2005 Volkswagen Jetta
The Verdict
The 2005 Volkswagen Jetta has 248 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are engine (79 complaints) and transmission (73 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 48/100, it earns a "Proceed with Caution" rating. If you're shopping for a Volkswagen Jetta, consider the 2025 model year which has 91% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2025 has 91% fewer complaints
View the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta dashboard →
Klunk Score: Proceed with Caution
About average for complaint volume. Research the specific issues before buying.
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.
Recalls 2
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
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 REQU...
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.
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 ...
Reported Apr 11, 2026
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.
Risk
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.
Reported May 7, 2005
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
| Year | Body | Brakes | Electrical | Engine | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 138 | 34 | 107 | 151 | 32 |
| 2001 | 161 | 65 | 253 | 146 | 56 |
| 2002 | 178 | 44 | 264 | 131 | 94 |
| 2003 | 144 | 20 | 173 | 74 | 51 |
| 2004 | 55 | 10 | 58 | 79 | 31 |
| 2005 | 29 | 11 | 56 | 79 | 73 |
| 2006 | 80 | 27 | 150 | 105 | 216 |
| 2007 | 35 | 42 | 64 | 32 | 28 |
| 2008 | 36 | 21 | 57 | 30 | 45 |
| 2009 | 82 | 203 | 98 | 413 | 107 |
| 2010 | 97 | 57 | 222 | 422 | 77 |
| 2011 | 125 | 26 | 205 | 249 | 33 |
| 2012 | 144 | 33 | 145 | 159 | 33 |
| 2013 | 123 | 15 | 125 | 145 | 104 |
| 2014 | 76 | 15 | 99 | 138 | 52 |
| 2015 | 59 | 15 | 47 | 55 | 17 |
| 2016 | 30 | 18 | 32 | 69 | 11 |
| 2017 | 37 | 12 | 38 | 61 | 10 |
| 2018 | 9 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 5 |
| 2019 | 109 | 20 | 115 | 165 | 127 |
| 2020 | 16 | 4 | 10 | 17 | 4 |
| 2021 | 17 | 22 | 11 | 13 | 2 |
| 2022 | 11 | 11 | 6 | 13 | 0 |
| 2023 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 1 |
| 2024 | 11 | 8 | 3 | 12 | 2 |
| 2025 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Compare Against
See how the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta stacks up against rivals.
Complaints
The drivers seat moves by it's self while driving. And apparently while it is parked which runs the battery dead
The transmissions are bad on these cars and when it's shifting gears it jerks and almost takes you off the road. I've had my car completely stop as I was driving and almost cause a wreck hurting myself in the process of not trying to kill someone walking because these cars are KNOWN TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM THERE WAS AN ENTIRE LAWSUIT AGAINST VOLKSWAGEN AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. Please help if there is a recall done I can get the car fixed and continue working as an in-home caregiver. I am currently out of work because IT IS NOT SAFE TO TRANSPORT CLIENTS IN THAT DEATH TRAP. The mechanic said the entire transmission is built to brake and it's not a new problem these cars are bad.
The contact owns a 2005 VOLKSWAGEN Jetta equipped with Supermax Tm-1 205/55r16 Tires. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the front driver tire began to have a vibrating sensation after a month of being placed on the vehicle Within a few days the tire began to bounce becoming unsafe to operate. The contact returned to Walmart to be advised to order online and have it shipped. The mechanic stated there was tread separation. The left front tire was replaced with a different brand tire the right front tire began to display the same issue. The vehicle was returned where the tire was replaced with another brand tire. The rear tire (unsure left or right) had since been displaying the same failure. The manufacturer for the tire was made aware of the failure. The vehicle failure mileage was 93,869 the tire failure mileage was approximately 4,494.
MY DAUGHTER WAS IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, SHE HIT A GUARD RAIL AND LOST CONTROL AFTER SPINNING AND HITTING TWO MORE GUARD RAILS THE NEVER DEPLOYED. MY DAUGHTER SUFFERED A CLOSE HEAD INJURY AND FACIAL LACERATIONS. THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSE, WHY DIDNT HER AIR BAGS GO OFF ? IS SO SHE MAY HAVE NOT SUSTAINED SUCH INJURIES.
MY CAR WHILE PARKED AND THE ENGINE GOING WILL STOP. ALSO WHEN I'M ON THE FREEWAY THE EPC LIGHT WILL TURN ON AND FEEL LIKE I HAVE A LOSS OF POWER AND IT FEELS LIKE IT IS ACCELERATING. MY MECHANIC HAS NO IDEA WHAT IS GOING ON WITH MY CAR.
STARTED HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS (RANDOM DASHBOARD LIGHTS, DOORS, LOCKS, WINDOWS WOULDN'T WORK, KEY FOB BATTERY DIED, ETC) THEN I HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY. CONTINUED ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH NEW BATTERY, PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW/DOOR WOULDN'T OPERATE OR WORK AT ALL. NEEDED MASTER KEY FOB TO LOCK DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR BUT ALL OTHER DOORS WOULDN'T LOCK WITH FOB. NEXT, I AM HAVING ISSUES WITH THE CAR NOT STARTING, PUT ANOTHER BATTERY IN IT. FROM THERE RANDOM DASHBOARD LIGHTS, DINGING WITH DRL AND FIRST FEW MINUTES OF OPERATING VEHICLE, AND AIRBAGS LIGHTS ARE ON. MY MECHANIC SENDS ME TO A MECHANIC SHOP THAT SPECIALIZES IN VW. MECHANIC REPLACES WINDOW MANAGER AND DRIVER SIDE DOOR HARNESS. STILL FIND ISSUES WITH AIRBAGS SO I TAKE MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP IN ST PETERS MO DURING A SNOW STORM. HAND THEM ALL MY PAPERWORK, THEY GO IN AND FIND THAT MY CAR IS BEING WORKED ON AND SEE THAT THEIR ARE SPLICES, CONNECTIONS BUTTED, SO THEY "FIX" THE AIRBAGS AND SEND ME ON MY WAY. HOWEVER, I HAVE A TODDLER IN THE BACKSEAT AND SHE WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE DOORS WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, THE WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING, ETC. DEALERSHIP CANNOT SPEAK TO OTHER MECHANIC SHOP'S WORK SO THEY DID THE RECALLS NEEDED (AIRBAGS) AND REPLACED THE HARNESS, APPARENTLY AGAIN. I HAVE ALL THE RECEIPTS FROM THE WORK, ALL THE PARTS ARE IN MY TRUNK OF MY CAR, ANOTHER APPOINTMENT TO SEE WHAT THE ISSUE IS. CAR APPEARS TO BE STUCK IN SECURITY MODE BUT DOESN'T PROPERLY LOCK, NOT ABLE TO USE CHILD LOCK, AND UNABLE TO PROTECT VEHICLE SAFELY WITH PROPER LOCKING MECHANISM. I DON'T FEEL SAFE IF THERE IS AN INTRUDER OR IF MY TODDLER WERE TO TRY THIS STUNT AGAIN, ALSO CONCERNED OF THE FUEL ISSUES I'VE BEEN HAVING. REPLACED MY GAS CAP IN HOPES I WOULDN'T SEE LOSS OF FUEL, AND THE CAR HAS A SLIGHT OIL LEAK THAT NO MECHANIC CAN SEEM TO FIND. UNABLE TO ATTACH PAPERWORK AS THE DEALERSHIP HAS IT AT THIS TIME.
FRONT END COLLISION ON HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATE 45 MPH, POSSIBLY SLOWER. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DAMAGE PRIMARILY ON DRIVER SIDE OF VEHICLE. FLAME IGNITED ON FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF VEHICLE UNDER THE HOOD. FIRE QUICKLY SPREAD CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE. UNKNOWN WHAT CAUSED FIRE. *TR
TUGGING OCCURS, BUT RARELY. THE CAR DRIVES SMOOTHLY BUT WILL DO A BIT OF A TUGGING. IT HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR A WHILE EVER SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED BACK IN 2015 IT WAS WORSE AT THOSE TIMES BUT FIXED THROUGHOUT THE YEARS. I'VE INVESTED MAJOR MONEY TO GET THE TRANSMISSION, MOTOR, AND SO ON OF WHAT THE MECHANIC HAS TOLD ME OF THE PROBLEMS THE CAR HAS HAD FIXED. *TR
WAS IN A FRONT END COLLISION GOING 45MPH. AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY. WHEN TURNING ON THE CAR, THE AIR BAG DEFAULT BUTTON COMES ON. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON. WHILE IDLE CAR RUMBLES AND SHAKES, WHILE ACCELERATING OR DECELERATING CAR SHAKES (FRONT END). MY FUELING SYSTEM IS TERRIBLE IT SEEMS AS IF GAS SOMETIMES DOESN'T GET TO MY CAR IT STALES VERY OFTEN WHILE DRIVING OR BRAKING AND ACCELERATING AGAIN. TERRIBLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. TRUNK WILL NOT OPEN FRONT LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHTS WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO. WHEN THE HEATER IS ON IT MAKES LOUD NOISE AND TICK EVEN WITH THE A/C ON IT DOES THE SAME THING. WHILE TURNING IT STALES AND THEN TAKE OFF REALLY FAST. WHILE IDLE CAR RUMBLES AND SHAKES, WHILE ACCELERATING OR DECELERATING CAR SHAKES (FRONT END). MY FUELING SYSTEM IS TERRIBLE IT SEEMS AS IF GAS SOMETIMES DOESN'T GET TO MY CAR IT STALES VERY OFTEN WHILE DRIVING OR BRAKING AND ACCELERATING AGAIN. TERRIBLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. TRUNK WILL NOT OPEN FRONT LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHTS WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO. WHEN THE HEATER IS ON IT MAKES LOUD NOISE AND TICK EVEN WITH THE A/C ON IT DOES THE SAME THING. WHILE TURNING IT STALES AND THEN TAKE OFF REALLY FAST. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE, WHILE IDLED IN A DRIVE THRU LINE AT A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT. THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD.
