2005 Volkswagen Jetta recalls and problems

The 2005 Volkswagen Jetta has 4 safety recalls and 248 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Volkswagen dealer.

Recalls
4
Complaints
248
Crashes / fires
8 / 14
Injuries / deaths
8 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2005 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2005 Volkswagen Jetta recalls

Recall 07V-442: Exterior Lighting

Reported Sep 24, 2007 · 340,000 vehicles affected · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

Problem: 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.

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.

Recall 07V-063: Exterior Lighting

Reported Feb 20, 2007 · 1,002,000 vehicles affected · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

Problem: On certain passenger, wagon, and convertible vehicles equipped with or without cruise control, a brake light switch may malfunction if it was installed incorrectly.

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.

Recall 05V-305: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Jul 5, 2005 · 39,583 vehicles affected · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

Problem: 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.

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.

Recall 04V-586: Fuel System, Diesel

Reported Dec 15, 2004 · 19,284 vehicles affected · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

Problem: 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.

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.

2005 Volkswagen Jetta problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Power Train84
Electrical System49
Engine and Engine Cooling42
Air Bags30
Engine27
Exterior Lighting14
Structure12
Vehicle Speed Control11
Service Brakes, Hydraulic10
Fuel/Propulsion System9
Unknown or Other8
Fuel System, Diesel7

Most reported parts

  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 18
  • Power Train › Clutch Assembly — 14
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 12
  • Structure › Body — 10
  • Power Train › Manual Transmission — 5
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Diesel — 3
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System — 3
  • Air Bags › Frontal — 2

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 71,207 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2005 Volkswagen Jetta complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Suspension · reported Nov 11, 2022
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…
Tires · at 93,869 miles · reported Jun 15, 2022
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…
Air Bags · reported May 1, 2021
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.
Electrical System · reported Apr 6, 2021
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.
Air Bags · at 94,300 miles · reported Mar 5, 2021
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…

Other Volkswagen Jetta years

Compare all Volkswagen Jetta years · All Volkswagen models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta: 07V-442 (exterior lighting), 07V-063 (exterior lighting), 05V-305 (fuel system, gasoline), 04V-586 (fuel system, diesel). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta?

Owners report power train problems most often (84 reports), followed by electrical system (49). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 71,207 miles.

Are Volkswagen recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Volkswagen dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.