VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT · model year

2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

172 NHTSA complaints, 9 crash reports, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2005VOLKSWAGENPASSAT carries 172 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 9 crashes, 12 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2005 PASSAT is engine and engine cooling with 24 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine (19) and engine (12). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 4 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 37 investigation files overlapping the 2005 PASSAT, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

172
Complaints
9
Crashes
12
Fires
4
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

172 filings

Crashes Reported

9 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING24
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE19
ENGINE12
POWER TRAIN9
SEATS8
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM8
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE8
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM8
UNKNOWN OR OTHER7
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER5
TIRES4
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL4
AIR BAGS3
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH3

Recalls (4)

07V06300020/02/2007

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.

04V58600015/12/2004

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

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.

08V15600007/04/2008

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 412,000 MY 1999-2005 PASSAT (5TH GENERATION) VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND PRODUCED AFTER JUNE 14, 1999. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE AN UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELD THAT CAN BECOME DAMAGED. IN ADDITION, AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS MAY

14E00700007/03/2014

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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/s

Recent Complaints

20220818ENGINE

It just died and I lost brakes, power steering, and only know what else stopped working. Come to find out the splines wear off of the oil pump shift after the counter balance and chain goes out. This is so common a problem that when you Google what happened there are numerous videos and complaints about this issue, with ways to stop it from happening. Korea has already recalled them and Europe has recalled them, why are we so far behind on this. Not only is it expensive, but also a major safety issue because this stops the brakes from working and the car does not have stopping power with the motor dead. NOT EVERYONE KNOWS TO REPORT TO NHTSA!

20220818STEERING

It just died and I lost brakes, power steering, and only know what else stopped working. Come to find out the splines wear off of the oil pump shift after the counter balance and chain goes out. This is so common a problem that when you Google what happened there are numerous videos and complaints about this issue, with ways to stop it from happening. Korea has already recalled them and Europe has recalled them, why are we so far behind on this. Not only is it expensive, but also a major safety issue because this stops the brakes from working and the car does not have stopping power with the motor dead. NOT EVERYONE KNOWS TO REPORT TO NHTSA!

20220818SERVICE BRAKES

It just died and I lost brakes, power steering, and only know what else stopped working. Come to find out the splines wear off of the oil pump shift after the counter balance and chain goes out. This is so common a problem that when you Google what happened there are numerous videos and complaints about this issue, with ways to stop it from happening. Korea has already recalled them and Europe has recalled them, why are we so far behind on this. Not only is it expensive, but also a major safety issue because this stops the brakes from working and the car does not have stopping power with the motor dead. NOT EVERYONE KNOWS TO REPORT TO NHTSA!

20220818STRUCTURE:BODY

Electronic control module, electronic body module starts going out, it will not let you open the doors from the outside without rolling the windows down and sometimes won't even let you open them with the inside door handles. This is a major safety issue in a wreck or fire especially if you cannot get out of the car. Sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. For a vehicle that everyone complains about with this, and as expensive as it is to fix, are you going to wait until someone dies to make them fix it? When people complain if someone would just Google these issues you would find out just because not everyone knows about NHTSA, that these are extremely common issues that need to be fixed by Volkswagon!

20220818ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Electronic control module, electronic body module starts going out, it will not let you open the doors from the outside without rolling the windows down and sometimes won't even let you open them with the inside door handles. This is a major safety issue in a wreck or fire especially if you cannot get out of the car. Sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. For a vehicle that everyone complains about with this, and as expensive as it is to fix, are you going to wait until someone dies to make them fix it? When people complain if someone would just Google these issues you would find out just because not everyone knows about NHTSA, that these are extremely common issues that need to be fixed by Volkswagon!

