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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 248

Of the 2005 reports, 8 involved a crash and 14 involved a fire. 8 people were injured.

Primary concernPower train84 reports · 34% of complaints
Owner complaints248Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship7 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Power train84
  2. Electrical system48
  3. Engine and engine cooling41
  4. Engine27
  5. Air bags26
  6. Exterior lighting14
  7. Service brakes14
  8. Fuel system13

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

248 reports, newest first.

  1. Electrical system, Oct 28, 2005, fire

    DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING AND HE FELT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT GETTING ANY FUEL. HE PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL AND THEN IT STALLED. HE DEPRESSED THE GAS PEDAL WHILE TRYING TO RESTART IT, AND IT STARTED SMOKING. HE GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND LIFTED THE HOOD AND IT BURST INTO FLAMES. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED, ACCORDING TO THE AUTO BODY SHOP THE ONLY THING THAT REMAINED WERE THE HEAD LIGHTS. THERE HAS BEEN NO INVESTIGATION AS TO WHERE THE FIRE STARTED. SHE CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN, AND THEY TOLD HER THERE WAS A RECALL FOR A FAULTY FUEL CLAMP. BUT SHE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT 5021483 WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. *AK

  2. Tires, Oct 28, 2005

    DRIVING VW JETTA BOUGHT NEW EARLY 2005 ON A SURFACE STREET IN WESTERVILLE. DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE DISINTEGRATED, CAUSING FOUR OR MORE HOLES (2" X 2") ON OUTER SIDE TIRE WALL. TIRE MADE BY MICHELIN; WE WILL KEEP TIRE OR AT LEAST RETAIN PHOTOS OF IT. CAR WAS TRAVELING AT 35-40 MPH DRIVEN BY MY WIFE. CONTROL WAS MAINTAINED UNTIL CAR STOPPED. *JB

  3. 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

  4. Engine and engine cooling, Oct 19, 2005

    A FEW DAYS AFTER WE PURCHASED OUR NEW 2005 JETTA WE NOTICED THAT AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING FOR 6 HOURS OR MORE WE WERE HEARING A VERY LOUD NOISE AT START UP. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME WE START THE CAR FROM COLD, BECOMING MORE LOUD THE COLDER IT IS - THE NOISE IS VERY LOUD AND MOST CERTAINLY NOT NORMAL FOR A BRAND NEW CAR. IT APPEARS THE NOISE IS COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. WE HAVE TAKEN THE CAR INTO THE DEALER AND AFTER LOOKING AT IT, THEY SAID THAT THIS WAS NORMAL AND REALLY DID NOT EXPLAIN AS TO WHAT IS MAKING THE NOISE. THEY DID STATE THAT OTHER JETTA'S MADE THE SAME NOISE. AGAIN, I FIND THIS VERY CONCERNING FOR A NEW CAR. *NM

  5. Engine and engine cooling, Oct 18, 2005

    WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS IT MAKES A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHEN YOU START IT. THIS LASTS FOR ABOUT 20 SECONDS AND THEN GOES AWAY, BUT IT OCCURS EVERYTIME YOU START THE CAR AFTER IT HAS BEEN SITTING FOR A LITTLE WHILE. I WAS TOLD THE NOISE WAS NORMAL BY MY SALES REP. I HAVE HAD THE CAR 2 AND 1/2 MONTHS AND THE NOISE JUST DOESN'T SOUND RIGHT. *JB

  6. Seat belts, Sep 1, 2005

    I PURCHASED MY 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA IN APRIL 2005 FROM COLONIAL VOLKSWAGEN IN FEASTERVILLE, PA. ON AUGUST 24TH I BROUGHT IT IN BECAUSE MY FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT BROKE. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE BELT IN STOCK AND WOULD HAVE TO ORDER IT. I TOLD THEM THAT I WAS UNHAPPY WITH THE FACT THAT THEY DIDN'T STOCK SEAT BELT PARTS FOR A NEW VEHICLE AND THAT I FELT IT WAS DANGEROUS TO RIDE AROUND IN A VEHICLE WITHOUT SEAT BELTS. I ALSO CALLED VOLKSWAGEN, BUT THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. AS OF TODAY, SEPT. 1, 2005, THE SEAT BELT IS STILL NOT IN. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. IF I SHOULD GET INTO AN ACCIDENT AND MY PASSENGER IS HURT OR KILLED, WHO IS RESPONSIBLE? *NM

