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
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
Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 2005
Power Train
THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED BY OTHERS AND I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT IT AS WELL, SO THAT VW WILL EVENTUALLY BE FORCED TO MAKE A RECALL ON THIS MALFUNCTION. WHEN I START MY CAR AFTER IT HAS BEEN SITTING FOR AND HOUR OR MORE, I PLACE MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, PUT IT EITHER INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE, AND IF I AM ON ANY HILL, VERY SMALL OR LARGE, W…
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THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED BY OTHERS AND I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT IT AS WELL, SO THAT VW WILL EVENTUALLY BE FORCED TO MAKE A RECALL ON THIS MALFUNCTION. WHEN I START MY CAR AFTER IT HAS BEEN SITTING FOR AND HOUR OR MORE, I PLACE MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, PUT IT EITHER INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE, AND IF I AM ON ANY HILL, VERY SMALL OR LARGE, WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKE, THE CAR WILL ROLL DOWNHILL. THE FIRST FEW TIMES THIS HAPPENED, I ALMOST ROLLED THE CAR OVER A CURB AND DOWN A LARGE EMBANKMENT. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE CAR IS TO APPLY THE BRAKE AGAIN, AND THEN RELEASE THE BRAKE AND QUICKLY APPLY THE GAS. WHEN THAT IS DONE, THE CAR VERY ABRUPTLY JUMPS INTO GEAR.
NHTSA ODI #10123951
6,000 miles · May 22, 2005
Air BagsCrash
I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AND FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. FOLLOWING THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAGS, MY HANDS WERE THROWN OFF THE STEERING WHEEL, CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE THEN PROCEDED TO GO STRAIGHT UP ONTO A CURB CAUSING THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE …
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I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AND FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. FOLLOWING THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAGS, MY HANDS WERE THROWN OFF THE STEERING WHEEL, CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE THEN PROCEDED TO GO STRAIGHT UP ONTO A CURB CAUSING THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE TO BE DAMAGED. THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE
NHTSA ODI #10121825
11,500 miles · May 17, 2005
Power Train
MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A 2005 VW JETTA TDI (1.9 LITER DIESEL ENGINE) IN OCTOBER OF 2004. THIS VEHICLE HAD A HEATING ELEMENT THAT WAS BAD AND EVENTUALLY FIXED BY DEALER UNDER WARRANTY IN NOVEMBER OF 2004. SINCE APPROX. DECEMBER OF 2004 WE HAVE EXPERIENCED INCREASED PROBLEMS WITH THE CLUTCH DISENGAGING FROM THE FLYWHEEL WHILE SHI…
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MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A 2005 VW JETTA TDI (1.9 LITER DIESEL ENGINE) IN OCTOBER OF 2004. THIS VEHICLE HAD A HEATING ELEMENT THAT WAS BAD AND EVENTUALLY FIXED BY DEALER UNDER WARRANTY IN NOVEMBER OF 2004. SINCE APPROX. DECEMBER OF 2004 WE HAVE EXPERIENCED INCREASED PROBLEMS WITH THE CLUTCH DISENGAGING FROM THE FLYWHEEL WHILE SHIFTING UP OR DOWN AND WHILE PASSING CARS. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THE CAR (SINCE 2001) HAS A DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL ASSEMBLY INSTALLED BY VW THAT IS AT ROOT OF PROBLEM. THE TWO LAYERED FLYWHEEL IS BECOMING OVER HEATED AND WARPING THE CLUTCH DISC ABNORMALLY IN CERTAIN SPOTS. SOME MECHANICS AND ENGINEERS HAVE SPECUALATED IMPROPER DESIGN, AND OTHERS SAID TRANSMISSION BOLTS AROUND FLYWHEEL WERE PROBABLY OVERTIGHTENED AT MANUFACTURER. EITHER WAY, OUR CLUTCH IS DISENGAGING BY ITSELF FROM THE FLYWHEEL AFTER WE DRIVE CAR FOR 60 OR 70 MILES AT ONE TIME (AND CAR IS HEATED UP). THE CLUTCH DISENGAGES AFTER SHIFING UP OR DOWN AND SOMETIMES WHILE PASSING, CAUSING PROBLEMS NEGOTIATING SPEEDS. THIS MEANS LACK OF CONTROL FROM THE DRIVER WHICH EQUALS SAFETY HAZARD FOR MOST. OUR CAR STARTED THIS AT 11,500 MILES, BUT DEALER IS REFUSING WARRANTY WORK BECAUSE HIS SERVICE ADVISOR FAILED TO NOTE THE PROBLEM WE REQUESTED TO HAVE CHECKED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. DEALER IS ALSO DENYING IT IS A CLUTCH/FLYWHEEL PROBLEM SINCE HE CAN NOT DUPLICATE IT IN FIFTEEN MINUTES, BUT HAS REFUSED TO LOOK ANY FURTHER. MOST RESEARCH I HAVE DONE SHOWS THOUSANDS OF VW JETTA CUSTOMERS WITH SAME PROBLEM BETWEEN 11K AND 20K MILEAGE (FROM 2001 TO 2005 MODELS).
