2005 Volkswagen GolfProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 19 owner complaints about the 2005 Volkswagen Golf, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)

Safety recalls2Free fix at dealers Owner complaints191 with a crash, fire or injury Typical failure mileage73kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 25, 2021. Updated daily. Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2005 Volkswagen Golf has problems

19 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

6Air bags1 crash/fire/injury

2Electrical system

2Engine and engine cooling

2Exterior lighting

2Fuel system, other

2Power train

1Fuel system, diesel

1Fuel system, gasoline

1Engine

66 other systems

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.

Complaints by system
System	Complaints	Crash, fire or injury
Air bags	6	1
Electrical system	2	0
Engine and engine cooling	2	0
Exterior lighting	2	0
Fuel system, other	2	0
Power train	2	0
Fuel system, diesel	1	0
Fuel system, gasoline	1	0
Engine	1	0
6 other systems	6	0

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

2005 Volkswagen Golf recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

no report yet

Brake lights: switch

Recall 07V-063 · Feb 20, 2007 · 1,002,000 vehicles

Risk. THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

no report yet

Fuel system, diesel

Recall 04V-586 · Dec 15, 2004 · 19,284 vehicles

Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Volkswagen.

Best & worst years

2005 vs. every other Golf year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Golf median. How we score

10 13 4 9 17 10 8 6 7 41 43 3 7 18 64 88 11674 26 28 19 12 2 1 3 70 11048 43 12 13185 11730 63 6 7 81 11

'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23

Avoid
Caution
Solid
Best
Not rated

NHTSA crash tests

2005 Volkswagen Golf safety ratings

2005 Volkswagen Golf 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

Stability control: Optional
Forward collision warning: No
Lane departure warning: No

In owners' words

What Golf owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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
Complaint 10871100 · May 26, 2016 · 150,000 miles

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…
Complaint 10384354 · Feb 24, 2011 · 69,800 miles

THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS TURNED ON FOR THE SECOND TIME, REDERING THE AIRBAGS USELESS. I HAVE HAD THE AIRBAGS REPLACED ONCE WITHIN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF BECAUSE OF THE SAME ISSUE. I WAS NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT AND I NEVER HIT ANYTHING TO CAUSE THE SENSOR TO TRIGGER. THIS SEEMS TO BE A FAULTY PART THAT…
Complaint 10280491 · Aug 15, 2009 · 54,800 miles

Own a 2005 Golf?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.