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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

Fuel System, Diesel complaints

7 reports
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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

118,000 miles · Mar 5, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, DieselPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE ENGINE WOULD ALSO MISFIRE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK AND DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE ENGINE WOULD ALSO MISFIRE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK AND DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE B VALVE, THE GLOW PLUG AND THE GLOW PLUG HARNESS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SECOND DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE DIRECT SHIFT GEARBOX UNIT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED A RECALL FOR THE 2009-2010 MODELS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V333000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE THE 2005 MODEL VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000. UPDATED 04/02/12*LJ

NHTSA ODI #10450345

58,000 miles · Jan 7, 2009
Fuel System, Diesel

ON THE NIGHT OF 25 DEC 2008 MY VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START BACK UP, THE IGNITION WAS CYCLED SEVERAL TIMES AND ASSISTANCE WAS REQUIRED TO GET THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE INTERSECTION TO A SAFE LOCATION. THE NEXT MORNING THE VEHICLE STARTED WITH NO ISSUES. IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FUE…

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ON THE NIGHT OF 25 DEC 2008 MY VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START BACK UP, THE IGNITION WAS CYCLED SEVERAL TIMES AND ASSISTANCE WAS REQUIRED TO GET THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE INTERSECTION TO A SAFE LOCATION. THE NEXT MORNING THE VEHICLE STARTED WITH NO ISSUES. IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FUEL FILTER BE REPLACED AND THAT WAS DONE IMMEDIATELY ON THE MORNING ON 26 DEC 2008. THE SAME EVENING THE VEHICLE STALLED ONCE MORE IN THE MIDDLE OF A MAIN ROAD. IT IS FORTUNATE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON A DECLINE AND TRAFFIC WAS MOVING RATHER SLOW WHICH ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO COAST TO A SAFE TURN-OFF POINT. THREE HOURS LATER THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START ONCE MORE AND MADE IT TO A SAFE LOCATION WHERE THE FUEL PUMP (AKA IN TANK LIFT PUMP) COULD THEN BE REPLACED. A NEW FUEL PUMP WAS ORDERED AND REPLACED ON 29 DEC 2008 AND THE OLD PUMP WAS TESTED AND DEEMED TO HAVE FAILED. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS OF FAILURE, NO ERROR CODES PRODUCED BY THE VEHICLE AND NO MEANS OF SAFELY BEING ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE AFTER IT STALLED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN OPERATING WITH THE NEW FUEL PUMP WITHOUT INCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10254151

84,000 miles · Dec 30, 2008
Fuel System, DieselFuel System, Other

MY FUEL PUMP FAILED WITH NO WARNING, LEAVING MY WIFE STRANDED IN WINTER. THIS HAPPENED WITH NO WARNING WHATSOEVER - THE CAR WAS RUNNING PERFECTLY, AND THEN STALLED. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS MODEL CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10253312

5,900 miles · Oct 30, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Diesel

I OWN A 2005 VW JETTA TDI. AT APPROX. 60,000 MILES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAVE REPLACED THE SAME FLAP MOTOR 3 TIMES AND IT HAS FAILED AGAIN. I HAVE ALSO CHANGED THE THERMOSTAT, COOLING KIT, SENSOR, AND IT COMES BACK AS A FLAP MOTOR FAILURE. HAS VW HAD A PROBLEM WITH INTAKE FLAP MOTORS ON THE TURBO DIESEL MOTORS?. …

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I OWN A 2005 VW JETTA TDI. AT APPROX. 60,000 MILES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAVE REPLACED THE SAME FLAP MOTOR 3 TIMES AND IT HAS FAILED AGAIN. I HAVE ALSO CHANGED THE THERMOSTAT, COOLING KIT, SENSOR, AND IT COMES BACK AS A FLAP MOTOR FAILURE. HAS VW HAD A PROBLEM WITH INTAKE FLAP MOTORS ON THE TURBO DIESEL MOTORS?. VW WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP WITH THIS SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10247246

Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 2006
Fuel System, DieselSeat BeltsStructure

I PURCHASED A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLS TDI FROM RANDY HILEY VOLKSWAGEN ON AUGUST 25TH 2005. I TOOK THE CAR INTO NORTH POINT VOLKSWAGEN IN SHERWOOD, ARKANSAS TO HAVE THE FUEL GAUGE CHECKED OUT ON SEPTEMBER 2ND 2005. THE SERVICE TECH TOOK ME TO THE SHOP TO LOOK AT THE CAR. HE ASKED ME IF I KNEW THE CAR WAS DA…

