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: seats
102 reports, newest first. Show all
Seats, Nov 11, 2005, fire
AT APPROXIMATELY 5:15 AM THIS MORNING I STARTED MY CAR AND TURNED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT. AFTER WAITING APPROXIMATELY 2 MINUTES FOR THE RPMS TO DROP BELOW 1000, I PLACED THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND BEGAN HEADING FOR WORK. I IMMEDIATELY SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. I TRAVELED LESS THAN AN 1/8 OF A MILE TO A STOP SIGN. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE AND PLACING IT IN PARK, I OPENED THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, PULLED THE HOOD LATCH, AND QUICKLY STEPPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. I LEFT THE CAR RUNNING AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OPEN WHILE I OPENED THE HOOD TO INSPECT FOR THE SOURCE OF THE BURNING SMELL. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 2 MINUTES OF INSPECTION I DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING BURNING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I CLOSED THE HOOD AND WHILE STANDING AT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT. I IMMEDIATELY RAN TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND DISCOVERED A SMALL FIRE IN THE FRONT SEAT. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, TURNED THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT OFF, AND MANAGED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THIS HAS BEEN A VERY TRAUMATIC EVENT. REFLECTING ON THE TYPICAL USAGE OF THE HEATED SEATS BY MYSELF, OR WORSE YET MY WIFE, THE OUTCOME COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. THE SEAT WAS LITERALLY ON FIRE IN LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES. I CAN NOT IMAGINE WHAT THE OUTCOME MIGHT HAVE BEEN IF THIS HAD OCCURRED DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. IF I HAD NOT EXITED THE VEHICLE TO INSPECT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, I WOULD HAVE SUFFERED BURNS. AFTER TALKING TO CUSTOMER SERVICE I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SEATS. I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE SERVICED AT THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER THAT I PURCHASE THE VEHICLE FROM SINCE DAY ONE AND THEY NEVER DID ANY RECALL WORK ON THE SEATS. I SEARCHED YOUR SIGHT FOR RECALL INFORMATION ON MY VEHICLE AND THERE WAS NO DATA. I WANTED YOU TO BE INFORMED. I WOULD HATE TO FIND OUT THAT SOMEONE WAS BURNED IN THERE VEHICLE DURING NORMAL OPERATION. *JB
Seats, Oct 24, 2005
I OWN A 2003 JETTA TDI WAGON AND MY FRONT SEAT HEATER HAS BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT. *NM
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.
Seats, Apr 24, 2005
ON EARLY MORNING START-UP, THE SEAT HEATER WAS TURNED ON. WITHIN ABOUT 1 MINUTE IT BEGAN TO SMOLDER, MELTING THE SEAT FOAM CUSHION AND BURNING A HOLE IN THE UPHOLSTERY FABRIC AND MY TROUSERS. HAD I NOT QUICKLY TURNED OFF THE HEATER, IT MAY HAVE STARTED A FIRE. I CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA. THEY TOOK MY INFORMATION AND REPAIRED IT AT THEIR EXPENSE THROUGH MY LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP. *JB
Seats, Apr 6, 2005, fire
WHILE DRIVING/PARKING DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER BURNED A HOLE IN THE SEAT WHEN IN USE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Seats, Apr 6, 2005, fire
ON MARCH 24,I TURNED MY SEAT WARMER TO LEVEL 2,ALL OF A SUDDEN I FELT A BURNING SENSATION. I KEPT DRIVING THINKING MAYBE I WAS BIT BY A BUG OR SOMETHING. ABOUT A MINUTE LATER,I SAW AND SMELLED ALOT OF SMOKE. I HAD TO PULL OVER AND WHEN I LOOKED DOWN AT MY SEAT,IT WAS DARK AND RAINY SO I TURNED ON MY DOME LIGHT,THERE WAS A DIME SIZE HOLE IN MY SEAT. I HAD TURNED OFF THE SEAT WARMER WHEN I REALIZED WHAT HAD HAPPENED. I GOT HOME AND THERE WAS A BURN ON THE BACK OF MY LEFT LEG. WE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY FIXED OUR CAR IN ABOUT 10 DAYS. THERE HAD BEEN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT AND THEY REPLALCED THE SEAT AND FIXED THE ELECTRICAL.*AK
Seats, Apr 5, 2005, fire
THIS MORNING, 4/5/05, I TURNED ON MY HEATED LEATHER SEATS IN MY 2003 JETTA GLS AND IN A MATTER OF ABOUT A MINUTE, I FELT SOMETHING EXTREMELY HOT ON MY LEG. I IMMEDIATELY LIFTED MYSELF UP FROM THE SEAT BUT IT WAS TOO LATE. I LOOKED DOWN AND THERE WAS A HOLE BURNT INTO MY LEATHER SEAT, SMOKE COMING FROM THE SEAT AND A BURN IN MY PANTS...NOT TO MENTION MY SKIN. WHAT I FIND DISTURBING IS NOT THAT IT HAPPENED BUT THE FACT THAT I TOOK MY CAR IN LAST THURSDAY AND WAS NOT TOLD ABOUT THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH A RECALL HAD ALREADY BEEN ISSUED. IF VW HAD BEEN PROACTIVE, I WOULD NOT HAVE HAD THIS INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.*AK
Seats, Mar 28, 2005, fire
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HAD THE HEATER SEAT ON AND IT BURNED THROUGH CONSUMER'S COAT AND BURNED HER PANTS. CONSUMER DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURY. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND THE PART FOR REPAIR WAS ON ORDER.*AK
Seats, Mar 24, 2005
2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLS VELOUR HEATED SEAT MALFUNCTION. BURNED A HOLE IN CAR SEAT, THROUGH MY COAT AND SCORCHED MY PANTS. ALSO BURNED FINGER. VOLKSWAGEN IS FIXING THE PROBLEM AND HAS OFFERED TO REIMBURSE FOR COAT AND PANTS. ALL IS DONE AT NO CHARGE.
