Overview & Reviews
A completely redesigned Jetta sedan has arrived as a midyear replacement, but some versions of the previous version are still available. The GLI VR6 version of the old model was dropped from the lineup, while the GLI 1.8T added an automatic transmission to the options list.
Read our Volkswagen Jetta TDI Long-Term 20,000-Mile Test
- Powerful turbo engines, fuel-efficient TDI power plant, fun to drive, comfortable ride, rich interior materials, loads of standard safety features, excellent crash test scores, solid build quality. Cons
- Tight rear-seat legroom and weak base four-cylinder on old model, somewhat bland styling on new Jetta.
User Reviews:
Showing 1 through 10 of 241.00-
2005.5 Jetta VE - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
By Mikey - October 23 - 7:56 amThe least "VW like" VW I have owned. It has been near stone reliable for 38K miles. Interior finish weak. Soft touch finish blistering off leaving white plastic. Switches breaking or pushing through dash panel. It does not have the Euro aura of its predecessors and looks and feels more plastic. Excessive oil consumption, in my opinion. Changed every 5K with synthetic and have consumed 3-4 qts. between changes since new. Though not as much fun as previous models, the chassis is superb. Great handling combined with great ride and on 15" wheels. It is roomier for passengers and storage as well as quieter. Its just not as spirited or visually pleasing as past models have been.
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Dont Do it! Repair shop special! - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
By Scott - September 5 - 11:23 amThis car is fun to drive when it is not in the repair shop! I have replaced headlights, taillights, an airbag wire harness, radiator fan, trunk latch, ignition key tumbler, the paint on the interior peels, and I have had recall services done. I implore you, even with the warranty this vehicle is not the one! You will be on a first name basis with the auto techs at VW! They are very nice but I would prefer to be on the road and not at the shop!
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Very disappointed - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
By Elise - June 19 - 8:33 pmMy 2005 Jetta has 87000 miles, is serviced regularly, but now I have to get a new car. The timing chain, gears, spark plugs, and coil pack supposedly all went out last week and to fix it would be $3700 according to the dealership. While I have loved the design and the drive, it just isnt worth it. The worst part is they only offered me $1500 for a trade in. Why would I want another VW if that is all they think it is worth? Ill be getting a Toyota this weekend.
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Unreliable Lemon! VW wont replace! - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
By Alisha - March 5 - 6:50 amFor some buying a VW is great but it has been the worst experience ever for me. This is my first new car and it has broken down four times in six months. The worst part is that VW doesnt know what is wrong. The last time it was in, they just kept replacing things until the code went away. The problem is that the car will work fine, then when you stop and try to go, it wont go anywhere. You give it gas but it acts like it is in neutral. This has happened in the middle of intersections almost causing us to wreck. I told VW and the dealer this, they said they wont replace my car. The VW Customer Care line lacks care and contradicts itself. VW doesnt know how to repair their cars. Note to consumers, read the lemon law carefully!
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Beware the first model year of a VW - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
By ORDuck - January 4 - 8:00 amIve had this car with Package 2 for about 3 weeks. Stereo made front doors rattle something fierce. Developed buzzing noise in dashboard. Took to car wash this weekend. When air drying portion hit the front doors I thought the panneling would come off it rattled so loud! And, the next day I discovered that it retained water INSIDE the back doors. Oh, and the outside mirrors make quite a wind noise at speed.
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Nice Car - Poor Build Quality - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
By damien - August 5 - 8:36 amBuy another car. Within the first 11 days of owning my New Jetta: 1. The drivers side light cover fell off. 2. The outside temperature sensor failed. 3. The drivers side door rattles 4. The center console cover rattles. A month later I am happy to report that my car has been back to the dealer twice and nothing is fixed. In fact the service manager called me to let me know that the temperature sensor has arrived; but Volkswagen has instructed the dealer that they can not install this part and that they must return the part and wait for another one. Nobody can tell me when my car will be fixed.
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Terrible Car - Will Never Buy One Again - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
By Della - January 15 - 12:46 pmI bought my 2005 Volkswagen Jetta 2.5 the first day it was available in Texas - Huge mistake! My car has been in the shop 5 times in 9 months, and the worst thing about it is that I am still having problems. The sunroof has broken twice. The speakers rattle terribly! They have already been fixed once, but I still have the problem. There is a clicking in the dashboard that they supposively fixed (still there). It is an automatic, but I can feel my transmission stick as it goes from gear to gear. The clock doesnt keep accurate time. They were unable to fix either of these problems. When I start the car, it is extremely loud! I am a first time VW buyer, and I can guarantee that I will never buy another!
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The 4 Cylinder Jetta Sucks! - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
By Jewel2 - October 19 - 11:10 amI have not had this car for a year yet and Im already having problems. Like other owners, I have electrical problems with check engine lights coming on, coolant lights and all seem to be "fine" when checked by mechanics. Also the transmission sticks when driving. It sometimes jerks when trying to accelerate going uphill. My drivers side door squeaks when I open it. Ive lost a hubcap and on a rainy day the tires slip. Also the fuel economy sucks on the highway as well so Im left wondering, why did I buy this car?
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Recaro sSeats Look Good, but... - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
By Goldie - August 29 - 5:53 pmThe car is great. Its fun to drive, it looks good, and its not too expensive. But seriously...those front seats are just way too narrow. Im not abnormally huge, but I just cant stand sitting in them for more than an hour or so. And the backs seats are made for toddlers. They have no leg room at all. Everything else is cool. The Tiptronic transmission shifts well, the features and controls are great. The trunk is huge, and nothing has really gone wrong. The only other complaints I have would be the low front clearance (I scrape it on everything) and the low profile tires. A crack in the road in Houston blew out two tires and dented the rims. Oops. All in all, though, this is a great Volkswagen.
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Not what you would expect. - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
By Unhappy - January 8 - 10:26 pmTraded a 2003 Beetle for new Jetta GLI, worst trade ever made. Jetta has good performance, poor gas mileage from what sales person explained. Major problem with brake issue. I have only owned for 2 months, been in shop 3 times for brakes and still not fixed. Paint was bubbling on rear of car. One of the BBS rims paint faded.
