The Lemon Index2005 Volkswagen Jetta.
The 2005 Volkswagen Jetta is worse than average by owner complaints: 88 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 122, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 7 recalls, and it gets 22 to 33 mpg combined. The best Volkswagen Jetta year is 2018.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 248 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Volkswagen Jetta year. 2005 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 37K to 107K miles on the car (205 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 48K–108K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 61K–117K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 18K–98K miles
Recalls 7
- brakes 2020
The fluid seal crimp on the master cylinder may be insufficient, causing brake fluid to leak or the cylinder to come apart.
- engine 2014
A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- lights 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…
Show all 7 recalls
- brakes 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 EQUI…
- lights 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.
- fuel system, gasoline 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 system, diesel 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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Volkswagen told dealers about
Volkswagen sent dealers 393 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Engine pre-heater installation
- Engine cranks intermittently or has no crank
- Gff test plan, ground connection verification
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Fuel cost and engines
About $2800–3600 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.8L 4-cyl, 1.9L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 5-cyl.
In owners' words
Premature clutch failure at 40,000 miles. Car at dealer for clutch replacement.
2005 Volkswagen Jetta owner · NHTSA complaint 10216140
More owner reports
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.
NHTSA complaint 10150662
1. Turned onto an off ramp and came to a stop 2. Clutch would not disengage, car towed to dealership 3. Awaiting diagnostics to determine manufacturer or driver responsibility.
NHTSA complaint 10169547
Quick answers
Is the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 122; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Volkswagen Jetta year by this measure is 2018.
What are the most common 2005 Volkswagen Jetta problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (31%), engine (25%) and electrical (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta have?
7 safety recalls (latest: brakes). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta get?
22 to 33 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Volkswagen Jetta problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 37,500 and 107,300 miles. The middle report was at 71,200 miles, from 205 complaints.
Does the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 31% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta cost in fuel a year?
About $2800 to $3600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta have?
1.8L 4-cyl, 1.9L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 5-cyl.
What Volkswagen Jetta year is better than the 2005?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2018, 2020 and 2015.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works