2005 Volkswagen Jetta
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 248 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 13th highest complaint count among 26 Jetta model years with reports.
Of the 2005 reports, 8 involved a crash and 14 involved a fire. 8 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, master cylinderSep 23, 2020
Tenneco Automotive (Tenneco) is recalling certain Beck/Arnley Master Cylinders, part number 072-9831, sold as aftermarket or replacement parts for 2004-2018 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2012-2019 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles. The fluid seal crimp on the master cylinder may be insufficient, causing brake fluid to leak or the cylinder to come apart.
If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Beck/Arnley will notify the distributors that sold the master cylinders and will work with the distributors to notify the end users. Affected master cylinders will be exchanged for a new master cylinder (part number 072-9990), free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact Tenneco customer service at 1-800-625-9319.
Campaign 20E064000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engineMar 7, 2014
The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.
A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.
Campaign 14E007000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsSep 24, 2007
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.
NONCOMPLIANCE CAN INHIBIT PROPER HEADLAMP AIM ADJUSTMENT FOR ROADWAY ILLUMINATION, IMPROPERLY AIMED HEADLAMPS COULD CAUSE REDUCED ROAD VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
Campaign 07V442000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, master cylinderMar 29, 2007
CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.
LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.
Campaign 07E023000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchFeb 20, 2007
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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.
Campaign 07V063000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsJul 5, 2005
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.
FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
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.
Campaign 05V305000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, dieselDec 15, 2004
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.
FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DIESEL PUMP. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 8, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Campaign 04V586000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: power train
84 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Jul 7, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PROCEEDING FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE CLUTCH SHATTERED. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND OFFERED REPAIRS AT COST. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED COMPLAINTS FOR THE YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL OF THE VEHICLE AND THERE WERE A HIGH NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS RELATING TO A SHATTERED CLUTCH. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL.
Power train, May 22, 2006
WHILE ENTERING THE INTERSTATE AND UPSHIFTING INTO 5TH GEAR, THE CLUTCH WAS DEPRESSED. THE CLUTCH STUCK TO THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE ALL TRANSMISSION FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE CLUTCH DISC WHICH DISINTEGRATED AND WAS NOT COVERED SINCE IT WAS CONSIDERED A WEAR ITEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE SO THE OWNER THEN PAID TO MAKE THE REPAIRS, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. *NM
Power train, Feb 20, 2006
I NOW OWN A 2005. 5 NEW BODY STYLE JETTA TDI WITH JUST UNDER 15,000 MILES ON IT AND IN 5TH I CAN FEEL THE CLUTCH SLIPPING AT TIMES WHICH I FEEL IS UN-ACCEPTABLE. AND YES I DO KNOW HOW TO DRIVE A MANUAL DIESEL, TDI AND NON-TDI. *NM
Power train, Feb 9, 2006
AT COLD-START, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HESITATES THEN LURCHES INTO EITHER DRIVE OR REVERSE, WHICH IS ESPECIALLY UNNERVING WHEN DRIVING IN AREAS WITH IN/DECLINES BECAUSE THE VEHICLE ROLLS LIKE A MANUAL. TOLD BY THE DEALER TWICE THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM BECAUSE THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION WAS FUNCTIONING TO MFG SPECS. THIS IS A PROBLEM. *NM
Power train, Jun 28, 2005
SHIFTING FROM PARK TO EITHER REVERSE OR DRIVE WHILE ENGINE IS COLD, VEHICLE HESITATES AND THEN SUDDENLY JERKS INTO GEAR.
Power train, Jun 2, 2005
THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED BY OTHERS AND I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT IT AS WELL, SO THAT VW WILL EVENTUALLY BE FORCED TO MAKE A RECALL ON THIS MALFUNCTION. WHEN I START MY CAR AFTER IT HAS BEEN SITTING FOR AND HOUR OR MORE, I PLACE MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, PUT IT EITHER INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE, AND IF I AM ON ANY HILL, VERY SMALL OR LARGE, WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKE, THE CAR WILL ROLL DOWNHILL. THE FIRST FEW TIMES THIS HAPPENED, I ALMOST ROLLED THE CAR OVER A CURB AND DOWN A LARGE EMBANKMENT. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE CAR IS TO APPLY THE BRAKE AGAIN, AND THEN RELEASE THE BRAKE AND QUICKLY APPLY THE GAS. WHEN THAT IS DONE, THE CAR VERY ABRUPTLY JUMPS INTO GEAR.
