DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN ACCELERATING BETWEEN 25-30 MPH THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND LURCHED FORWARD. THIS PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT IN NATURE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES. HOWEVER , THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *AK
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 reportsWE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING AN ISSUE WITH OUR 2005 JETTA SINCE PURCHASE. WHENEVER WE START THE CAR FROM COLD WE EXPERIENCE A VERY LOUD NOISE THAT LASTS FOR ABOUT 20 SECONDS. WE HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS NOT A NORMAL SOUND. UNFORTUNATELY AT FIRST THEY SAID THIS WAS NORMAL. O…
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WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING AN ISSUE WITH OUR 2005 JETTA SINCE PURCHASE. WHENEVER WE START THE CAR FROM COLD WE EXPERIENCE A VERY LOUD NOISE THAT LASTS FOR ABOUT 20 SECONDS. WE HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS NOT A NORMAL SOUND. UNFORTUNATELY AT FIRST THEY SAID THIS WAS NORMAL. ONLY NOW ARE THEY ADMITTING THIS IS NOT NORMAL FOR A NEW CAR. THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM AFTER 3 ATTEMPTS AND VOLKSWAGEN ARE STATING THIS IS A NORMAL ISSUE. THE DEALER DID REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WHICH DID NOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP.*JB
THE CAR IS SQUEALING RIDICULOUSLY LOUD WHEN THE CAR COMES TO A STOP OR IN REVERSE. (MOSTLY IN REVERSE) I HAVE CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN MULTIPLE TIMES. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM OR GIVEN ANY INFORMATION ON FIXING THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP HAS TRIED EVERYTHING THEY COULD TO FIX IT. I HAVE OTHER FRIENDS WITH T…
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THE CAR IS SQUEALING RIDICULOUSLY LOUD WHEN THE CAR COMES TO A STOP OR IN REVERSE. (MOSTLY IN REVERSE) I HAVE CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN MULTIPLE TIMES. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM OR GIVEN ANY INFORMATION ON FIXING THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP HAS TRIED EVERYTHING THEY COULD TO FIX IT. I HAVE OTHER FRIENDS WITH THE SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL WITH THE SAME NOISE. THE SQUEALING NOISE IS SO LOUD, IT SOUNDS LIKE AN 18 WHEELER COMING TO A STOP. WE KEEP GETTING THE RUN AROUND FROM VOLKSWAGEN. IF I HAD KNOWN THIS PROBLEM WOULD NOT BE FIXED, I WOULD NEVER HAVE TAKEN OUT A LEASE ON THIS CAR. IT IS ONLY WITH THIS MODEL. MY PREVIOUS JETTA HAS NEVER DONE ANYTHING LIKE THAT. THE CAR IS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLI 1.8 TURBO. I WANT ANSWERS FROM VOLKSWAGEN ON WHEN THEY ARE PLANNING TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. I WANT THIS KNOWN THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE OVER $350 A MONTH TO HAVE THE CAR, THAT THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT NEED TO WAIT 1 MORE MINUTE. *JB
ANY TIME THE VEHICLE IS NOT OPERATED FOR A FEW HOURS OR LONGER, THE ENGINE MAKES A VERY LOUD GRINDING NOISE UPON STARTING. THE NOISE LASTS LESS THAN 30 SECONDS, THEN A HIGH-PITCHED NOISE FOLLOWS BEFORE BOTH NOISES CEASE. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THESE NOISES SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I TOOK THIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP…
