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, Oct 19, 2004, crash
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS GOING 40 MPH WHEN IT WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH HAD CUT IN FRONT OF CONSUMER. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED WHIPLASH. VEHICLE WAS NOT TOTALLED, BUT IT DID SUFFER OVER $8,000.00 IN DAMAGES. *AK *TC
Air bags, Oct 18, 2004
RE FORD WINDSTAR (MY) 2001-2003, 2ND & 3RD ROW SEAT RECALL. *BF RECALL NUMBER 03V459000. *TC
Air bags, Sep 28, 2004, crash
THE VEHICLE'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING AN ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED MULTIPLE INJURIES AS A RESULT. *NM VW REFUSED TO INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED AN EXCHANGE FOR A MOST RECENT MODEL AT NO COST OR PENALTY UNDER THE SAME REMAINING TERMS OF THE EXISTING LEASE. *SC
Air bags, Sep 8, 2004
WHILE BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY DRIVER'S FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED. MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO BUY THE VEHICLE.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Aug 2, 2004, crash
WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A TREE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK
Air bags, Jul 26, 2004
I HIT A POTHOLE AND MY SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. VW STATES THAT THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED IN THIS SITUATION AND THAT I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS ($2196.85 IN PARTS PLUS WHATEVER THEY CHARGE FOR LABOR). *AK
Air bags, Jul 19, 2004
INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IN THE 2002-2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA AND 2003 HONDA ACCORD. *MR *NM *TC
Air bags, Jul 6, 2004
IN DECEMBER 2003, I WAS DRIVING ON I-495 IN THE DC AREA AND HIT A SMALL ROCK (FELT SIMILAR TO HITTING A POTHOLE). MY PASSENGER-SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED...AFTER INSPECTION, THE DEALER SAID THAT, ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR, THERE WAS A SMALL SCRATCH ON THE AIRBAG SENSOR. IT WAS CONSIDERED A COLLISION AND MY INSURANCE HAD TO COVER THE BILL (AROUND $2500). SIX MONTHS LATER (JUNE 2004), I WAS DRIVING DOWN JOPLIN RD NEAR QUANTICO, VA AND DRIVER-SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYS. WHILE ITS A WINDING ROAD, I DIDN'T FEEL ANY IMPACT. I JUST GOT A CALL FROM THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPT. SAYING THAT (AGAIN) WHILE THERE IS NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR, IT APPEARS THAT SOMETHING HIT THE INSIDE OF THE CAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE TELLING THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. AGAIN, THEY SAID MY INSURANCE COMPANY WILL HAVE TO COVER THE AIRBAG/SEAT REPLACEMENT. *NM
Air bags, Jun 14, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO REPAIR SHOPS FOR AN INSPECTION. *AK THE CONSUMER HAD JUST ACCELERATED FROM A RED LIGHT WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE SERVICE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE STATING IT WAS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. *SC *JB.
Air bags, Jun 7, 2004
WHILE EXITING THE BALTIMORE HARBOR TUNNEL NORTH BOUND AT 55 MILES PER HOUR I HIT A POTHOLE. THE POTHOLE SLIGHTLY DAMAGE THE RIGHT FRONT(PASSENGER SIDE) RIM AND BROKE THE TIRE SEAL. THE DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AND SEAT AIRBAG DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY. *AK ALSO CAN NOT RETRACT OR ADJUST MY SEAT BELT. MINOR MEDICAL INJURES OCURRED. DECIDED TO CHECK FOR OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND IT SEEMS VOLKSWAGEN IN ALL THOSE CASES WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, SO I DECIDED TO FILE A COMPLAINT. WILL SPEAK TO MY DEALER ASAP.