WHEN TURNING ON THE CAR, THE AIR BAG DEFAULT BUTTON COMES ON. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON.
WHILE IDLE CAR RUMBLES AND SHAKES, WHILE ACCELERATING OR DECELERATING CAR SHAKES (FRONT END). MY FUELING SYSTEM IS TERRIBLE IT SEEMS AS IF GAS SOMETIMES DOESN'T GET TO MY CAR IT STALES VERY OFTEN WHILE DRIVING OR BRAKING AND ACCELERATING AGAIN. TERRIBLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. TRUNK WILL NOT OPEN FRONT LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHTS WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO. WHEN THE HEATER IS ON IT MAKES LOUD NOISE AND TICK EVEN WITH THE A/C ON IT DOES THE SAME THING. WHILE TURNING IT STALES AND THEN TAKE OFF REALLY FAST.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE, WHILE IDLED IN A DRIVE THRU LINE AT A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT. THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A JUNK YARD. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE IF A POLICE REPORT OR FIRE REPORT WERE FILED. THE DEALER MIKE HAGGERTY VOLKSWAGEN (8920 S CICERO AVE, OAK LAWN, IL 60453 (708) 425-8989) TOLD THE CONTACT TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
THE TRANSMISSION IS TERRIBLY MADE. THERE IS ALSO AN ISSUE WITH THE FUEL INJECTION THAT DOES NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO RECEIVE THE CORRECT FUEL AS WELL AS THE GAS TANK. THE CAR JERKS BECAUSE OF THE GAS TANK AND THE CODES READ AD IF THE CAP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BUT THE WHOLE GAS TANK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
ENGINE MISFIRES WHILE DRIVING OR ACCELERATING OR SLOWING. THEN VEHICLE VIBRATES AND STALLS. INTERMITTENT AND WITHOUT WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH. VW GARAGE COULD NOT SOLVE THIS PROBLEM APRIL 11, 2019 AND MAY 7 TO 11,2019. VEHICLE HAD RECALL ON COILS APPROXIMATELY 2011 AND COILS WERE REPLACED BUT ONE FAILED FEW MONTHS LATER AND MANUFACTURER REPLACED IT. MILEAGE NOW IS SLIGHTLY BELOW 40,000. VEHICLE HAS STALLED WHILE DRIVING TWICE AND NOT TRUSTWORTHY. POLICEMAN HELPED MOVE VEHICLE OFF ROAD ONCE VOLKSWAGEN GARAGE ADVISED KEEP DRIVING TO SEE IF PROBLEM CONTINUES AFTER THEY SWITCHED TWO COIL WIRES. IT HAS NOT STOPPED MISFIRING OF ENGINE.
REAR SEATBELT LATCH BUTTON FAILED AFTER LITTLE USE. WILL NOT LOCK TOGETHER WHEN PRESSED IN POSITION .
SECONDARY AIR INJECTION SYSTEM - ONGOING ISSUE.. NO READING FOR SMOG CHECK
2005 VW.JETTA - VIN# [XXX]. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD & DOWN SHIFT HARD WHEN THE CAR HAS RUN FOR A PERIOD OF TIME DURING TRAVEL. ALSO, THE FAULTY AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THE CAR IS FIRST STARTED AND MAY SHOW INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER & 02 SENSOR HAVE BEEN REPLACED BUT THE CODES STILL SHOW WHEN PUT ON THE MACHINE. THE IGNITION KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
MY CAR HAVES ALL THE GEARS HIGHLIGHTED ON THE DISPLAY AND OCCASIONALLY WHEN I'M DRIVING IT GETS STUCK ON A LOW GEAR WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND TRY TO START GOING OR IF IM IN THE HIGHWAY IT ALL OF A SUDDEN DECIDES TO SHIFT TO NEUTRAL GEAR MAKING ME SLOW DOWN ALL OF A SUDDEN WITH POTENTIAL TO HIT THE PERSON BEHIND ME OR CREATING A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT WITH MANY INJURIES OR EVEN DEATH TO DOES I MIGHT HIT JUST BECAUSE OF MY FAULTY TRANSMISSION AND I HAVE LOOK UP THE PROBLEM AND THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME TRANSMISSION TROUBLE THE NHTSA SEND A RECALL FOR THE 2009-2010 BUT THE PREVIOUS MODELS HAVE ALSO THE SAME PROBLEMS FOR IT SO PLEASE AT LEAST OPEN AN INVESTIGATION ABOUT IT SO THAT WAY ME AND MY FELLOW DRIVERS UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM THAT KEEPS GOING ON.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED TO RESPOND. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT VEERED OFF TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY FOUR TIMES, BUT NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED MINOR BURNS TO THE RIGHT ARM THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE AND A FIRE REPORT WERE FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.
248 total