Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
390–25K
2725–50K
4050–75K
3575–100K
46100–150K
19150K+
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
5,200 miles · Sep 1, 2005
Seat Belts
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
NHTSA ODI #10135070
150 miles · Aug 17, 2005
Electrical System
I WAS STOPPED AT LIGHT AND HIT THE ACCELERATE TO FIND MY CAR HAD NO POWER AND SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME INCLUDING ESP, AND TRACTION, AS WELL AS THE EXHAUST LIGHT. THERE WAS ALSO A STRONG ODOR OF SOMETHING BURNING IN THE CAR. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO OVER 10 MILES PER HOUR AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE NEAREST VW…
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I WAS STOPPED AT LIGHT AND HIT THE ACCELERATE TO FIND MY CAR HAD NO POWER AND SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME INCLUDING ESP, AND TRACTION, AS WELL AS THE EXHAUST LIGHT. THERE WAS ALSO A STRONG ODOR OF SOMETHING BURNING IN THE CAR. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO OVER 10 MILES PER HOUR AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE NEAREST VW DEALERSHIP THE POWER ISSUES WAS FIXED THE WAS NOT THE POWER ISSUE WAS THE WIRING HARNESS WHICH WAS REPLACED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10133175
Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE ENCOUNTERED SEVERAL ISSUES THE MOST ALARMING CURRENTLY IS A SMELL OF BURNING OIL UPON HEAVY ACCELERATION WHICH HASN'T BEEN LOCATED BY THE DEALER EVEN THOUGH THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP TWICE SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN MAY OF 05.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10133169
Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHEN WE COLD START OF OUR 2005 JETTA, THE ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE AN AIRPLANE ENGINE FIRING UP -- THE CAR REVS ITSELF AFTER 10 SECONDS AND THEN WHEN YOU PUT IT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE -- IT LUNGES. CALLED VW AND HAD THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY AGREED THAT THE CAR HAD AN ISSUE AND SENT OUT A VW TECH TO PUT A RESONATOR ON THE CAR -…
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WHEN WE COLD START OF OUR 2005 JETTA, THE ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE AN AIRPLANE ENGINE FIRING UP -- THE CAR REVS ITSELF AFTER 10 SECONDS AND THEN WHEN YOU PUT IT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE -- IT LUNGES. CALLED VW AND HAD THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY AGREED THAT THE CAR HAD AN ISSUE AND SENT OUT A VW TECH TO PUT A RESONATOR ON THE CAR -- DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THEN AFTER 2 MONTHS OF FIGHTING THE DEALERSHIP AND VW, WE WEE TOLD THAT THE CAR IS PERFORMING TO SPEC AND THAT VW WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING TO FIX THIS ISSUE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10130710
20 miles · Jul 19, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS IT MAKES A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHEN YOU START IT. THIS LASTS FOR ABOUT 20 SECONDS AND THEN GOES AWAY, BUT IT OCCURS EVERYTIME YOU START THE CAR AFTER IT HAS BEEN SITTING FOR A LITTLE WHILE. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE SECONDARY AIR PUMP AND THAT IT'S NORMAL. WE'VE HAD THE CAR FOR …
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WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS IT MAKES A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHEN YOU START IT. THIS LASTS FOR ABOUT 20 SECONDS AND THEN GOES AWAY, BUT IT OCCURS EVERYTIME YOU START THE CAR AFTER IT HAS BEEN SITTING FOR A LITTLE WHILE. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE SECONDARY AIR PUMP AND THAT IT'S NORMAL. WE'VE HAD THE CAR FOR A WEEK, AND THE NOISE JUST DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT.
