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
Air bags, Seat belts, Feb 14, 2007, crash
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JETTA JLS. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS CUT OFF BY A TRUCK AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED DOWN AN EMBANKMENT, FLIPPED OVER SIDEWAYS, AND END OVER END, LANDING UPSIDE DOWN IN A CANAL. THE DRIVER WAS PULLED FROM THE WRECKAGE AND IT BECAME SUBMERGED. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE DOORS, THE REAR AND THE FRONT. THE AIR BAG SIDE/CURTAIN, FRONTAL AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY DURING THE CRASH. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE BOTH 35000. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A BROKE NOSE, AS WELL AS, OTHER INJURIES. *AK
Air bags, Dec 11, 2006, crash
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THROUGH AN INTERSECTION, THE VEHICLE WAS T-BONED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE SIDE AND CURTAIN AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. FIVE PEOPLE SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED.
Air bags, May 12, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE PASSENGER SIDE AND CURTAIN AIRBAGS BOTH DEPLOYED. AFTER THE DEPLOYMENT, THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED AND THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO DEPLOYMENT. THE DRIVER WAS THE ONLY OCCUPANT IN THE VEHICLE AND WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. IT WAS DETERMINED THE AIRBAG SENSOR HAD ACTIVATED AS IF IN A CRASH HOWEVER NO CRASH OCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. *AK
Air bags, Mar 23, 2006
I HAVE 126,000 MILES ON MY 2003 JETTA. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK AND THE DRIVER SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON.*JB
Air bags, Feb 16, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DASH ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER RESET THE AIR BAG LIGHT AND NO FURTHER REPAIRS WERE REQUIRED. UPDATED 3/20/2006 - *NM
Air bags, Feb 7, 2006, crash
FORD PICKUP TRUCK WAS STOPPED TO MAKE LEFT TURN. MY ATTENTION WAS DIVERTED AND I FAILED TO STOP. HIT TRUCK IN REAR. PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DRIVER AIR BAG OR SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT. SEAT BELT PREVENTED PERSONAL INJURY. *NM
Air bags, Jan 19, 2006, crash
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH ON A SLUSH COVERED HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO FISH TAIL AND HIT THE RETAINING WALL IN THE MEDIAN. THIS WAS A FRONTAL IMPACT, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, BUT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE WHY THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. *NM
Air bags, Nov 14, 2005
DT:THE CONTACTS STATED WHILE DRIVING THE PASSENGER'S SIDE/CURTAIN AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT PRIOR TO THE DEPLOYMENT. THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE MANUFACTURE STATED THE VEHICLE MUST HAVE BEEN IN A PREVIOUS ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE BLACK BOX CONTAINS CRASH DATA AND THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE UNDERCARRIAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT REPAIR THIS VEHICLE. THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE04081.*AK
Air bags, Oct 21, 2005
I WAS ON MY WAY TO FLORIDA, DRIVING SOUTH ON I-95 (GOING THROUGH THE TOWN OF ST. MARYS) WHEN I RAN OVER A GREY METAL GRATE (THE SAME COLOR AS THE ROAD) THAT WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LEFT LANE (I WAS DRIVING 70 MPH). THE GRATE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1FT X 1FT AND ABOUT 1 INCH THICK. AS SOON AS I RAN OVER IT, THE SIDE CURTAIN AND THE SIDE SEAT AIRBAGS (ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE) DEPLOYED CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE SEAT, SEAT BELT, AND MY LEFT ARM WAS BURNT. *JB
Air bags, Sep 27, 2005
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON A STRAIGHT SECTION OF ROAD THAT WAS NEWLY GRADED GRAVEL AT ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. BOTH THE SIDE AIR CURTAIN AND THE SEAT AIR BAGS WENT OFF. THE SEAT BAG HIT MY WIFE ON THE BACK OF THE UPPER ARM LEAVING SOME BRUISING AND WHAT LOOKED TO BE LARGE WELTS AND BURNS. THE SWELLING AND BURNS WENT AWAY AFTER WE FOUND SOME ICE AND PACK HER ARM IN IT. VW SAYS THAT WE WERE IN A COLLISION BUT WE WERE AROUND NO ONE AND DID NOT HIT ANYTHING. THERE IS NO DAMAGE TO MY CAR FOR ANY COLLISION. MY INSURANCE COMPANY FIXED THE CAR UNDER A COMP. CLAIM AS THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANY COLLISION DAMAGE. *JB
Air bags, Sep 27, 2005
DT: ON JULY 3, 2004 THE PASSENGER'S SIDE/CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT CAUSE. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE VOLKSWAGEN FIELD TECHNICIAN HE SAID THAT THERE WERE SOME SMALL DENTS THAT CAUSED THE DEPLOYMENT. WHEN SOMEONE FROM TRANSPORT CANADA INSPECTED THE VEHICLE HE SAID THAT THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS TO HAVE DEPLOYED. HE SAID THAT THE DENTS WERE THERE BEFORE THE CLEAR COAT WAS EVEN PUT ON THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO COLLUSION.