  7. Electrical system, Aug 17, 2005

    I WAS STOPPED AT LIGHT AND HIT THE ACCELERATE TO FIND MY CAR HAD NO POWER AND SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME INCLUDING ESP, AND TRACTION, AS WELL AS THE EXHAUST LIGHT. THERE WAS ALSO A STRONG ODOR OF SOMETHING BURNING IN THE CAR. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO OVER 10 MILES PER HOUR AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE NEAREST VW DEALERSHIP THE POWER ISSUES WAS FIXED THE WAS NOT THE POWER ISSUE WAS THE WIRING HARNESS WHICH WAS REPLACED. *JB

  8. Engine and engine cooling, Aug 17, 2005

    I HAVE ENCOUNTERED SEVERAL ISSUES THE MOST ALARMING CURRENTLY IS A SMELL OF BURNING OIL UPON HEAVY ACCELERATION WHICH HASN'T BEEN LOCATED BY THE DEALER EVEN THOUGH THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP TWICE SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN MAY OF 05.*JB

  9. Engine and engine cooling, Jul 31, 2005

    WHEN WE COLD START OF OUR 2005 JETTA, THE ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE AN AIRPLANE ENGINE FIRING UP -- THE CAR REVS ITSELF AFTER 10 SECONDS AND THEN WHEN YOU PUT IT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE -- IT LUNGES. CALLED VW AND HAD THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY AGREED THAT THE CAR HAD AN ISSUE AND SENT OUT A VW TECH TO PUT A RESONATOR ON THE CAR -- DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THEN AFTER 2 MONTHS OF FIGHTING THE DEALERSHIP AND VW, WE WEE TOLD THAT THE CAR IS PERFORMING TO SPEC AND THAT VW WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING TO FIX THIS ISSUE. *NM

  10. Engine and engine cooling, Jul 19, 2005

    WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS IT MAKES A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHEN YOU START IT. THIS LASTS FOR ABOUT 20 SECONDS AND THEN GOES AWAY, BUT IT OCCURS EVERYTIME YOU START THE CAR AFTER IT HAS BEEN SITTING FOR A LITTLE WHILE. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE SECONDARY AIR PUMP AND THAT IT'S NORMAL. WE'VE HAD THE CAR FOR A WEEK, AND THE NOISE JUST DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT.

  11. Fuel system, Gasoline, Jul 14, 2005

    DT: CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER ON 7-13-05 CONCERNING THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE CLAMP. A RECALL NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE. SHE CALLED THE DEALER , AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT GET HER IN UNTIL WEDNESDAY 7-20-05 BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT FIT HER INTO THEIR BUSY SCHEDULE, AND BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE THE CLAMP YET. CONSUMER REQUESTED A LOANER AND THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE A LOANER. CONSUMER CALLED A CUSTOMER CARE ADVOCATE LISTED ON THE RECALL LETTER TO SEE ABOUT GETTING A LOANER, AND THE ADVOCATE TOLD HER TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE CAR UNTIL SHE SMELLED GASOLINE, AND THEN HAVE IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER. THE ADVOCATE SUGGESTED CONSUMER CONTACT OTHER DEALERS TO TAKE HER CAR IN FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS, BUT SHE DID NOT WANT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ANY FURTHER THAN NECESSARY. ALL OF THE OTHER DEALERS WERE VERY FAR AWAY, AND THE RECALL STATES THERE WAS A DANGER OF A FIRE. SHE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. CONSUMER WAS ONLY ABLE TO PROVIDE THE NAME, CITY, AND STATE OF THE DEALER SHE CALLED .*AK

  12. Seat belts, Jul 6, 2005

    DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY ON FRONT THE PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT WAS NOT LOCKING. THE SEAT BELT CAN NOT BE USED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A SERVICE DEALER. *AK

  13. Engine and engine cooling, Jul 6, 2005

    DT: THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE WHEN HE APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR. THIS CAUSED SOOT BUILD UP ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. THE SOOT WAS WORSE IN THE BACK OF THE STATION WAGON. SOOT AFFECTED THE WHOLE VEHICLE. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP FIVE TIMES FOR THIS COMPLAINT. CONSUMER STATED THAT IT WAS SIX TIMES, BUT THE DEALER DID NOT LOG THE FIRST COMPLAINT IN THE COMPUTER. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THE FIRST COMPLAINT. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT THE EMISSION PROBLEM BECAUSE THIS WAS A NEW TYPE OF DIESEL ENGINE. THE TYPE OF ENGINE HAD A PUMP MADE TO USE EURO DIESEL WHICH WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE IN THE UNITED STATES UNTIL 2007. THIS INFORMATION WAS NOT MADE AVAILABLE TO THE CONSUMER BEFORE THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER DIDN'T WISH TO POLLUTE THE ENVIRONMENT. HE ALSO STATED IT WAS NOT SAFE FOR BREATHING. SOOT COULD CAUSE BLACK LUNG DISEASE. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND CLAIMED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, AND IT WILL NOT POLLUTE THE ENVIRONMENT UNTIL 2007 WHEN THE DIESEL WAS CONVERTED. THE CONSUMER HAD A MEETING WITH THE VOLKSWAGEN REPRESENTATIVE. THEY OFFERED TO REFUND THE COST OF CLEANING THE CAR FROM THE SOOT ON THE INSIDE. THE DEALERS PHONE NUMBER WAS NOT PROVIDED.*AK

  14. 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.

