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
248 reports, newest first.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Feb 5, 2011
I HAVE A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND THE BATTERY BLEW UP UNDER THE HOOD. TOOK THE CAR IN AND WAS TOLD IT JUMPED TIMING TOOLS AND PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE AND THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED THIS TOOK THREE MONTHS AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION WILL GO INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING THE VOLKSWAGEN MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT STATED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION AND IS 8 MILES OVER WARRANTY AND THEY WILL NO FIX THE CAR. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 2, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN NEW JETTA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TAKE OFF FOR THE FIRST TIME AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD STALL INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND PROVIDED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER NOR WAS THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000. UPDATED 03/24/11*LJ THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE HAS A HARD JERKING AND IT ONLY OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS COLD. UPDATED 05.02.11
Power train, Jan 25, 2011
2005 JETTA GLI - THE TRANSMISSION STOP WORKING BECAUSE OF AN OIL SENSOR IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION STOP WORKING COMPLETELY AND WILL STOP WORKING IN THE ROAD AND CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I REPORTED TO VOLKSWAGEN AND THEY SAID IT WAS TOO BAD YOU NEED TO FIX IT. NEED YOUR HELP ON THIS MATTER PLEASE HELP. *TR
Other or unspecified, Jan 15, 2011
HELLO, I AM WRITING IN HOPES THAT YOU WILL HELP REGARDING A DEFECT IN THIS 2005/2006 JETTA VW MODEL. I HAVE COMPLETED MUCH MY RESEARCH ON LINE AND IT MADE ME ANXIOUS TO SEE MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME SITUATION. I AM ASKING THAT YOU HELP IN THIS MATTER. I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO CONTACT YOU FIRST. I HAVE ALREADY LOST $200 IN TOWING COST, WHEN MY CAR ABANDONED ME. BASICALLY, I FOUND THAT I COULD NOT TURN THE KEY TO START THE CAR. THE KEY WOULD NOT GO IN. I TRIED TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL AT DIFFERENT INTERVALS , BUT NO LUCK AFTER AN HOUR IN A DARK GARAGE. THE KEY JUST WOULDN'T GO IN. I HAD IT TOWED. I STRUGGLED TO GET THE KEY IN ONCE I WAS HOME AND IN A SAFE PLACE. I MANAGED TO PUSH THE KEY IN AFTER 30 MINUTES. A WEEK HAS GONE BY AND IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. THE KEY CAN'T GO IN. I HAD TO ABANDON MY CAR AGAIN. I DON'T HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT THAT IS NOT THE ISSUE, THE WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER IT FROM Y RESEARCH. I FEEL I AM TRAPPED WITH THIS DEFECT THAT IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG OTHERS. WARRANTY OR NO WARRANTY, THIS IS A PROBLEM. SEE : HTTP://WWW.CARS-GUIDE.COM/VOLKSWAGEN-FORUM/STEERING-WHEEL-LOCK-AND-IGNITION-SWITCH-PROBLEM-T4673.HTML. I CALLED VW IN AUBURN AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE CLOSE TO $180 TO LOOK AT IT AND ALMOST $500 TO FIX IT. UNACCEPTABLE. IF THIS WAS ISOLATED HERE AND THERE, THEN O.K. BUT THIS IS RAMPANT. *TR
Power train, Dec 22, 2010
HARD SHIFT FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR AND FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. PROBLEM CAUSES CAR TO VIOLENTLY JERK AND POSES A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE OR STOP. *TR
Power train, Dec 20, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE BOLTS FROM THE DRIVESHAFT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WERE LOOSE. THE ENGINE WAS ON BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Power train, Dec 15, 2010