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ANY TIME THE VEHICLE IS NOT OPERATED FOR A FEW HOURS OR LONGER, THE ENGINE MAKES A VERY LOUD GRINDING NOISE UPON STARTING. THE NOISE LASTS LESS THAN 30 SECONDS, THEN A HIGH-PITCHED NOISE FOLLOWS BEFORE BOTH NOISES CEASE. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THESE NOISES SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I TOOK THIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS DUE TO THIS NOISE, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AND THAT ALL NEW VEHICLES ON THE LOT WERE MAKING THE SAME NOISE. THE SALESMAN SUGGESTED THAT THE GRINDING NOISE WAS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS STARTING UP AND THE HIGH-PITCHED NOISE THAT FOLLOWED WAS THE FUEL PUMP. STILL, IT DOES NOT SOUND NORMAL, AND THE NOISE DOES NOT OCCUR IF THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY BEEN RESTING FOR A MATTER OF MINUTES. I FIND IT DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE THAT A NORMAL FUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE SUCH A NOISE, AND THEN ONLY MAKE IT ON CERTAIN OCCASIONS. *JB
WE WERE DRIVING OUR NEW 2005.5 JETTA 5 SPD AT AN INTERSECTION THE VEHICLE STALLED AS A RESULT OF THE CLUTCH BEING LET OUT TO QUICKLY. I TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY WITHOUT SUCCESS. I PULLED THE BRAKE UP; PUSHED THE CLUTCH PEDAL COMPLETELY IN AND PUT THE STICK SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. STILL WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. …
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WE WERE DRIVING OUR NEW 2005.5 JETTA 5 SPD AT AN INTERSECTION THE VEHICLE STALLED AS A RESULT OF THE CLUTCH BEING LET OUT TO QUICKLY. I TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY WITHOUT SUCCESS. I PULLED THE BRAKE UP; PUSHED THE CLUTCH PEDAL COMPLETELY IN AND PUT THE STICK SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. STILL WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. AN EIGHTEEN WHEELER JUST MISSED US BY INCHES. FINALLY GOT THE CAR STARTED MADE OUR WAY HOME. AT HOME WE DUPLICATES WHAT HAPPENED AND DETERMINED WE NEEDED TO TURN THE KEY COMPLETELY TO THE OFF POSITION, THEN WE WERE ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY RESTART THE ENGINE. WE DRIVE MOSTLY MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND CANNOT THINK OF ANY TIME WE HAVE HAD TO TURN THE KEY COMPLETELY TO THE OFF POSITION TO GET OUR VEHICLES STARTED. WE CALLED AND TALKED WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND WERE TOLD THAT THIS WAS A NEW FEATURE VW INSTITUTED THIS YEAR TO KEEP DRIVERS FROM TRYING TO RESTART AN ENGINE THAT MAY ALREADY BE RUNNING AND POSSIBLY RUINING THE STARTER. RUINING THE STARTER WAS THE LEAST OF OUR PROBLEMS. WE ARE CONCERNED THE DOCUMENTATION THAT OUTLINES THAT THE DRIVER MUST RETURN THE KEY TO THE 0FF POSITION EVERY TIME TO RESTARTED THE ENGINE IS BURIED ON PG 92 OF BOOKLET 3.1 IN SECTION IGNITION LOCK POSITION OF THE KEY. THIS IS CLEARLY NOT SOMETHING A DRIVER WOULD NORMALLY LOOK FOR OR EXPECT FROM THE VEHICLE THEY ARE DRIVING. I WOULD LIKE TO RECOMMEND THIS FEATURE BE CHANGED SO THAT IF A DRIVER STALLS THEIR VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY IN A COMPROMISING SITUATION, THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WITH THE KEY BEING ANYWHERE IN THE ON POSITION. IN ADDITION, UNTIL THIS COULD BE ACCOMPLISHED I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS INFORMATION BE INCLUDED IN THE JETTA QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE. THIS IS A MORE REASONABLE PLACE THE DRIVER MAY LOOK INSTEAD OF BEING BURIED DEEP INSIDE THE DRIVERS MANUAL. I ALSO RECOMMEND THIS BE INFORMATION THE DEALERSHIP IS REQUIRED TO MAKE SURE THE DRIVER KNOWS BEFORE LEAVING THEIR LOT. THIS IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING OF A POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE. *NM
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING AND HE FELT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT GETTING ANY FUEL. HE PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL AND THEN IT STALLED. HE DEPRESSED THE GAS PEDAL WHILE TRYING TO RESTART IT, AND IT STARTED SMOKING. HE GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND LIFTED THE HOOD AND IT BURST …
