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: electrical system
98 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Jan 23, 2009
1/10/08 I HAD MY 2003 VW JETTA IN FOR SERVICE. I WAS TOLD THE IGNITION COIL #3 NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. 4/11/08 IGNITION COIL #1 NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I FOUND THE RECALL ON YOUR WEB SITE AFTER THE APRIL PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL, EVEN THOUGH IT STATES 2003 JETTA. ON 12/4/08 I HAD TO REPLACE IGNITION COIL #4 AND ON 1/21/09 ANOTHER WHICH ALSO INCLUDED THE LAST TWO. I CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC AND WAS ONCE AGAIN TOLD THAT MY 2003 JETTA WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *TR
Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Wheels, Interior lighting, Equipment, Nov 10, 2008
I HAVE HAD 27 THINGS BREAK OR FAIL ON MY 03VW JETTA 1.8T. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED IN 01/06 WITH 32,000 MILES. AFTER BUYING THE CAR THE FIRST FIVE MINS THE WINDOW SHATTERED. FIRST TWO MONTHS 2 TIRES BLEW OUT, FRONT RIM CRACKED, BACK TIRES OUT OF ALIGNMENT. DEALER PAID TO FIX RIM BROKE 2 WEEKS LATER THE DEALER PAID FO USED SET OF SIMILAR RIMS. EVERY LIGHT INSIDE AND OUT WENT OUT BY 05/06 DRIVER SEAT WONT RAISE UP CARGO NET IN TRUNK FALLS APART DEALER WONT COVER. GAS AND TRUNK RELEASE BUTTONS FELL DOWN INSIDE OF DOOR. RADIO STOPPED WORKING FRONT DOOR SPEAKERS ARE SHORTING OUT. DRIVER WINDOW SWITCH GOES UP WHEN YOU PUSH DOWN AND DOWN WHEN YOU PUSH DOWN HAVE TO FIDDLE WITH IT FOR IT TO GO UP. EXHAUST HANGER BROKE CAUSING CHATTER. SWAYBAR BUSHING FELL OUT CAUSING GRINDING AND SHAKING WHEN EVER MOVING. NOT COVER BY WARRANTY ALL THESE HAPPENED BY 05/07. NOW ITS 10/08 AND I HAVE 84,000 MILES. CURRENT PROBLEMS ARE REAR SPOILER BRAKE LIGHT HANGS DOWN(DEALER JUST GLUED IT IN PLACE LASTED ABOUT 4 MONTHS) CAM AND CRANK SEALS LEAKING OIL CAUSE ODOR INSIDE OF CABIN. IF I DRIVE FOR MORE THEN AN HOUR I GET SICK AND LIGHT-HEADED. SEAT, CARGO NET IN TRUNK, IS STILL BROKEN. RADIO STILL ISN'T FIXED SO I JUST WENT AND BOUGHT AN AFTER MARKET. SPEAKERS STILL SHORTENING OUT ONLY WHEN ITS COLD OUT. KEYLESS ENTRY ONLY WORKS WITHIN 4FT OF THE CAR. IN THE WINTER THE CAR ONLY GETS 18MPG ON THE HIGHWAY AND ABOUT 14 IN THE CITY AND THE CAR IS PARKED IN A HEATED UNDERGROUND GARAGE. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 30, 2008
2003 VW JETTA GLS WAGON WITH 62K MILES, ABRUPTLY SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. AFTER TOWING TO LOCAL MECHANIC, IT WAS DETERMINED THE MAIN FUSE HOLDER HAD SHORTED OUT AND BEGUN TO MELT, RISKING AN ENGINE FIRE. PART WAS REPLACED AND PROBLEM REPAIRED FOR $237. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 13, 2008
LOST POWER, RADIO STOPPED WORKING, A/C STARTING BLOWING HOT AIR, EPC LIGHT CAME ON, BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON, ABS LIGHT CAME ON. THEN THE CAR WOULD NOT CRANK. I THOUGHT THE BATTERY WAS DEAD SO I JUMPED THE CAR. I MADE IT HOME THEN THE CAR WOULD NOT START THE NEXT MORNING. AFTER EXAMINATION I FOUND THAT THE FUSE BOX ON TOP OF THE BATTERY HAD MELTED. THE WIRE FROM THE FUSE BOX TO THE ALTERNATOR OVERHEATED. WAS TOLD BY TWO DIFFERENT VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIPS IN BIRMINGHAM, AL THAT THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. IF IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WHY IS THERE NO RECALL? *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Jul 22, 2008
