REAR SEATBELT LATCH BUTTON FAILED AFTER LITTLE USE. WILL NOT LOCK TOGETHER WHEN PRESSED IN POSITION .
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.
Seat Belts complaints
7 reportsI WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT ABOUT 30 MPH WHEN MY CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND MY DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS HAD BEEN DEPLOYED. MY SEATBELT RESTRICTED SO HARD, I COULD HARDLY BREATHE ANYMORE. NOTHING HAD HIT MY CAR AND I HAD NOT GONE OVER ANY POTHOLES OR BUMPS. VW SAID THAT IT IS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR MY AIR…
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT ABOUT 30 MPH WHEN MY CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND MY DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS HAD BEEN DEPLOYED. MY SEATBELT RESTRICTED SO HARD, I COULD HARDLY BREATHE ANYMORE. NOTHING HAD HIT MY CAR AND I HAD NOT GONE OVER ANY POTHOLES OR BUMPS. VW SAID THAT IT IS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR MY AIRBAGS OR THE DAMAGE DONE TO MY HEADLINER AND DRIVER SEAT. I NO LONGER HAVE A FUNCTIONING SEATBELT EITHER. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE FOR AMERICA. NOT ONLY DID THE AIRBAGS DEPLOY WITH NO ACCIDENT, I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DRIVING IN MY OWN VEHICLE. WHAT IF I GET INTO AN ACCIDENT TONIGHT WITHOUT THE PROPER PROTECTION A CAR IS GUARANTEED TO HAVE? IF I WAS KILLED OR MY KIDS WERE KILLED, WOULD VW DO SOMETHING THEN? *TR
I OWN A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN NEW JETTA 2.5 WHICH JUST HAD AN INCIDENT OF THE AIRBAG FAULT LIGHT GOING ON. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE SERVICED AND WAS INFORMED THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WHICH WAS THE REASON FOR THE LIGHT. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY AT 58,00 MILES AND MY WARRANTY WAS ONLY EXTENDED TO 50,000 …
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I OWN A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN NEW JETTA 2.5 WHICH JUST HAD AN INCIDENT OF THE AIRBAG FAULT LIGHT GOING ON. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE SERVICED AND WAS INFORMED THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WHICH WAS THE REASON FOR THE LIGHT. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY AT 58,00 MILES AND MY WARRANTY WAS ONLY EXTENDED TO 50,000 MILES, LEAVING ME TO SHOULDER THE COSTS OF A NEW SEAT BELT BUCKLE. THE SEATBELT'S INNER ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS HAVE BURNED OUT, BUT THERE ARE NO OTHER DEFECTS WITH THE BUCKLE. BECAUSE THE CIRCUIT HAS BURNED OUT, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM IS CONSIDERED UNSTABLE AND MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY DURING AN ACCIDENT. I FEEL THAT IN NO WAY SHOULD I BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT REGARDLESS OF MY VEHICLE'S WARRANTY STATUS. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, I HAVE FOUND THAT MANY VOLKSWAGEN OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS SAFETY ISSUE BUT STRANGELY VOLKSWAGEN HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS DEFECT. ALTHOUGH I CANNOT FIND ANY INCIDENTS OF ACCIDENT REGARDING THIS DEFECT, I FEEL THAT A PROACTIVE APPROACH AND INVESTIGATION IS BETTER THAN SOMEONE LOSING THEIR LIFE OR LOVED ONE FROM THIS DEFECT. *TR
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT TAB WON'T ENGAGE IN HOLDER MECHANISM. *NM
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?
I PURCHASED MY 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA IN APRIL 2005 FROM COLONIAL VOLKSWAGEN IN FEASTERVILLE, PA. ON AUGUST 24TH I BROUGHT IT IN BECAUSE MY FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT BROKE. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE BELT IN STOCK AND WOULD HAVE TO ORDER IT. I TOLD THEM THAT I WAS UNHAPPY WITH THE FACT THAT THEY DIDN'T STOCK S…
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I PURCHASED MY 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA IN APRIL 2005 FROM COLONIAL VOLKSWAGEN IN FEASTERVILLE, PA. ON AUGUST 24TH I BROUGHT IT IN BECAUSE MY FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT BROKE. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE BELT IN STOCK AND WOULD HAVE TO ORDER IT. I TOLD THEM THAT I WAS UNHAPPY WITH THE FACT THAT THEY DIDN'T STOCK SEAT BELT PARTS FOR A NEW VEHICLE AND THAT I FELT IT WAS DANGEROUS TO RIDE AROUND IN A VEHICLE WITHOUT SEAT BELTS. I ALSO CALLED VOLKSWAGEN, BUT THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. AS OF TODAY, SEPT. 1, 2005, THE SEAT BELT IS STILL NOT IN. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. IF I SHOULD GET INTO AN ACCIDENT AND MY PASSENGER IS HURT OR KILLED, WHO IS RESPONSIBLE? *NM
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY ON FRONT THE PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT WAS NOT LOCKING. THE SEAT BELT CAN NOT BE USED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A SERVICE DEALER. *AK
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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