Air bags, Aug 31, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. THE SPEED AT THIS TIME WAS ABOUT 60 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF ANY DEBRIS THAT MAY HAVE BEEN ON THE ROAD. THE CONTACT DID NOT LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS NOT ON PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TOMORROW, AND THE VEHICLE WAS COVERED UNDER A WARRANTY. THIS OCCURRED ON AUGUST 31, 2005.*AK
Air bags, Jul 11, 2005
NO ACCIDENT HAS OCCURRED. HOWEVER, WHO OR WHAT COMPANY DO I EMAIL TO GET INFORMATION ON WHY VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOT PUT FORTH A RECALL ON THE SUNROOF OF THE JETTA MODEL 2001 AND 2002? I AM WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM THIS COMPANY. HOWEVER, FROM THE CONSUMER REPORTS I SEE THAT THEY HAVE NOT RECALLED THIS PART ON THESE CARS. CAN YOU PLEASE DIRECT ME TO THE EMAIL ADDRESS THAT I MIGHT GET AN ANSWER? IT IS A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH THE AIRBAGS THAT ARE LOCATED IN THE COLULMS OF THIS VEHICLE. IF THEY GET WET THEY WILL NOT WORK. THEREFORE IT IS A HAZARD THAT VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD ADDRESS.THANK YOU
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Jun 14, 2005
I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 VW JETTA UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT IN AN INTERSECTION, CONTINUED WHEN IT TURNED GREEN. I HIT A SMALL SIZED POTHOLE AT THE OTHER END OF THE INTERSECTION AT SPEEDS BELOW 15MPH, WHICH CAUSED THE WRONGFUL DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE CURTAIN AND SEAT AIRBAGS AS WELL AS LOCKING THE SEATBELT TENSIONER MAKING IT INOPERABLE. I INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AFTER THE INCIDENT AND FOUND NO DAMAGE WHATSOEVER TO ALL BODY PANELS AND WHEELS/TIRES. THE FOLLOWING MORNING I HAD A MECHANIC INSPECT THE CAR FOR ANY SUSPENSION OR STEERING PROBLEMS AND NONE WERE FOUND. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT TO HAVE IT FIXED UNDER WARRANTY AND THE DEALER AND VW OF AMERICA HAVE DENIED WARRANTY REPAIRS AND HAVE NOT YET DONE ANYTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I DID RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET FOR SIMILAR INCIDENTS WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL AND HAVE FOUND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN 500 SIMILAR INCIDENTS OF SPONTANEOUS AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT IN 2002-2004 VW JETTAS, GOLFS, GTI AND NEW BEETLES AROUND THE COUNTRY.
Air bags, Apr 28, 2005, crash
MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT IN RESIDENTIAL AREA WITH MOVING 2003 VW JETTA AND PARKED HONDA/TOYOTA? DRIVER OF JETTA CAME AROUND THE CORNER, LOOKED DOWN & AWAY FROM THE ROAD MOMENTARILLY WHILE DRIVING APX. 30 MPH WHEN SHE HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY BREAKING. THIS FULL FRONTAL IMPACT AND THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THIS JETTA WAS TAKEN OUT AND THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. NONE OF THE 4 AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. WE ARE CURRENTLY BEING TOLD "NO CHANGES OR ALTERATIONS WILL BE MADE WITH REGARD TO THE AIRBAGS".
