MYRModel Year Report

2005 Volkswagen Passat

▲ Better than typical
2005 Volkswagen Passat
RENDERED 2026-09-16T17:26:08.657Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Volkswagen Passat Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2005 highlighted. 1990: 34 complaints 1990 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 40 complaints 1993: 68 complaints 1994: 25 complaints 1995: 94 complaints 1995 1996: 142 complaints 1997: 70 complaints 1998: 331 complaints 1999: 664 complaints 2000: 507 complaints 2000 2001: 430 complaints 2002: 636 complaints 2003: 629 complaints 2004: 279 complaints 2005: 148 complaints 2005 2006: 576 complaints 2007: 262 complaints 2008: 168 complaints 2009: 146 complaints 2010: 163 complaints 2010 2011: 16 complaints 2012: 483 complaints 2013: 748 complaints 2014: 594 complaints 2015: 243 complaints 2015 2016: 106 complaints 2017: 110 complaints 2018: 45 complaints 2019: 12 complaints 2020: 18 complaints 2020 2021: 18 complaints 2022: 12 complaints 2022
2005: 148 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19880
19890
199034
199124
199240
199368
199425
199594
1996142
199770
1998331
1999664
2000507
2001430
2002636
2003629
2004279
2005148
2006576
2007262
2008168
2009146
2010163
201116
2012483
2013748
2014594
2015243
2016106
2017110
201845
201912
202018
202118
202212

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 34%

34% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 51 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and diesel.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

ON NOVEMBER 4,2005, AROUND 7:30 PM WHILE A I WAS DRIVING MY CAR FROM NEW JERSEY TO NEW YORK CITY, A NEW JERSEY TRANSIT AUTHORITY BUS DANGEROUSLY CUT IN FRONT OF MY CAR. MY WIFE WAS ACCOMPANYING ME.

NHTSA ODI report, 20051223

POWER TRAIN 9%

9% of complaints: power train — 13 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

SEATS 9%

9% of complaints: seats — 13 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing seat heater/cooler.

FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THE THAT FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT WAS ACTIVATED WHEN A HIGH VOLTAGE OF HEAT PENETRATED THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT CUSHION UNEXPECTEDLY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140326

ENGINE 8%

8% of complaints: engine — 12 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

OVER HEATED AND TIMING BELT

NHTSA ODI report, 20180504

Also filed under ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 7%

7% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 10 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing delivery.

FIRE

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 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

I 20070928 — EA (closed 20080707)

PASSENGER ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

I 20080131 — PE (closed 20080530)

FUEL TANK LEAK

R 20080613 — fuel system, gasoline

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

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL ADDITIONAL UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELDS ON VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS TO COVER THE POSSIBLY DAMAGED AREAS AND FLASH ALL 1.8T ENGINES WITH A PRECAUTIONARY SOFTWARE UPDATE. DEA

Campaign 08V156000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20110126 — EA (closed 20120217)

Engine Compartment Fire

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 Passat — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (51 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (13 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for seats issues (13 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 04V586000 (fuel system, diesel) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07V063000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08V156000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14E007000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1990 ▲ 1992 ▲ 2018

WORST YEARS

■ 2013 ■ 1999 ■ 2003

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2005 Volkswagen Passat reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Volkswagen Passat is rated "better than typical".

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

The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 34% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2005 Volkswagen Passat have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.