YearToAvoid

2005 Volkswagen Jetta Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA has 84 owner complaints about transmission problems in the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta, 34% of all 248 complaints for this model year. That is #6 highest transmission complaint count among 21 Jetta model years. These complaints report 1 fire. Median mileage at failure: 78,000 miles.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
84
34% of 248
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
78,000 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2005 Volkswagen Jetta transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 12, 2005, latest May 19, 2020.

2005 Volkswagen Jetta transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per quarter52005 Q12007 Q22009 Q22011 Q22012 Q42014 Q22017 Q1
84 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2005 Q1 to 2020 Q2; peak 2006 Q3 (5).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Jetta model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200584 (34%)
  2. 2006245 (42%)
  3. 200733 (16%)
  4. 200853 (28%)
  5. 2009141 (16%)
  6. 2010111 (13%)
  7. 201154 (9%)
  8. 201246 (9%)
  9. 2013140 (27%)
  10. 201473 (19%)
  11. 201523 (12%)
  12. 201622 (14%)
  13. 201715 (9%)
  14. 20185 (16%)
  15. 2019162 (30%)
  16. 20207 (13%)
  17. 20212 (3%)
  18. 20220 (0%)
  19. 20232 (5%)
  20. 20247 (16%)
  21. 20256 (21%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta have transmission problems?
NHTSA has 84 owner complaints about the transmission in the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta, 34% of all complaints for this model year. Median mileage at failure is 78,000 miles.
Which Volkswagen Jetta year has the most transmission complaints?
The 2006 Volkswagen Jetta has the most transmission complaints (245), compared with 84 for the 2005.
Is there a transmission recall for the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta is classified under transmission & powertrain. Complaints alone do not trigger a recall; check the full recall list and your VIN.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.