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: service brakes
14 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 26, 2017
I AM REPORTING A SAFETY CONCERN FOR VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 2005.5. MY JETTA RECENTLY STARTED HAVING BRAKE PROBLEMS DUE TO THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER ON 8/4/2017 I HAD TO FORCE MY CAR OFF THE ROAD FROM HITTING MULTIPLE VEHICLES DUE TO THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER FAILING. VOLKSWAGEN IS VERY AWARE OF THIS ISSUE I HAVE DONE RESEARCH IN FOUND COMPLAINTS AS WELL AS RECALLS BUT WAS TOLD THEY COULDN'T HELP ME THE FUEL LINE HAS ALSO FAILED AFTER REPLACING IT CAUSING A GAS SMELL THROUGH OUT THE VEHICLE WHEN STARTING AFTER PUMPING GAS. I RECENTLY STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE VALVE BODY DAMAGED THIS IS A BIG SAFETY CONCERN FOR MY SELF IN OTHERS WHO OWN THE SAME VEHICLE THE VALVE BODY DAMAGED CAUSES THE CAR TO SLIP IN HEAVY TRAFFIC LEADING UP TO A CAR ACCIDENT. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND VOLKSWAGEN IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE WITH COMPLAINTS THEY DID ADD EXTENDED WARRANTY TO END 100,000 MILES. BACK IN 2005 LEADING UP TO 2014 THERE ARE MULTIPLE 2005.5 JETTAS AROUND NASHVILLE WITH THE SAME ISSUES. BUT VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOT HELP FIX THE PROBLEM OF THE SAFETY OF THERE CUSTOMERS
Service brakes, Sep 6, 2012
ABS CONTROL MODULE DOES NOT ALLOW BRAKES TO FULLY ENGAGE. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 19, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKES AND THEY FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED INTO INCOMING TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH. THE CONTACT PROCEEDED TO DRIVE AND WHEN APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE IDENTICAL FAILURE RECURRED. THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKE CYLINDER AND BOOSTER HAD FAILED BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE WHY THEY FAILED. THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND CYLINDERS WERE REPLACED AT A DISCOUNT RATE TO THE CONTACT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE SHOULD NEVER HAVE OCCURRED AND THE MANUFACTURER TOOK THE LIABILITY FOR A PARTIAL REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 56,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Other or unspecified, Jul 7, 2010
SHORTLY AFTER I BOUGHT CAR I NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM (SOUNDED LIKE) ENGINE. I ALSO NOTICED CAR NOT CHANGING GEARS SMOOTHLY. FELT AS IF IT WAS HAVING A HARD TIME SHIFTING ESPECIALLY UP HILL, I TOOK THE CAR IN AND WAS TOLD THIS IS JUST HOW A VW SHIFTS AND SOUNDS. I TOLD THEM I DID NOT NOTICE IT WHEN I INITIALLY OWNED THE CAR. THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC SINCE NOW THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON AT THEIR OWN WILL, THE CLOCK LOOSES TIME CONSTANTLY, AND THE NOISE HAS GOT A LOT WORSE AND SO HAS THE GEAR SHIFTING. THE DIAGNOSTIC THEY SAY SHOWED THE DUAL FANS ARE BOTH BURNED OUT. IF THEY ARE BURNED OUT WHY ARE THEY STILL MAKING A LOUD NOISE SEVERAL SECONDS AFTER I TURN THE CAR OFF? THEY HAVE ALSO TOLD ME NO TRANSMISSION PROBLEM EXISTS BUT ANOTHER DEALER TOLD ME THEY CANNOT KNOW THAT BECAUSE THE DIAGNOSTIC WILL NOT PICK UP ON A BAD TRANSMISSION ONLY A TOTALLY FAILED ONE. WHICH THE CAR WILL BE OUT OF WARRANTY THEN. THESE CARS HAVE OBVIOUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND ELECTRONIC PROBLEMS THAT ARE BEING IGNORED. AFTER HAVING ALL THIS PROBLEM I LOOKED ON INTERNET AND WAS ASTONISHED AT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITH ALL THE SAME PROBLEMS AS ME. SLOW AND HARD SHIFTS, WIPERS, CAR ACTING AS IF IT IS STALLING, CLOCK LOSING TIME, BATTERY GOING BAD TOO QUICK. BRAKES CONSTANTLY BAD. THIS CAR IS JUST A LEMON. WHY WILL THE GOVERNMENT NOT DO A TOTAL RECALL. THERE IS TOOOOOOO MUCH WRONG WITH TOOOOO MANY OF THEM. *TR
Service brakes, Electric, Aug 18, 2009
EPC LIGHT CAME ON AND BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT TURN OFF EVEN WHEN CAR IS TURNED OFF. NEED TO REPLACE BRAKE SWITCH AND EVERYTHING IS FIXED. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Air bags, Jul 31, 2009
THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON 4 TIMES IN MY 2005 NEW JETTA 2.5 THE SEAT BELT SENSORS IN FRONT HAVE BEEN REPLACED ONCE AT DEALERSHIP, THIS STARTED WHEN THE CAR HAD ONLY 22000 MILES AND KEPT COMING ON AROUND EVERY 10000 MILES, THEY HAD TO ALSO REPLACE THE AIRBAG(S) NOT SURE WHICH ONES WERE REPLACED, THE SEATBEALTS DON'T WIND BACK UP PROPERLY SOMETIMES AS WELL. AT AROUND 25000 MILES THE BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED, WE HEARD A CLICKING ONE DAY IN THE REAR WHEEL WELL, WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY HAD REPLACED THE BRAKES, ROTORS ETC. I HAVE DOCUMENTATION OF THESE REPAIRS. *TR
