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: power train
55 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Oct 17, 2003
MY VEHICLE OFTEN WILL NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE. I HAVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, AND IT WILL SHIFT INTO THE OTHER GEARS, BUT OFTEN UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE. *LA
Power train, Sep 26, 2003
TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ENGAGE WHILE APPLYING THE GEAR SHIFT. DRIVER WAS SHIFTING FROM DRIVE TO PARK AND GEAR WERE STUCK, CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO SHUT DOWN. ALSO, TRANSMISSION COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
Power train, Sep 25, 2003
DEAR SIR/MADAM, I BOUGHT VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 2003 WOLFSBURG EDITION ON 08/30/03 AT AROUND 3.30 PM FROM CLASSIC VOLKSWAGEN DEALER WHOSE PHYSICAL ADDRESS IS 5474 S ORANGE BLOSSOM TRAIL, ORLANDO, FL 32839. I PAID $1500 (FIFTEEN HUNDRED) AS A DOWN PAYMENT AND TRADED MY OLD TOYOTA CAMRY LE 2002. TOTAL DOLLAR VALUE $27060.02 WHILE I WAS DRIVING BACK TO MY HOME FROM MY WORK ON 09/19/2003 AROUND 6:20 PM (I WAS DRIVING ON ALL AMERICA BLVD IN ORLANDO, FL). I WAS DRIVING BETWEEN 30-35 MILE PER HOUR, I HEARD A LOUD SOUND FROM THE ENGINE OF THE CAR AND CAR STOPPED. THE MOLD (METAL) WHICH IS ABOUT 4-6 INCHES LONG AND 2-3 THICK WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE TRANSMISSION OF THE ENGINE AND CAR WAS BROKEN AND THE TRANSMISSION DAMAGED LEFT AXLE (AXLE WAS BROKEN) AND FEW OTHER PARTS ARE SERIOUS DAMAGED. I COMPLAINED THIS TO THE VOLKSWAGEN MANUFACTURER (VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA) ON 09/19/03 THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AND ALSO ON 09/20/03 THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AND GOT CASE NUMBER ASSIGNED (REFERENCE NUMBER [XXX]). I FOLLOW-UP WITH THEM ON 09/22/03, 09/23/03 & 09/24/03 TO CHECK THE STATUS OF THE CASE, THEYRE STILL REVIEWING THE CASE. NOW I SERIOUSLY WORRIED ABOUT MY SAFETY WHILE DRIVING MY CAR BACK ON ROAD. I REQUESTED VOLKSWAGEN MANUFACTURER (VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA) TO REFUND MY MONEY BACK SO I CAN MAKE MY OWN DECISION TO BUY ANOTHER CAR WHICH I FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE ON THE ROADS. IM NOW TOTALLY SACRED TO DRIVE MY CAR BACK ON ROAD WHICH IS SERIOUS DAMAGE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Power train, Aug 14, 2003
ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS, MY CAR'S MANUAL TRANSMISSION SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR . THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED JULY 7, 2003 WHEN THE CAR STOPPED MOVING IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. THIS WAS "REPAIRED". THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN I WAS TRYING TO SHIFT THE CAR INTO DRIVE - IT ACTUALLY WAS IN NEUTRAL (DESPITE THE INDICATOR STATING DRIVE) AND I ROLLED BACK IN THE PARKING LOT. I NEEDED TO BRING IT IT, AGAIN, BECAUSE THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE THIRD TIME IT WOULD ACTUALLY GO INTO REVERSE, INSTEAD OF PARK. WHEN I TRIED TO PARK THE VEHICLE I HAD TO PARK IT IN "REVERSE". I WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT IT SHIFTED FROM DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL. IT IS IN THE SHOP FOR THE 3RD TIME. IT HAS UNDER 4000 MILES ON IT.*AK
Power train, Jul 1, 2003
WHILE APPLYING THE VEHICLE IN GEAR THE REVERSE GEAR WILL STICK AND WILL NOT GO BACK INTO THE PARK INTERMITTENTLY. *AK