MY 2003 VW JETTA HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP MORE IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS THAN IN THE LAST 5 YEARS. THE LATEST TWO PROBLEMS WERE; 1) THE ENGINE COIL (WAS REPLACED ONCE BY RECALL) AND 2) MY FUSE BOX ON TOP OF MY BATTERY MELTED. I HAVE SPENT OVER $1,500 IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS ON THE CAR. WAS TOLD THAT ONLY ONE ENGINE COIL WAS ALLOWED UNDER THE RECALL, AND WAS TOLD THE FUSE BOX MELTING WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE EVEN THOUGH THEY DID NOT EVER FIND THE "REAL" REASON FOR IT TO MELT. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 15, 2008
WITHIN 6 MONTHS (4) OF THE (6) IGNITION COILS HAVE FAILED. I HAVE IT IN NOW FOR THE THIRD AND FOURTH ONES. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 10, 2008
DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. HAS MADE TWO STOPS. ON THE WAY TO MY HOME MY ABS AND AIRBAG LIGHTS CAME ON, RADIO FROZE, THEN CAR SHUT OFF. WAS ADVISED FUSE PANEL ON THE TOP OF THE BATTERY HAD MELTED. MECHANIC FOUND NO REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. NO OTHER ISSUES. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 4, 2008
THERE ARE MANY PROBLEMS WHICH SEEM TO BE A CAUSE OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE CAR WILL SIMPLY DIE WHEN YOU STOP AT A RED LIGHT, STOP SIGN, ETC. IT WILL TRY TO DIE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE DIGITAL DISPLAY CONSTANTLY RESETS ITSELF, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU TURN THE CAR OFF, BUT ALSO WHILE DRIVING. THE RADIO DOES THIS TOO. THE BACK BRAKE LIGHT ALSO HAS SOME TYPE OF SHORT IN IT. IT GOES OUT AND COMES BACK ON. WE HAVE REPLACED IT TWICE IN AS MANY MONTHS. *TR
Electrical system, Seats, May 7, 2008
I TURNED ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER TO 5 (HIGHEST SETTING) ON MY 2003 VW JETTA TDI WHEN LEAVING MY HOUSE AT 7 AM. I USED THIS REGULARLY TO WARM THE SEAT FOR A FEW MINUTES ON COLD MORNINGS, THEN WOULD TURN IT OFF (LOWER SETTINGS NEVER PRODUCED NOTICEABLE HEAT). WITHIN ONE MINUTE I FELT A BURNING/ELECTRICAL SENSATION IN MY UPPER LEFT THIGH. I WAS DRIVING ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD AND THE PAIN MADE ME JUMP IN MY SEAT AND NEARLY LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER (HAVING HEARD OF PROBLEMS WITH THE HEATER). THE LEATHER SEAT HAD A BLISTER ABOUT THE SIZE OF A CIGARETTE BURN BUT HAD NOT BURNED COMPLETELY THROUGH. WHILE I STOPPED THE HEATER BEFORE IT BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT (AND MY PANTS), THE REAL DANGER WAS IN A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT FROM THE BURN/SHOCK THAT CAUSED ME TO MOMENTARILY LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. THE SEAT HEATER IS NO LONGER SAFE TO OPERATE. MY UNDERSTANDING FROM READING SIMILAR POSTS HERE AND ELSEWHERE IS THAT THE WIRING IS NOW BROKEN IN THE SEAT (AND MANY HAVE HAD IT BREAK IN THE SAME SPOT). IF I HAD NOT GUESSED THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM QUICKLY, OR IF SOMEONE WERE TO UNKNOWINGLY USE THE HEAT SETTER IN THE FUTURE, IT COULD LEAD TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, PERSONAL INJURY, AND CAR FIRE. SIMILARLY, THIS POSES A SERIOUS RISK FOR OTHER DRIVERS OF THESE VEHICLES WHO MAY NOT BE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND REACT TOO LATE. I REQUEST THAT THE NHTSA URGE VW OF AMERICA TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS DANGEROUS AND PERVASIVE PROBLEM (MANY REPORTS HERE AND ELSEWHERE, SUCH AS TDICLUB.COM AND VWVORTEX.COM). VW HAS ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM IN CANADA BUT NOT IN THE U.S. THEY ALSO HAVE A VOLUNTARY REPAIR FOR PASSATS OF SIMILAR YEARS, BUT NOT JETTAS OR GOLFS. THANK YOU. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 1, 2008
