2003 Volkswagen Jetta
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Seats is the leading concern among 463 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 10th highest complaint count among 26 Jetta model years with reports.
Of the 2003 reports, 25 involved a crash and 71 involved a fire. 85 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleJun 13, 2018
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2003 Volkswagen Passat sedan, Jetta, Jetta wagon, Golf, EuroVan, EuroVan Camper Van and EuroVan Chassis vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began May 2, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69X3.
Campaign 18V406000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engineMar 7, 2014
The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.
A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.
Campaign 14E007000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, master cylinderMar 29, 2007
CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.
LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.
Campaign 07E023000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchFeb 20, 2007
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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.
Campaign 07V063000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
78 reports, newest first. Show all
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Sep 17, 2026
Airbag delopy
Steering, Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 13, 2019
THE TIRES EXPLOTED UNDER 23PSI OR LESS. THE IGNITERS WENT OFF AND I LOST POWER STEERING ABILITY. I LOST THE EXTERNAL FUEL PUMP WHICH WAS NOT EVEN MOLESTED BY ANY MEANS. THE RIMS WERE DAMAGED IN A WAY THAT ONE NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. DAYS BEFORE THE INCIDENT WHILE TRAVELING ON THE NJTURNPIKE, SENSORS ON THE BATTERY BURNED AND I LOST POWER STEERING ABILITY. THE SERPENTINE BELT MELTED AND WAS REPLACED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC. BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, I LOST POWER ON THE ENGINE WHILE TRAVELING ON THE TURNPIKE AGAIN WHILE TESTING THE MECHANICS JOB. I BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY AND I CONTINUED TESTING THE CAR. ON 295 I LOST POWER ON THE ENGINE AGAIN. I LEFT THE CAR THERE AND I WENT TO HONK KONG. WHEN I CAME BACK, A RELATIVE TOLD ME THAT THE DOT TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC TO BE FIEXED. IT COST HIM 1000 DOLLARS. THEY CLAIMED TO CHANGED THE AC COMPRESSOR WHICH I HAD PREVIOUSLY FIXEX THE SUMMER BEFORE. THE LEFT SIDE MIRROR WAS MISSING. I REPORTED THAT TO THE INSURANCE BECAUSE I SUSPECTED FRAUD. TO THIS POINT THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. PLEASE CONTACT MY LAWYER SINCE I HAVE SURRENDER LEGALITIES TO HIM BECAUSE I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE LIVING IN THE UNITED STATES. I HAD BEEN ARRESTED SEVERAL TIMES AND I SUSPECT THE UNION AND THE DOT. H. APARICIO. 0522.**
Air bags, Oct 26, 2014
DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, NO APPARENT REASON. DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AT 35 MPH NO APPARENT REASON. INJURED DRIVER WITH BURNS AND RINGING IN EAR. *TR
Air bags, Jul 17, 2014, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VW JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING OVER A POTHOLE, THE VEHICLE EMITTED SMOKE AND STALLED. THE AIR BAGS ALSO INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED AND THERE WAS SMOKE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 11/12/14*LJ UPDATED 7/27/2015 *JS
Air bags, Feb 1, 2014
PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYED AFTER GOING INTO THE SHOULDER. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO TIRES, WHEELS, OR BODY OF CAR. INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS. *TR
Air bags, Mar 24, 2013
WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE THE PASSENGER SIDE OVERHEAD AND SEAT AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. *TR
Air bags, Aug 22, 2011
AIR BAG SENSORS FAILURE. IN EVENT OF A CRASH AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. THERE ARE 1000'S OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET
Air bags, Mar 6, 2011
I WAS DRIVING UP OLNEY ST. IN PROVIDENCE, RI WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN WITHOUT NOTICE THE SIDE AIRBAG CURTAIN AND WAIST SIDE SEAT AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT AND IMPACT. *TR
Air bags, Mar 2, 2011
2003 VW JETTA TDI SPONTANEOUS/UNINTENDED PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG (SEAT) AND SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG (WINDOW) DEPLOYMENT. WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY S880 HAYWARD,CA AT 65MPH ON MAR 01 2011. PASSENGER SIDE, SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO COLLISION, IMPACT WITH ROAD DEBRIS OR ROUGH PAVEMENT INVOLVED. IT WILL BE REPORTED TO DEALERSHIP. SEEKING REPAIR EARS RINGING, SMOKE, ENGINE SHUT OFF COAST TO SIDE OF ROAD AIR OUT SMOKE AND ENGINE WAS ABLE TO START. STOPPED ONE MILE DOWN ROAD AND REPORT TO CHP ON SIDE OF ROAD AT A STREET. THIS HAPPENED AT 9:25PM ON MY WAY TO WORK. *TR
