2005 Volkswagen Jetta Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
40/100
#13 most-complained of 21 Jetta years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2005 Volkswagen Jetta has 248 owner complaints and 4 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 40 out of 100 — #13 highest of 21 Jetta model years (verdict: Good). The most reported problem area is transmission & powertrain (84 complaints, 34% of the total). Complaints report 8 crashes, 14 fires, and 8 injuries.
- Complaints
- 248
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 8 / 14
- Injuries / deaths
- 8 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 21 city / 28 hwy
Top 2005 Volkswagen Jetta problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
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 a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta ranks #13 of 21 among Jetta model years (Complaint Index 40/100, verdict: Good). It has 248 complaints and 4 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta?
- The most reported problem areas are transmission & powertrain (84 complaints), engine (79 complaints), and electrical system (57 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 71,553 miles.
- Does the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta, most recently reported 2007, covering electrical system and fuel system.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta?
- EPA rates the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta at 24 MPG combined (21 city / 28 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,950. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.