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I PURCHASED A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLS TDI FROM RANDY HILEY VOLKSWAGEN ON AUGUST 25TH 2005. I TOOK THE CAR INTO NORTH POINT VOLKSWAGEN IN SHERWOOD, ARKANSAS TO HAVE THE FUEL GAUGE CHECKED OUT ON SEPTEMBER 2ND 2005. THE SERVICE TECH TOOK ME TO THE SHOP TO LOOK AT THE CAR. HE ASKED ME IF I KNEW THE CAR WAS DAMAGED, I SAID NO. THE SALESMAN HAD SAID IT HAD NEVER BEEN WRECKED AND IF IT HAD BEEN WRECKED THEY WOULD SELL THE CAR AT WHOLESALE. THE SERVICE TECH AT NORTH POINT SHOWED ME THE FUEL PUMP/FUEL GAUGE-SENDING UNIT HAD BEEN BROKEN. HE SAID THE ONLY TIME THEY HAVE SEEN THIS HAPPEN IS IF A CAR HAD BEEN IN A WRECK. THEY PUT THE CAR ON THE LIFT AND FOUND THAT THE CAR HAD BEEN REPAIRED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. WE FOUND BAD WELDS, AND NO PAINT/RUST PROTECTANT. HILEY PAID FOR THE FUEL PUMP TO BE REPLACED. IF YOU LOOK AT THE VW WEB SITE FOR CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED YOU'D SEE THAT IT SHOWS UNDER THE UNDERBODY TAB "NO SIGN OF DAMAGE". I CALLED HILEY VW TO SEE WHAT THEY WERE GOING TO DO ABOUT THIS. TO WHICH THEY SAID, "THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO." (HILEY, GENERAL MANAGER). I HAVE HAD HILEY FIX A SEAT BELT PROBLEM AND CHECK FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT ON THE CAR. AFTER I ARGUED WITH GENERAL MANAGER ABOUT ALL THE PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. I'M TIRED OF ARGUING! WHICH I HAD TO DRIVE TO ARLINGTON. THE AIR BAG LIGHT IN ON NOW. I TOOK THE CAR INTO MOFFITT VW. THEY SAY IT'S A PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT BELT. THERE'S A FLAW IN THE WINDSHIELD. THERE ARE NO DOORSILL PROTECTORS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CAR. THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT WILL NOT LOCK INTO PLACE. THERE MAY BE MORE WRONG WITH THE CAR, I HAVE STOPPED LOOKING. I HAVE SUBMITTED A CONSUMER COMPLAINT FORM WITH THE TEXAS ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AND THE ARKANSAS ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE. I HAVE ALSO SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT FORM WITH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN "CERTIFIED"? IS IT JUST A WAY TO DUMP A NOT "UP TO SNUFF" CAR ON AN UNSUSPECTING CUSTOMER?

NHTSA ODI #10158891

400 miles · Jun 10, 2005
Fuel System, Diesel

ON THE 'NEW' 2005.5 JETTA TDI DIESEL VEHICLE, THE FUEL NOZLE INLET IS TOO SMALL TO USE A MOAJORITY OF THE DIESEL FUEL PUMPS MORE COMMONLY FOUND AT TRUCK STOPS. SINCE WHEN TRAVELING CROSS COUNTRY YOU WOULD MOST LIKE STOP AT A TRUCK STOP TO FUEL UP, YOU WOULD MOST LIKELY BE OUT OF LUCK -AND HAVE 'SEARCH' FOR A GAS STATION IN A STR…

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ON THE 'NEW' 2005.5 JETTA TDI DIESEL VEHICLE, THE FUEL NOZLE INLET IS TOO SMALL TO USE A MOAJORITY OF THE DIESEL FUEL PUMPS MORE COMMONLY FOUND AT TRUCK STOPS. SINCE WHEN TRAVELING CROSS COUNTRY YOU WOULD MOST LIKE STOP AT A TRUCK STOP TO FUEL UP, YOU WOULD MOST LIKELY BE OUT OF LUCK -AND HAVE 'SEARCH' FOR A GAS STATION IN A STRANGE TOWN, AWAY FROM YOUR ROUTE, THAT 'MIGHT' HAVE A SMALLER NOZLE THAT WOULD FIT YOUR FUEL TANK. THE OLDER JETTA, GOLF AND PASSAT CARS USE A LAGER FUEL INLET THAT IS UNIVERSAL IN TERMS OF BEING ABLE TO FUEL UP ANYWHERE. THE CURRENT 2005 PASSAT HAS THE LARGER INLET, SO WHAT GIVES WITH THE NEW JETTA? TDI OWNERS TRAVEL GREAT DISTANCES AND WOULD LIKE TO NOT BE STRANDED OR MADE TO GO OUT OF THEIR WAY JUST TO FUEL UP. VW SHOULD RETROFIT THE OLDER STYLE NOZLE ON THESE CARS, OR PURCHASE A SMALLER FUELING PUMP NOZLE FOR EVERY GAS STAION OR TRUCK STOP THAT SELLS DIESEL IN THE COUNTRY. WHICH IS EASIER?

NHTSA ODI #10124983

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.