2005 Volkswagen Passat Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2005 Volkswagen Passat has a complaint index of 41 and ranks 11th of 18 model years, earning a Good verdict relative to other Passat years. NHTSA lists 148 complaints, 3 recalls, and 11 fire reports, with engine problems being the top concern.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 41/100
- #11 of 18 Passat years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 148
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 11
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21.5
- 18.5 city / 27 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
Top 2005 Volkswagen Passat problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine67 (45%)
- Fuel System23 (16%)
- Structure & Body22 (15%)
- Transmission & Powertrain13 (9%)
- Electrical System12 (8%)
- Other8 (5%)
- Brakes5 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (3%)
- Airbags4 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers3 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Heated seats reportedly overheated and smoked, in some cases burning through the seat cushion and injuring the driver.
- Owners describe the fuel gauge dropping suddenly followed by a fuel smell and, in one case, a fire while driving at highway speed.
- Side airbags reportedly failed to deploy in crashes despite significant side-impact damage.
- One owner reported brake failure and grinding noise at low speed that led to a rear-end collision.
- Electrical smoke and a burn mark near the engine were reported after the check engine and battery lights came on.
2005 Volkswagen Passat recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 08V156000Apr 7, 2008Fuel System412,000 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery
Volkswagen is recalling 412,000 my 1999-2005 passat (5th generation) vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions and produced after june 14, 1999. These vehicles may have an underbody heat shield that can become damaged. In addition, affected vehicles with automatic or manual transmissions may have a fuel line (1.8t engines only) or fuel tank ventilation valve (4motion/all wheel drive only) that can leak due to fracture.
Risk: A heat shield that may contact the exhaust system can result in a vehicle fire. In addition, a fuel leak from a fuel line or fuel tank ventilation valve, in the presence of an ignition source, can lead to a vehicle fire.
Remedy: Dealers will install additional underbody heat shields on vehicles with automatic transmissions to cover the possibly damaged areas and flash all 1.8t engines with a precautionary software update. Dealers will also inspect and adjust the fuel line routing on 1.8t vehicles and the fuel tank ventilation valve on 4motion/all wheel drive vehicles, and replace components if necessary free of charge. The recall began on june 13, 2008. Owners may contact volkswagen 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 04V586000Dec 15, 2004Fuel System19,284 vehicles
Fuel system, diesel
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the diesel pump. The recall began on february 8, 2005. Owners should contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
2005 Volkswagen Passat fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18.5 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 21.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,725
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- 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 Passat years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
- Compared with other Passat model years, the 2005 ranks 11th of 18 with a complaint index of 41 and a Good verdict. It has fewer complaints and recalls than many later Passat years like 2012, 2013, and 2014.
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Passat?
- NHTSA complaints show engine issues make up 45 percent of reports, followed by fuel system problems at 16 percent and structure and body issues, mostly related to heated seat fires, at 15 percent.
- Does the 2005 Passat have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2005 Passat, covering a fuel system underbody heat shield issue, a brake light switch malfunction, and a diesel pump fastener that could leak fuel. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2005 Passat compare to the 2013 Passat?
- The 2013 Passat has a complaint index of 100 and an Avoid verdict, far higher than the 2005 Passat's index of 41 and Good verdict.
- What is the median mileage for engine complaints on the 2005 Passat?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 87,400 miles at failure for engine-related complaints on the 2005 Passat.