Model year guide

2005 Volkswagen Passat

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2005 Volkswagen Passat is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 54 on record.

2005 Volkswagen Passat at a glance

Safety recalls4
Owner complaints148
Combined22 mpg
Typical price$2,891

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2005 Volkswagen Passat recalls 4

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine NHTSA Campaign #14E007000 · 07/03/2014

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 i…

Fix: 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.

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery NHTSA Campaign #08V156000 · 07/04/2008

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 MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS MAY HAVE A FUEL LINE (1.8T ENGINES ONLY) OR FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE (4MOTION/ALL WHEEL DRIVE ONLY) THAT CAN LEAK DUE TO…

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL ADDITIONAL UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELDS ON VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS TO COVER THE POSSIBLY DAMAGED AREAS AND FLASH ALL 1.8T ENGINES WITH A PRECAUTIONARY SOFTWARE UPDATE. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT AND ADJUST THE FUEL LINE ROUTING ON 1.8T VEHICLES AND THE FUEL TANK VENTILAT…

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch NHTSA Campaign #07V063000 · 20/02/2007

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.

Fix: 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 O…

Fuel System, Diesel NHTSA Campaign #04V586000 · 15/12/2004

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.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DIESEL PUMP. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 8, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2005 Volkswagen Passat common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 148 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.

2005 Volkswagen Passat MPG & running costs

Combined22 mpg
City19 mpg
Highway28 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,460

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2005 Volkswagen Passat worth?

Low
$1,600
Typical price
$2,891
High
$4,500

From 54 comparable 2005 Volkswagen Passat listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2005 Volkswagen Passat costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$17,300
Depreciation (5 yrs)$1,750
Total$19,050
Per mile$0.25

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($2,891) with the same model 5 model-years older ($1,135), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2005 Volkswagen Passat trims & engines on record

Trims
fwd 4c gls · GLS TDI · GLX 4Motion · GLS 1.8T · GLS 1.8T 4Motion · GL 1.8T · GLS 4Motion · GLX
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl 170 hp · 2.0L 4-cyl 134 hp · 2.8L 6-cyl 190 hp

2005 Volkswagen Passat vehicles on record

2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8TWVWCD63B75E010908 2005 Volkswagen Passat fwd 4c glsWVWAD63B35P040841 2005 Volkswagen Passat 2005 Volkswagen Passat fwd 4c glsWVWAD63B35E077965 2005 Volkswagen Passat 2005 Volkswagen Passat fwd 4c glsWVWAD63B05E048021 2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T 4MotionWVWBD63BX5E009361 2005 Volkswagen Passat 2005 Volkswagen Passat fwd 4c glsWVWAD63B95P006418 2005 Volkswagen Passat 2005 Volkswagen Passat fwd 4c glsWVWAD63B75P034525 2005 Volkswagen Passat 2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T 4MotionWVWBD63BX5E013247 2005 Volkswagen Passat 2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T 4MotionWVWBD63B15E089018 2005 Volkswagen Passat GLX 4MotionWVWTU63B15E076595 2005 Volkswagen Passat fwd 4c glsWVWAD63B95E055890 2005 Volkswagen Passat 2005 Volkswagen Passat GLX 4MotionWVWYU63B05E126358 2005 Volkswagen Passat fwd 4c glsWVWAD63B65P003461 2005 Volkswagen Passat 2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS TDIWVWAE63B15E068565 2005 Volkswagen Passat 2005 Volkswagen Passat fwd 4c glsWVWAD63B55E076784 2005 Volkswagen Passat 2005 Volkswagen Passat fwd 4c glsWVWAD63B75E086961 2005 Volkswagen Passat 2005 Volkswagen Passat fwd 4c glsWVWAD63B85P027020 2005 Volkswagen Passat 2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS TDIWVWAE63B05P010628 2005 Volkswagen Passat 2005 Volkswagen Passat GL 1.8TWVWMD63B15E003733 2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T 4MotionWVWDD63B65E021726 2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8TWVWCD63B75E135391 2005 Volkswagen Passat 2005 Volkswagen Passat fwd 4c glsWVWAD63B55E080852 2005 Volkswagen Passat 2005 Volkswagen Passat GL 1.8TWVWMD63B55P004064 2005 Volkswagen Passat 2005 Volkswagen Passat fwd 4c glsWVWAD63B35P026910

Other Volkswagen Passat model years

2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1996

2005 Volkswagen Passat — frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Volkswagen Passat have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2005 Volkswagen Passat. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Volkswagen Passat?

Based on 148 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are fuel/propulsion system, engine, electrical system.

What gas mileage does the 2005 Volkswagen Passat get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2005 Volkswagen Passat at about 22 mpg combined (19 city / 28 highway).

How much is a 2005 Volkswagen Passat worth?

Comparable 2005 Volkswagen Passat listings run roughly $1,600–$4,500, typically around $2,891 (from 54 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.