20211117FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Approximately back in June 2021, I noticed the smell of diesel fuel coming from the rear of the vehicle, noticed hours and days after the vehicle was parked. The smell is partially present from the interior in the trunk area, but mostly evident when standing near the vicinity of the fuel tank when outside of the vehicle. After driving the vehicle, I occasionally notice small puddles of diesel fuel (as evidenced by the oily texture and smell) coming from below the fuel tank. On occasion, I can also spot actual drops of diesel fuel on the lower car frame from underneath the vicinity of the fuel pump. These puddles usually evaporate or dissipate within an hour or two after appearing. Given that these puddles only appear after driving, and not after extended periods of the vehicle sitting in my driveway, I suspect that there is a leak in the fuel pump. A more recent VCDS scan of the ECU on 29 October 2021 results in a Gateway and Dashboard fault code in the fuel pump, which may or may not

20190927FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

2005 VW PASSAT WAGON, 4 MOTION, 128,000 MILES, W/ INTENSE ODOR OF GAS IN THE CABIN OF THE CAR; AFTER DRIVING 15 MILES TO WORK, I DEVELOPED A HEADACHE AND ILLNESS SYMPTOMS WHICH LASTED FOR 2 -3 DAYS. CAR WAS TOWED TO LOCAL VW DEALER. I CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA, WHO AGREED TO DIAGNOSTICS. LARGE FUEL TANK FRACTURE CONFIRMED. AFTER MANY DISCUSSIONS WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE AT VW OF AMERICA, THEY REFUSED TO COVER REPAIRS, THOUGH THEY DID CONFIRM THAT THIS FAILURE WAS THE SAME FAILURE WHICH HAD LED TO A PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGN OF THE FUEL TANK/SYSTEM, BUT SINCE MY CAR HAD ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED (2015) W/ A SUPERSEDED PART AND IT WAS PAST THE 12 MONTH WARRANTY PERIOD, I DID NOT QUALIFY, NOR WOULD THEY OFFER GOODWILL SERVICE. THEY DID ACKNOWLEDGE, HOWEVER, THAT IT WAS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND THE CAR SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. I VERBALIZED IN MANY CONVERSATIONS THE SAFETY CONCERN THIS POSED NOT ONLY FOR MYSELF AND MY FAMILY BUT FOR OTHERS WHO HAD THE POTENTIAL TO FACE THE SAME SITUATION. I ASKED W

Mileage: 128,892

20190714FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

MY 2005 PASSAT HAS DEVELOPED A FUEL LEAK UNDER THE TANK. MY VEHICLE LOOKS LIKE NEW AND ONLY HAS 72000 MILES ON IT. THIS LEAK/SMELL OCCURS AFTER WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING AS WELL AS WHEN THE CAR IS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY. SEEMS VERY DANGEROUS TO ME AND I'VE READ MANY COMPLAINTS DESCRIBING THIS EXACT SCENARIO. WHY IS VW NOT FORCED TO RECALL AND INSPECT FOR THIS SITUATION.

Mileage: 71,000

20190426FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I COMPLETELY FILLED THE FUEL TANK OF MY CAR IN THE MORNING ON 4/22/2019. I THEN DROVE HOME AND PARKED THE CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY (SO IT WAS STATIONARY AT THIS TIME). THAT AFTERNOON I SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE AND SAW A PUDDLE ON THE GROUND UNDERNEATH THE CAR BY THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL. I THOUGHT THAT MAYBE I OVERFILLED THE FUEL TANK SO I WAITED TO SEE IF THE ISSUE WOULD GO AWAY AFTER I DROVE A BIT. ON 4/23/2019 I STILL SMELLED GASOLINE AND SAW A PUDDLE UNDER THE CAR AFTER PARKING. I DETERMINED THE FUEL WAS ONLY LEAKING WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION AND IT BECAME APPARENT THERE WAS A LARGER ISSUE. ON 4/24/2019 I TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC TO DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM. THE MECHANIC COULD SMELL GAS AND FOUND FUEL RESIDUE, BUT NOTHING FRESH. IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT I FILL THE FUEL TANK AND RETURN TO SEE IF A LEAK COULD BE FOUND. SO ON 4/26/2019 I COMPLETELY FILLED THE FUEL TANK AND RETURNED TO THE MECHANIC. AND THEY FOUND THAT FUEL IS LEAKING FROM THE SEAM OF THE FUE

