RoadVitals

2005 Volkswagen Golf

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
19
Latest Jun 25, 2021
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
4
Latest Mar 7, 2014
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 19 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Volkswagen Golf, most frequently naming the airbags, fuel system and engine categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 280 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags624.0%
  • Fuel system520.0%
  • Engine312.0%
  • Exterior lighting28.0%
  • Electrical28.0%
  • Transmission28.0%
  • Suspension14.0%
  • Interior & seats14.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
14E007000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Mar 7, 2014
50 units potentially affected
The defect: 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/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.
The risk: A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The 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.
The Gates CorporationView on NHTSA.gov
07E023000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

Mar 29, 2007
13,128 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.
The risk: LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The 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.
CARDONE INDUSTRIES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
07V063000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

Feb 20, 2007
1,002,000 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
The 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.
The 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. 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.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INCManufacturer number N4View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 19
Brakes
Filed Jun 25, 2021

Brake Booster Vacuum Line Fell off making me run a red light I could not stop the car in time. After getting the car stopped about 100 feet past the light I found that the Brake Booster Vacuum Line fell off its made of hard plastic that has become brittle it cracked at both ends. There was no warning lights even after it fell off. The part number of the hose is 130-612-041 I just wanted to let someone know before people start getting hurt...

NHTSA ID
11422241
Incident
Jun 24, 2021
Seat belts
Filed Mar 2, 2020

I GOT IN THE CAR THIS MORNING TO HEAD TO WORK, I REACHED BACK TO PULL THE SEAT BELT FORWARD AND AROUND MY LAP. NEXT THING I KNEW THE BELT WAS FULLY EXTENDED AND WOULD NOT RETRACT AT ALL. I HAD NO TENSION LEFT IN THE SEAT BELT AND IT HUNG OVER ME COMPLETELY EXTENDED. NOW I AM DRIVING WITH THIS COMPLETELY LOOSE SEAT BELT AROUND ME, AND NO PROTECTION IF I AM IN AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
11315583
Incident
Mar 2, 2020
Mileage
164,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Jul 3, 2019

WHEN DRIVING THE CAR IT WAS RUNNING FINE AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN DIED ON ME AND WOULD RESTART THEN DIED AGAIN BEFORE I COULD MOVE IT OUT OF THE WAY. NOW WHEN I START IT, IT DIES IMMEDIATELY.

NHTSA ID
11229158
Incident
Apr 15, 2019
Mileage
153,753 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 26, 2017

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

NHTSA ID
10957137
Incident
Feb 18, 2017
Mileage
155,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 26, 2016
Crash reported

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 ID
10871100
Incident
May 24, 2016
Mileage
150,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 2, 2011

WHEN EXITING THE FREEWAY, THE FUEL LIFT PUMP DIED AND THE CAR STALLED ON THE EXIT RAMP AT 55 MPH. I LOST CONTROL OF POWER BRAKES AND POWER STEERING BUT WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF THE RAMP TO THE STOP LIGHT AT THE END OF THE RAMP. *TR

NHTSA ID
10434032
Incident
Nov 2, 2011
Mileage
77,654 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 24, 2011

MULTIPLE AIRBAG FAILURES 01218 - SIDE AIRBAG IGNITER; PASSENGER SIDE (N200) 001 - UPPER LIMIT EXCEEDED - INTERMITTENT - MIL ON 01217 - SIDE AIRBAG IGNITER; DRIVER SIDE (N199) 001 - UPPER LIMIT EXCEEDED - INTERMITTENT - MIL ON THE DTC'S SEEM TO BE GENERATED DURING COLD WEATHER PERIODS WHEN THE SEATS ARE MOVED. THIS HAPPENS AT LEAST 1 - 2 TIMES PER YEAR. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN MOVING WHEN THESE CODES WERE GENERATED. DEALER HAS COMPLETED THE TSB FOR THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG WIRING, BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. PASSENGER SEAT DOES NOT HAVE A TSB FOR THE AIRBAG WIRING. DEALER REQUIRES THAT THE CODE BE CLEARED AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR $100 PER INCIDENT. PROBLEMATIC AIRBAGS ARE DISABLED UNTIL THE FAULT CODE IS CLEARED FROM THE SYSTEM. BOTH CODES HAVE APPEARED MULTIPLE TIMES, AT LEAST 4, ON THIS SAME VEHICLE AND THIS PROBLEM IS ALSO FOUND ON MULTIPLE VW MODELS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10384354
Incident
Jan 13, 2011
Mileage
69,800 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jun 1, 2010

THE TURN SIGNAL CLICKER CONTINUES CLICKING AFTER THE SIGNAL HAS BEEN DE-ACTIVATED. THIS DEFECT LEADS TO PEOPLE NOT USING THE SIGNAL AS THEY DO NOT WANT TO RISK LISTENING TO THE ANNOYING CLICKING THAT SOMETIMES GOES ON FOR HOURS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10334170
Incident
May 20, 2010
Mileage
55,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

V171901201285565

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards

V171901201285562

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION

Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.

V171901201285560

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION

Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.

V941901201152119

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Update model year applicability to include 2023.

V271901201189422

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Battery testing and charging using special tools VAS6161 & GRX3000VAS Charger. Updated to include additional model year applicability.

SM 48-2022

EQUIPMENT

This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Volkswagen Golf by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2024000—
2023110027.5
2022810030.0
2021710—
2020621—
2019626354.6
2018296160.8
20171155156.5
2016859152.6
201513012160.9
2014115356.2
2013435358.0
2012486564.9
20111106558.9
2010694455.0
2009301—
2008100—
2007200—
2006123045.3
2005Viewing194044.6
2004286051.9
2003276266.2
2002737361.4
20011169359.0
2000888357.2
1999647152.9
1998181032.4
1997230034.5
1996361151.0
1995435257.7
1994415052.3
1993750—
1992620—
1991832—
1990105365.7
1989174159.0
1988961—
1987442—
1986135362.9
1985106164.9

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.