Volkswagen · Golf · 2005
4
Recalls
19
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2005 Volkswagen Golf has 4 recalls and 19 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: air bags (5 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
The 2005 Volkswagen Golf page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is air bags with 5 reported complaints.
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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 Status
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.
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 Status
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DIESEL PUMP. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 8, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
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....
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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 DRIV...
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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.
I MOVE MY PASSENGER SEAT BACK AND FOR NO REASON THE AIRBAG CAME ON, IT WOULD NOT RESET.
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
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
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 C...
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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
THE VEHICLE IS MAINTAINED ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURER GUIDELINES AND BY CERTIFIED MECHANICS AT VOLKSWAGEN DEALER SERVICE CENTER. LESS THAN A WEEK AFTER THE LAST MAINTENANCE, FUEL TANK EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING. BOTTOM OF THE CAR IS DAMAGED RIGHT UNDER REAR PASSENGER SEATS. BASED ON...
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CAR WAS DRIVEN ON A HIGHWAY, APPROX 60 MPH WHEN A CLUNK WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND SOUND OF METAL FALLING ON THE ROAD. CAR IMMEDIATELY STARTED SHAKING AND PULLING STRONGLY TO THE RIGHT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RAISED UP AND EXAMINED IT WAS FOUND THAT THE RIGHT FRONT SUS...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 19 total
View Full Complaint LogThe strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2005 Volkswagen models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
The 2005 Volkswagen Golf has 4 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 19 owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Volkswagen Golf.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2005 Volkswagen Golf.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2005 Volkswagen Golf are air bags (5 reports), power train (2 reports), engine and engine cooling,fuel system, other (1 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 4 recalls on record for the 2005 Volkswagen Golf. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.