Air bags, May 17, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH AND ROLLING OVER A SMALL POTHOLE AIRBAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. *AK
Air bags, May 6, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH CONSUMER RAN OVER A ROCK. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT AIR BAG TO DEPLOY. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT A CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. A REPRESENTATIVE WOULD INSPECT VEHICLE AND THEN MAKE A DETERMINATION. *AK
Air bags, Apr 29, 2004
THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AND WITHOUT NOTICE OR CAUSE THE CURTAIN AIR BAG AND PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED, INJURING THE PASSENGER. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER THE DEALER SAID THEY WILL NOT COVER IT. *AK THERE WERE MINOR SCRATCHES FOUND UNDER THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN PROOF OF A PREVIOUS ACCIDENT BUT THERE WAS NO DAMAGE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. (MODEL-GLS TDI WAGON) *SC *JB
Air bags, Apr 22, 2004
WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, AT NO MORE THAN 1 OR 2 MPH, THE DRIVERS SIDE, SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. VW HAS THUS FAR CLAIMED THE VEHICLE HIT SOMETHING CAUSING THEM TO DEPLOY. *AK
Air bags, Mar 31, 2004, crash
WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH AND TALKING ON THE PHONE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED, BUT CONSUMER WAS CITIED BY THE POLICE. *AK
Air bags, Mar 31, 2004
WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 65 AND 70 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING FRONT AND WINDOW PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Air bags, Mar 15, 2004
PASSENGER SIDE AND CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED UPON DRIVING OVER A POTHOLE. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA HAS REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS AS A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE AND HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR THE INTERIOR DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE DEPLOYMENT UNDER THE LIMITED NEW VEHICLE WARRANTY. A MEMORANDUM FROM MY INSURANCE COMPANY NOTES THAT BOTH THEY AND AN EMPLOYEE OF VW HAVE SEEN THIS OCCUR WITH OTHER VW JETTAS. MY INSURANCE COMPANY ALSO SEEMS TO BE OF THE OPINION THAT THE SENSORS ARE TOO SENSITIVE AS IT "DETECTED" A CRASH WHEN THERE WAS NEITHER A CRASH NOR AN ACCIDENT.*AK
Air bags, Mar 10, 2004
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET AND STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. I PROCEEDED TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN; ABOUT MIDWAY THROUGH THE TURN MY DRIVERS' SIDE FRONT AND REAR SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS AS WELL AS THE DRIVERS' SEAT AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THERE IS A POT HOLE AT THAT INTERSECTION, HOWEVER I DO NOT REMEMBER HITTING IT, I ONLY REMEMBER GETTING HIT IN THE HEAD BY THE AIRBAG. IF I HAD HIT THE POT HOLE, THE AIRBAGS STILL SHOULD HAVE NOT DEPLOYED BECAUSE I WAS ONLY GOING AT MOST 10MPH, THE RIMS NOR THE TIRES WERE DAMAGED. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE CAR AT ALL BESIDES THE AIRBAGS. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED, THEY WOULD NOT FILL OUT A COMPLAINT SINCE THERE WASN'T ACTUALLY AN ACCIDENT. I THEN CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD FIX IT SINCE IT'S UNDER WARRANTY. HOWEVER VW AMERICA HAD A DIFFERENT IDEA. THEY TOLD THE DEALERSHIP NOT TO FIX IT AND THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO FILE WITH OUR INSURANCE BECAUSE THERE WERE CRASH DATA CODES. THEY DID NOT BOTHER READING THE CODES TO SEE HOW FAST I WAS DRIVING, BUT THEY DECIDED IT WAS MY FAULT SINCE THE ALIGNMENT WAS OFF, THEREFORE I MUST HAVE HIT A POTHOLE. AFTER 3 WEEKS OF FIGHTING WITH VW AMERICA, WE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU, AFTER 2 WEEKS OF WAITING TO HEAR FROM THEM, THEY ALSO SAID THEY COULD NOT HELP, THEY STOPPED HELPING AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT ACCIDENT VICTIMS OVER A YEAR AGO. WE FILED A CLAIM WITH OUR INSURANCE AND HAD TO PAY THE DEDUCTIBLE. WE ARE CURRENTLY FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE STATE FOR THE POTHOLE THAT ALLEGEDLY CAUSED THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. I HAVE CONSTANT HEADACHES AS A RESULT OF GETTING HIT IN THE HEAD BY THE AIRBAGS. I WILL NEVER AGAIN OWN A VOLKSWAGEN, THEY ARE UNSAFE VEHICLES AND THE WAY THEY TREAT THEIR CUSTOMERS IS UNACCEPTABLE! *AK