Seats, Mar 24, 2005, fire
NOTICED THE SEAT WSA HOTTER THAN NORMAL A FEW DAYS BEFORE INCIDENT. I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND I SMELLED BURNING, THEN NOTICED MY LEG WAS HURTING, THEN NOTICED SMOKE. I PULLED OVER AND JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR. I PATTED OUT THE FIRE/SMOKE WITH MY HAND. THERE WAS A BURNED HOLE THROUGH THE LEATHER IN THE SIDE OF MY SEAT. THERE WAS ALSO A SMALL BURN IN MY PANTS AND ON MY UPPER LEG. I IMMEDIATLY CALLED THE DEALER. THEY COULD TAKE MY CAR THAT DAY, THEY KEPT IT FOR A DAY AND A HALF AND REPLACED THE HEATER AND COVER. I WAS NOT PLEASED WITH THE LOOK OF THE SEAT, IT IS NOT TIGHT AND DOES NOT LOOK LIKE THE PASSENGER SIDE. I TOOK THE CAR BACK AND THEY SAID I NEEDED TO WAIT FOR THE LEATHER TO GET TIGHTER. IT HAS BEEN TWO MONTHS AND IT IS NOT ANY TIGHTER. I AM HAPPY THEY FIXED THE SEAT BUT I WOULD LIKE IT TO LOOK LIKE IT USED TO.
Seats, Mar 23, 2005, fire
WHILE DRIVING THE SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER SMELLED A BURNT ODOR. THE SEAT BECAME VERY HOT; BURNING COMPLETELY THROUGH THE LEATHER. ALSO, BURNING THROUGH CONSUMER'S JEANS. THE SEAT BURNED CONSUMER'S LEGS AND HER BACKSIDE. IT WASN'T UNTIL SHE GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE SHE COULD SEE THE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE SEAT. *AK
Seats, Mar 11, 2005, fire
2003 VW JETTA WAGON HEATED SEATS MALFUNCTION. DRIVER RECEIVED A STRONG SHOCK FROM THE SEAT FOLLOWED BY A STRONG BURNING ODOR.*AK
Seats, Mar 4, 2005
SEAT HEATER IN 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SHORTED OUT CAUSING SMALL HOLE TO BURN IN LEATHER SEAT AND INFLICTING MINOR PINPOINTED BURN TO DRIVER WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. SEAT HEAT TURNED OFF RETURNED VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIR. TO DATE THE PARTS FOR REPAIR ARE NOT AVAILABLE. CONDITION IS STILL ACTIVE IF SWITCH IS TURNED ON.*AK
Seats, Feb 28, 2005
FAILURE IN THE DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT ELEMENT RESULTED IN A SMOKING HOLE BURNT THROUGH THE SEAT LEATHER. THE INCIDENT RESULTED IN A SMALL BURN TO THE PASSENGER.
