← New search

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

Power Train complaints

84 reports
Clear category filter
80,000 miles · May 19, 2020
Power Train

TUGGING OCCURS, BUT RARELY. THE CAR DRIVES SMOOTHLY BUT WILL DO A BIT OF A TUGGING. IT HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR A WHILE EVER SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED BACK IN 2015 IT WAS WORSE AT THOSE TIMES BUT FIXED THROUGHOUT THE YEARS. I'VE INVESTED MAJOR MONEY TO GET THE TRANSMISSION, MOTOR, AND SO ON OF WHAT THE MECHANIC HAS TOLD ME OF THE PROBL…

Read full complaint

TUGGING OCCURS, BUT RARELY. THE CAR DRIVES SMOOTHLY BUT WILL DO A BIT OF A TUGGING. IT HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR A WHILE EVER SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED BACK IN 2015 IT WAS WORSE AT THOSE TIMES BUT FIXED THROUGHOUT THE YEARS. I'VE INVESTED MAJOR MONEY TO GET THE TRANSMISSION, MOTOR, AND SO ON OF WHAT THE MECHANIC HAS TOLD ME OF THE PROBLEMS THE CAR HAS HAD FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11325151

Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2019
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

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.

NHTSA ODI #11243418

156,000 miles · Jan 14, 2019
Air BagsPower Train

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…

Read full complaint

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).

NHTSA ODI #11169953

158,000 miles · Nov 5, 2018
Power Train

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…

Read full complaint

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.

NHTSA ODI #11149461

250,000 miles · May 25, 2018
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIR…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 279,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT CONSUMER STATED INCIDENT HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING IN THE RAIN.*JB

NHTSA ODI #11097963

172,000 miles · Mar 5, 2017
Power Train

AXLE BOLTS WORKED LOOSE AND AXLE PUNCTURED TRANSMISSION HOUSING ON DRIVERS SIDE WITH OUT WARNING.

NHTSA ODI #10958666

110,000 miles · Dec 15, 2015
Power Train

WE HAVE A 2005.5 VW JETTA AND HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING HARD SHIFTING WHILE DRIVING FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND HALF . MORE RECENTLY THE GEARS ARE STALLING TO SHIFT WE WERE DRIVING IN A LOCAL STREET WHEN OUR CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO 4TH GEAR THE ENGINE WOULD REV BUT WOULD NOT SHIFT. IT IS VERY UNSAFE FOR THIS TO HAPPEN WHEN YOU ARE ON BUS…

Read full complaint

WE HAVE A 2005.5 VW JETTA AND HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING HARD SHIFTING WHILE DRIVING FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND HALF . MORE RECENTLY THE GEARS ARE STALLING TO SHIFT WE WERE DRIVING IN A LOCAL STREET WHEN OUR CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO 4TH GEAR THE ENGINE WOULD REV BUT WOULD NOT SHIFT. IT IS VERY UNSAFE FOR THIS TO HAPPEN WHEN YOU ARE ON BUSY ROADS OR MERGING ON TO HIGHWAYS ETC. WE HAVE NOT USED OUR CAR SINCE AND OUR MECHANIC TOLD US IT WAS U SAFE TO DRIVE. I CAN'T BELIEVE VW HAS NOT TAKEN OWNERSHIP FOR THERE MISTAKE AND MAKE A RECALL. OUR CAR JUST PASSED 100,000K AND SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THIS PROBLEM . TO FIX THE PROBLEM WE WERE TOLD ITS THE VALVE BODY AND THE PART ITSELF IS $1,200 NOT INCLUDING LABOR COST.

NHTSA ODI #10810582

87,000 miles · Jul 15, 2015
Power Train

I HAVE AN EARLY MODEL MKV TDI JETTA , WITH AROUND 87,000 MILES ON IT. YESTERDAY, ON THE WAY HOME, THE DSG DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL LET GO WITH PIECES OF METAL COMING OUT ONTO THE ROAD AND TRAFFIC. I LOOKED UP THIS ON THE TDICLUB SITE AND FOUND NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THIS PART IN EARLY PRODUCTION, WHICH IS NOT PART OF MAINTENANCE. IS…

Read full complaint

I HAVE AN EARLY MODEL MKV TDI JETTA , WITH AROUND 87,000 MILES ON IT. YESTERDAY, ON THE WAY HOME, THE DSG DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL LET GO WITH PIECES OF METAL COMING OUT ONTO THE ROAD AND TRAFFIC. I LOOKED UP THIS ON THE TDICLUB SITE AND FOUND NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THIS PART IN EARLY PRODUCTION, WHICH IS NOT PART OF MAINTENANCE. IS THERE A SAFETY RECALL OR OTHER TSB ON THIS? I CANT DRIVE THE CAR AND JUST MADE IT HOME. IT WAS SCAREY.

NHTSA ODI #10734116

61 miles · Apr 20, 2015
Power Train

THE REASON FOR THE LATE POST IS THAT I JUST DISCOVERED THIS SITE. I PURCHASED MY 2005 VW JETTA BRAND NEW IN 2005. IT HAD 61 MILES ON IT. I HAD THE CAR FOR ABOUT 5 MONTHS WHEN IT WAS SHIFTING VERY HARD AND NEARLY SNAPPING MY NECK. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE VW DEALERSHIP OVER 30 TIMES WITHIN A YEARS TIME AND THEY CONTINUED TO …

Read full complaint

THE REASON FOR THE LATE POST IS THAT I JUST DISCOVERED THIS SITE. I PURCHASED MY 2005 VW JETTA BRAND NEW IN 2005. IT HAD 61 MILES ON IT. I HAD THE CAR FOR ABOUT 5 MONTHS WHEN IT WAS SHIFTING VERY HARD AND NEARLY SNAPPING MY NECK. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE VW DEALERSHIP OVER 30 TIMES WITHIN A YEARS TIME AND THEY CONTINUED TO TELL ME NOTHING WAS WRONG. THEY KEPT THE CAR AND DROVE IT AND IT OF COURSE IT WOULD NOT HAPPEN WHILE THEY DROVE IT. THEY ACTUALLY TOLD ME I WAS DRIVING THE CAR INCORRECTLY (WHAT THAT MEANS I DON'T KNOW). I WAS UNAWARE OF THE LEMON LAW AT THE TIME. THE CAR CONTINUED TO SHIFT EXTREMELY HARD. FINALLY AFTER IT WENT BACK FOR THE 30TH TIME I DEMANDED THAT THEY KEEP THE CAR AND DRIVE IT UNTIL IT HAPPENED. FINALLY AFTER 2 WEEKS (THEY ACTUALLY GAVE ME A LOANER) THE MECHANIC CALLED ME STATING THAT IT NEARLY SNAPPED HIS NECK AND THAT THEY WOULD PUT IN A NEW TRANSMISSION (REBUILT MIND YOU). AFTER GETTING IT BACK ABOUT 2 WEEKS LATER THE CAR WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE AND WAS MAKING THE WORST NOISE EVER BUT I CONTINUED TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION ONCE AGAIN (ANOTHER REBUILT TRANSMISSION). THE OTHER ISSUE I HAD WAS THE LOCKS ON THE CAR. SOME OF THE DOORS LOCK WITH THE KEY FOB WHILE THE BACK DOORS DON'T WORK WITH THE FOB OR THE SWITCH ON THE DOOR PANEL. THIS IS FRUSTRATING WHEN YOU HAVE CHILDREN AND NEED TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE CAR AND GET THEM IN AND OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10706696

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 …

Read full complaint

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

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.