NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
10 reportsClear category filter56,000 miles · Jul 19, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKES AND THEY FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED INTO INCOMING TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH. THE CONTACT PROCEEDED TO DRIVE AND WHEN APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE IDENTICAL FAILURE RECURRED. THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF AN…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKES AND THEY FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED INTO INCOMING TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH. THE CONTACT PROCEEDED TO DRIVE AND WHEN APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE IDENTICAL FAILURE RECURRED. THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKE CYLINDER AND BOOSTER HAD FAILED BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE WHY THEY FAILED. THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND CYLINDERS WERE REPLACED AT A DISCOUNT RATE TO THE CONTACT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE SHOULD NEVER HAVE OCCURRED AND THE MANUFACTURER TOOK THE LIABILITY FOR A PARTIAL REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 56,000.
NHTSA ODI #10343957
Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineService Brakes, Hydraulic
SHORTLY AFTER I BOUGHT CAR I NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM (SOUNDED LIKE) ENGINE. I ALSO NOTICED CAR NOT CHANGING GEARS SMOOTHLY. FELT AS IF IT WAS HAVING A HARD TIME SHIFTING ESPECIALLY UP HILL, I TOOK THE CAR IN AND WAS TOLD THIS IS JUST HOW A VW SHIFTS AND SOUNDS. I TOLD THEM I DID NOT NOTICE IT WHEN I INITIALLY OWNED THE CAR. …
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SHORTLY AFTER I BOUGHT CAR I NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM (SOUNDED LIKE) ENGINE. I ALSO NOTICED CAR NOT CHANGING GEARS SMOOTHLY. FELT AS IF IT WAS HAVING A HARD TIME SHIFTING ESPECIALLY UP HILL, I TOOK THE CAR IN AND WAS TOLD THIS IS JUST HOW A VW SHIFTS AND SOUNDS. I TOLD THEM I DID NOT NOTICE IT WHEN I INITIALLY OWNED THE CAR. THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC SINCE NOW THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON AT THEIR OWN WILL, THE CLOCK LOOSES TIME CONSTANTLY, AND THE NOISE HAS GOT A LOT WORSE AND SO HAS THE GEAR SHIFTING. THE DIAGNOSTIC THEY SAY SHOWED THE DUAL FANS ARE BOTH BURNED OUT. IF THEY ARE BURNED OUT WHY ARE THEY STILL MAKING A LOUD NOISE SEVERAL SECONDS AFTER I TURN THE CAR OFF? THEY HAVE ALSO TOLD ME NO TRANSMISSION PROBLEM EXISTS BUT ANOTHER DEALER TOLD ME THEY CANNOT KNOW THAT BECAUSE THE DIAGNOSTIC WILL NOT PICK UP ON A BAD TRANSMISSION ONLY A TOTALLY FAILED ONE. WHICH THE CAR WILL BE OUT OF WARRANTY THEN. THESE CARS HAVE OBVIOUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND ELECTRONIC PROBLEMS THAT ARE BEING IGNORED. AFTER HAVING ALL THIS PROBLEM I LOOKED ON INTERNET AND WAS ASTONISHED AT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITH ALL THE SAME PROBLEMS AS ME. SLOW AND HARD SHIFTS, WIPERS, CAR ACTING AS IF IT IS STALLING, CLOCK LOSING TIME, BATTERY GOING BAD TOO QUICK. BRAKES CONSTANTLY BAD. THIS CAR IS JUST A LEMON. WHY WILL THE GOVERNMENT NOT DO A TOTAL RECALL. THERE IS TOOOOOOO MUCH WRONG WITH TOOOOO MANY OF THEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10341888
22,000 miles · Jul 31, 2009
Air BagsElectrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic
THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON 4 TIMES IN MY 2005 NEW JETTA 2.5 THE SEAT BELT SENSORS IN FRONT HAVE BEEN REPLACED ONCE AT DEALERSHIP, THIS STARTED WHEN THE CAR HAD ONLY 22000 MILES AND KEPT COMING ON AROUND EVERY 10000 MILES, THEY HAD TO ALSO REPLACE THE AIRBAG(S) NOT SURE WHICH ONES WERE REPLACED, THE SEATBEALTS DON'T WIND BACK …
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THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON 4 TIMES IN MY 2005 NEW JETTA 2.5 THE SEAT BELT SENSORS IN FRONT HAVE BEEN REPLACED ONCE AT DEALERSHIP, THIS STARTED WHEN THE CAR HAD ONLY 22000 MILES AND KEPT COMING ON AROUND EVERY 10000 MILES, THEY HAD TO ALSO REPLACE THE AIRBAG(S) NOT SURE WHICH ONES WERE REPLACED, THE SEATBEALTS DON'T WIND BACK UP PROPERLY SOMETIMES AS WELL. AT AROUND 25000 MILES THE BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED, WE HEARD A CLICKING ONE DAY IN THE REAR WHEEL WELL, WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY HAD REPLACED THE BRAKES, ROTORS ETC. I HAVE DOCUMENTATION OF THESE REPAIRS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10278989
Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
REAR BRAKES ON 2005 VW JETTA - METAL ON METAL AFTER 19K AND 38K MILES. TOLD BY VW THAT IT IS DUE TO A SMALLER BRAKE PAD ON THE REAR. FEAR THAT A SMALLER BRAKE PEDAL WEARS FASTER AND IS THUS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10251130
20,500 miles · Sep 5, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
20K MILES, NOTICED REAR GRINDING SOUND WHEN BRAKING. SOUND SEEMED TO DISSIPATE AFTER A FEW HUNDRED FEET OF BRAKING. HOWEVER, IT TURNS OUT THAT THE GRINDING SOUND WAS THE REAR PADS HAVING BEEN WORN DOWN TO THE RIVETS. I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE THE REAR ROTORS AND REAR PADS, AT 20K MILES. THIS IS VERY UNUSUAL. SHOULD BE ABLE TO G…
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20K MILES, NOTICED REAR GRINDING SOUND WHEN BRAKING. SOUND SEEMED TO DISSIPATE AFTER A FEW HUNDRED FEET OF BRAKING. HOWEVER, IT TURNS OUT THAT THE GRINDING SOUND WAS THE REAR PADS HAVING BEEN WORN DOWN TO THE RIVETS. I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE THE REAR ROTORS AND REAR PADS, AT 20K MILES. THIS IS VERY UNUSUAL. SHOULD BE ABLE TO GO TO 60K MILES ON REAR PADS, PERHAPS AS SOON AS 30K ON FRONTS. *TR UPDATED 12/12/2007 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07