Seats, Feb 16, 2005, fire
WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER'S SEAT CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR. *JB *NM
Seats, Feb 8, 2005, fire
IN DECEMBER OF 04 THE DRIVERS SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE IN MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLX. I HAD THE HEATED SEAT ON WHEN I NOTICED THE SEAT WAS GETTING EXTREMLY HOT AND STARTED SMOKING. I WAS ON A BUSY FOUR LANE ROAD AND UNABLE TO PULL OVER AT THE TIME. ONCE I DID PULL OVER I JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR TO SURVEY THE DAMAGE. I HAD MANAGED TO BURN THE TIPS OF MY FINGERS AND MY "REAR END". VW REPLACED THE SEAT UNDER WARRANTY AFTER I WAITED ALMOST A MONTH FOR THE SEAT TO COME IN. NEEDLESS TO SAY I WAS VERY IRATE AT THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR THAT "I WAS OVER REACTING". I CALLED VWOA AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM BUT THEY TOO DID NOT SEEM CONCERNED. I DID MY OWN LITTLE RESEARCH AND WAS ABLE TO COME UP WITH A COUPLE HUNDRED OTHER CASES OF SEATS CATCHING ON FIRE IN VOLKSWAGENS. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND VOLKWAGEN DOESNT SEEM TO CARE, SOMEONE CAN GET SERIOUSLY INJURED IF NOT KILLED BY THIS PROBLEM.*AK
Seats, Jan 29, 2005
SEAT HEATER ON DRIVER'S SIDE BECAME VERY HOT IN ONE SPOT, STARTED TO SMELL AND SMOKE AND BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT MATERIAL, MY JACKET AND TO MY LEG (NO BURN TO SKIN NOTED).*AK
Seats, Jan 24, 2005, fire
MY JETTA'S SEAT HEATER HAS SHORTED OUT AND BURNED THROUGH THE COVER. VOLKSWAGENS REPLY IS THAT THERE ARE NO REPLACEMENTS SEAT COVERS ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY, AND THAT THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THEY WILL GET SOME. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THEM REGULARLY SINCE MID-DECEMBER, AND THE HOLE WITH EXPOSED ELECTRICAL WIRING HAS BEEN THERE SINCE THEN. THE ONLY RESPONSE THAT VW GIVES, WHEN TOLD ABOUT SMOKE AND SPARKS SHOOTING THROUGH THE HOLE BURNED IN THEIR SEAT, IS TO SHUT IT OFF; THE SMOKE SHOULD STOP. THEY DON'T KNOW WHEN NEW SEATS COVERS WILL ARRIVE, BUT CLAIM THAT EVENTUALLY THERE WILL BE . THE VEHICLE IS LEASED AND UNDER WARRANTY. *NM
Seats, Jan 18, 2005
ON MONDAY MORNING I NOTICED THAT MY SEAT WARMER WAS BURNING THE LEFT SIDE OF MY BUTT. I DIDN'T NOTICE ANYTHING AT THAT TIME. ON TUESDAY MORNING, MY SEAT WAS SMOKING AND IT BURNED A WHOLE IN MY LEATHER. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD SEEN A COUPLE OF THESE INCIDENTS. SAID I WOULD NEED TO BRING MY CAR IN AND LEAVE IT OR WAIT 45+ MINUTES FOR THEM TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT. I COMPLAINED THAT I CAN'T MISS WORK, AND I NEED A CAR THAT I CAN RELY ON TO GET ME BACK AND FORTH. I ASKED FOR A LOANER FOR THE DAY, TO WHICH THEY RESPONDED NO. AT THIS TIME, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE, AND I AM STILL DRIVING WITH A DEFECTIVE SEAT WARMER. *NM
Seats, Jan 17, 2005, fire
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER MALFUNCTIONED WILE SET TO LEVEL (2) TWO. RESULTS WERE BURN HOLE TO SEAT, SMOKE ERUPTING FORM SEAT, BURN TO DRIVER?S JEANS, PAIN AND DISCOMFORT TO DRIVER THIS WAS DURING NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION ON PUBLIC STREETS. *JB
Seats, Jan 16, 2005, fire
PASSENGER SIDE SEAT HEATER MALFUNCTIONED. SEAT HEATER TURNED ON TO LEVEL 3. PASSENGER AND DRIVER NOTICED SMELL OF SOMETHING BURNING, THEN PASSENGER FELT PAIN UNDER LEFT THIGH. TURNED SEAT HEATER OFF. WHEN STOPPED, EXAMINED SEAT TO DISCOVER BROWN HOLE IN SEAT WHERE HEATER HAD BURNED THROUGH. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE YET. *NM
Seats, Dec 27, 2004, fire
CONSUMER NOTICED THAT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER BECAME EXTREMELY HOT, BURNING THE PLASTIC OF THE SEAT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Seats, Dec 27, 2004, fire
THIS CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRIC SEAT HEATERS. AFTER DRIVING THIS VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES, THE DRIVER SEAT HEATER BURNT THROUGH THE SEAT, BURNING MY BUTT. THE SEAT QUIT BURNING AFTER TURNING THE HEATER OFF. I HAVE SPOKE TO TWO VW DEALERS AND VW DIRECTLY AND IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT BY ANY MEANS.*AK
Seats, Dec 23, 2004, fire
(1) DRIVING ON IH-35, SEAT STARTED BURNING AND SMOKE FILLED THE CAR, SEAT HEATER HAD BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT. *AK
Seats, Dec 22, 2004, fire
THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT WARMER CAUSED THE SEAT TO CATCH ON FIRE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BEING WARMED UP. *JB