IGNITION COIL FAILED, WAS TOLD THE O2 SENSOR WAS BAD AND NEEDED NEW SPARK PLUGS, I HAD JUST REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS 5 DAYS EARLIER, THEY ONLY HAD 11 MILES ON THEM, SO IT CANNOT BE SPARK PLUGS, QUESTION WHETHER THE O2 IS TRULY BAD, HAVING IGNITION COIL REPLACED BUT WAS UNABLE TO TELL WHETHER THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS ALSO BAD UNTIL OTHER PROBLEMS ARE CORRECTED. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 25, 2008
ALTERNATOR WIRING HARNESS MELTED. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 10, 2008
I DROVE TO WORK THE CAR RAN FINE. AFTER WORK I STARTED THE CAR IT BEGIN TO SHAKE. IT LOST HALF ITS POWER..THE DEALERSHIP WAS THREE MILES AWAY. IGNITION COIL WENT BAD AT 46,158 MILES AND TODAY 3-10-08 ANOTHER ONE WENT BAD AT 49,036. MY BEST FRIENDS PASSAT IGNITION COIL WENT BAD AT 19,367. I THINK THESE IGNITION COILS ARE LEMONS AND THEY NEED TO MAKE BETTER ONES. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Dec 17, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT DROVE HOME AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE COIL INSIDE THE CYLINDER FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME IN ONE MONTH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,890 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,046. UPDATED 03/14/08. *LJ THE COIL PACK WAS REPLACED
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Wheels, Equipment, Jul 22, 2007, crash
I HAVE OWNED A VOLKSWAGEN JETTA (TURBO - 2003) AND HAVE HAD ONE HORRIBLE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER. WITHOUT FAIL, I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN FOR RANDOM MECHANICAL REPAIRS EVERY FEW MONTHS SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. I FOUND OUT THE CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN MEXICO AND THAT VW WAS AWARE OF HOW BAD THEIR CAR'S MANUFACTURED IN MEXICO WERE. IF THAT IS THE CASE, HOW CAN SO MANY CAR OWNERS WITH SO MANY MECHANICAL ISSUES CONTINUE TO SELL IN THIS COUNTRY? I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT VW FOR LACKLUSTER PERFORMANCE AND FOR CONTINUING MANUFACTURE IN AN AREA WELL KNOWN FOR ITS BELOW AVERAGE STANDARDS AND FOR CONTINUING TO BLEED THE CONSUMER WHEN IT IS FULLY AWARE OF THE ISSUE. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 25, 2007
NO ADVANCE NOTICE. THE CAR SHUT OFF IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENTS. THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER , CARL GREGORY IN COLUMBUS, GA, COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM AT FIRST. LATER THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM AND REPLACED: 1. HARNESS P/N 1J0-971-349-HG, 2. HOLDER P/N 1J0-937-617-D, .FUSE P/N N-104-249-0. THEY DID NOT RETURN THE PARTS TO ME. SINCE NO ONE WAS SURE WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM OR IF THIS FIXED THE PROBLEM. I OWN A VOLKSWAGEN WITH ONLY 56622 MILES THAT I COULD NOT TRUST TO DRIVE OUT OF TOWN. *AK
Electrical system, Jun 22, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE IGNITION COIL WAS DEFECTIVE. AS OF JUNE 22, 2007, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 76,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.