Power train, May 17, 2005
MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A 2005 VW JETTA TDI (1.9 LITER DIESEL ENGINE) IN OCTOBER OF 2004. THIS VEHICLE HAD A HEATING ELEMENT THAT WAS BAD AND EVENTUALLY FIXED BY DEALER UNDER WARRANTY IN NOVEMBER OF 2004. SINCE APPROX. DECEMBER OF 2004 WE HAVE EXPERIENCED INCREASED PROBLEMS WITH THE CLUTCH DISENGAGING FROM THE FLYWHEEL WHILE SHIFTING UP OR DOWN AND WHILE PASSING CARS. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THE CAR (SINCE 2001) HAS A DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL ASSEMBLY INSTALLED BY VW THAT IS AT ROOT OF PROBLEM. THE TWO LAYERED FLYWHEEL IS BECOMING OVER HEATED AND WARPING THE CLUTCH DISC ABNORMALLY IN CERTAIN SPOTS. SOME MECHANICS AND ENGINEERS HAVE SPECUALATED IMPROPER DESIGN, AND OTHERS SAID TRANSMISSION BOLTS AROUND FLYWHEEL WERE PROBABLY OVERTIGHTENED AT MANUFACTURER. EITHER WAY, OUR CLUTCH IS DISENGAGING BY ITSELF FROM THE FLYWHEEL AFTER WE DRIVE CAR FOR 60 OR 70 MILES AT ONE TIME (AND CAR IS HEATED UP). THE CLUTCH DISENGAGES AFTER SHIFING UP OR DOWN AND SOMETIMES WHILE PASSING, CAUSING PROBLEMS NEGOTIATING SPEEDS. THIS MEANS LACK OF CONTROL FROM THE DRIVER WHICH EQUALS SAFETY HAZARD FOR MOST. OUR CAR STARTED THIS AT 11,500 MILES, BUT DEALER IS REFUSING WARRANTY WORK BECAUSE HIS SERVICE ADVISOR FAILED TO NOTE THE PROBLEM WE REQUESTED TO HAVE CHECKED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. DEALER IS ALSO DENYING IT IS A CLUTCH/FLYWHEEL PROBLEM SINCE HE CAN NOT DUPLICATE IT IN FIFTEEN MINUTES, BUT HAS REFUSED TO LOOK ANY FURTHER. MOST RESEARCH I HAVE DONE SHOWS THOUSANDS OF VW JETTA CUSTOMERS WITH SAME PROBLEM BETWEEN 11K AND 20K MILEAGE (FROM 2001 TO 2005 MODELS).
Power train, Apr 29, 2005
IN THE MORNINGS THE CAR WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE WHEN YOUR FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE, YOU HAVE TO LET OFF ON THE BRAKE AND REVERSE THE ENGINE A BIT, THEN THE CAR JUMPS INTO REVERSE, SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTLY LURCHES BACKWARD. DEALERS RESPONSE: BACK YOUR CAR INTO YOUR GARAGE OR PARKING SPACE AT NIGHT SO YOU DON'T NEED TO USE REVERSE IN THE MORNING. *AK
Power train, Jan 12, 2005
THIS PROBABLY IS THE SAME AS THE EXISTING COMPLAINT NUMBER 10079735 FOR VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 04. 1. IT HAPPENS ONLY WHEN IT IS COLD. IF IT IS COLD, THE PROBLEM IS REPEATABLE. 2. WHILE PUSHING THE BRAKE, WE MOVE THE SHIFT FROM PARK TO EITHER DRIVE OR REVERSE (IT'S THE SAME). THEN NORMALLY, TORQUE IS TRANSMITTED THROUGH DRIVESHAFT THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION. HOWEVER, JETTA DOES NOT FUNCTION AS SUCH. 3. THE TRANSMISSION ONLY CAN ENGAGES WHEN I RELEASE THE BRAKE ALMOST COMPLETELY. UP TO THE POSITION, IT IS THE SAME AS NEUTRAL. THAT INTRODUCES SUDDEN AND ABRUPT START OF THE CAR.*AK