NHTSA ODI #10201982
17,300 miles · Apr 9, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS ABS FAILURE. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AT 15 MPH THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS FAILURE HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, USUALLY WHEN DECELERATING AND STOPPING. THE V…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS ABS FAILURE. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AT 15 MPH THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS FAILURE HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, USUALLY WHEN DECELERATING AND STOPPING. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER TWICE, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKES MAY CONTAIN DUST. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,100, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,300.*AK UPDATE 4/25/07 *TR
NHTSA ODI #10187306
Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA BRAKE PEDAL FAILED, WHEN ATTEMPTING PRESS THE PEDAL IT WENT TO THE FLOOR. *TS THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10172238
6,900 miles · Jan 9, 2006
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKES DO NOT ALWAYS DEPRESS. THE FIRST 3 TIMES THIS HAPPENED THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED ITSELF. THE LAST TIME THIS OCCURRED THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE, WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO HIT A VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED MINOR DAMAGE TO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE.…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKES DO NOT ALWAYS DEPRESS. THE FIRST 3 TIMES THIS HAPPENED THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED ITSELF. THE LAST TIME THIS OCCURRED THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE, WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO HIT A VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED MINOR DAMAGE TO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS SEEN THE VEHICLE MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, AND THE COMPUTER DETERMINED THE VEHICLE WAS FINE. THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN AREA REPRESENTATIVE. HE WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK UPDATED 02/06/06. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10147250
250 miles · Nov 22, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE CAR IS SQUEALING RIDICULOUSLY LOUD WHEN THE CAR COMES TO A STOP OR IN REVERSE. (MOSTLY IN REVERSE) I HAVE CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN MULTIPLE TIMES. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM OR GIVEN ANY INFORMATION ON FIXING THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP HAS TRIED EVERYTHING THEY COULD TO FIX IT. I HAVE OTHER FRIENDS WITH T…
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THE CAR IS SQUEALING RIDICULOUSLY LOUD WHEN THE CAR COMES TO A STOP OR IN REVERSE. (MOSTLY IN REVERSE) I HAVE CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN MULTIPLE TIMES. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM OR GIVEN ANY INFORMATION ON FIXING THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP HAS TRIED EVERYTHING THEY COULD TO FIX IT. I HAVE OTHER FRIENDS WITH THE SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL WITH THE SAME NOISE. THE SQUEALING NOISE IS SO LOUD, IT SOUNDS LIKE AN 18 WHEELER COMING TO A STOP. WE KEEP GETTING THE RUN AROUND FROM VOLKSWAGEN. IF I HAD KNOWN THIS PROBLEM WOULD NOT BE FIXED, I WOULD NEVER HAVE TAKEN OUT A LEASE ON THIS CAR. IT IS ONLY WITH THIS MODEL. MY PREVIOUS JETTA HAS NEVER DONE ANYTHING LIKE THAT. THE CAR IS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLI 1.8 TURBO. I WANT ANSWERS FROM VOLKSWAGEN ON WHEN THEY ARE PLANNING TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. I WANT THIS KNOWN THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE OVER $350 A MONTH TO HAVE THE CAR, THAT THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT NEED TO WAIT 1 MORE MINUTE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10143494
10,000 miles · Oct 27, 2005
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
DT: THE CONTACT STATED ON 8-16-05 WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR DIED. THEN IT LURCHED FORWARD, STOPPED AND LURCHED FORWARD AGAIN. THIS WAS THE FIFTH TIME THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERS. THE FIRST TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND THEY REPLACED A FUEL INJECTOR. THE SECOND TIME THE ABS LIGHT, THE AIR BAG LIGH…
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DT: THE CONTACT STATED ON 8-16-05 WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR DIED. THEN IT LURCHED FORWARD, STOPPED AND LURCHED FORWARD AGAIN. THIS WAS THE FIFTH TIME THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERS. THE FIRST TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND THEY REPLACED A FUEL INJECTOR. THE SECOND TIME THE ABS LIGHT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THEY INSTALLED A FULL DISTRIBUTOR RAIL. THE THIRD TIME THE ENGINE OVERHEATED, AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD NOT WORK . THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY AND COOLING FANS. THE FOURTH TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, AND THEY REPLACED A VALVE. THIS LAST TIME THE DEALER GAVE HIM A LOANER CAR. THEY HAVE NOT DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM YET. THE DEALER CALLED ON FRIDAY TO TELL HIM THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE LOANER CAR. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10140929
Official recalls
4Sep 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.
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.
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.
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 ↗