2005 Volkswagen Passat Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 9%of 148 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 57,050miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2005 Volkswagen Passat, 9% of the 148 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 57,050 miles.
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.
“On 3/23/13, when turning left in traffic, the sealed for life 5-spd auto transmission made an incredibly hard shift, began slipping badly, and quickly lost 3 fwd speeds, limping in for service. Normally, a trans failure at 143k would not prompt an NHTSA complaint. It is not the car, but rather vwoa and its dealer network, that are the problem. My local dealer refused to check auto trans fluid level, and would only grudgingly do a fluid change if I wanted, for an extortionate $700, steadfastly maintaining that neither was necessary. …”
NHTSA complaint #10507306, filed 2013-04, 143,000 miles“I decided to change the oil myself in my car, since I wanted to save money and I knew what I was doing. Instead of draining the oil, I accidentally drained the transmission fluid. I didn't figure out that it was transmission fluid because it looked like oil! So, this is what happened after; I drove home (not knowing there was no tranny fluid in it) and I noticed that the car wanted to take off by itself. It kept doing tis two or three more times when it became stuck in 4th gear. I managed to safely get home, and figured out what happened. I am reporting this because this is a design flaw!!! …”
NHTSA complaint #10871277, filed 2016-05, 155,000 miles“Over 2 years since new, car hesitates with soft throttle acceleration likely between 1 and 2 gear, no throttle response for up to 5 seconds, very dangerous when making left turns across traffic or joining traffic from a stop. 2005 volkswagon Passat tdi most recent date given, hundreds of incidents of same. Vw dealer says normal, he experiences in moving cars around his lot. I say needs fixing and very dangerous.”
NHTSA complaint #10200799, filed 2007-08, 20,030 miles“I currently lease a 2005 vw Passat. Warranty offered: 5 yr/ 50,000 mile. Approx. Nov 7, 2008 vehicle dashboard began to register stop oil press low . Immediately pulled into closest gas station and purchased a synthetic oil for vw thinking this would solve the problem. On nov 17, 2008 dashboard lit up again with same message and immediately brought vehicle into vista vw, pompano bch, florida. Was instructed that issue was possibly due to faulty oil pressure dip stick cylinder and need of oil change. …”
NHTSA complaint #10258654, filed 2009-02, 50,000 miles“Dt the contact stated on october 9, 2005 the vehicle lost forward power. Pushed on the accelerator pedal and the vehicle revved, and the vehicle was in drive, but when putting the vehicle in drive it would move backward. There was no prior for warning ,and no type of odd noises. The contact stated the vehicle was at the dealer, and there were putting in a new transmission . The dealer believed this happened due to some type of switch in the transmission. This vehicle only has 8,000 miles on it.”
NHTSA complaint #10139849, filed 2005-10, 8,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10242996Dec 8, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10238600Jul 4, 2014Incorrect torque converter or flywheel/flexplate installation can result in transmission damage. When installing an engine, flywheel or transmission, please follow the…
- 10120207Jul 4, 2014Tech Tips (Torque Converter/Flywheel/Flexplate installation): Incorrect torque converter or flywheel/flexplate installation can result in transmission damage. When installing an…
- 10240605Oct 15, 2013P0102, P1128, P1296 - WA front oxygen sensor faults
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2 | 15% |
| 2019 | 2 | 17% |
| 2018 | 3 | 7% |
| 2017 | 5 | 5% |
| 2016 | 5 | 5% |
| 2015 | 12 | 5% |
| 2014 | 37 | 6% |
| 2013 | 33 | 4% |
| 2012 | 15 | 3% |
| 2011 | 1 | 6% |
| 2010 | 34 | 21% |
| 2009 | 10 | 7% |
| 2008 | 12 | 7% |
| 2007 | 13 | 5% |
| 2006 | 47 | 8% |
| 2005 | 13 | 9% |
| 2004 | 38 | 14% |
| 2003 | 35 | 6% |
| 2002 | 25 | 4% |
| 2001 | 34 | 8% |
| 2000 | 19 | 4% |
| 1999 | 29 | 4% |
| 1998 | 16 | 5% |
| 1996 | 2 | 5% |
| 1995 | 10 | 11% |
| 1994 | 4 | 16% |
| 1993 | 4 | 6% |
| 1992 | 7 | 18% |
| 1991 | 2 | 8% |
| 1990 | 8 | 24% |
Other parts of the 2005 Volkswagen Passat
50 complaintsFuel system
23 complaintsSeats
13 complaintsEngine
12 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsExterior lighting
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