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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

What owners actually said

248 reports
104,250 miles · Apr 18, 2015
Electrical System

DRIVERS SIDE WINDOWS AND DOOR LOCKS WON'T WORK. WARNING INDICATOR SAYING DOOR/S ARE OPEN AND WARNING BEEP WILL NOT STOP UNTIL KEY REMOVED FROM IGNITION. CONTINUES TO DO THIS EVEN WHILE DRIVING WILL ALL DOORS PROPERLY CLOSED AND SEAT BELTS FASTENED. ONLINE RESEARCH SHOWS THERE IS A KNOWN DEFECT IN THE DOOR WIRING HARNESS, THEY …

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DRIVERS SIDE WINDOWS AND DOOR LOCKS WON'T WORK. WARNING INDICATOR SAYING DOOR/S ARE OPEN AND WARNING BEEP WILL NOT STOP UNTIL KEY REMOVED FROM IGNITION. CONTINUES TO DO THIS EVEN WHILE DRIVING WILL ALL DOORS PROPERLY CLOSED AND SEAT BELTS FASTENED. ONLINE RESEARCH SHOWS THERE IS A KNOWN DEFECT IN THE DOOR WIRING HARNESS, THEY WERE MANUFACTURED TOO SHORT AND EVENTUALLY BREAK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10706411

11,300 miles · Mar 11, 2015
Wheels

HI THERE I HAD FLAT TIRE ON 3/09 2015 I WAS JACKING UP CAR THEN CAR FALL TO GROUND THE TIRED JACK WAS BROKEN IN 2 PIECES I ALL MOST GOT HURT I WAS LUCKY THANKS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10693474

78,000 miles · Jan 9, 2015
Power Train

THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION OF JETTAS ONCE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY VEHICLE STALLED I WAS LUCKY AS THERE WERE NO VEHICLE BEHIND ME OTHER WISE THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A CATASTROPHIC SITUATION FOR BOTH ME AND THE DRIVER BEHIND ME. I PULL OVER THE SHOULDER AND WAITED AND STARTED THE VEHICLE I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AFTER SOME …

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THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION OF JETTAS ONCE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY VEHICLE STALLED I WAS LUCKY AS THERE WERE NO VEHICLE BEHIND ME OTHER WISE THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A CATASTROPHIC SITUATION FOR BOTH ME AND THE DRIVER BEHIND ME. I PULL OVER THE SHOULDER AND WAITED AND STARTED THE VEHICLE I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AFTER SOME TIME. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR ALL THE JETTAS VOLKSWAGEN KNOWS ABOUT THIS AND THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR SOMETIME. THIS PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY HAPPENS AFTER CERTAIN MILES. I AM OUT OF THIS COVERAGE AND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I WOULD REQUEST THAT THERE SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL SO THAT THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN WITH ANY ONE ELSE. PLEASE TAKE ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10671514

Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 2014
Engine

OVER THE PAST 3 WEEKS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS CYCLED ON/OFF. TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY AND THEY CONCLUDED THAT MY TIMING CHAIN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $3700(PARTS&LABOR). I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR 9 YEARS AND HAVE APPROX 65000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE HAD OIL CHANGES EVERY 5000 MILES AS WELL AS ALL RECOMMEN…

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OVER THE PAST 3 WEEKS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS CYCLED ON/OFF. TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY AND THEY CONCLUDED THAT MY TIMING CHAIN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $3700(PARTS&LABOR). I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR 9 YEARS AND HAVE APPROX 65000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE HAD OIL CHANGES EVERY 5000 MILES AS WELL AS ALL RECOMMEND FACTORY MAINTENANCE. SINCE MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA STATES THAT THE TIMING CHAIN SHOULD BE REPLACED EVERY 10 YEARS/100,000 MILES THEY REFUSED TO HELP WITH COVERING ANY COST OF THE REPAIRS. UPON SEARCHING THE INTERNET IT HAS BECOME CLEAR THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE 05/06 VOLKSWAGEN ENGINES YET THEY REFUSE TO ADMIT IT. TIMING CHAINS SHOULD NOT BE FAILING AT 65000 MILES AND VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND DO RIGHT BY THEIR CUSTOMERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10667918

93,000 miles · Dec 16, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

NHTSA ODI #10664702

Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 2014
Air Bags

SOMETIME IN 2013, I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM VOLKSWAGEN THAT I NEEDED TO BRING MY 2005 JETTA IN TO HAVE THE DRIVER'S SEAT WIRING HARNESS REPAIRED DUE TO A RECALL. I HAD NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR BAGS OR WARNING LIGHTS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN AND THEY DID THE WORK. WITHIN A MONTHS, I GOT AN ERROR MESSAGE IN THE DISPLAY THAT THE…

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SOMETIME IN 2013, I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM VOLKSWAGEN THAT I NEEDED TO BRING MY 2005 JETTA IN TO HAVE THE DRIVER'S SEAT WIRING HARNESS REPAIRED DUE TO A RECALL. I HAD NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR BAGS OR WARNING LIGHTS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN AND THEY DID THE WORK. WITHIN A MONTHS, I GOT AN ERROR MESSAGE IN THE DISPLAY THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH THE AIR BAGS. THE AIRBAG WENT OFF BUT IN 2014 THE LIGHT CAME BAG AGAIN. I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT RELATED TO THE WIRING HARNESS AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY AT A COST OF ABOUT $700. I DID NOT PERSUE THE ISSUE I THOUGHT IT WAS WIRING ISSUE BUT IT IS NOT. I DID NOT HAVE THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON BEFORE THEY REPAIRED THE RECALL ISSUE. THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DISPLAY IS STILL THERE. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10662089

76,500 miles · Nov 18, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,500.

