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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
109,000 miles · Sep 30, 2014
Engine

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK CAR TO HAVE CHECKED AT ADVANCE AUTO. TECHNICIAN FOUND FAULT FAILURE CAM SHAFT POSITIONING SENSOR. CAR TAKEN TO VW DEALERSHIP, TOLD IT WAS THE TIMING BELT, ESTIMATE REPAIR $2700 NOT GUARANTEE THAT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. TOTAL ENGINE REPLACEMENT $6400. TIMING BELT SHOULD NOT FAIL ON A CAR WITH 1…

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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK CAR TO HAVE CHECKED AT ADVANCE AUTO. TECHNICIAN FOUND FAULT FAILURE CAM SHAFT POSITIONING SENSOR. CAR TAKEN TO VW DEALERSHIP, TOLD IT WAS THE TIMING BELT, ESTIMATE REPAIR $2700 NOT GUARANTEE THAT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. TOTAL ENGINE REPLACEMENT $6400. TIMING BELT SHOULD NOT FAIL ON A CAR WITH 109K MILES, CAR HAS BEEN KEEP ON ROUTINE MAINTENANCE SINCE PURCHASED 5 YEARS AGO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10640313

94,000 miles · Sep 18, 2014
Electrical SystemStructure

DRIVER'S SIDE REAR DOOR WIRING HARNESS HAS BROKEN, RESULTING IN NO OPERATION OF POWER WINDOW OR DOOR LOCK. DOOR WILL NOT LOCK. SERVICE TECHNICIAN HAS ADVISED REPLACEMENT OF THE WIRING HARNESS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10637223

150,480 miles · Jul 16, 2014
Electrical SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE COMPRESSOR AND THE FUSE BOX OVERHEATED CAUSING THE AIR CONDITIONER TO STOP WORKING. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED TWICE WITHIN A YEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE FUSE B…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE COMPRESSOR AND THE FUSE BOX OVERHEATED CAUSING THE AIR CONDITIONER TO STOP WORKING. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED TWICE WITHIN A YEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE FUSE BOX CATCHING ON FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,480.

NHTSA ODI #10611030

68,000 miles · Jun 30, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeats

SOMETIME IN EARLY TO MID 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 FEW DAYS, I GOT AN ERROR MESSAGE IN TH…

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SOMETIME IN EARLY TO MID 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 FEW DAYS, I GOT AN ERROR MESSAGE IN THE DISPLAY THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH THE AIR BAGS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO VOLKSWAGEN. I WAS TOLD THAT THE TECHNICIAN FAILED TO CLEAR SOMETHING IN THE COMPUTER MEMORY SO THE FAILURE MESSAGE HAD COME ON. THEY INDICATED THEY CLEARED THE MESSAGE AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DISPLAY DID GO OFF. A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE AIR BAG ERROR MESSAGE CAME ON AGAIN. I TOOL THE CAR BACK TO VOLKSWAGEN. THIS TIME THEY SAID IT WAS NOT RELATED TO THE WIRING HARNESS AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE A NEW DRIVER'S SEAT SIDE AIRBAG INSTALLED, AT A COST OF ABOUT $700. IN NOVEMBER 2013 I CORRESPONDED WITH VOLKSWAGEN AND COMPLAINED ABOUT THE ISSUE BECAUSE I HAD NO PROBLEMS UNTIL THEY REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS. VOLKSWAGEN'S RESPONSE WAS THAT, EVEN THOUGH I HAD BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN FOR RECALLS ON "A CAMPAIGN RELATED TO AIRBAG CONNECTORS AND WIRING", IT WAS NOW THE AIRBAG ITSELF THAT WAS BAD NOT THE CONNECTORS OR WIRING, SO THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR IT. THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DISPLAY IS STILL THERE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10607030

148,000 miles · Jun 20, 2014
Fuel System, DieselStructure

MY FUEL TANK EXPLODED ON MY 2005 JETTA WAGON TDI. I WAS FILLING THE TANK UP WITH DIESEL AND ALL OF SUDDEN DIESEL FUEL STARTING GUSHING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR. THE BACKSEAT BULGED UP SO MUCH THAT I COULD NOT LIFT IT UP. THE UNDERNEATH PART OF THE CAR HAS BEEN DAMAGED AS WELL. I CONTACTED VW AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE THE CAR T…