THERE IS A LONG RUNNING ISSUE WITH THE 2005 1/2 VW JETTA V TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY THAT IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN THE TRANS GETS HOT SITTING IN TRAFFIC. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS IN AND OUT OF GEAR OR SHIFTS VERY HARD OR WILL NOT SHIFT AT ALL AND MAY CAUSE A REAR END ACCIDENT AS THE JETTA DOES NOT SHIFT. VW AMERICA DOES KNOW OF THE PROBLEM AND ISSUED A EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 100,000 MILES OR 7 YEARS. BUT AFTER DOING EXTENSIVE RESEARCH THERE ARE JETTA'S THAT ARE OUT THERE THAT HAVE MILEAGE OVER THE 100,000 MILES. WHEN YOU CALL VW, THEY REFUSE TO HELP AND DO NOT CARE ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE PEOPLE THAT OWN THEIR PRODUCT. THERE IS ALSO ISSUES WITH PREMATURE BRAKE LIGHT BULBS AND HEAD LIGHT BULBS BURNING OUT. *TR
Power train, Nov 15, 2010
WE RECENTLY BOUGHT A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA (THE NEWER DESIGN ALSO COINCIDED 2005.5) FROM A PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL IN MARCH 2010. WE NOTICED THERE WAS A SLIGHT PROBLEM WITH SHIFTING GEARS THAT CONTINUED TO GET WORSE. IN JUNE 2010 WE TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN DEALER AND DISCUSSED THE PROBLEM. THEY TOLD US IT SOUNDED LIKE THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL WAS THE PROBLEM. THAT THERE WAS 2 DIFFERENT MANUFACTURERS THAT MAKE THE FLYWHEELS AND THEY NO LONGER USE ONE OF THE MANUFACTURERS DUE TO DEFECTS AND PROBLEMS WITH THE FLYWHEELS THEY MADE. THEY SAID IT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT THE FLYWHEELS WERE BAD AND WOULD NEED REPLACED WAY BEFORE THEY WERE SUPPOSE TO. EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM WAS KNOWN BY VOLKSWAGEN THEY REFUSED TO FIX REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART. THEY SAID WE COULD CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT AND BUT WOULD CONTINUE TO GET WORSE AND END UP TEARING UP ALOT OF OTHER STUFF IF IT DID. WE LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM, THOUGH NO RECALL. WE ALSO READ WHERE IF THE FLYWHEEL LOCKED UP/CAME APART WHILE DRIVING IT COULD LOCKUP THE ENTIRE CAR. WE DID COME ACROSS WHERE THE FLYWHEEL HAD BEEN RECALLED IN EUROPE. THE CAR WAS DROVE TILL NOVEMBER 2010 WHEN IT HAD GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE IT WOULD DOWNSHIFT ON HILLS AND WHEN YOU WOULD TRY TO GET UP SPEED TO MERGE ONTO THE INTERSTATE IT WOULD NOT SHIFT TO THE NEXT GEAR( BUT THE RPMS WERE NORMAL) AND WAS FORCED TO MERGE ONTO THE INTERSTATE AT A VERY SLOW AND UNSAFE SPEED. THE ENGINE ALSO HAD A VERY LOUD CHATTER NOISE. WE DECIDED TO HAVE IT FIXED AND REPLACED THE FLYWHEEL ASSY & MOUNT BOLTS AND HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID FLUSHED AND REFILLED AND A NEW FILTER PUT IN. TOTALING $1423.00. THE NEW FLYWHEEL WAS NOT THE SAME AS THE ORIGINAL ONE. IT NOW RUNS GREAT. SHIFTS PERFECTLY AND SMOOTHLY. *TR
Exterior lighting, Nov 10, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHT WAS DEFECTIVE; WHEN HE WOULD TURN THE VEHICLE OFF, IT WOULD STAY ON. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THERE WAS ALSO A RIGHT REAR BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,936. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 77,740.
Electrical system, Sep 28, 2010, fire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRING THAT EXTENDED FROM THE ALTERNATOR TO THE POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER BURNED, CAUSING THE BATTERY'S INABILITY TO HOLD A CHARGE AND THE ENGINE'S INABILITY TO START SUCCESSFULLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE WIRES WERE REPLACED. ALSO, THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED; WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE GAUGES WERE MOVING AROUND AND NOT STAY STEADY. THE MECHANIC ALSO REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 10, 2010
2005.5 NEW JETTA 60,000 MILES AND THE TIMING CHAIN HAS SLIPPED TEETH AND THROWN THE ENGINE OUT OF TIME. NEW TIMING CHAIN FROM DEALER IS BETWEEN $4700-$5600. ALL MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE WAS DONE AT THE DEALER. FROM INTERNET SEARCHES IT APPEARS THIS IS A GROWING PROBLEM ON EARLY MODEL YEARS. THE DEALER HAS ALSO ADDED TO THEIR OWNERS MANUAL THAT THE TIMING CHAIN IS NOW A SERVICEABLE ITEM. HOWEVER IT WAS NEVER IN MY MANUALS. *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