Air bags, Dec 22, 2010
DRIVER STARTED FROM A STOPPED POSITION, RAN OVER CURB BETWEEN 5-10 MPH, SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *TR
Air bags, Aug 12, 2010
MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING ON ROUTE 87 IN NEW YORK WHEN WITHOUT WARNING THE DRIVERSIDE AIRBAGS IN OUR 2003 JETTA DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. NO LIGHTS WHERE ON OR ANY IMPACT OR CRASH. *TR
Air bags, May 20, 2010, crash
HEADED WEST ON I70 IN EAGLE COUNTY AND HIT AN ICE BRIDGE AND WENT HEAD ON TO A CONCRETE BARRIER. 03 TDI JETTA WAS TOTALED. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT ALL. *TR
Air bags, May 7, 2010
2003 VW JETTA: SPONTANEOUS/UNINTENDED PASSENGER SIDE, SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. WHILE DRIVING SUBJECT CAR ON MAY 5, 2010, PASSENGER SIDE, SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO COLLISION, IMPACT WITH ROAD DEBRIS OR ROUGH PAVEMENT INVOLVED. REPORTED TO DEALERSHIP. SEEKING REPAIR OF SAME. *TR
Air bags, May 1, 2010
MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING MY CAR OVER RAILROAD TRACKS WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND THE CAR SHUT OFF. FORTUNATELY MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING SLOW AND NO ONE WAS INJURED. MY VW DEALERSHIP INSTRUCTED ME TO CONTACT MY INSURANCE AGENT. THEY CONDUCTED AN INVESTIGATION AND FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF COLLISION AND REFUSED TO COVER DAMAGES. THEN I BROUGHT THE CAR TO VW AND THEY DISCOVERED SOME UNDERCARRIAGE DAMAGE AND INFORMED MY INSURANCE AGENCY. UPON RE-INVESTIGATION OF THE CAR THE INSURANCE DECIDED THAT THEY WOULD NOW COVER THE DAMAGES THAT ARE ESTIMATED AT AROUND $5,000 BUT I HAVE A $500 DEDUCTIBLE AND MY PREMIUMS WILL NOW GO UP. AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED RAILROAD TRACKS SHOULD NOT DEPLOY AIRBAGS AND I SHOULD ABSOLUTELY NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY COSTS RELATED. *TR
Air bags, Jan 27, 2010
2003 VW JETTA - SIDE AND WINDOW AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ON PASSENGER SIDE WHILE CAR WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT. NO VISIBLE SIGNS OF IMPACT TO CAUSE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. WILL HAVE TO HAVE NEW AIRBAGS PUT BACK IN AT APPROXIMATE COST OF $2,500. IF DEPLOYED WHILE VEHICHLE MOVING COULD BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION. VW TOLD US GOING OVER A POTHOLE CAN ALSO CAUSE THEM TO DEPLOY. *CN
Air bags, Aug 10, 2009, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING 45 MPH. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BACK INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 118,000.
Air bags, Seats, May 7, 2009, crash
I WAS IN A REAR END INCIDENT IN WHICH MY 2003VW JETTA WAS STRUCK ALMOST DEAD-ON IN THE REAR BY A 2009 BMW SEDAN. BOTH MY WIFE, SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, AND I, DRIVING, WERE WEARING THREE POINT SEAT BELTS. THE AIRBAGS IN OUR VEHICLE DID NOT DEPLOY. BOTH THE DRIVERS SEAT AND THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT WERE RECLINED ALMOST COMPLETELY AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT, TO THE POINT THAT ANY REAR SEAT PASSENGERS WE MIGHT HAVE HAD IN THE CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN PINNED BY THE RECLINED FRONT SEATS. *TR UPDATED 05/20/09 *BF UPDATED IVOQ 05/27/09.*JB
Air bags, Apr 12, 2009
VEHICLE PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AND SEAT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN DRIVER ENCOUNTERED MINOR POT HOLE IN ROAD. THERE WAS NO EXTERIOR DAMAGE TO THE CAR OR WHEELS DUE TO THE POT HOLE. DRIVER PAID OUT OF POCKET (AND VIA INSURANCE) TO REPLACE AIRBAG SYSTEM. VOLKSWAGEN ACKNOWLEDGES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR FAULTY SYSTEM OR REPAIRS. DRIVER SUFFERED POTENTIALLY PERMANENT HEARING DAMAGE DUE TO BLAST OF AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. *TR
Air bags, Apr 3, 2009
DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG AND THE PASSENGER WINDOW AIR BAG JUST WENT OFF FOR NOW REASON WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING AND NOTHING HIT MY CAR. *TR
Air bags, Jun 27, 2008
THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING A 2003 JETTA GLS TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 35MPH WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS "CURTAINS AND SEAT AIRBAGS" SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. AFTER CONDUCTING EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ON 2002-2004 JETTAS, THIS SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR ISSUE THAT IS NOT BEING RECOGNIZED BY VW OF AMERICA.