  15. Vehicle speed control, Jun 20, 2005

    DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. HE IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE WHEN HE NEEDS IT TO. WHEN HE TURNS THE CAR OFF AND LETS THE COMPUTER RESET THEN START THE VEHICLE IT WILL ACCELERATE. HE TOOK CAR TO A DEALER, AND SINCE THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM WHILE HAVING THE CAR FOR EIGHT DAYS.*AK *NM

  16. Fuel system, Diesel, Jun 10, 2005

    ON THE 'NEW' 2005.5 JETTA TDI DIESEL VEHICLE, THE FUEL NOZLE INLET IS TOO SMALL TO USE A MOAJORITY OF THE DIESEL FUEL PUMPS MORE COMMONLY FOUND AT TRUCK STOPS. SINCE WHEN TRAVELING CROSS COUNTRY YOU WOULD MOST LIKE STOP AT A TRUCK STOP TO FUEL UP, YOU WOULD MOST LIKELY BE OUT OF LUCK -AND HAVE 'SEARCH' FOR A GAS STATION IN A STRANGE TOWN, AWAY FROM YOUR ROUTE, THAT 'MIGHT' HAVE A SMALLER NOZLE THAT WOULD FIT YOUR FUEL TANK. THE OLDER JETTA, GOLF AND PASSAT CARS USE A LAGER FUEL INLET THAT IS UNIVERSAL IN TERMS OF BEING ABLE TO FUEL UP ANYWHERE. THE CURRENT 2005 PASSAT HAS THE LARGER INLET, SO WHAT GIVES WITH THE NEW JETTA? TDI OWNERS TRAVEL GREAT DISTANCES AND WOULD LIKE TO NOT BE STRANDED OR MADE TO GO OUT OF THEIR WAY JUST TO FUEL UP. VW SHOULD RETROFIT THE OLDER STYLE NOZLE ON THESE CARS, OR PURCHASE A SMALLER FUELING PUMP NOZLE FOR EVERY GAS STAION OR TRUCK STOP THAT SELLS DIESEL IN THE COUNTRY. WHICH IS EASIER?

  17. 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.

  18. Air bags, May 22, 2005, crash

    I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AND FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. FOLLOWING THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAGS, MY HANDS WERE THROWN OFF THE STEERING WHEEL, CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE THEN PROCEDED TO GO STRAIGHT UP ONTO A CURB CAUSING THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE TO BE DAMAGED. THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE

  19. 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).

  20. 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

  21. Electrical system, Feb 1, 2005

    MY ALARM ON MY 2005 JETTA TDI IS MALFUNCTIONING. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, INCLUDING FAULTY CONTROLS IN THE STEERING COLUM, AND FAULTY COMPONENTS IN THE ESP. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT TO REPAIR THE ALARM, THE RADIO MUST BE REPLACED, HOWEVER THE RADIO IS ON 'BACKORDER', HAS BEEN FOR SIX WEEKS, AND I DO NOT AS OF TODAY, KNOW WHEN I WILL HAVE THIS REPAIRED. THESE PROBLEMS, ALONG WITH THE EXTENDED DELAY IN REPAIRING THE RADIO HAVE CAUSED ME TO CONSIDER THE POSSIBILITY OF A MORE SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE ITSELF AND I AM CONCERNED.*AK

  22. 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

  23. Seats, Jan 8, 2005

    WE RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA STATION WAGON. ON JANUARY 5, THE DRIVERS SEAT CAME OFF, (UNATTACHED,WAS DISCONNECTED ) FROM THE TRACK ON THE CAR. WOLKSWAGON HAS FIXED THIS AT NO CHARGE BUT THERE NEEDS TO BE AN INVESTIAGION INTO WHETHER THERE ARE OTHER CARS OUT THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A TERRIBLE TRAGEDY IF I HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT OR IT HAD UNATTACHED COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING. THE VOLKSWAGON DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT SAY WETHER IT WAS A PARTS PROBLEM OR AN INSTALLATION PROBLEM. *AK