Mileage: 140,000

20190214ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT AND DRAIN THE COOLANT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES AND THE CONTACT HAD TO CONTINUOUSLY REPLACE THE COOLANT OVER A COUPLE OF WEEKS. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THERMOSTAT AND HOUSING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

Mileage: 85,000

20190115SEAT BELTS

INERTIA REEL WILL NOT PAYOUT WEBBING. CAR WAS IN A SCHOOL PARKING LOT, CAR WAS LEVEL

Mileage: 219,500

20180504ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

OVER HEATED AND TIMING BELT

20180504ENGINE

OVER HEATED AND TIMING BELT

20180416FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE OR DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE AND ANTI-SLIP REGULATOR WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED MOMENTUM VOLKSWAGEN OF CLEAR LAKE AT (844) 894-5461 (15100 GULF FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77034) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,628.

Mileage: 91,628

20160527POWER TRAIN

I DECIDED TO CHANGE THE OIL MYSELF IN MY CAR, SINCE I WANTED TO SAVE MONEY AND I KNEW WHAT I WAS DOING. INSTEAD OF DRAINING THE OIL, I ACCIDENTALLY DRAINED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. I DIDN'T FIGURE OUT THAT IT WAS TRANSMISSION FLUID BECAUSE IT LOOKED LIKE OIL! SO, THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED AFTER; I DROVE HOME (NOT KNOWING THERE WAS NO TRANNY FLUID IN IT) AND I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WANTED TO TAKE OFF BY ITSELF. IT KEPT DOING TIS TWO OR THREE MORE TIMES WHEN IT BECAME STUCK IN 4TH GEAR. I MANAGED TO SAFELY GET HOME, AND FIGURED OUT WHAT HAPPENED. I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW!!! THE TRANSMISSION FLUID DRAIN HOLE IS WHERE THE ENGINE OIL DRAIN HOLE SHOULD BE! LUCKILY, AFTER I PUT FRESH TRANNY FLUID IN IT, THE CAR WAS FINE. I WONDER HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE THIS HAPPENED TO.

Mileage: 155,000

20160527VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I DECIDED TO CHANGE THE OIL MYSELF IN MY CAR, SINCE I WANTED TO SAVE MONEY AND I KNEW WHAT I WAS DOING. INSTEAD OF DRAINING THE OIL, I ACCIDENTALLY DRAINED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. I DIDN'T FIGURE OUT THAT IT WAS TRANSMISSION FLUID BECAUSE IT LOOKED LIKE OIL! SO, THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED AFTER; I DROVE HOME (NOT KNOWING THERE WAS NO TRANNY FLUID IN IT) AND I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WANTED TO TAKE OFF BY ITSELF. IT KEPT DOING TIS TWO OR THREE MORE TIMES WHEN IT BECAME STUCK IN 4TH GEAR. I MANAGED TO SAFELY GET HOME, AND FIGURED OUT WHAT HAPPENED. I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW!!! THE TRANSMISSION FLUID DRAIN HOLE IS WHERE THE ENGINE OIL DRAIN HOLE SHOULD BE! LUCKILY, AFTER I PUT FRESH TRANNY FLUID IN IT, THE CAR WAS FINE. I WONDER HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE THIS HAPPENED TO.

