2005 Volkswagen Jetta Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 5%of 248 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 87,188miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the body and structure of the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta, 5% of the 248 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 87,188 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, 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.
“The car interior has a crayon smell most noticeable on hot days. I am concerned that I am breathing in possibly toxic fumes from the evaporation of chemicals that were used when the car was built. After typing into google only the 2 words crayon smell I get many many hits for vw cars that have the exact same smell as mine, so this is a problem that affects a large group of vw vehicles.”
NHTSA complaint #10435503, filed 2011-11, 118,000 miles“For clarification, my car is a mark 5 2005.5 new Jetta, not a mark 4 2005 Jetta. When you shut the trunk, it seems to close completely. It stays in the closed position and cannot be pulled open. However, once you drive off, the trunk may open suddenly and you cannot see anything behind yourself because the trunk hood obstruct your rear window. This has happened a couple of times to me, and many other Jetta owners can be seen saying that they have the same problem on online forums. Sometimes, the trunk cannot be closed at all. …”
NHTSA complaint #10488761, filed 2012-12, 50,050 miles“My fuel tank exploded on my 2005 Jetta wagon tdi. I was filling the tank up with diesel and all of sudden diesel fuel starting gushing out from underneath the car. The backseat bulged up so much that I could not lift it up. The underneath part of the car has been damaged as well. I contacted vw and was told to take the car to a local vw dealership. Vw headquarters has informed me that they will cover the cost of parts, $900, but they will not pay for the consequent damages which have been estimated to be over $4,000, damages caused by the expansion of the fuel tank. …”
NHTSA complaint #10604883, filed 2014-06, 148,000 miles“The outside handles of the driver's door & driver's side back passenger door do not close properly. It appears that the cylinder inside the door does not lock the handle in place so the door does not close. I have to rotate the cylinder with my fingers along with pushing the door handle into place from the outside to reset the device. There was no incident that correlates with this failure. This occurs during each use of the door. In researching, I found that some 2005 vw Jetta models were recalled for this same problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10392500, filed 2011-03, 70,000 miles“I went to press the button on the remote to unlock the. Car, but all doors unlocked except the driver side door. I manually had to unlock car door. When I was inside I shut the door but the car kept indicating that it was opened. The window would not roll down, side mirror cannot be adjusted, cannot open trunk or pop the gas tank. Doors are sup post to auto lock at a certain speed which they no longer lock while driving. The switches on every other door are still operating properly except for speed locks. It is a safety issue because children may attempt to open car door while it is in motion. …”
NHTSA complaint #10561021, filed 2014-01, 140,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10185665Jan 14, 2021Body surfaces (engine compartment and underside of hood) are not directly visible (exposed) therefore do not match exterior paint finish.
- 10236426Sep 23, 2016Contacting the parts helpline
- 10106521Jul 27, 2016Better define corrosion damage and location covered by this technical bulletin.
- 10107841Jul 13, 2016To update model table to clarify jetta wagon applicability to tb content.
- 10128386Jun 9, 2016Corrosion may be found on the folded edge of the hood. Supersedes TB V551603
- 10095581Jun 7, 2016TO UPDATE CLAIM PROCESS STATEMENT. Rocker Panel - Front Fender Corrosion Corrosion on contact surfaces of the front fender to rocker panel (side member).
- 10095564Jun 7, 2016To update claim processing statement.
- 10107643Apr 8, 2016This bulletin was updated to include additional model year applicability (jetta sportwagen).
- 10121169Mar 28, 2016Technical Bulletin about Paint Finish, Reducing Swirl Marks and Fine Scratches New vehicles (prior to Retail Delivery) with swirl marks and or fine scratches from polishing or…
- 10236450Feb 17, 2016Corrosion on hood edge.
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 3% |
| 2023 | 1 | 2% |
| 2022 | 1 | 2% |
| 2020 | 2 | 4% |
| 2019 | 23 | 4% |
| 2017 | 3 | 2% |
| 2016 | 4 | 2% |
| 2015 | 5 | 3% |
| 2014 | 7 | 2% |
| 2013 | 15 | 3% |
| 2012 | 7 | 1% |
| 2011 | 20 | 3% |
| 2010 | 19 | 2% |
| 2009 | 16 | 2% |
| 2008 | 4 | 2% |
| 2007 | 11 | 5% |
| 2006 | 23 | 4% |
| 2005 | 12 | 5% |
| 2004 | 8 | 3% |
| 2003 | 11 | 2% |
| 2002 | 19 | 3% |
| 2001 | 43 | 6% |
| 2000 | 20 | 5% |
| 1999 | 25 | 7% |
| 1998 | 14 | 7% |
| 1997 | 7 | 13% |
| 1996 | 1 | 3% |
| 1995 | 10 | 5% |
| 1994 | 8 | 7% |
| 1993 | 1 | 6% |
| 1991 | 2 | 6% |
| 1989 | 1 | 4% |
| 1988 | 3 | 16% |
| 1987 | 1 | 6% |
| 1986 | 3 | 21% |
| 1985 | 1 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
84 complaintsElectrical system
48 complaintsEngine cooling
41 complaintsEngine
27 complaintsAir bags
26 complaintsFuel system
21 complaintsBrakes
14 complaintsExterior lighting
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
7 complaintsSeat belts
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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