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 11 through 20 of 241.00

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  Buyer Beware - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Tony - January 4 - 5:30 pm

  At first I really liked this car. Sure the Value Edition limited my choices, but the car came with a lot of standard features anyway. For the price, it almost seemed to good to be true. Unfortunately, it was. Its been downhill since I drove it off the lot. A sensor problem with the door locks required VW techs at corporate to help diagnose and fix. Then there was the recent recall due to fuel line problems. But the real clincher for me is the ride. I cant believe someone described it as "smooth" unless they just got the car. Up to about 1300 miles, it was smooth. But once the suspension got broken in, it now rides like a horse-n-buggy. I would not buy this car knowing what I know now.

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  Ive had too many issues - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By 01041986 - November 18 - 4:53 am

  When I first bought my brand new Jetta, I was very excited, it was cool and new. The excitement quickly failed as I have had many issues with the car. First off, the car had a rattling problem, I have taken it in to be fixed about 5 times, it still rattles. The horn went out at about 500 miles, first time it was ever used. I have had lights stop working and bad service at the dealership. This past weekend the exhaust warning light has come on, I am not sure what it means but I have a feeling it is just something stupid because it is a Volkswagen, not well built. If i had a choice, I would not have bought this car.

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  Regret it - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By slm - March 8 - 7:33 pm

  A nice car but a week later I really regret not buying the Mazda3 sedan we looked at. The Mazda was more fun to drive, bigger inside and a lot less money! I definitely know what I will be trading my Jetta for as soon as I can. The Jetta is nice but not worth the price.

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  Problems Already - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Problems - February 28 - 10:30 pm

  I bought my 2005 Jetta used with around 30K miles on it and have had it just over a year. I love the looks of it and have enjoyed having the vehicle until now. My vehicle had 42K miles on it when I started hearing a rattling noise. Come to find out, I had to have most of my engine replaced! When I went to pick it up, I drove about 1 block from the dealership when my car started jerking and wouldn’t always accelerate when the gas was applied. I immediately drove it right back to the dealership and now Im needing a whole new transmission! Thank God all this is covered under warranty but I dont think its right that a car with so few miles should be having so many major problems!

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  05 jetta in the desert - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By joshkellerpa - September 7 - 5:24 pm

  I own an 05 VW jetta GL and a 05 vw bug. I dont know about later years or earlyer. But on my 05 jetta the crank pully has snaped off on its own. We have had to replace the water pump EVERY SUMMER.(hot weather area). I have gotten it replaced at a VW dealership for the majority. Now why did they never recomend to get the metal impeler? Why hasnt this model of water pump been recalled? We have gotten our engine rebuilt 2 times for a grand total of $10,000+. 1 of these engines was rebuilt at a VW dealershit. THEY LEFT SOME KIND OF AIR PUMP ON MY ENGINE. told me to bad thats were it goes. the second time by beatle barn las vegas and they gave me my car back in worse condition then b4 it blew.

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  Never go without a warranty - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By gunz20 - July 22 - 10:30 am

  Our first import car. TDI is great for fuel economy. Problems; we hit 20000 miles & had to replace the fuel filter. Could have been bad diesel fuel, but paid because its suggested to be replaced every 20000 miles. Vehicle now has 64000, no problems since. Trunk lid latch doesnt work in cold weather. Got it replaced under warranty, now it doesnt work again and no warranty to help. Most recent, driver side door electrical harness went out, leaving me with no controls, no way lock car or open up the fuel tank door. VW wants $500 to repair. Dealer said passenger door is going out, another $500. Also, we have replaced several, blown exterior light bulbs, some multiple times.

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  Pretty on the outside, ugly on the inside - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By eder_cheddar - December 27 - 2:05 pm

  I got my car used with 62k miles on it. As soon as I got it, the car kept breaking down on me time after time. Maybe I got a lemon, who knows. I had a tiny piece of plastic connecting my inter coolant break on me that crippled my car and was a $3 piece of plastic I got at OReillys. Its terrible that you dont have the transmission oil easily accessible. You have to take it to a mechanic to get lifted so they can access it. My favorite/current issue is the transmission that crapped out on me 3 times. I currently have had the car for 72K miles and its ridiculous to have this occur so soon.

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  Wouldnt buy it again - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ssettl2 - May 6 - 8:43 pm

  After owning the car for 3 years, I can safely say I wont buy another VW. Ever since it was new, it sounds like a diesel for about 30 seconds when it starts. Very loud, dealer said its normal. Now with only 30k on it, I am replacing the rear PADS AND ROTORS ($400+) for the second time! My Toyota has over 65K and havent touched the brakes on it!! The Jetta also has a lot of road noise. While it does drive and handle well and is comfortable, overall I would say I am disappointed in the quality and dont expect it to hold up as long as it should for what I paid.

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  Never again! - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Never Again! - June 10 - 7:10 pm

  Well, where to start...Lets see I leased my Jetta in 2005 and liked the car so I ended up purchasing (although the sunroof had to be rebuilt and the driver window motor had to be replaced) I thought these things were just a fluke. Literally as soon as I purchased the car the check engine light started coming on every couple months, it actually came on twice in one month once!!! I took the car in every time and they fixed it under warranty. Now my factory warranty is up and it came on once again and I took it to the dealership and they stated that it was a secondary air pump, which is NOT covered under the extended warranty that I purchased. What a shocker!! it will cost over $500 to fix.

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  Never again!!! - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By lslb40 - April 6 - 11:30 am

  I have had my 2005 2.5L for 3 years now. I have had to replace the timing chain and tensioners once already. 4 months later I had to replace the tensioners again. Thank god my Husband works on VWs cause if you take it to a VW dealer to get fixed your looking at a $2,500 job and thats on the low side. Now my car has an intermittent starting problem which after days and days of research I see that this has been a big problem for this car and several other VW cars. I have talked to a VW mechanic from a local VW dealer and he has said to get rid of the car, especially the 2.5L. He has been a VW mechanic for 35 years. Needless to say. I will never buy a VW again.