Mileage: 155,000

20160429UNKNOWN OR OTHER

CAR HAD INTERMITTENT STARTING ISSUES FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS. ENGINE CRANKS BUT DOES NOT TURN OVER. WILL EVENTUALLY RESTART ANYWHERE FROM 15MIN - 5 HRS LATER. LENGTH SEEMS TO BE DEPENDENT ON HOW LONG WAS DRIVEN BEFORE TURNING OFF. CODE SAID THE CPS WAS FAULTY. REPLACED IT. BUT STILL HAVING RANDOM PROBLEMS AND CODE STILL SAYS CPS IS FAULTY. CANNOT GET IT FIXED BECAUSE CAN'T RECREATE PROBLEM AT MECHANICS. CAR DOES NOT DIE WHEN DRIVING. THERE DOES SEEM TO BE FLUCTUATIONS IN SPEED WHILE DRIVING. AND DOES SEEM TO BE WORSE IN RAINY WEATHER. CAR DOESN'T RUN HOT. ANYBODY ELSE HAVE THE SAME PROBS? HOW DID YOU FIX?

Mileage: 185,000

20160302FireENGINE

CAR WAS STARTED AT 9:30AM AT HOME- LAST DRIVEN NIGHT BEFORE LOCALLY. CAR WAS DRIVEN @ 1 MILE, PARKED, ENGINE TURNED OFF, DOORS LOCKED AND LEFT IN PARKING LOT. AT 9:49 THE LOCAL POLICE CALLED ME TO ALERT ME THAT MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. THERE IS FOOTAGE OF THE FIRE ON YOUTUBE. HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=IQBNDFDJPAG THE ENGINE IGNITED FOR UNKNOWN REASON. THIS CAR IN UN-REPAIRABLE, THERE IS NO INSURANCE CLAIM. RECEIPTS FOR WORK PERFORMED ON THIS VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE AND RECENT REPAIR DOCUMENTATION IS AVAILABLE. CAR PURCHASE BILL OF SALE, RECEIPT FOR TITLE AND REGISTRATION AND COST FOR INSURING THIS VEHICLE SINCE TIME OF PURCHASE ARE ALL AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 95,900

20160302FireUNKNOWN OR OTHER

CAR WAS STARTED AT 9:30AM AT HOME- LAST DRIVEN NIGHT BEFORE LOCALLY. CAR WAS DRIVEN @ 1 MILE, PARKED, ENGINE TURNED OFF, DOORS LOCKED AND LEFT IN PARKING LOT. AT 9:49 THE LOCAL POLICE CALLED ME TO ALERT ME THAT MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. THERE IS FOOTAGE OF THE FIRE ON YOUTUBE. HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=IQBNDFDJPAG THE ENGINE IGNITED FOR UNKNOWN REASON. THIS CAR IN UN-REPAIRABLE, THERE IS NO INSURANCE CLAIM. RECEIPTS FOR WORK PERFORMED ON THIS VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE AND RECENT REPAIR DOCUMENTATION IS AVAILABLE. CAR PURCHASE BILL OF SALE, RECEIPT FOR TITLE AND REGISTRATION AND COST FOR INSURING THIS VEHICLE SINCE TIME OF PURCHASE ARE ALL AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 95,900

20151231FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THIS IS THE 4 TH TIME I HAVE HAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON ALONG WITH MISFIRE ISSUES. EACH TIME COSTING ME AT LEAST 2000.00 TO CORRECT ONLY FOR A SHORT TIME. HAVE CHANGED OIL PUMP, PLUGS, INJECTORS JUST TO NAME A FEW. I LOVE MY CAR BUT THIS HAS BEEN A MONEY PIT FROM DAY ONE. VW NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE ISSUES. OIL SLUDGE, IS A BIG PROBLEM TOO. I JUST HAD THE TIMING BELT REPLACED WITH INJECTORS AND A NEW GASKET SET UP AND RAN GOOD FOR TWO MONTHS AND NOW I'M BACK IN THE SAME POSITION OF NEEDING THE SAME REPAIRS ONCE AGAIN. CAR WAS DRIVING BEGAN TO SHUTTER TRYING TO STALL. HELP!

Mileage: 143,000

Compare 2005VOLKSWAGENPASSAT to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT have?
The 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT has 172 NHTSA complaints, 9 crashes, 12 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT?
Yes, the 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT?
The most-complained component for the 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING with 24 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE and ENGINE.
Is the 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.