Skip to content
KLUNK
KLUNK

2005 Volkswagen Golf

The Verdict

96 Smooth Ride

The 2005 Volkswagen Golf has 19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are electrical (8 complaints) and engine (6 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 96/100, it earns a "Smooth Ride" rating. If you're shopping for a Volkswagen Golf, consider the 2020 model year which has 68% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2020 has 68% fewer complaints

View the 2020 Volkswagen Golf dashboard →

96

Klunk Score: Smooth Ride

This vehicle year has significantly fewer complaints than average. A reliable choice.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Get notified if a recall hits this car.

We email you when NHTSA issues a new recall on the 2005 Volkswagen Golf. No spam, no marketing.

Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
2000341226236
2001301053287
200213340186
2003801652
2004716113
200521862
200660330
20108412405
201140236518
20125116206
20134512211
201411432
2015405274611
201623411434
201767531777
20181623142
20192049399
202030120
202112210

By Category

Electrical
8
Engine
6
Body
2
Transmission
2
Brakes
1

By Severity

1
8
2
10
4
1

Worst Problems

Complaints

Brakes 1

Brake Booster Vacuum Line Fell off making me run a red light I could not stop the car in time. After getting the car stopped about 100 feet past the light I found that the Brake Booster Vacuum Line fell off its made of hard plastic that has become brittle it cracked at both ends. There was no warning lights even after it fell off. The part number of the hose is 130-612-041 I just wanted to let someone know before people start getting hurt...

61mo ago
Body 2

I GOT IN THE CAR THIS MORNING TO HEAD TO WORK, I REACHED BACK TO PULL THE SEAT BELT FORWARD AND AROUND MY LAP. NEXT THING I KNEW THE BELT WAS FULLY EXTENDED AND WOULD NOT RETRACT AT ALL. I HAD NO TENSION LEFT IN THE SEAT BELT AND IT HUNG OVER ME COMPLETELY EXTENDED. NOW I AM DRIVING WITH THIS COMPLETELY LOOSE SEAT BELT AROUND ME, AND NO PROTECTION IF I AM IN AN ACCIDENT.

77mo ago
Engine 2

WHEN DRIVING THE CAR IT WAS RUNNING FINE AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN DIED ON ME AND WOULD RESTART THEN DIED AGAIN BEFORE I COULD MOVE IT OUT OF THE WAY. NOW WHEN I START IT, IT DIES IMMEDIATELY.

85mo ago
Electrical 2

I MOVE MY PASSENGER SEAT BACK AND FOR NO REASON THE AIRBAG CAME ON, IT WOULD NOT RESET.

114mo ago
Electrical 4

TAKATA RECALL - I WAS IN ACCIDENT ON 5/24/16 AND THE FRONT OF MY CAR WAS ALL DAMAGED BUT THE AIRBAG DID NOT INFLATE CAUSING ME TO HIT THE STEERING WHEEL

123mo ago
Engine 2

WHEN EXITING THE FREEWAY, THE FUEL LIFT PUMP DIED AND THE CAR STALLED ON THE EXIT RAMP AT 55 MPH. I LOST CONTROL OF POWER BRAKES AND POWER STEERING BUT WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF THE RAMP TO THE STOP LIGHT AT THE END OF THE RAMP. *TR

179mo ago
Electrical 2

MULTIPLE AIRBAG FAILURES 01218 - SIDE AIRBAG IGNITER; PASSENGER SIDE (N200) 001 - UPPER LIMIT EXCEEDED - INTERMITTENT - MIL ON 01217 - SIDE AIRBAG IGNITER; DRIVER SIDE (N199) 001 - UPPER LIMIT EXCEEDED - INTERMITTENT - MIL ON THE DTC'S SEEM TO BE GENERATED DURING COLD WEATHER PERIODS WHEN THE SEATS ARE MOVED. THIS HAPPENS AT LEAST 1 - 2 TIMES PER YEAR. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN MOVING WHEN THESE CODES WERE GENERATED. DEALER HAS COMPLETED THE TSB FOR THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG WIRING, BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. PASSENGER SEAT DOES NOT HAVE A TSB FOR THE AIRBAG WIRING. DEALER REQUIRES THAT THE CODE BE CLEARED AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR $100 PER INCIDENT. PROBLEMATIC AIRBAGS ARE DISABLED UNTIL THE FAULT CODE IS CLEARED FROM THE SYSTEM. BOTH CODES HAVE APPEARED MULTIPLE TIMES, AT LEAST 4, ON THIS SAME VEHICLE AND THIS PROBLEM IS ALSO FOUND ON MULTIPLE VW MODELS. *TR

187mo ago
Electrical 2

THE TURN SIGNAL CLICKER CONTINUES CLICKING AFTER THE SIGNAL HAS BEEN DE-ACTIVATED. THIS DEFECT LEADS TO PEOPLE NOT USING THE SIGNAL AS THEY DO NOT WANT TO RISK LISTENING TO THE ANNOYING CLICKING THAT SOMETIMES GOES ON FOR HOURS. *TR

