Model year
2005 Volkswagen Passat
NHTSA lists 3 recalls and 148 complaints for the 2005 Volkswagen Passat (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (24), ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE (19), ENGINE (12). NHTSA lists 3 investigations. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 19–27 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,550–$4,350, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 507 complaints
- 2001 430 complaints
- 2002 636 complaints
- 2003 628 complaints
- 2004 279 complaints
- 2005 148 complaints
- 2006 576 complaints
- 2007 262 complaints
- 2008 168 complaints
- 2009 146 complaints
- 2010 163 complaints
- 2012 484 complaints
- 2013 749 complaints
- 2014 594 complaints
- 2015 243 complaints
- 2016 106 complaints
- 2017 110 complaints
- 2018 46 complaints
- 2019 12 complaints
- 2020 18 complaints
- 2021 18 complaints
- 2022 13 complaints
Recalls
08V156000 · Apr 7, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 412,000 MY 1999-2005 PASSAT (5TH GENERATION) VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND PRODUCED AFTER JUNE 14, 1999. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE AN UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELD THAT CAN BECOME DAMAGED. IN ADDITION, AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC OR…
07V063000 · Feb 20, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
04V586000 · Dec 15, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
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.
Complaints
148 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 7, fire flag on 11, injury field 4, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| EA07014 | PASSENGER ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM | Sep 28, 2007 | Jul 7, 2008 |
| PE08008 | FUEL TANK LEAK · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY; FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES | Jan 31, 2008 | May 30, 2008 |
| EA11002 | Engine Compartment Fire · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | Jan 26, 2011 | Feb 17, 2012 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passat 4motion · 1.8L · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 19 | 28 | 22 | — | — | $3,750 |
| Passat 4motion · 1.8L · Automatic (S5) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 26 | 21 | — | — | $3,900 |
| Passat 4motion · 2.8L · Automatic (S5) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 24 | 19 | — | — | $4,350 |
| Passat · 1.8L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 19 | 28 | 23 | — | — | $3,550 |
| Passat · 1.8L · Automatic (S5) · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 19 | 28 | 22 | — | — | $3,750 |
| Passat · 2L · Automatic (S5) · Front-Wheel Drive | Diesel · Diesel | 23 | 34 | 27 | — | — | $3,550 |
| Passat · 2.8L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 26 | 20 | — | — | $4,100 |
| Passat · 2.8L · Automatic (S5) · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 25 | 20 | — | — | $4,100 |
| Passat Wagon · 1.8L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 19 | 28 | 23 | — | — | $3,550 |
| Passat Wagon · 1.8L · Automatic (S5) · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 19 | 28 | 22 | — | — | $3,750 |
| Passat Wagon · 2L · Automatic (S5) · Front-Wheel Drive | Diesel · Diesel | 23 | 34 | 27 | — | — | $3,550 |
| Passat Wagon · 2.8L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 26 | 20 | — | — | $4,100 |
4 more configurations are in the EPA file and are not listed in this table. The fuel-cost calculator lists every configuration.
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2005 Volkswagen Passat at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.