2005 Volkswagen Passat Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 3%of 148 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2005 Volkswagen Passat, 3% of the 148 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“My Volkswagen Passat has experienced scary acceleration without me pushing on the accelerator. This has happened twice, both when on the highway. I checked my mats, but they were not obstructing anything. I was so surprised to see the news tonight on channel 5 boston covering this story!”
NHTSA complaint #10291001, filed 2009-11, 50,000 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“I was turning onto a local busy street when my accelerator stuck to the floor and quickly shot up near 50mph. I had to quickly weave through traffic to not hit anyone while it stayed in a high speed. When I'd press the brakes, the car would slow down but still be going. When I let off the brake pedal, it quickly shot back up to 50mph. I was lucky to be able to turn onto a side street maybe 1 minute later and avoided hitting anyone else. I am beyond surprised that I was able to avoid hitting anyone with the amount of traffic. …”
NHTSA complaint #10447985, filed 2012-02, 45,150 miles“The car (vw Passat tdi 2005) began accelerating on its own. The gas pedal would depress beneath my foot (without my pushing it) and the car would accelerate without stopping. When I hit the brake, sometimes it would jerk out of the accelerating mode (as if I had pushed the brake in cruise control), but then it would resume its acceleration within 30-60 seconds. Sometimes when I pressed the brake it would rev against the brake and I would have to shift it into neutral and then brake to get it to slow down and keep it from revving. This happened 3-4 times in the past 1-2 weeks. …”
NHTSA complaint #10340287, filed 2010-06, 110,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10236450Feb 17, 2016Corrosion on hood edge.
Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 4 | 9% |
| 2017 | 3 | 3% |
| 2016 | 11 | 10% |
| 2015 | 10 | 4% |
| 2014 | 13 | 2% |
| 2013 | 15 | 2% |
| 2012 | 14 | 3% |
| 2010 | 3 | 2% |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% |
| 2008 | 4 | 2% |
| 2007 | 7 | 3% |
| 2006 | 32 | 6% |
| 2005 | 5 | 3% |
| 2004 | 6 | 2% |
| 2003 | 14 | 2% |
| 2002 | 16 | 3% |
| 2001 | 19 | 4% |
| 2000 | 15 | 3% |
| 1999 | 32 | 5% |
| 1998 | 3 | 1% |
| 1996 | 2 | 5% |
| 1995 | 5 | 5% |
| 1994 | 1 | 4% |
| 1993 | 1 | 1% |
| 1992 | 4 | 10% |
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 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsTires
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