2005 Volkswagen Passat recalls and problems

The 2005 Volkswagen Passat has 3 safety recalls and 148 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Volkswagen dealer.

Recalls

Complaints

148

Crashes / fires

7 / 11

Injuries / deaths

4 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2005 Volkswagen Passat vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2005 Volkswagen Passat recalls

Recall 08V-156: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Apr 7, 2008 · 412,000 vehicles affected · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

Problem: 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 have a fuel line (1.8t engines only) or fuel tank ventilation valve (4motion/all wheel drive only) that can leak due to fracture.

Risk: A heat shield that may contact the exhaust system can result in a vehicle fire. In addition, a fuel leak from a fuel line or fuel tank ventilation valve, in the presence of an ignition source, can lead to a vehicle fire.

Fix: 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. Dealers will also inspect and adjust the fuel line routing on 1.8t vehicles and the fuel tank ventilation valve on 4motion/all wheel drive vehicles, and replace components if necessary free of charge. The recall began on june 13, 2008. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.

Recall 07V-063: Exterior Lighting

Reported Feb 20, 2007 · 1,002,000 vehicles affected · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

Problem: On certain passenger, wagon, and convertible vehicles equipped with or without cruise control, a brake light switch may malfunction if it was installed incorrectly.

Risk: The brake lights could become inoperative, or remain on. Failure to provide the proper signal when braking could lead to a crash without warning.

Fix: 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.

Recall 04V-586: Fuel System, Diesel

Reported Dec 15, 2004 · 19,284 vehicles affected · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

Problem: 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.

Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may lead to a fire.

Fix: Dealers will replace the diesel pump. The recall began on february 8, 2005. Owners should contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.

2005 Volkswagen Passat problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Engine and Engine Cooling	51
Power Train	13
Seats	13
Engine	12
Fuel System, Gasoline	10
Electrical System	9
Fuel/Propulsion System	8
Unknown or Other	7
Structure	6
Vehicle Speed Control	5
Tires	5
Exterior Lighting	5

Most reported parts

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 19
Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler — 5
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch — 3
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Diesel — 3
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System — 3
Structure › Body — 3
Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly — 2
Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 2

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 71,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2005 Volkswagen Passat complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Engine · reported Aug 18, 2022

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…

Structure · reported Aug 18, 2022

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…

Fuel/Propulsion System · reported Nov 17, 2021

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…

Fuel/Propulsion System · at 128,892 miles · reported Sep 27, 2019

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)…

Fuel/Propulsion System · at 71,000 miles · reported Jul 14, 2019

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.

Other Volkswagen Passat years

2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 200620052004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Compare all Volkswagen Passat years · All Volkswagen models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Volkswagen Passat have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2005 Volkswagen Passat: 08V-156 (fuel system, gasoline), 07V-063 (exterior lighting), 04V-586 (fuel system, diesel). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2005 Volkswagen Passat?

Owners report engine and engine cooling problems most often (51 reports), followed by power train (13). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 71,000 miles.

Are Volkswagen recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Volkswagen dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.