Service brakes, Air, Feb 10, 2009
MY 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA'S LEFT REAR BRAKE HAS WORN METAL TO METAL APPROXIMATELY EVERY 10,000 MILES. THIS VEHICLE HAS REQUIRED 5 BRAKE JOBS TO INCLUDE BRAKES, ROTORS, AND CALIPERS. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 8, 2008
REAR BRAKES ON 2005 VW JETTA - METAL ON METAL AFTER 19K AND 38K MILES. TOLD BY VW THAT IT IS DUE TO A SMALLER BRAKE PAD ON THE REAR. FEAR THAT A SMALLER BRAKE PEDAL WEARS FASTER AND IS THUS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 5, 2007
20K MILES, NOTICED REAR GRINDING SOUND WHEN BRAKING. SOUND SEEMED TO DISSIPATE AFTER A FEW HUNDRED FEET OF BRAKING. HOWEVER, IT TURNS OUT THAT THE GRINDING SOUND WAS THE REAR PADS HAVING BEEN WORN DOWN TO THE RIVETS. I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE THE REAR ROTORS AND REAR PADS, AT 20K MILES. THIS IS VERY UNUSUAL. SHOULD BE ABLE TO GO TO 60K MILES ON REAR PADS, PERHAPS AS SOON AS 30K ON FRONTS. *TR UPDATED 12/12/2007 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 9, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS ABS FAILURE. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AT 15 MPH THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS FAILURE HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, USUALLY WHEN DECELERATING AND STOPPING. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER TWICE, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKES MAY CONTAIN DUST. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,100, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,300.*AK UPDATE 4/25/07 *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 18, 2006
2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA BRAKE PEDAL FAILED, WHEN ATTEMPTING PRESS THE PEDAL IT WENT TO THE FLOOR. *TS THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 9, 2006, crash
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKES DO NOT ALWAYS DEPRESS. THE FIRST 3 TIMES THIS HAPPENED THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED ITSELF. THE LAST TIME THIS OCCURRED THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE, WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO HIT A VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED MINOR DAMAGE TO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS SEEN THE VEHICLE MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, AND THE COMPUTER DETERMINED THE VEHICLE WAS FINE. THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN AREA REPRESENTATIVE. HE WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK UPDATED 02/06/06. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 22, 2005
THE CAR IS SQUEALING RIDICULOUSLY LOUD WHEN THE CAR COMES TO A STOP OR IN REVERSE. (MOSTLY IN REVERSE) I HAVE CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN MULTIPLE TIMES. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM OR GIVEN ANY INFORMATION ON FIXING THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP HAS TRIED EVERYTHING THEY COULD TO FIX IT. I HAVE OTHER FRIENDS WITH THE SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL WITH THE SAME NOISE. THE SQUEALING NOISE IS SO LOUD, IT SOUNDS LIKE AN 18 WHEELER COMING TO A STOP. WE KEEP GETTING THE RUN AROUND FROM VOLKSWAGEN. IF I HAD KNOWN THIS PROBLEM WOULD NOT BE FIXED, I WOULD NEVER HAVE TAKEN OUT A LEASE ON THIS CAR. IT IS ONLY WITH THIS MODEL. MY PREVIOUS JETTA HAS NEVER DONE ANYTHING LIKE THAT. THE CAR IS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLI 1.8 TURBO. I WANT ANSWERS FROM VOLKSWAGEN ON WHEN THEY ARE PLANNING TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. I WANT THIS KNOWN THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE OVER $350 A MONTH TO HAVE THE CAR, THAT THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT NEED TO WAIT 1 MORE MINUTE. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Air bags, Oct 27, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT STATED ON 8-16-05 WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR DIED. THEN IT LURCHED FORWARD, STOPPED AND LURCHED FORWARD AGAIN. THIS WAS THE FIFTH TIME THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERS. THE FIRST TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND THEY REPLACED A FUEL INJECTOR. THE SECOND TIME THE ABS LIGHT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THEY INSTALLED A FULL DISTRIBUTOR RAIL. THE THIRD TIME THE ENGINE OVERHEATED, AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD NOT WORK . THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY AND COOLING FANS. THE FOURTH TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, AND THEY REPLACED A VALVE. THIS LAST TIME THE DEALER GAVE HIM A LOANER CAR. THEY HAVE NOT DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM YET. THE DEALER CALLED ON FRIDAY TO TELL HIM THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE LOANER CAR. *AK