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2005 Volkswagen Jetta Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 248 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta, most often about the transmission (34% of complaints, typically around 78,000 miles). It is 13th of 27 Jetta model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2005 Volkswagen Jetta problems
Transmission
84 complaints · 34%Half of these problems showed up before 78,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, clutch assembly, manual transmission, driveline.
The contact owns a 2005 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that she noticed the trunk failed to close. The contact had to slam the trunk several times in order for it to close properly. Additionally, the front driver side door failed to lock and the open door warning light illuminated constantly. The contact also…
Tl contact owns a 2005 Volkswagen Jetta. While driving 45 MPH the bolts from the driveshaft on the passenger side were loose. The engine was on but the vehicle would not move. The vehicle was towed to his residence. The manufacturer was called and informed him that there were no recalls and offered no assistance. The…
Engine
68 complaints · 27%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that a noise could be heard from the engine while decelerating from any speed. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was told the vehicle needed a new timing chain. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The failure and…
Vw Jetta 2.5l 2005 out of the blue check engine light came on at 81,000 miles. Random misfire and vacuum leak codes. Turn out to be timing chain stretched causing the problem cost $2000 to fix.
Electrical
48 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 86,500 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, 12v/24v/48v battery, ignition, instrument cluster/panel.
Switches in the driver's door have become gradually (and intermittently) increasingly inoperable. Door lock/unlock, windows up/down, window lock, side-view mirror adjustment, and trunk release all have stopped working either entirely or intermittently. The major safety related issues are: 1. Non-functional switches…
The windows and doors failed to unlock, the windows would not roll up or down, and the door ajar indicator would not turn off with the door securely shut. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who performed said the failure was caused by the drivers door wiring harness. The dealer replaced the driver door wiring…
Air bags
26 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
A few weeks ago, I went to start my car and all the lights were flashing and car didn't start. Jumped the battery, got the car running; but ever since my air bag light has stayed on and the driver's window is slow, the auto up/down feature not working, and if the driver door is open, I can't pop trunk or gas lid or…
Tl contact owns a 2005 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact was involved in a crash while traveling approximately 40 MPH. The contact was knocked unconscious with the level of impact sustained during the crash. The entire air bag system failed to deploy. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was…
Fuel system
21 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 89,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, storage, fuel injection system.
My fuel pump failed with no warning, leaving my wife stranded in winter. This happened with no warning whatsoever - the car was running perfectly, and then stalled. This is a common problem on this model car.
My 2005 vw Jetta gli stalled suddenly while I was driving @ 35-MPH. After pulling over and opening the hood to assess damage, I turned the ignition key but all I heard was the starter being engaged. Once the car was towed to an independent repair shop, the technician informed me the timing belt broke/snapped. I was…
Lights
14 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 66,500 miles. Parts named most often: brake lights, headlights, tail lights, turn signal.
The wiring harness of the driver's door failed, which prevents the left turn signal, windows, door locks and gas fill door from functioning. The car becomes unsafe since the left signal will not work and the window will not operate so the driver can do a manual signal. Vw has issued a service bulletin on the issue…
Tl contact owns a 2005 Volkswagen Jetta. In april of 2007, the contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 07v063000 (exterior lighting:brake lights:switch). The vehicle was repaired at that time. Approximately a year and a half later, the brake light switch began to fail again. When the brake pedal…
Brakes
13 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 20,500 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
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…
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…
Body and structure
12 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 87,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
The contact owns a 2005 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that she noticed the trunk failed to close. The contact had to slam the trunk several times in order for it to close properly. Additionally, the front driver side door failed to lock and the open door warning light illuminated constantly. The contact also…
Driver's side rear door wiring harness has broken, resulting in no operation of power window or door lock. Door will not lock. Service technician has advised replacement of the wiring harness.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2005 Volkswagen Jetta recalls
Lights: headlights
Risk: Noncompliance can inhibit proper headlamp aim adjustment for roadway illumination, improperly aimed headlamps could cause reduced road visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Lights: switch
Risk: The brake lights could become inoperative, or remain on. Failure to provide the proper signal when braking could lead to a crash without warning.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger, wagon, and convertible vehicles equipped with or without cruise control, a brake light switch may malfunction if it was installed incorrectly.
Fuel system: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk: Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: fuel system, diesel
Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may lead to a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the diesel pump. The recall began on february 8, 2005. Owners should contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (84 complaints, typically around 78,000 miles); engine (68 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles); electrical (48 complaints, typically around 86,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 24, 2007 (lights). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2005 a bad year for the Volkswagen Jetta?
- It is 13th of 27 Jetta model years by number of complaints, with 248 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.