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MY FUEL TANK EXPLODED ON MY 2005 JETTA WAGON TDI. I WAS FILLING THE TANK UP WITH DIESEL AND ALL OF SUDDEN DIESEL FUEL STARTING GUSHING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR. THE BACKSEAT BULGED UP SO MUCH THAT I COULD NOT LIFT IT UP. THE UNDERNEATH PART OF THE CAR HAS BEEN DAMAGED AS WELL. I CONTACTED VW AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE THE CAR TO A LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP. VW HEADQUARTERS HAS INFORMED ME THAT THEY WILL COVER THE COST OF PARTS, $900, BUT THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR THE CONSEQUENT DAMAGES WHICH HAVE BEEN ESTIMATED TO BE OVER $4,000, DAMAGES CAUSED BY THE EXPANSION OF THE FUEL TANK. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE CAR IS WORTH ONLY ABOUT $5,000, BUT THAT WAS WITH A WORKING FUEL SYSTEM, I'M SURE. VW HEADQUARTERS ALSO GAVE ME THE OPTION OF RECEIVING A $1,000 LOYALTY VOUCHER SHOULD I CHOOSE TO PURCHASE/LEASE A NEW CAR THROUGH THEM. I'VE BEEN INFORMED THAT THESE TWO OFFERS ARE GOOD FOR 30 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF 6/19/2014. AFTER DOING RESEARCH, I DO BELIEVE THAT THIS SAME PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE NHTSA IN THE PAST BY ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL IN NORTH CAROLINA. THIS INDIVIDUAL'S CLAIM TO VW WAS ORIGINALLY DENIED BY VW, BUT LATER, VW REIMBURSED HIM FOR ALL EXPENSES TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10604883

78,000 miles · Jun 19, 2014
Power Train

I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR AN EARLY 65K MILE SERVICE BECAUSE I NOTICED MY TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY & WAS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. I THOUGHT HAVING THE 85K SERVICE DONE WOULD TAKE CARE OF THAT, IT DIDN'T & IT GOT WORSE, SO I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE VALVE BODY WAS FAULTY & THAT I…

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I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR AN EARLY 65K MILE SERVICE BECAUSE I NOTICED MY TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY & WAS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. I THOUGHT HAVING THE 85K SERVICE DONE WOULD TAKE CARE OF THAT, IT DIDN'T & IT GOT WORSE, SO I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE VALVE BODY WAS FAULTY & THAT IT WOULD COST $1000+ TO FIX. I JUST PAID OVER $1000 FOR THE K MAINTENANCE & OTHER REPAIRS; I CAN'T AFFORD THE ADDITIONAL EXPENSE. [XXX], IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, STATED THAT THE ISSUE WAS ??NOT THAT BAD, ...THAT THEY SEE MUCH WORSE, ?WON'T BE A PROBLEM TO KEEP DRIVING IT...?. I WASN'T CONVINCED THAT A MALFUNCTIONING VALVE BODY WOULDN'T CAUSE ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS, BECAUSE WHEN I AM DRIVING IT FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS ABOUT TO DROP OUT OF THE CAR & THE CAR HESITATES TO THE POINT THAT IT IS NOT SAFE! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10604431

122,000 miles · May 19, 2014
Electrical System

TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER CONTROLS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FAILED. THE WINDOW, LIGHTING, FUEL DOOR LATCH, TRUNK LATCH, AND SIDE MIRROR FAILED TO FUNCTION AS DESIGNED DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN …

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TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER CONTROLS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FAILED. THE WINDOW, LIGHTING, FUEL DOOR LATCH, TRUNK LATCH, AND SIDE MIRROR FAILED TO FUNCTION AS DESIGNED DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.

NHTSA ODI #10592560

89,012 miles · May 16, 2014
Power Train

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN AN ACCIDENT IN FRONT OF ME CAUSED ME TO ABRUPTLY STOP. IN ORDER FOR ME TO BACK UP AND GO AROUND, I HAD TO GET OUT THE VEHICLE AND PUSH IT BACKWARDS DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10588921

102,242 miles · Apr 5, 2014
Electrical System

WIRE HARNESS IN BOTH FRONT DOORS ARE BROKEN DUE TO SHORT WIRES AND THE PURGE VALVE IS ALSO BROKEN AND THE OVER HEAD LIGHT IS FAULTY AND I FEEL LIKE THE 2005 -2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 2.5 SHOULD BE RECALLED DUE TO FAULTY WIRING IN THE VEHICLE AND VOLKSWAGEN IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE AND I THINK THEY SH…

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WIRE HARNESS IN BOTH FRONT DOORS ARE BROKEN DUE TO SHORT WIRES AND THE PURGE VALVE IS ALSO BROKEN AND THE OVER HEAD LIGHT IS FAULTY AND I FEEL LIKE THE 2005 -2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 2.5 SHOULD BE RECALLED DUE TO FAULTY WIRING IN THE VEHICLE AND VOLKSWAGEN IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE AND I THINK THEY SHOULD AT LEAST FIX THE PROBLEM FOR THE CONSUMER. I HOPE SOMEONE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE ASAP!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10577550

77,362 miles · Feb 26, 2014
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH AND EXITING A HIGHWAY RAMP, A VERY A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY TO AN AUTO SERVICE CENTER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH AND EXITING A HIGHWAY RAMP, A VERY A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY TO AN AUTO SERVICE CENTER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE TWO ALUMINUM BOLTS USED FOR THE MOTOR MOUNTS HAD FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE MOTOR TO FALL ONTO THE SUB-FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,362.

NHTSA ODI #10566058

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.