NHTSA ODI #10658884

124,540 miles · Nov 8, 2014
Power Train

I BOUGHT THE CAR IN MARCH OF 2012 AND ON THE WAY HOME I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WASN'T SHIFTING AT THE APPROPRIATE TIMES AND THERE WAS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE. AFTER I GOT HOME I CALLED THE DEALER AND ASK THEM OF THE CAR HAD ANY PREVIOUS ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION, HE SAID NO AND NATURALLY I HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION THAT WAS…

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I BOUGHT THE CAR IN MARCH OF 2012 AND ON THE WAY HOME I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WASN'T SHIFTING AT THE APPROPRIATE TIMES AND THERE WAS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE. AFTER I GOT HOME I CALLED THE DEALER AND ASK THEM OF THE CAR HAD ANY PREVIOUS ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION, HE SAID NO AND NATURALLY I HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION THAT WAS COMPATIBLE. 2 YEARS LATER I AM NOW HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE CAR AND I DID RESEARCH AND NOTICED I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE I HAVE MY CAR AND ARE HAVING THE SAME EXACT ISSUE I AM. THAT BEING SAID THIS ISN'T A COINCIDENCE AND I AM IN THE SAME SITUATION I WASN'T TWO YEARS AGO HAVING TO PAY $1200 FOR A FIXED OR A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE REASON I KNOW THIS IS WHEN THE CAR IS IN FIRST IT DOESN'T WANT TO SHIFT TO SECOND AND HAS A BUMP AT EVERY OTHER GEAR.IF IT WAS JUST ME I WOULD UNDERSTAND BUT THERE ARE MULTIPLE FORUMS THIS ISSUE HAS CAUSED PEOPLE. I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW TO DISSATISFIED I AM ABOUT THIS BECAUSE I LOVE MY CAR AND I CAN'T KEEP AFFORDING TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. I HOPE THIS CAN BE FIXED IN THE FAVOR OF THE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THIS THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10653630

140,000 miles · Oct 10, 2014
Power Train

I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES ON MY 2005.5 VW JETTA FOR THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS WITH IT SHIFTING HARD OR NOT GOING INTO GEAR. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN, SO MUCH TO THE POINT THAT I WILL NOT LET MY DAUGHTER OR WIFE DRIVE THE CAR AS I DO NOT FEEL IT IS SAFE FOR THEM. THEY HAVE BEEN STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND TH…

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I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES ON MY 2005.5 VW JETTA FOR THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS WITH IT SHIFTING HARD OR NOT GOING INTO GEAR. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN, SO MUCH TO THE POINT THAT I WILL NOT LET MY DAUGHTER OR WIFE DRIVE THE CAR AS I DO NOT FEEL IT IS SAFE FOR THEM. THEY HAVE BEEN STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND THE CAR WOULD JUST SIT THERE AND REV, BUT NEVER ENGAGE IN DRIVE OR IT WOULD SHIFT SO HARD THAT THEY FELT LIKE THEY HAD WHIPLASH. I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION WITH THE PRICE SOMEWHERE BETWEEN $3-5K, PROBABLE CLOSE TO $7K IF YOU GO TO THE DEALER. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE, IT APPEARS THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AND VW IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT SO FAR NOT WILLING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD NOT TAKE A PERSON DYING FOR THEM TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL VW OWNER FOR YEARS, BUT AM NOT WILLING TO RISK THE LIFE OF MY FAMILY FOR A COMPANY WHO DOES NOT CARE ABOUT THEIR CONSUMERS. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10643776

66,521 miles · Oct 1, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

THE WIRING HARNESS OF THE DRIVER'S DOOR FAILED, WHICH PREVENTS THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL, WINDOWS, DOOR LOCKS AND GAS FILL DOOR FROM FUNCTIONING. THE CAR BECOMES UNSAFE SINCE THE LEFT SIGNAL WILL NOT WORK AND THE WINDOW WILL NOT OPERATE SO THE DRIVER CAN DO A MANUAL SIGNAL. VW HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE ISSUE STATING THAT T…

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THE WIRING HARNESS OF THE DRIVER'S DOOR FAILED, WHICH PREVENTS THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL, WINDOWS, DOOR LOCKS AND GAS FILL DOOR FROM FUNCTIONING. THE CAR BECOMES UNSAFE SINCE THE LEFT SIGNAL WILL NOT WORK AND THE WINDOW WILL NOT OPERATE SO THE DRIVER CAN DO A MANUAL SIGNAL. VW HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE ISSUE STATING THAT THE ORIGINAL WIRING HARNESS IS TOO SHORT AND BREAKS CAUSING THIS ISSUE, BUT THEY REFUSE TO RECALL THE CAR AND FIX THE PROBLEM. A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT HAS BEEN FILED ON THIS ISSUE, AND IS CLOSE TO SETTLEMENT, BUT WILL ONLY COVER CARS LESS THAN 8.5 YEARS OLD. MOST OF THE CARS EFFECTED BY THIS ISSUE, 2005 AND 2006 MODEL YEARS, ARE OLDER THAN 8.5 YEARS SO VW WILL NOT FIX THEM. THE FOLLOWING YOUTUBE VIDEO DEMONSTRATES ALL OF THESE ISSUES, PLEASE VIEW IT FOR FULL DETAILS: WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=P1EQ5XL-ZPM THE FOLLOWING WEB SITE HAS INFORMATION ON THE CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT: HTTP://WWW.WIRINGHARNESSSETTLEMENT.COM/ *TR

NHTSA ODI #10640658

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.