Electrical system, May 10, 2007
IGNITION COILS ON 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1.8T CONTINUE D TO FAIL EVERY 3-4 MONTHS. I HAVE GONE THROUGH 6 COILS IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR. NUMEROUS TIMES A COIL FAILED WHILE ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, ESPECIALLY WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC FLOW. I COULD RECALL TWICE WHERE I CAME VERY CLOSE TO BEING REAR ENDED BECAUSE OF THIS SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD BRIEFLY FLASH LETTING ME KNOW THAT THE CAR WAS HAVING A MISFIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THIS AND PLENTY OF OTHER PROBLEMS IN THE PAST. THE SERVICE MANAGER SUGGESTED THAT I DO A TUNE-UP ON THE VEHICLE ONLY 5,000 MILES AFTER ONE WAS PERFORMED. HE COULD NOT PINPOINT' THE PROBLEM OR DUPLICATE IT EITHER. APPARENTLY, VOLKSWAGEN WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT HAD NOT TAKEN ACTION TO MY KNOWLEDGE. THIS WAS SOMETHING VERY SERIOUS THAT SHOULD BE MORE OF A PRIORITY TO VOLKSWAGEN CONSIDERING I HAVE FOUND PLENTY OF ARTICLES ON THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM.*AK
Electrical system, Apr 4, 2007
ADDENDUM TO NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: DP05004 OVER THE COURSE OF THE PAST 11 MONTHS, FOUR OF THE IGNITION COILS IN MY 2003 JETTA GLI/ 6CYL HAVE FAILED. THE SERVICE DATES FOR EACH OCCURRENCE ARE: 5-12-06, 8-9-06, 12-26-06 AND 4-5-07. UPON THE THIRD FAILURE IN DECEMBER 2006 I ASKED IF MY VW DEALER COULD REPLACE ALL OF THE ORIGINAL IGNITION COILS, AS CLEARLY A PATTERN OF FAILURE WAS EVIDENT. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THEY WERE ONLY ABLE TO REPLACE COILS AS THEY FAILED AND THAT I COULD CONTACT VW TO VOICE MY CONCERN. I CONTACTED VW CUSTOMER SERVICE TO REQUEST THAT THEY REPLACE THE REMAINING 3 COILS, TO AGAIN RECEIVE THE RESPONSE THAT THEY WILL REPLACE THE COILS AS THEY FAIL, BUT NOT PROACTIVELY. (AS LONG AS MY CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY.) TODAY THE FOURTH IGNITION COIL FAILED AND I AM NOW OUTSIDE OF MY WARRANTY COVERAGE. (WARRANTY ENDED 2-28-07.) I CONTACTED VW CUSTOMER SERVICE TO FILE ANOTHER COMPLAINT AND WAS INSTRUCTED THAT I WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS AS THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. UPON RECEIVING THIS INFORMATION, I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND FOUND NHTSA ACTION NUMBER DP05004, WHICH INDICATES THAT VW ISSUED CUSTOMER SERVICE CAMPAIGNS ON 1-31-03, 6-6-03, 12-03 AND 1-04 INSTRUCTING DEALERS TO REPLACE ALL IGNITION COIL PACKS IN MODEL YEAR 2000-2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTAS. UPON FINDING THIS INFORMATION, I CALLED VW CUSTOMER SERVICE AGAIN TO SEE IF MY CAR WOULD BE COVERED AND WAS INFORMED THAT MY VIN WAS NOT COVERED BY THE CSC, AS CSC'S ARE VIN SPECIFIC, NOT MODEL/YEAR SPECIFIC. I WOULD LIKE THE NHTSA TO RE-OPEN ACTION NUMBER DP05004. THE IGNITION COIL ISSUE IS STILL OCCURRING, AND VW IS NOT AUTHORIZING DEALERS TO REPLACE ALL OF THE SUSPECT IGNITION COILS AS INDICATED WHEN THIS ACTION NUMBER WAS CLOSED. *JB
Electrical system, Mar 2, 2007
THREE OUT OF FOUR OF MY IGNITION COILS HAVE BLOWN AND I HAVE LESS THEN 50,000 MILES ON MY CAR. THE DEALERSHIP ADMITS THERE IS NO REASON THIS SHOULD BE HAPPENING, HOWEVER I HAVE TO KEEP BREAKING DOWN AND GETTING MY CAR TOWED IN FOR IT TO BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS THEY KNOW THEY ARE ALL BAD, BUT IF I ASK THEM TO FIX THEM I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MY MAKE/MODEL AND YEAR. I HAVE CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN DIRECTLY AND THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT THEY SAY AND I QUOTE "I'M SORRY TO HEAR THAT" I TELL EVERYONE HOW MANY PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD DUE TO THIS ISSUE AND HAVE DETERRED AT LEAST TWO PEOPLE THAT WERE CONSIDERING VOLKSWAGENS TO BUY DIFFERENT VEHICLES. ITS A SHAME THIS IS MY HUSBAND AND I'S SECOND VOLKSWAGEN BUT THE CAR HAS BEEN TOWED/OR BROKEN DOWN 9 TIMES IN LESS THEN 3 YEARS, THAT'S NOT GOOD. ONCE THIS LEASE IS UP WE WILL NEVER DEAL WITH VOLKSWAGEN AGAIN. THEY DON'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING TO HELP THEIR CUSTOMERS, AND THAT'S A SHAME. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON THE COIL ISSUE AND THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE ENCOUNTERED THIS SAME PROBLEM, OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A HUGE DEFECT AND A LOT OF VEHICLES WERE AFFECTED. *JB