196mo ago
Engine 1

THE VEHICLE IS MAINTAINED ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURER GUIDELINES AND BY CERTIFIED MECHANICS AT VOLKSWAGEN DEALER SERVICE CENTER. LESS THAN A WEEK AFTER THE LAST MAINTENANCE, FUEL TANK EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING. BOTTOM OF THE CAR IS DAMAGED RIGHT UNDER REAR PASSENGER SEATS. BASED ON INITIAL REPORT FROM DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT, DUE TO INTERNAL PRESSURE BUILD-UP THERE WAS NO FIRE (THE CAR IS DIESEL). UPDATED 06/23/10.*JB *TR

196mo ago
Electrical 1

VOLKSWAGEN 2005 GOLF: BOTH FRONT EXTERIOR LIGHTS, DAY TIME AND NIGHT TIME WENT OUT. THE FUSE WAS GOOD AND THE LIGHT BULBS WERE OUT. APPARENTLY, THE WIRING HAD A MALFUNCTION WHICH ALSO CAUSED THE INTERIOR LIGHT ON THE CLIMATE CONTROLS TO GO OFF. THE FUSE WAS GOOD AS WELL. ANOTHER MALFUNCTION FROM THEVW COMPANY. LASTLY, DRIVER SIDE FRONT WINDOW WENT DOWN WHILE DRIVING TO WORK 25 MPH. I DID NOT TOUCH THE WINDOW NOR TRIED TO OPEN OR CLOSE IT, IT WENT DONE COMPLETELY AND IT IS INSIDE THE DOOR...IT WON'T GO UP NOR DOWN. IT IS NOT BROKEN EITHER. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WITH NO WINDOW IN THE WINTER. SNOW, HAIL. RAIN CAN HAPPEN WHILE THE WINDOW WENT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. IT'S VERY UNPLEASANT TO HAVE WIND AND COLD OF 3 DEGREES BELOW ZERO HIT YOUR FACE AND GO IN THE CAR TO THE OTHER PASSENGERS. THE HAIL, RAIN OR SNOW CAN THAT CAN GET IN THE CAR CAN CAUSE FURTHER DAMAGE INSIDE THE CAR. *TR

202mo ago
Body 1

CAR WAS DRIVEN ON A HIGHWAY, APPROX 60 MPH WHEN A CLUNK WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND SOUND OF METAL FALLING ON THE ROAD. CAR IMMEDIATELY STARTED SHAKING AND PULLING STRONGLY TO THE RIGHT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RAISED UP AND EXAMINED IT WAS FOUND THAT THE RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING HAS BROKEN AND COUPLE OF COILS HAVE FALLEN OFF. CAR IN QUESTION IS 2005 VW GOLF, 55000 MILES. VW OF AMERICA WAS CONTACTED AND THEY HAVE DENIED ANY HELP CLAIMING VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. IS NOT THIS A SAFETY ISSUE? *TR

204mo ago
Transmission 2

MY VEHICLE HAS 55,000 MILES AND THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL IS FAILING AND IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT OTHER VEHICLES OUT OF WARRANTY MAY NOT BE COVERED. IF THIS WERE TO COMPLETELY FAIL THE CLUTCH COULD LOCK UP AT ANY TIME. AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

205mo ago
Electrical 2

THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS TURNED ON FOR THE SECOND TIME, REDERING THE AIRBAGS USELESS. I HAVE HAD THE AIRBAGS REPLACED ONCE WITHIN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF BECAUSE OF THE SAME ISSUE. I WAS NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT AND I NEVER HIT ANYTHING TO CAUSE THE SENSOR TO TRIGGER. THIS SEEMS TO BE A FAULTY PART THAT HAS PROBLEMS WITH RELIABILITY NOW AND THE BAGS DO NOT DEPLOY WHEN THEY ARE NEEDED. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED, THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE CAR IS NOW 3 MONTHS OR 4,000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY. I AM TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT THE BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY NOW. I HAVE DONE NOTHING OUTSIDE THE REALM OF NORMAL DRIVING. WHEN THE PARTS WERE REPLACED THE FIRST TIME, THE DEALERSHIP KEPT THE OLD PARTS. I HAVE NOT TAKEN THIS ONE IN YET AS I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR THE COST OF THIS VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR AT THIS TIME. *TR

