2005 Volkswagen Passat Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 3%of 148 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 63,754miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2005 Volkswagen Passat, 3% of the 148 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 63,754 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Brake light switch: my brake lights stay on when my foot is not on the brake. This leaves the potential for an accident. I called my dealer and they told me my car was not covered under the current recall. I looked at this web site and it describes the very same symptoms that my car is exhibiting.”
NHTSA complaint #10199690, filed 2007-08, 64,000 miles“Brake lights remained on without brake pedal pressure, and remained on after turning off ignition. I investigated prior recalls and saw: report receipt date: feb 20, 2007 NHTSA campaign number: 07v063000 component(s): exterior lighting I went to local vw for recall repair and was told that brake light repair was already performed in 2004, so this repair was no longer covered. ( I am second owner, so could not confirm.) a 2004 repair on a 2005 model year car for a recall issued in 2007? The brake switch replacement cost $176. Is this not the same recall failure again? …”
NHTSA complaint #10495088, filed 2013-01, 63,507 miles“I have noted when replacing front headlight bulbs that the plastic covering the headlight wiring was deteriorating on all the wires to the point that the wiring was coming in contact with other deteriorated wiring causing a short and failure of the front headlights. The problem appears to be a failure involving a type of plastic covering the internal headlight wires that attach to the bulbs that may be, or likely be failing due to heat causing premature failure of the headlight wires, the headlight bulbs and burned out headlight fuses due to the shorting out of the headlight wires.”
NHTSA complaint #10572501, filed 2014-03, 100,000 miles“The contact owns a 2005 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that the interior of the headlight lenses became foggy. An unknown product was purchased to prevent the headlights from clouding but to no avail. The manufacturer stated that the occurrence was normal based on the age of the lens and environmental elements. The contact confirmed that he previously owned an older model Volkswagen Passat and experienced the exact same failure. There were no repairs made to the vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000 and the current mileage was 45,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10321767, filed 2010-03, 40,000 miles“2005 vw Passat with recall for a brake light switch. Consumer took the car overseas. He states that they will not honor the international warranty for the brake light switch. The dealer stated they were not having the problem in europe.”
NHTSA complaint #10207130, filed 2007-10Related recalls
- 07V063000Feb 20, 2007On certain passenger, wagon, and convertible vehicles equipped with or without cruise control, a brake light switch may malfunction if it was installed…Covers: Volkswagen Passat 2003–2005, Golf 1999–2006, GTI 1999–2006 +3 more
Related service bulletins
- 10158533Feb 18, 2019Condensation and or water droplets visible on inside of exterior light lenses. TB updated to include model year 2019 applicability.
- 10121257Mar 27, 2015Technical Bulletin: Condensation and or water droplets becomming visible on inside of exterior light lenses issue is discussed in this document
- 10242998Dec 22, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10238052Dec 12, 2014Corrosion on the rear lid in the cut-out sections for the license plate light / handle assembly (Figures 1 and 2).
- 10253215Jun 4, 2014Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
- 10239592Jun 4, 2014Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
- 10120169Jun 4, 2014Technical Bulletin (Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation): This document informs of the Condensation and or water droplets visible on inside of exterior light lenses. The…
- 10243011May 19, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10253214Mar 8, 2014Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
- 10239591Mar 6, 2014Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2 | 10% |
| 2018 | 1 | 2% |
| 2017 | 1 | 1% |
| 2016 | 5 | 5% |
| 2015 | 6 | 2% |
| 2014 | 10 | 2% |
| 2013 | 60 | 8% |
| 2012 | 17 | 4% |
| 2011 | 1 | 6% |
| 2010 | 4 | 2% |
| 2008 | 3 | 2% |
| 2007 | 7 | 3% |
| 2006 | 12 | 2% |
| 2005 | 5 | 3% |
| 2004 | 16 | 6% |
| 2003 | 39 | 6% |
| 2002 | 32 | 5% |
| 2001 | 30 | 7% |
| 2000 | 11 | 2% |
| 1999 | 15 | 2% |
| 1998 | 4 | 1% |
| 1997 | 2 | 5% |
| 1996 | 3 | 8% |
| 1995 | 5 | 5% |
| 1993 | 4 | 6% |
| 1992 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2005 Volkswagen Passat
50 complaintsFuel system
23 complaintsSeats
13 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
13 complaintsEngine
12 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsTires
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsAir bags
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Volkswagen Passat
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology