2005 Volkswagen Golf

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2005 Volkswagen Golf
RENDERED 2026-08-02T11:57:30.155Z

Only 19 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 19 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Volkswagen Golf Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2005 highlighted. 1985: 10 complaints 1985 1986: 13 complaints 1987: 4 complaints 1988: 9 complaints 1989: 17 complaints 1990: 10 complaints 1990 1991: 8 complaints 1992: 6 complaints 1993: 7 complaints 1994: 41 complaints 1995: 43 complaints 1995 1996: 3 complaints 1997: 7 complaints 1998: 18 complaints 1999: 64 complaints 2000: 88 complaints 2000 2001: 116 complaints 2002: 73 complaints 2003: 26 complaints 2004: 28 complaints 2005: 19 complaints 2005 2006: 12 complaints 2007: 2 complaints 2008: 1 complaints 2009: 3 complaints 2010: 69 complaints 2010 2011: 110 complaints 2012: 48 complaints 2013: 43 complaints 2014: 11 complaints 2015: 129 complaints 2015 2016: 85 complaints 2017: 115 complaints 2018: 29 complaints 2019: 62 complaints 2020: 6 complaints 2020 2021: 6 complaints 2022: 81 complaints 2023: 11 complaints 2023
2005: 19 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
198510
198613
19874
19889
198917
199010
19918
19926
19937
199441
199543
19963
19977
199818
199964
200088
2001116
200273
200326
200428
200519
200612
20072
20081
20093
201069
2011110
201248
201343
201411
2015129
201685
2017115
201829
201962
20206
20216
202281
202311

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Only 19 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

AIR BAGS

6 of 19 total reports mention: air bags.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

TAKATA RECALL - I WAS IN ACCIDENT ON 5/24/16 AND THE FRONT OF MY CAR WAS ALL DAMAGED BUT THE AIRBAG DID NOT INFLATE CAUSING ME TO HIT THE STEERING WHEEL

NHTSA ODI report, 20160526

I MOVE MY PASSENGER SEAT BACK AND FOR NO REASON THE AIRBAG CAME ON, IT WOULD NOT RESET.

NHTSA ODI report, 20170226

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

2 of 19 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling.

Show complaint excerpts

DT: CONSUMER OWNED A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF WITH TURBO DIESEL INJECTION. SHE BOUGHT VEHICLE WITH 75 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20050808

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 of 19 total reports mention: electrical system.

SUSPENSION

1 of 19 total reports mentions: suspension.

STRUCTURE

1 of 19 total reports mentions: structure.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20050208 — 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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DIESEL PUMP. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 8, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Campaign 04V586000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20070402 — service brakes, hydraulic

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

Remedy: 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 — check if this car was fixed

R 20070427 — exterior lighting

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

Remedy: 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. VEHICLE

Campaign 07V063000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140501 — engine and engine cooling

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...

Remedy: 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 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2005 Volkswagen Golf — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (6 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (2 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (2 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 04V586000 (fuel system, diesel) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E023000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07V063000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14E007000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1994 ▲ 2013 ▲ 1995

WORST YEARS

◆ 2015 ◆ 2001 ◆ 2017

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2005 Volkswagen Golf reliable?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Volkswagen Golf?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 32% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2005 Volkswagen Golf have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.