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DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING AND HE FELT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT GETTING ANY FUEL. HE PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL AND THEN IT STALLED. HE DEPRESSED THE GAS PEDAL WHILE TRYING TO RESTART IT, AND IT STARTED SMOKING. HE GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND LIFTED THE HOOD AND IT BURST INTO FLAMES. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED, ACCORDING TO THE AUTO BODY SHOP THE ONLY THING THAT REMAINED WERE THE HEAD LIGHTS. THERE HAS BEEN NO INVESTIGATION AS TO WHERE THE FIRE STARTED. SHE CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN, AND THEY TOLD HER THERE WAS A RECALL FOR A FAULTY FUEL CLAMP. BUT SHE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT 5021483 WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. *AK
DRIVING VW JETTA BOUGHT NEW EARLY 2005 ON A SURFACE STREET IN WESTERVILLE. DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE DISINTEGRATED, CAUSING FOUR OR MORE HOLES (2" X 2") ON OUTER SIDE TIRE WALL. TIRE MADE BY MICHELIN; WE WILL KEEP TIRE OR AT LEAST RETAIN PHOTOS OF IT. CAR WAS TRAVELING AT 35-40 MPH DRIVEN BY MY WIFE. CONTROL WAS MAINTAINED UNTI…
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DRIVING VW JETTA BOUGHT NEW EARLY 2005 ON A SURFACE STREET IN WESTERVILLE. DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE DISINTEGRATED, CAUSING FOUR OR MORE HOLES (2" X 2") ON OUTER SIDE TIRE WALL. TIRE MADE BY MICHELIN; WE WILL KEEP TIRE OR AT LEAST RETAIN PHOTOS OF IT. CAR WAS TRAVELING AT 35-40 MPH DRIVEN BY MY WIFE. CONTROL WAS MAINTAINED UNTIL CAR STOPPED. *JB
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
A FEW DAYS AFTER WE PURCHASED OUR NEW 2005 JETTA WE NOTICED THAT AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING FOR 6 HOURS OR MORE WE WERE HEARING A VERY LOUD NOISE AT START UP. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME WE START THE CAR FROM COLD, BECOMING MORE LOUD THE COLDER IT IS - THE NOISE IS VERY LOUD AND MOST CERTAINLY NOT NORMAL FOR A BRAND NEW CAR. …
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A FEW DAYS AFTER WE PURCHASED OUR NEW 2005 JETTA WE NOTICED THAT AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING FOR 6 HOURS OR MORE WE WERE HEARING A VERY LOUD NOISE AT START UP. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME WE START THE CAR FROM COLD, BECOMING MORE LOUD THE COLDER IT IS - THE NOISE IS VERY LOUD AND MOST CERTAINLY NOT NORMAL FOR A BRAND NEW CAR. IT APPEARS THE NOISE IS COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. WE HAVE TAKEN THE CAR INTO THE DEALER AND AFTER LOOKING AT IT, THEY SAID THAT THIS WAS NORMAL AND REALLY DID NOT EXPLAIN AS TO WHAT IS MAKING THE NOISE. THEY DID STATE THAT OTHER JETTA'S MADE THE SAME NOISE. AGAIN, I FIND THIS VERY CONCERNING FOR A NEW CAR. *NM
WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS IT MAKES A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHEN YOU START IT. THIS LASTS FOR ABOUT 20 SECONDS AND THEN GOES AWAY, BUT IT OCCURS EVERYTIME YOU START THE CAR AFTER IT HAS BEEN SITTING FOR A LITTLE WHILE. I WAS TOLD THE NOISE WAS NORMAL BY MY SALES REP. I HAVE HAD THE CAR 2 AND 1/2 MONTHS AN…
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WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS IT MAKES A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHEN YOU START IT. THIS LASTS FOR ABOUT 20 SECONDS AND THEN GOES AWAY, BUT IT OCCURS EVERYTIME YOU START THE CAR AFTER IT HAS BEEN SITTING FOR A LITTLE WHILE. I WAS TOLD THE NOISE WAS NORMAL BY MY SALES REP. I HAVE HAD THE CAR 2 AND 1/2 MONTHS AND THE NOISE JUST DOESN'T SOUND RIGHT. *JB
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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