NHTSA ODI #10121145
Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2005
Power Train
IN THE MORNINGS THE CAR WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE WHEN YOUR FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE, YOU HAVE TO LET OFF ON THE BRAKE AND REVERSE THE ENGINE A BIT, THEN THE CAR JUMPS INTO REVERSE, SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTLY LURCHES BACKWARD. DEALERS RESPONSE: BACK YOUR CAR INTO YOUR GARAGE OR PARKING SPACE AT NIGHT SO YOU DON'T NEED TO USE REVERSE …
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IN THE MORNINGS THE CAR WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE WHEN YOUR FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE, YOU HAVE TO LET OFF ON THE BRAKE AND REVERSE THE ENGINE A BIT, THEN THE CAR JUMPS INTO REVERSE, SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTLY LURCHES BACKWARD. DEALERS RESPONSE: BACK YOUR CAR INTO YOUR GARAGE OR PARKING SPACE AT NIGHT SO YOU DON'T NEED TO USE REVERSE IN THE MORNING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10118696
Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2005
Electrical System
MY ALARM ON MY 2005 JETTA TDI IS MALFUNCTIONING. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, INCLUDING FAULTY CONTROLS IN THE STEERING COLUM, AND FAULTY COMPONENTS IN THE ESP. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT TO REPAIR THE ALARM, THE RADIO MUST BE REPLACED, HOWEVER THE RADIO IS ON 'BACKORDER', HAS BEEN FOR SIX WEEKS, AND I DO NOT AS O…
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MY ALARM ON MY 2005 JETTA TDI IS MALFUNCTIONING. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, INCLUDING FAULTY CONTROLS IN THE STEERING COLUM, AND FAULTY COMPONENTS IN THE ESP. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT TO REPAIR THE ALARM, THE RADIO MUST BE REPLACED, HOWEVER THE RADIO IS ON 'BACKORDER', HAS BEEN FOR SIX WEEKS, AND I DO NOT AS OF TODAY, KNOW WHEN I WILL HAVE THIS REPAIRED. THESE PROBLEMS, ALONG WITH THE EXTENDED DELAY IN REPAIRING THE RADIO HAVE CAUSED ME TO CONSIDER THE POSSIBILITY OF A MORE SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE ITSELF AND I AM CONCERNED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10108362
10 miles · Jan 12, 2005
Power Train
THIS PROBABLY IS THE SAME AS THE EXISTING COMPLAINT NUMBER 10079735 FOR VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 04. 1. IT HAPPENS ONLY WHEN IT IS COLD. IF IT IS COLD, THE PROBLEM IS REPEATABLE. 2. WHILE PUSHING THE BRAKE, WE MOVE THE SHIFT FROM PARK TO EITHER DRIVE OR REVERSE (IT'S THE SAME). THEN NORMALLY, TORQUE IS TRANSMITTED THROUGH DRIVESHAFT TH…
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THIS PROBABLY IS THE SAME AS THE EXISTING COMPLAINT NUMBER 10079735 FOR VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 04. 1. IT HAPPENS ONLY WHEN IT IS COLD. IF IT IS COLD, THE PROBLEM IS REPEATABLE. 2. WHILE PUSHING THE BRAKE, WE MOVE THE SHIFT FROM PARK TO EITHER DRIVE OR REVERSE (IT'S THE SAME). THEN NORMALLY, TORQUE IS TRANSMITTED THROUGH DRIVESHAFT THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION. HOWEVER, JETTA DOES NOT FUNCTION AS SUCH. 3. THE TRANSMISSION ONLY CAN ENGAGES WHEN I RELEASE THE BRAKE ALMOST COMPLETELY. UP TO THE POSITION, IT IS THE SAME AS NEUTRAL. THAT INTRODUCES SUDDEN AND ABRUPT START OF THE CAR.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10106218
Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2005
Seats
WE RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA STATION WAGON. ON JANUARY 5, THE DRIVERS SEAT CAME OFF, (UNATTACHED,WAS DISCONNECTED ) FROM THE TRACK ON THE CAR. WOLKSWAGON HAS FIXED THIS AT NO CHARGE BUT THERE NEEDS TO BE AN INVESTIAGION INTO WHETHER THERE ARE OTHER CARS OUT THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A …
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WE RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA STATION WAGON. ON JANUARY 5, THE DRIVERS SEAT CAME OFF, (UNATTACHED,WAS DISCONNECTED ) FROM THE TRACK ON THE CAR. WOLKSWAGON HAS FIXED THIS AT NO CHARGE BUT THERE NEEDS TO BE AN INVESTIAGION INTO WHETHER THERE ARE OTHER CARS OUT THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A TERRIBLE TRAGEDY IF I HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT OR IT HAD UNATTACHED COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING. THE VOLKSWAGON DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT SAY WETHER IT WAS A PARTS PROBLEM OR AN INSTALLATION PROBLEM. *AK
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