2005 Volkswagen Jetta Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2005 Volkswagen Jetta ranks 13th of 21 model years with a complaint index of 40 and a Good verdict. NHTSA lists 248 complaints, 4 recalls, 14 fires and 8 injuries, with transmission and powertrain issues (34% share) topping the list.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 40/100
- #13 of 21 Jetta years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 248
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 8
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 14
- Injuries
- 8
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 21 city / 28 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 8 / 0
Top 2005 Volkswagen Jetta problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain84 (34%)
- Engine79 (32%)
- Electrical System57 (23%)
- Airbags26 (10%)
- Fuel System21 (8%)
- Structure & Body20 (8%)
- Brakes17 (7%)
- Other11 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (4%)
- Seat Belts7 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in frontal or rear-end crashes at highway speeds, sometimes leaving occupants seriously injured.
- Airbags deployed unexpectedly during normal turns with no collision involved, causing the driver to lose control.
- Electrical fires started near the taillights, steering column, or under the hood, sometimes while the vehicle was parked or shortly after driving.
- Turn signal switches malfunctioned and produced smoke or fire in the steering column area.
- Clutch and transmission components failed while shifting gears, accompanied by a burning smell before the failure.
- Brake pedal intermittently failed to engage, allowing the vehicle to roll and strike another vehicle.
2005 Volkswagen Jetta recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 07V442000Sep 24, 2007Electrical System340,000 vehicles
Exterior lighting:headlights
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.
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.
- NHTSA 07V063000Feb 20, 2007Electrical System1,002,000 vehicles
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
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.
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.
- NHTSA 05V305000Jul 5, 2005Fuel System39,583 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
2005 Volkswagen Jetta fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21 MPG
- Highway
- 28 MPG
- Combined
- 24 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,950
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Diesel
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other Jetta years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2005 Jetta has a complaint index of 40 and ranks 13th out of 21 Jetta model years, earning a Good verdict relative to other years.
- What problems does the 2005 Jetta have?
- NHTSA lists 248 complaints, with the largest shares in transmission and powertrain (34%), engine (32%), and electrical system (23%). The median mileage at failure across problem areas ranges from about 33,990 to 89,150 miles.
- Does the 2005 Jetta have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls covering the electrical system (headlamp cap, brake light switch) and fuel system (fuel supply line clamp, diesel pump fastener). None are do-not-drive recalls.
- Did the 2005 Jetta catch fire?
- NHTSA complaint data shows 14 fire reports for the 2005 Jetta, several tied to the electrical system, including turn signal switches and under-hood fires.
- How does the 2005 Jetta compare to other years?
- The 2005 Jetta's complaint index of 40 is lower than 2009-2013 and 2019 Jettas, which are rated Avoid with indexes from 75 to 100, making 2005 a comparatively better year.