Power train, Jul 7, 2010
WHEN SITTING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY HARD IN AND OUT OF THE SHIFTING SEQUENCE. WHEN THAT HAPPENS THE TRANSMISSION WILL TAKE A FEW SECONDS TO SHIFT INTO GEAR AND THUMP VERY HARD. AFTER CALLING A VW DEALERSHIP, I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THE NEW JETTA'S AND BEETLES. ALSO THERE IS VERY HEAVY CRAZING WITH THE HEAD LAMP FIXTURES AND CANNOT BE REPAIRED AND CAUSES SERIOUS IMPAIRMENT AT NIGHT WHEN THE HEAD LIGHTS ARE ON. *TR
Power train, Apr 22, 2010
WHEN I AM DRIVING AND COME TO A COMPLETE STOP MY CAR DOES A SUDDEN JERK. WHEN ACCELERATE MY CAR ALSO JERKS WHEN I STEP ON MY GAS PEDAL. *TR
Power train, Apr 14, 2010
2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI SEDAN - ENGINE RAN ROUGH AND NOTICED SLIPPAGE AND HESITATION DURING ACCELERATION FROM FULL STOP. REPEATED RESULTS FROM REPAIR SHOP VISITS FOUND NO PROBLEM, WAS TOLD THIS WAS "NORMAL"... THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL HWY SPEED. A LOUD BANG FOLLOWED BY COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. VISIT TO DEALER CONFIRMED CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL, CAUSING COLLATERAL DAMAGE TO ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. REPAIR ESTIMATE WAS FROM $5K TO $15K. VW AND THE DEALER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE DUE TO VEHICLE OUTSIDE OF MANF WARRANTY PERIOD, DESPITE CAR BEING WELL MAINTAINED BY THE BOOK. RESEARCH ON OWNERS FORUMS AND WEB SHOWS THIS SAME ISSUE IS PREVALENT IN THE 2005-2009 MODEL YEARS. FOUND OVER 3000+ INSTANCES FROM OWNERS COMPLAINING OF THE SAME ISSUE FROM AS LITTLE AS 15K MILES OF USE....ITS CLEAR THIS IS A MANF DEFECT IN THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL AND THAT VW HAS NOT RECOGNIZED THIS... *TR
Air bags, Mar 19, 2010, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS WITH THE LEVEL OF IMPACT SUSTAINED DURING THE CRASH. THE ENTIRE AIR BAG SYSTEM FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 17, 2010
THE ENGINE SEIZED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. NO WARNING LIGHTS, NO ENGINE LIGHTS, NO LOSS OF OIL. THEY COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHY THE ENGINE SEIZED. THEY REMOVED STARTER, REMOVED OIL PAN COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I CAME TO A STOP AND STOPPED THE CAR FOR 5 MINUTES AND IT WOULD NO LONGER RUN. THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED WHEN I WAS DRIVING. THE ENGINE JUST STOPPED DEAD. THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT THERE WAS ANYTHING WRONG. I WONDER IF THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *TR
Air bags, Feb 10, 2010
AIR BAG PROBLEMS ON 2005 VOLKSWAGEN NEW JETTA. DEFECTIVE CONNECTIONS UNDER ALL SEATS WHICH BREAK FROM RANDOM MOVEMENT OF SEATING AREA RESULTING IN A NONFUNCTIONAL AIR BAG FOR THAT PASSENGER. THIS CAUSES A DEFAULT CODE AND BLOCKS ANY AIR BAG FROM FUNCTIONING. ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE A CRASH RESULTS IN INJURY OR DEATH BECAUSE THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND PROTECT THE PASSENGER. EVERY VISIT TO DEALER TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM COSTS THE CUSTOMER $300.00 PER SEAT AND FIX WORKS FOR ABOUT 1 MONTH. SEARCH THE WEB AND YOU WILL FIND 1000'S OF CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Air bags, Feb 4, 2010
2005 VOLKSWAGEN NEW JETTA. AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON. DEALER DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING A NEW WIRING HARNESS IN PASSENGER SIDE SEAT. NECESSARY TO REPLACE WIRING HARNESS TO INSURE CORRECT OPERATION OF AIRBAGS IN CAR. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 27, 2010, fire