Air bags, Apr 25, 2005
PASSANGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AVOIDING THE VERY REAL POSSIBILITY OF PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE. DRIVER SUFFERED EXTREME EMOTIONAL DISTRESS AND TEMPORARY HEARING LOSS, IN ADDITON TO DAMAGE TO INTERIOR OF VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WILL BE SENT TO THE DEALER IN THE AM.*AK
Air bags, Feb 14, 2005
VERY SIMPLE: I WAS DRIVING AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG EXPLODED. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE!! THIS CAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. THE DEPLOYING OF THE AIRBAG SCARED ME SO MUCH THAT I ALMOST CRASHED OVER THIS!*AK
Air bags, Feb 10, 2005
WHILE DRIVING 65-70 MPH BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALER. *AK
Air bags, Feb 5, 2005, crash
1. ACCIDENT WHERE THE CAR WAS STRUCK AT 90DEG BETWEEN DRIVER DOOR AND REAR PASSENGER DOOR BY PICK UP TRUCK 2. SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY 3. DEALER DID NOT WANT TO GET INVOLVED, MANUFACTURER IGNORED THE ISSUE, STATING THAT THE AIR BAGS DO NOT DEPLOY IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES. *JB
Air bags, Jan 20, 2005
IN JUNE 2004, I WAS DRIVING DOWN JOPLIN RD NEAR QUANTICO, VA AND DRIVER-SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. WHILE ITS A WINDING ROAD, I DIDN'T FEEL ANY IMPACT. THE DEALER SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR, SOMETHING HIT THE INSIDE OF THE CAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE TELLING THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. THEY SAID MY INSURANCE COMPANY WILL HAVE TO COVER THE AIRBAG/SEAT REPLACEMENT (ABOUT $2500). THIS IS THE SECOND TIME AN AIRBAG DEPLOYED IN THIS VEHICLE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. (NOTE: I PREVIOUSLY REPORTED THIS COMPLAINT IN JULY 2004 BUT HAD INCLUDED BOTH INCIDENTS IN ONE COMPLAINT.)*JB
Air bags, Jan 18, 2005
THE DRIVER WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN OUT OF THE PARKING LOT WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY THE OWNER. *JB
Air bags, Jan 12, 2005
COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. MY BROTHER WAS DRIVING MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA ON ROUTE 17 IN NEW JERSEY AND PASSED OVER RAILROAD TRACK AT A SPEED BETWEEN 20-30 MPH (ON 50 MPH HIGHWAY). AFTER CLEARING THE TRACKS THE DRIVERS SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG AND SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. LUCKILY, NO ONE WAS HURT... IMMEDIATELY HE CAME TO MY JOB (I WORK AT A CAR DEALERSHIP) FOR ONE OF THE TECHNICIANS ,FOR ME TO LOOK AT.VEHICLE. WE COULD NOT FIND ANY DAMAGE OR ANY SIGNS OF A COLLISION. SO, I TOOK MY CAR TO VOLKSWAGEN SO THIS COULD BE FIXED. THEN, I WAS INFORMED BECAUSE DRIVING OVER THE RAILROAD TRACKS TRIGGERED MY CRASH SENSOR CAUSING IT TO REGISTER A CRASH OR COLLISION, THIS WAS NOT COVERED. THE DEALERSHIP THEN INFORMED ME TO CALL MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND FILE A CLAIM. NOW I WOULD LIKE YOUR ADVICE IS THIS SUPPOSE TO HAPPEN, AND SINCE IT HAPPENED TO ME, SHOULD IT HAPPEN TO EVERYONE IF THE WARRANTY DOESN'T COVER IT. WOULDN'T A FAULTY SENSOR RATHER THEN A BUSY ROAD TRAVELED BY THOUSANDS A DAY CAUSE THIS.*AK
Air bags, Nov 30, 2004, crash
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AND NONE OF THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. *AK VW SUGGESTED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE AIR BAGS UPON INSPECTION. *SC
Air bags, Nov 15, 2004
CONSUMER STATED AIR BAG COVER SHOOK WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. DEALER INDICATED THAT IT WAS NORMAL. *AK
Air bags, Oct 24, 2004
MAKING A RIGHT TURN DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED.*AK