW MONTHS LATER AND MANUFACTURER REPLACED IT. MILEAGE NOW IS SLIGHTLY BELOW 40,000. VEHICLE HAS STALLED WHILE DRIVING TWICE AND NOT TRUSTWORTHY. POLICEMAN HELPED MOVE VEHICLE OFF ROAD ONCE VOLKSWAGEN GARAGE ADVISED KEEP DRIVING TO SEE IF PROBLEM CONTINUES AFTER THEY SWITCHED TWO COIL WIRES. IT HAS NOT STOPPED MISFIRING OF ENGINE.
REAR SEATBELT LATCH BUTTON FAILED AFTER LITTLE USE. WILL NOT LOCK TOGETHER WHEN PRESSED IN POSITION .
SECONDARY AIR INJECTION SYSTEM - ONGOING ISSUE.. NO READING FOR SMOG CHECK
2005 VW.JETTA - VIN# [XXX]. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD & DOWN SHIFT HARD WHEN THE CAR HAS RUN FOR A PERIOD OF TIME DURING TRAVEL. ALSO, THE FAULTY AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THE CAR IS FIRST STARTED AND MAY SHOW INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER & 02 SENSOR HAVE BEEN REPLACED BUT THE CODES STILL SHOW WHE…
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2005 VW.JETTA - VIN# [XXX]. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD & DOWN SHIFT HARD WHEN THE CAR HAS RUN FOR A PERIOD OF TIME DURING TRAVEL. ALSO, THE FAULTY AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THE CAR IS FIRST STARTED AND MAY SHOW INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER & 02 SENSOR HAVE BEEN REPLACED BUT THE CODES STILL SHOW WHEN PUT ON THE MACHINE. THE IGNITION KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
MY CAR HAVES ALL THE GEARS HIGHLIGHTED ON THE DISPLAY AND OCCASIONALLY WHEN I'M DRIVING IT GETS STUCK ON A LOW GEAR WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND TRY TO START GOING OR IF IM IN THE HIGHWAY IT ALL OF A SUDDEN DECIDES TO SHIFT TO NEUTRAL GEAR MAKING ME SLOW DOWN ALL OF A SUDDEN WITH POTENTIAL TO HIT THE PERSON BEHIND ME OR CR…
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MY CAR HAVES ALL THE GEARS HIGHLIGHTED ON THE DISPLAY AND OCCASIONALLY WHEN I'M DRIVING IT GETS STUCK ON A LOW GEAR WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND TRY TO START GOING OR IF IM IN THE HIGHWAY IT ALL OF A SUDDEN DECIDES TO SHIFT TO NEUTRAL GEAR MAKING ME SLOW DOWN ALL OF A SUDDEN WITH POTENTIAL TO HIT THE PERSON BEHIND ME OR CREATING A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT WITH MANY INJURIES OR EVEN DEATH TO DOES I MIGHT HIT JUST BECAUSE OF MY FAULTY TRANSMISSION AND I HAVE LOOK UP THE PROBLEM AND THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME TRANSMISSION TROUBLE THE NHTSA SEND A RECALL FOR THE 2009-2010 BUT THE PREVIOUS MODELS HAVE ALSO THE SAME PROBLEMS FOR IT SO PLEASE AT LEAST OPEN AN INVESTIGATION ABOUT IT SO THAT WAY ME AND MY FELLOW DRIVERS UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM THAT KEEPS GOING ON.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED TO RESPOND. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT VEERED OFF TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY FOUR TIMES, BUT NOTICED FLAMES COMIN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED TO RESPOND. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT VEERED OFF TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY FOUR TIMES, BUT NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED MINOR BURNS TO THE RIGHT ARM THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE AND A FIRE REPORT WERE FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.
Official recalls
407V442000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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