TURN SIGNAL SWITCH MALFUNCTION AND FIRE... RIGHT TURN SIGNAL ACTIVATED WITHOUT SWITCH BEING ACTIVATED. AFTER ABOUT 5-10 MINUTES IN THIS CONDITION, SMOKE CAME OUT OF STEERING COLUMN. FIRE/MARKING COULD BE SEEN IN THE SWITCH AREA. EVENTUALLY THE TURN SIGNAL WENT OUT AND THE SMOKE/FIRE STOPPPED. VW SERVICE REPLACED THE SWITCH AND WIRE HARNES. THE PLACTIC ON THE SWITCH AND HARNES WAS MELTED AND CHARRED. *CN
Power train, Dec 12, 2009
WE HAVE A 2005 JETTA TDI AUTOMATIC. THIS CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW AND HAS BEEN SERVICED AT EVERY INTERVAL BY VW. WE HAVE HAD A COMMON CONCERN ABOUT THE CAR MOVING FORWARD IN DRIVE IN ERRATIC FASHION WHEN COLD AFTER ABOUT 6 MONTHS. WE INFORMED VW ABOUT THIS CONCERN AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. LAST WEEK MY WIFE WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND THE CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. WE TRIED EVERYTHING TO GET IT STARTED BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER. WE HAD IT TOWED TO OUR VW DEALER WHO INFORMED US THAT IT WOULD COST $600.00 JUST TO MAKE A DETERMINATION AS TO WHAT THE CAUSE WAS. WE GAVE THEM THE GO AHEAD AND A DAY LATTER THEY INFORMED US THAT THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL HAS DISINTEGRATED WHICH IN TURN DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION. THIS DMF APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH VW'S IN GENERAL. IN EUROPE VW WILL FIX THE PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE, BUT NOT IN THE US. WE ARE WAITING TO HEAR FROM VW ON WHAT IF ANYTHING THEY WILL DO. THE SERVICE MANAGER WAS NO HELP IN THIS MATTER, EXCEPT TO TELL US IT WAS NOT COVERED. STAY TUNED AS WE ENTER THE TWILIGHT ZONE OF DESIGN DEFECTS WITH VW! *TR
Power train, Nov 16, 2009
ON 11/11/09, I PARKED MY CAR ON MY APARTMENT COMPLEX PARKING LOT. I LEFT MY CAR IN FIRST GEAR AS A SAFETY MEASURE. NEXT MORNING (11/12/09) I TRIED TO START MY CAR, BUT THE CAR WAS LOCKED IN FIRST GEAR EVEN AFTER PRESSING THE PEDAL CLUTCH. THE CAR DID NOT TURN ON BUT STALLED AND MOVE SLIGHTLY FORWARD. FORTUNATELY I HAD THE HAND BREAK ON. IF I DID NOT HAVE THE PARKING BREAK ON, I WOULD HAVE MOVED FORWARD INTO A BUSH IN FRONT OF MY PARKING LOT SPACE. I TURNED OFF THE CAR, SWITCHED TO NEUTRAL GEAR AND TURN THE CAR ON. THE CAR TURNED ON AND I THOUGHT I SOLVED THE PROBLEM. I PUT THE CAR ON REVERSE, TO EXIT MY PARKING LOT SPACE AND AGAIN THE CAR STALLED AND MOVED BACKWARDS. FORTUNATELY THERE WERE NO CAR OR PEOPLE BEHIND ME. AT THAT POINT I REALIZED THAT I COULD NOT ENGAGE THE CAR INTO ANY GEAR AND THAT THE CLUTCH WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. MY CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD WITH ONLY 46,000 MILES AND THERE IS NO REASON WHY THE CLUTCH WOULD FAIL SO EARLY IN LIFE. I READ IN MANY FORUMS THAT THE 05-06 VW JETTA HAS A DEFECTIVE CLUTCH AND IT COULD BE HAZARDOUS FOR PEOPLE IF THE CLUTCH FAILS WHILE DRIVING. MY CLUTCH DID NOT GIVE ME ANY SIGNAL OF WEAR AND TEAR, NO SOUNDS OR DIFFICULTY WHILE DRIVING, IT WAS WORKING VERY WELL ONE DAY AND NEXT DAY IT BROKE DOWN. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, THE SERVICE MANAGER EXPECTED TO BE A SMALL FIX, SINCE THE CLUTCH WAS NORMALLY OPERATING ON 11/11/09 AND IT SUDDENLY FAILED ON 11/12/09. AFTER A REVIEW, THE DEALER IS CHARGING ME $2200, BECAUSE THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH, THE FLYWHEEL AND THE PRESSURE PLATE. IT APPEARS THAT A VW FAULTY PRODUCT IS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, BUT VW DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THEIR MISTAKE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 21, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CAM, ROCKERS, AND THE DUEL MASS FLY WHEEL IN HIS ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND HE WAS ADVISED THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE VARIOUS COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE AT AN EXPENSE OF $6500.00. THE VOLKSWAGEN MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND HE WAS ADVISED THAT BECAUSE HIS WARRANTY EXPIRED HE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR A FREE REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.
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