206mo ago
Electrical 1

2005 VW GOLF GLS. 77,661 MILES. WARRANTY ONLY COVERS 50,000. COULD NOT AFFORD $3,300 FOR EXTENDED WARRANTY. NO REPAIRS UNTIL NOW. PASSENGER SEAT INFREQUENTLY USED. "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON. A FEW MINUTES LATER "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WENT OUT AND THE "AIRBAG INDICATOR" LIGHT CAME ON. DEALERSHIP CHARGED ME $99.50 FOR DIAGNOSTIC TEST. RESULT:WIRING CHASSIS TO PASSENGER SIDE HAD VERY HIGH RESISTANCE READING AND REPLACEMENT WAS REQUIRED FOR THE CHASSIS AND AIRBAG (650.00). NEEDED CAR INSPECTION THIS MONTH. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE ERROR MAY BE UNTRUE. THEY ERASED THE ERROR AND STATED THAT IF THE INDICATOR DID NOT REAPPEAR, THEN THERE WAS NOT A PROBLEM. IF IT DID, THEN THE REPAIR WAS MANDATORY TO PASS STATE INSPECTION AND PROVIDE ACCEPTABLE SAFETY FOR PASSENGER. DRIVING HOME FROM DEALERSHIP LIGHT DID NOT APPEAR SO I HAD STATE INSPECTION. PASSED STATE INSPECTION. CALLED DEALERSHIP AND VW AND ASKED FOR REIMBURSEMENT SINCE THIS WAS A FAULTY ERROR. DEALERSHIP AND VW CUSTOMER CARE WOULD NOT REFUND THE DIAGNOSTIC COST OR ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE MAY BE AN ISSUE WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. NOW I AM WONDERING IF THE ERROR IS LEGITIMATE AND ALSO IF MY AIRBAG SYSTEM HAS AN ERROR. IF I AM IN AN ACCIDENT, WILL I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYING PROPERLY OR AT ALL? *TR

210mo ago
Electrical 2

SUNROOF DRAINS CLOG CAUSING BACKUP OF WATER TO SETTLE ON FLOORS RUINING CARPET, CAUSING MOLD. WATER GETS INTO DOOR FRAMES CAUSING BUCKLING OF DOORS DURING WINTER MONTHS. WATER DAMAGE ALSO CAUSED AN ELECTRICAL WIRING SHORT WHICH CAUSED AN AIRBAG FAILURE AS WELL AS RUINED TWO BATTERIES. I HAVE NOT USED OR OPENED THE SUNROOF SINCE FOR FEAR OF MORE PROBLEMS. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE COST TO REPLACE THE CARPETING AGAIN WOULD BE CHARGED TO ME IF THE CAR HAD ANOTHER WATER PROBLEM AGAIN DUE TO THE CLOGGED DRAINS. *TR

227mo ago
Engine 1

TURBOCHARGER ON 2005 VW GOLF FAILED TWICE (5000 MI AND 95000 MI). FIRST BLADE FAILED (COVERED BY WARRANTY), SECOND SHAFT BROKE IN HALF ($1,800 OUT OF POCKET). I BOUGHT CAR BECAUSE IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE RELAAIBLE AND SUPPOSED REPUTATION OF THE DIESEL ENGINE. I DON'T THINK TWO FAILURES OF $1,800ITEM IN 2.5 YRS IS ACCEPTABLE.

228mo ago
Engine 1

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATOR ON THE DASHBOARD BROKE AND WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATED TWICE. THE DEALERSHIP RESET THE LAMP THE FIRST TIME; HOWEVER THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE THIS TIME. *NM

249mo ago
Engine 2

DT: CONSUMER OWNED A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF WITH TURBO DIESEL INJECTION. SHE BOUGHT VEHICLE WITH 75 MILES ON IT. WHILE DRIVING ON AND PASSING A BIG TRUCK WHICH WAS MERGING INTO CONSUMER'S VEHICLE LANE SHE TRIED TO ACCELERATE BUT VEHICLE LOST POWER AND FELL BACK. TRUCK VEERED INTO THE LANE AND CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS FORCED INTO THE MEDIAN UNTIL TRUCK NOTICED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, GOT OVER, AND LET HER BACK IN THE LANE. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, CONSUMER CALLED DEALER THE NEXT MORNING AND DEALER CAME AND PICKED UP VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS FIXED. CONSUMER PICKED UP VEHICLE. WHEN SHE GOT INTO VEHICLE AND TURNED KEY ON SHE SAW THAT ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON. WHEN GETTING BACK ON HIGHWAY CONSUMER TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND VEHICLE HAD NO POWER. WHEN CONSUMER ARRIVED AT HUSBAND'S JOB TO PICK HIM UP SHE RECEIVED A MESSAGE FROM THE DEALER TELLING HER THAT THE TURBO WAS OUT, AND VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE . TURBO PART WOULD BE IN ON FRIDAY. SHE RETURNED VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY GAVE HER A LOANER VEHICLE. DEALER REPLACED TURBO. SINCE THEN THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES FOR DIFFERENT FUEL RELATED PROBLEMS.*AK

254mo ago
Transmission 1

VEHICLE IS EXHIBITING SIGNS OF PREMATURE CLUTCH FAILURE. DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL (DMF) CLUTCH WILL NEED REPLACEMENT WITHIN ONE MONTH.

257mo ago
Report a Klunk