The contact's son owned a 2005 Volkswagen Beetle Turbocharged. The contact stated that while her son was driving at 60 MPH during early evening hours, he traveled over black ice in the road, which caused the vehicle to spin around several times before crashing into the guardrail and concrete wall several times, striking the front and rear of the vehicle, where it eventually came to a stop. The air bags did not deploy. There was no reported fire. The front passenger side occupant sustained a severe concussion. The driver sustained a spinal curvature injury and a severe concussion. Medical attention was received, and both occupants were seen at a hospital. There were no warning lights illuminated before or after the failure. The police were on the scene, but it was unknown if a police report was filed. The contact stated that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 08V178000 (Air Bags). The contact spoke with the sheriff, who referred to a lawyer. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The contact was notified of the crash through the 360 app. A local dealer was able to be located. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000. The VIN was not available.
The worst 2005 Volkswagen Beetle problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Transmission116
- Visibility62
- Electrical35
- Airbags31
- Lights21
- Engine16
- Body13
- Acceleration7
- Brakes4
- Fuel system4
- Seat belts3
- Driver assistance2
- Suspension2
Specific symptoms reported on the 2005 Volkswagen Beetle
Power windows 49Jerking 47Transmission failure 30Slipping 26Airbag light 20Headlights 20Harsh shifting 17Won't shift 14Stalling 13Hesitation 11Grinding brakes 9Loss of power 7
Recalls 3
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen is recalling 76,900 my 2004-2005 new beetle and my 2003-2005 new beetle convertibles equipped with an advanced (dual-stage) air bag system. This system may have air bag frontal crash sensors that contain a solder joint on the circuit board that may crack under certain high temperature conditions. If this occurs, the air bag indicator light will illuminate and the fallback algorithm will ensure that the front air bags always deploy in a frontal crash in which the vehicle's deceleration is high enough to activate the frontal air bags.
- Risk
- In low-severity frontal impacts, the front air bags may deploy more forcefully than designed, increasing the possibility of injury to out-of-position front seat occupants.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect each vehicle to determine that the specific defect crash sensor is present on one or both sides of the vehicle. All of the defect crash sensors will be replaced free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on or before july 31, 2008. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1‑800‑822‑8987.
Recall number 08V178000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger, wagon, and convertible vehicles equipped with or without cruise control, a brake light switch may malfunction if it was installed incorrectly.
- Risk
- The brake lights could become inoperative, or remain on. Failure to provide the proper signal when braking could lead to a crash without warning.
- Remedy
- 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 or 06v‑183, but not both. The remedy is the same for each recall. Volkswagen dealers will apply the remedy based on the VIN number of the vehicle. Owners may contact vw at 1‑800‑822‑8987.
Recall number 07V063000 · Recall details
Fuel system, diesel
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may lead to a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the diesel pump. The recall began on february 8, 2005. Owners should contact volkswagen at 1‑800‑822‑8987.
Recall number 04V586000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2005 Volkswagen Beetle 257
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Airbag / Pyrotechnic Safety Belt Deployment Inquiries, update to contact information due to retirement.
- Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards
- Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
- Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
- Update model year applicability to include 2023.
- Battery testing and charging using special tools VAS6161 & GRX3000VAS Charger
- This bulletin contains general instructions for software updates.
- Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)
- Body surfaces (engine compartment and underside of hood) are not directly visible (exposed) therefore do...
- Battery testing
2005 Volkswagen Beetle fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4‑cyl | FWD | 19-22 | 28 | 22-24 |
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 19-21 | 28 | 22-24 |
What 2005 Volkswagen Beetle owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
my 2005 VW Beetle auotmatic has 96k miles. When taking off the car shudders hard on 1st and 2nd gear. It feels like the transmission is out to fall out of the car. It also stops moving forward at times. I have quit driving it due to fear of getting hit. I feel this is a very dangerous and could cause serious injuries to me and other drivers. Please help
Passenger Air Bag Off. Light comes on.0
I wasa driving and the engine lost power and everything shut down.aoll the lights came on on the dashand it jujst stop power the stearing wheel locked .I was in a residential neighborhod going speed limit if I had been on the freeway I dont know what would of happen , im scared to drive my car now
Airbag light that is located on the dash is on. Took to have the sensor replaced and was told that part is no longer made. Without this sensor the air bag is rendered useless. The mechanic said that the airbag will not deploy in the event of an accident. This is the code that is given 00003 control module defective. And 00532 supply voltage lower limit not reached. Air bag module had internal failure. Will need to be replaced and check part has been discontinued. In the evident I want to sell this vehicle I can not due to this failure.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 volkswagen beetle. While the contact's daughter was driving 35 MPH, the vehicle hard shifted. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to crain volkswagen of fayetteville (located at 2011 west foxglove dr, fayetteville, ar 72704, (479) 695-5900), but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 33,000. *ln
The light bulbs are short fuse about every year. I think water gets in.I purshase it 0n 2011 h on a use
I bought used. One headlight was working. The other one went out shortly after I got it. We replaced the hid lights with brand new halogen lights. Was working great! Then I was driving to town late one night and my headlights went out. The low beams, I still had the high beams. Then I got pulled over cause my tail lights were not working. So I had to drive with my flashers on. Then the check airbag light came on and I need a new seat belt, cause it is not working right. The drivers door window would not roll down a little when I opened the door and the door would not lock. The lights and tail lights are making me mad cause no matter what we have done they never work. Help!!! I want it fixed!! I love my little convertible. I don't want to have to get rid of it.
Air bag light is on just wondering if this has anything to do with the takata recall
While driving on a local highway, I heard a "click" then a "poof", then the car lost power, in traffic! It was towed to the mechanic we always use. They determined that the fuse box/alternator cable melted. They said this is a problem with the beetle. We checked to see if we missed any recalls and were surprised to learn that there has not been any on such a dangerous issue! I am including screen captured images from video we have of the problem being inspected. We also have documentation from the mechanic.
Compare the 2005 Volkswagen Beetle
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Questions about the 2005 Volkswagen Beetle
Is the 2005 Volkswagen Beetle reliable?
Owners have filed 261 complaints about the 2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 4.0 times a typical Beetle model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2005 Volkswagen Beetle year score?
The 2005 Volkswagen Beetle scores 24 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Volkswagen Beetle: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2005 Volkswagen Beetle?
Transmission and drivetrain, with 116 complaints, typically around 66,850 miles. Next is visibility (62).
How many recalls does the 2005 Volkswagen Beetle have?
3 recalls, covering air bags, exterior lighting and fuel system, diesel.
What year does the Volkswagen Beetle have bad transmission?
The Volkswagen Beetle model years with the most transmission complaints are 2004 (157 complaints), 2003 (134 complaints) and 2005 (116 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2005 Volkswagen Beetle get?
Official estimates for the 2005 Volkswagen Beetle range from 22 to 24 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.8L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 19-22 city and 28 highway.
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