Air bags, Jan 25, 2008
WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE, DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. THIS WAS NOT PRECEDED BY A POTHOLE, FLAT TIRE, SWERVE, OR ANY OTHER EVENT. DRIVER WAS HIT IN HEAD BY AIRBAG, BUT MANAGED TO CONTROL CAR AND BRING TO HALT IN BREAKDOWN LANE. ONLY DAMAGE TO CAR IS THE AIRBAG. NO OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED. *TR
Air bags, Nov 4, 2007
WAS DRIVING TO A MOVIE THEATER AND A WAS DOING ABOUT 25 MPH AND I HIT A SMALL POT HOLE IN THE ROAD AND MY PASSENGER SIDE SEAT AND CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED THERE NO DENTS NO CRASH NOTHING AT ALL. *JB
Air bags, May 21, 2007
THE 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA STATION WAGON WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT WHICH WAS LANDSCAPED WITH 3.5-INCH HIGH BELGIAN BLOCK CURBS. FROM A PARKED POSITION AND AT A DEAD STOP THE CAR WAS DRIVEN AT ALMOST NO SPEED SO THAT THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE CLIMBED ONE OF THE BELGIAN BLOCK CURBS. THE DRIVER WAS ALONE IN THE CAR. AS THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE CLIMED THE BELGIAN BLOCK CURB THE PASSENGER'S SEATBACK SIDE-THORAX AIRBAG AND THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT AIRBAG WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR, BUT THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO EVIDENCE OF ANY DAMAGE TO ANY PART OF THE CAR ARISING FROM THE CONTACT BETWEEN THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE AND THE BELGIAN BLOCK CURB. *AK
Air bags, Mar 23, 2007
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO AIR BAG WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO DEPLOYMENT. HOWEVER, THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER IT DEPLOYED. THERE WERE MINOR INJURIES TO THE DRIVER'S EARS. THERE WERE NO PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 60,000. *AK
Air bags, Mar 8, 2007
I PURCHASED A 2003 VW JETTA THIS PAST APRIL. ON NOVEMBER 22, 2006 AT 6:00 AM ON INTERSTATE 395 CT, MY SIDE DRIVER AIRBAGS, BACK SEAT AIRBAG AND DRIVER SEAT AIRBAG DEPLOYED. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING ON THE HIGHWAY NOR WAS MY CAR STRUCK BY ANY OBJECT. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT DAY TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT ASSUMING THAT THEY WOULD FIND A DEFECT AND FIX THE PROBLEM. INSTEAD OF BEING HELPED BY THE SERVICE MANAGER I WAS ACCUSED OF HITTING SOMETHING. THEY SAID THERE WAS DAMAGE UNDERNEATH THE CAR. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO MY INSURANCE BRANCH AND THEY FOUND NO DAMAGE. VW AGAIN REFUSED MY CLAIM. I THEN HAD THE INSURANCE COMPANY COME TO THE DEALERSHIP TO LOOK AT THE CAR. LATER THAT WEEK THE INSURANCE COMPANY HIRED AN INVESTIGATOR TO EXAMINE THE CAR AND HE FOUND NO DAMAGE TO DEPLOY THE AIRBAGS. MY INSURANCE WILL NOT PAY THE $3,000 TO FIX THE CAR AND VW WILL NOT PAY. I HAVE 3 DEPLOYED AIRBAGS AND ONE BROKEN DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT. *JB