Electrical system, Feb 15, 2007
EPC LIGHT ON DASH KEEPS COMING ON. WHEN ON, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SHIFT CAR OUT PARK. WHEN AT IDLE AND LIGHT COMES ON, IDLES WILDLY UP AND DOWN. WHEN EPC LIGHT IS ON, BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK. *JB
Electrical system, Sep 26, 2006, fire
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING IN A RURAL AREA GOING 50 MPH, THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE ROAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK. BEFORE THE CONTACT COULD GET THE CALL MADE, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, AND BURNED TO THE GROUND. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, AND DETERMINED THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, THE CONTACT DETECTED A FAINT SMELL OF RUBBER BURNING. THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT NOTIFIED, BUT THE CONTACT PLANNED TO NOTIFY THEM SOON. UPDATED 10/17/2006 - *NM
Electrical system, Sep 21, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD PROBLEMS CROSSING THE UNITED STATES BORDER FROM CANADA DUE TO A REQUIRED CERTIFICATE OF CONFORMITY FROM VW OF AMERICA STATING THAT THE VEHICLE CONFORMED TO US FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS, CALIFORNIA AIR EMISSION REGULATIONS AND US EPA EMISSION REGULATIONS. ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER, THE VEHICLE MET ALL OF THE ABOVE EXCEPT THE SPEEDOMETER MUST BE KEPT IN READING MPH (WHICH IT DOES), THE ODOMETER MUST BE LABELED (IT IS LABELED IN KM), THE DASHBOARD BRAKE WARNING LIGHT AND ANTILOCKING BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT MUST BE MARKED BRAKE AND ABS IN LETTERS AT LEAST 1/8 OF AN INCH HIGH. THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE AND ABS INDICATORS ARE IMAGES , WHICH THE CONTACT CLEARLY UNDERSTANDS HAVING DRIVEN THE VEHICLE FOR 3 YEARS, AND THE CONTACT DID NOT UNDERSTAND HOW CHANGING THE IMAGES TO WORDS CAN SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECT THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. THE COST FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER RANGES FROM $500-700. THE VEHICLE WAS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA WAGON TDI.
Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Aug 5, 2006
BOUGHT A VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLS IN 2003. SEVERAL THINGS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED. FOR EXAMPLE THE GLOVE BOX COVER, WHEEL BEARING. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT ON MOST NEWER VEHICLES THAT WHEEL BEARINGS DO NOT REQUIRE MAINTENANCE. MY CAR HAS 74,000 MILES. LAST WEEK I WAS DRIVING AND MY MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND THE CAR IF GOING OVER 30 MPH CUT OUT. THERE WAS A ROTTEN EGG SMELL. IT IMMEDIATELY WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND 2 COILS WERE FAULTY. THEY REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND IGNITION COILS FOR CYLINDERS 1&3 AND CLEARED FAULT CODES. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. BUT SAID VOLKSWAGEN FEELS THE IGNITION COILS ARE A REGULAR MAINTENANCE ISSUE. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND AM FINDING THAT VOLKSWAGEN HAS NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE COILS. IN MY RESEARCH I FOUND THAT VW HAD A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION LETTER THAT WAS SENT OUT TO VW OWNERS TO BRING CAR INTO DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE THE COILS. VW REPRESENTATIVE IN MICHIGAN TOLD ME THAT THEY STOPPED DOING THAT IN 2005. I BELIEVE THAT I SHOULD HAVE NOT HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE THE IGNITION COILS. VW KNOWS THAT THEY HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS. I LOVE MY VW BUT I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS THIS CAR THAT I HAVE NEVER HAD IN ANY OTHER VEHICLE. I TRADE VEHICLES EVERY 3-4 YEARS BUT WILL NOT PURCHASE ANOTHER VOLKSWAGEN. NOT BECAUSE I HAVE HAD SO MANY THINGS GO WRONG BECAUSE THE STRANGE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH THE CAR AND VOLKSWAGEN DOESN'T TAKE CARE OF THEIR DRIVERS. *JB
Electrical system, Aug 3, 2006
A WEEK BEFORE THIS INCIDENT SPEEDOMETER QUIT. NON VW REPAIR SHOP REPLACED SPEED SENSOR, THIS DID NOT FIX SPEEDOMETER PROBLEM SO THEY SENT ME TO NY VW DEALER WHO REPLACED CRANK SENSOR. COULD NOT EVEN DRIVE CAR OUT OF THEIR LOT AFTER THE REPAIR AS CAR WAS STALLING AND HESITATING. THEY THEN SAID I NEEDED TO REPLACE NEEDLE LIFT SENSOR. I BEGGED THEM AT THAT POINT TO LOOK FOR A WIRING PROBLEM OR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM BECAUSE I COULDN'T BELIEVE THAT 3 SENSORS COULD ALL GO AT ONCE WITHOUT A SYSTEM CAUSE. I WAS TOLD TO "TRUST THEM" AND THAT THEY HAD CHECKED WITH VW AND VW SAID THAT WAS ALL THEY COULD DO. "THE DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER SAID THAT IS ALL THAT IS WRONG" . AFTER WEEK IN REPAIR SHOP VW DEALER TOLD ME CAR WAS "ALL FIXED". 3 DAYS AND 300 MILES LATER ON I-83 SOUTH OF HARRISBURG CAR BEGAN JERKING AND LURCHING OUT OF CONTROL, THEN STALLED. I WAS NEAR EXIT 32 AND WAS ABLE TO GET OFF SAFELY, FORTUNATELY. HAD TO BE TOWED TO VW DEALER. NOW VW DEALER IN PA TELLS ME CAR HAD "COOLANT MIGRATION" WHICH WAS SOURCE OF ALL PROBLEMS, THEY THINK DEALER IN NY SHOULD HAVE CAUGHT IT. VW IS BACKING NY DEALER THAT THEY FIXED CAR CORRECTLY DESPITE OTHER DEALERS COMMENT AND MY NEAR MISS WITH BEING CRASHED INTO BY OTHER DRIVERS ON I-83. I FAIL TO SEE HOW COOLANT MIGRATION HAPPENED IN 3 DAYS AND 300 MILES. PA VW DEALER SAYS NY DEALER SHOULD NOT HAVE MISSED THE COOLANT MIGRATION, AND SHOULD NOT HAVE REPLACED THE EXPENSIVE SENSORS BEFORE REPAIRING THE COOLANT MIGRATION PROBLEM. I CERTAINLY AGREE SINCE I TRAVELED LESS THAN 300 MILES AND I WAS JUST LUCKY THAT I WAS SO CLOSE TO AN EXIT AND WAS ABLE TO KEEP RESTARTING THE CAR AND COAST OFF I-83. HAD I BEEN FURTHER AWAY FROM AN EXIT OR IN HEAVIER TRAFFIC I COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN RUN INTO BY ANOTHER DRIVER AS THE CAR LURCHED AND JERKED AND STALLED. I ALSO FAIL TO UNDERSTAND WHY VW IS NOT RESPONSIBLE. OBVIOUSLY THIS PROBLEM STARTED WHILE THE CAR WAS STILL IN WARRANTY -PA DEALER SAID ENGINE WAS "VERY CORRODED" AND THE WIRING WAS "FULL OF COOLANT". *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Aug 1, 2006
MY SITUATION IS VERY SIMILAR TO ODI ID NUMBER : 10136903. I HAVE A 2003 JETTA. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH, MY ABS WARNING LIGHT TURNED ON, AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT TURNED ON, AND MY RADIO TURNED OFF. AFTER STOPPING MY CAR, IT WOULDN'T START AGAIN. I HAD IT TOWED TO MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED THAT MY FUSE PANEL (ABOVE THE BATTERY) HAD MELTED AND HE WAS VERY SURPRISED THAT MY CAR HADN'T CAUGHT ON FIRE. HE REPLACED THE FUSE PANEL. A FEW DAYS LATER, MY CAR FAILED TO START AGAIN. A JUMP START STARTED IT. NEXT DAY, MY CAR FAILED TO START AGAIN. A JUMP START STARTED IT. I DROVE IT STRAIGHT TO MECHANIC. MY ALTERNATOR, WHICH WAS FINE LAST WEEK, IS NOW FRIED (AFTER TWO DRIVES), MOST LIKELY BECAUSE THE FUSE PANEL BURNT IT OUT. THE ALTERNATOR IN MY 2003 JETTA IS A 90 AMP ALTERNATOR. VW STOPPED MAKING THESE BECAUSE THEY AREN'T POWERFUL ENOUGH FOR THE CARS. I REPEAT, 90 AMP ALTERNATORS ARE NO LONGER MADE FOR MY CAR BECAUSE IT REQUIRES 120 AMP ALTERNATOR. HMM. *NM