NHTSA ODI #10129371
Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline
DT: CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER ON 7-13-05 CONCERNING THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE CLAMP. A RECALL NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE. SHE CALLED THE DEALER , AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT GET HER IN UNTIL WEDNESDAY 7-20-05 BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT FIT HER INTO THEIR BUSY SCHEDULE, AND BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE THE CLAMP YET. CONSUMER REQU…
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DT: CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER ON 7-13-05 CONCERNING THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE CLAMP. A RECALL NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE. SHE CALLED THE DEALER , AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT GET HER IN UNTIL WEDNESDAY 7-20-05 BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT FIT HER INTO THEIR BUSY SCHEDULE, AND BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE THE CLAMP YET. CONSUMER REQUESTED A LOANER AND THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE A LOANER. CONSUMER CALLED A CUSTOMER CARE ADVOCATE LISTED ON THE RECALL LETTER TO SEE ABOUT GETTING A LOANER, AND THE ADVOCATE TOLD HER TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE CAR UNTIL SHE SMELLED GASOLINE, AND THEN HAVE IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER. THE ADVOCATE SUGGESTED CONSUMER CONTACT OTHER DEALERS TO TAKE HER CAR IN FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS, BUT SHE DID NOT WANT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ANY FURTHER THAN NECESSARY. ALL OF THE OTHER DEALERS WERE VERY FAR AWAY, AND THE RECALL STATES THERE WAS A DANGER OF A FIRE. SHE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. CONSUMER WAS ONLY ABLE TO PROVIDE THE NAME, CITY, AND STATE OF THE DEALER SHE CALLED .*AK
NHTSA ODI #10128741
Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 2005
Seat Belts
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
NHTSA ODI #10127585
7,000 miles · Jul 6, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
DT: THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE WHEN HE APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR. THIS CAUSED SOOT BUILD UP ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. THE SOOT WAS WORSE IN THE BACK OF THE STATION WAGON. SOOT AFFECTED THE WHOLE VEHICLE. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP FIVE TIMES FOR THIS COMPLAINT. CONSUMER STATED THAT IT WAS SIX TIMES, BUT THE…
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DT: THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE WHEN HE APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR. THIS CAUSED SOOT BUILD UP ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. THE SOOT WAS WORSE IN THE BACK OF THE STATION WAGON. SOOT AFFECTED THE WHOLE VEHICLE. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP FIVE TIMES FOR THIS COMPLAINT. CONSUMER STATED THAT IT WAS SIX TIMES, BUT THE DEALER DID NOT LOG THE FIRST COMPLAINT IN THE COMPUTER. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THE FIRST COMPLAINT. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT THE EMISSION PROBLEM BECAUSE THIS WAS A NEW TYPE OF DIESEL ENGINE. THE TYPE OF ENGINE HAD A PUMP MADE TO USE EURO DIESEL WHICH WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE IN THE UNITED STATES UNTIL 2007. THIS INFORMATION WAS NOT MADE AVAILABLE TO THE CONSUMER BEFORE THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER DIDN'T WISH TO POLLUTE THE ENVIRONMENT. HE ALSO STATED IT WAS NOT SAFE FOR BREATHING. SOOT COULD CAUSE BLACK LUNG DISEASE. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND CLAIMED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, AND IT WILL NOT POLLUTE THE ENVIRONMENT UNTIL 2007 WHEN THE DIESEL WAS CONVERTED. THE CONSUMER HAD A MEETING WITH THE VOLKSWAGEN REPRESENTATIVE. THEY OFFERED TO REFUND THE COST OF CLEANING THE CAR FROM THE SOOT ON THE INSIDE. THE DEALERS PHONE NUMBER WAS NOT PROVIDED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10127575
Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 2005
Power Train
SHIFTING FROM PARK TO EITHER REVERSE OR DRIVE WHILE ENGINE IS COLD, VEHICLE HESITATES AND THEN SUDDENLY JERKS INTO GEAR.
NHTSA ODI #10126840
928 miles · Jun 20, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. HE IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE WHEN HE NEEDS IT TO. WHEN HE TURNS THE CAR OFF AND LETS THE COMPUTER RESET THEN START THE VEHICLE IT WILL ACCELERATE. HE TOOK CAR TO A DEALER, AND SINCE THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT THEY COULD NOT FIGU…
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DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. HE IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE WHEN HE NEEDS IT TO. WHEN HE TURNS THE CAR OFF AND LETS THE COMPUTER RESET THEN START THE VEHICLE IT WILL ACCELERATE. HE TOOK CAR TO A DEALER, AND SINCE THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM WHILE HAVING THE CAR FOR EIGHT DAYS.*AK *NM
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.
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.
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.
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.
2005 Volkswagen Jetta Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year