Air bags, Mar 8, 2004
DRIVING ALONG A BAD ROAD HIT A POT HOLE GOING AROUND 45 MILES PER HOUR AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WENT OFF. THIS HAPPEND ON MARCH 7 OF 2004 AROUND 1:30AM. NO VISABLE DAMAGE TO THE CAR. DEALERSHIP SAID ITS NOT COVERED BY THE WARENTY. AIR BAG WENT OFF BY GOING OVER A POT HOLE. THAT IS NO REASON FOR AN AIRBAG TO DEPLOY, NEED DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE THE AIRBAGS. *AK
Air bags, Feb 26, 2004
WHILE TURNING INTO THE PARKING DECK AT ONE OF MY SATELLITE OFFICES, MY PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AND SEAT AIRBAG DEPLOYED. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AS THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF AN IMPACT ANYWHERE ON THE VEHICLE. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL VW SERVICE CENTER, I WAS INFORMED THAT THEY COULD NOT BEGIN WORK ON THE VEHICLE UNTIL THEY CONTACTED A VW REPRESENTATIVE DUE TO A TECHNICAL BULLETIN. IT TOOK 3 DAYS BEFORE THE VW REPRESENTATIVE RETURNED A CALL TO THE DEALERSHIP. IT TOOK SEVERAL DAYS LONGER BEFORE THE NAMED REPRESENTATIVE FROM VW CUSTOMER RELATIONS CONTACTED ME. THE SERVICE CENTER AT VW ADVISED ME THAT THERE WAS CRASH DATA AND A MARK ON THE UNDERSIDE OF MY VEHICLE. AFTER SEVERAL MORE DAYS AND AFTER INVOLVING MY INSURANCE COMPANY, VW FINALLY RESPONDED ADVISING ME THAT I MUST HAVE HIT A CURB OR SPEED BUMP WHICH CAUSED MY AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. IT IS NOW OVER THREE WEEKS LATER AND I HAVE JUST TODAY BEEN INFORMED THAT THE PARTS TO FIX THE VEHICLE ARE BACKORDERED AND NO OTHER PARTS ARE AVAILABLE IN COUNTRY. IN THE SHORT 7 MONTHS THAT I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE, THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THERE HAS BEEN AN INCIDENT (MALFUNCTION) AND BOTH TIMES THE PARTS HAVE BEEN BACKORDERED FROM OVERSEAS CAUSING A DELAY IN SERVICING THE VEHICLE OF MORE THAN THREE WEEKS.*AK
Air bags, Feb 7, 2004
MY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW WAS DRIVING HER VW JETTA 2003 ON A CITY STREET WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE (WINDOW CURTAIN) AIR BAGS BURST OPEN. SHE HAD NOT HIT ANYTHING, NOT EVEN A POT HOLE WHEN IT WENT OFF. HOWEVER, THE BAG HIT HER LEAVING HER WITH BRUISING, A STRAINED NECK, AND MUSCLE ACHES. SHE IS ALSO QUITE AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. VW OF AMERICA REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.*AK ODI#10061865
Air bags, Dec 2, 2003
WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN SIDE CURTAIN AND SIDE AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR BURNS TO ARMS AND HANDS. *AK
Air bags, Oct 16, 2003
I DRIVE A 2002 VW JETTA, WITH 11000 PLUS MILES ON THE CAR. MY SIDE AND PASSENGER CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT A CRASH. THERE WAS SPONTANEOUS DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAGS. VW OF AMERICA SENT AN ENGINEER WHO FOUND NO DAMAGE TO ACCOUNT FOR THIS, JUST AS I HAD REPORTED. THE VW DEALERSHIP ALSO FOUND NO EVIDENCE FOR THIS. NOW, WITHOUT ANY EXPLANATION, NOR GUARANTEE THAT THIS WILL NOT RE OCCUR, VW EXPECTS ME TO DRIVE THIS VEHILCE AND RISK MY OWN SAFETY AND POSSIBLY THE SAFETY OF OTHERS ON THE ROAD. *LA
Air bags, Sep 16, 2003
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, AND NO WARNING AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Air bags, May 18, 2003
MY SON WAS DRIVING HIS 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA WHEN THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR UNEXPLAINED REASONS. THE LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN DEALER READ THE SENSORS IN THE CAR AND IT REGISTERED CRASH DATA. THERE WAS NO IMPACT WHEN THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *JB