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, Dec 20, 2004, fire
THE HEATER ON DRIVER SEAT OVERHEATED AND BURNED A HOLE THROUGH DRIVER'S SEAT, AND IT ALSO CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH HIS HAND. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. *AK
Seats, Dec 20, 2004, fire
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER TURNED ON THE SEAT HEATER AND SEAT BURNED THROUGH COMPLETELY; BURNING CONSUMERS BUTTOCKS AND HAND. CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK
Seats, Dec 19, 2004, fire
2003 VW JETTA FRONT PASSENGER HEATING ELEMENT (HEATED SEATS) FAILURE; FIRE BURNED THROUGH SEAT FABRIC. *JB
Seats, Dec 16, 2004, fire
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN SUDDENLY THE PASSENGER FELT HEAT COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE SEAT STARTED TO BURN. CONUMER EXITED THE VEHICLE, AND IT WAS TOWED.*AK
Seats, Dec 13, 2004, fire
WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH HEATER IN THE DRIVER SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED THROUGH THE DRIVER'S SEAT. CONSUMER EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH HER HAND. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO ORDERED A NEW SEAT.*AK
Seats, Dec 12, 2004
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND HAD JUST CUT ON MY HEATED SEATS IN MY 2003 VOLKSWAGON JETTA AND NOTICED THAT MY SEAT WAS GETTING VERY HOT ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE. I COULD NOT FIGURE IT OUT AND COULD NOT SEE B/C IT WAS DARK. I STARTED FILLING AROUND IN MY SEAT AND FELT A WHOLE AND IT BURNED MY FINGER. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT IT WAS. I STARTED SMELLING SMOKE AND SO I TURNED ON MY LIGHT IN MY CAR AND PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY. MY SEAT STARTED SMOKING OUT OF THE WHOLE. I TRIED TO SEE CLOSER WHAT WAS GOING ON AND NOTICED SPARKS COMING OUT OF THE WHOLE. THE ONLY THING I COULD THINK OF AT THAT MOMENT WAS MY HEATED SEATS. I TURNED THEM OFF AND THE SPARKS WENT AWAY. I NOW HAVE A WHOLE IN MY SEAT THE SIZE OF A NICKEL. IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND I AM TAKING IT IN ON MONDAY, HOWEVER AFTER READING MANY WEBSITES ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM IN 2002/2003 JETTA'S I AM NOT SO SURE THAT VOLKSWAGEN WILL STAND BEHIND THIS PROBLEM AND THAT THEY TRY AND BLAME IT ON THE DRIVER MESSING AROUND WITH THE GRID WHICH IS NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE. I AM WRITING IN ADVANCE AND CALLING AS WELL SO IT IS ON FILE THAT THIS HAPPENED. I FOUND THE COIL IN THE SEAT THAT WAS NOT PROTECTED BY ANYTHING AND LOOKS TO BE WHAT WAS CAUSING THE SPARKS IN MY SEAT. *JB
Seats, Dec 7, 2004
A HOLE WAS BURNT INTO MY VELOUR DRIVER SEAT FROM THE SEAT HEATER ON MY 2003 DIESEL JETTA. I CANNOT USE THE SEAT HEATER AS IT CONTINUES TO PRODUCE A BURNING SMELL WHEN THE HEAT IS TURNED ON. *AK
Seats, Dec 2, 2004
WHILE DRIVING SEAT HEATER STARTED TO BURN. CONSUMER FELT THE HEAT THROUGH HER COAT. PULLED OVER AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE LEATHER SEAT WAS MELTED. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER.*AK
Visibility, Seats, Nov 29, 2004, fire
WE PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2003 VW JETTA IN JUNE OF 2003. I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE UNTIL YESTERDAY, 11/28/04. WE COULD SMELL SOMETHING "HOT" AND BURNING. THE DRIVERS SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE HEATED SEATS, THERE IS A HOLE IN THE SEAT AND MY BOYFRIEND BURNT HIS HAND. WITHIN MINUTES OF THAT HAPPENING, THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WINDOW JUST FELL DOWN. I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE. SOMEHOW, THE WINDOW IS NO LONGER IN IT'S TRACK. I HAVE BEEN DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND FINDING MANY MORE INSTANCES WITH THE WINDOWS FALLING AND THE SEATS CATCHING ON FIRE? WHAT IS THE DEAL? THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. I HAVE MY APPOINTMENT TOMORROW WITH OUR LOCAL VW DEALER IN ERIE PA TO SEE WHAT THEY WILL DO TO CORRECT THIS. I WANT BOTH SEATS LOOKED AT....I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN MY CAR ANY LONGER!!!*AK
Seats, Nov 27, 2004, fire
I CURRENTLY OWN A 2003 VOLKWAGEN JETTA AND HAVE BEEN DRIVING IT FOR 2 YEARS. I LIVE IN MICHIGAN AND AS A RESULT USE THE SEAT WARMERS REGULARLY DURING THE COLD WINTER MONTHS. I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM OR ANY COMPLAINTS UNTIL YESTERDAY. I DROVE ABOUT 1 MILE AND HAD THE SEAT WARMER ON 3, WHICH ISN'T THE HIGHEST SETTING, AND MY SEAT CAUGHT FIRE. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, GET OUT, AND PROCEED TO STOMP OUT THE SMALL EMBER BURNING. I KNOW HAVE A DIME TO NICKEL SIZE HOLE IN MY DRIVER SIDE SEAT.*AK
Seats, Nov 21, 2004, fire
SUNDAY EVENING I LEFT MY HOUSE TO RUN OUT TO THE LOCAL CONVENIENT STORE WHEN THE DRIVER SEAT OF MY 2003 VW JETTA CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE HEAT SETTINGS RUN AS HIGH AS FIVE, MY SETTING AT THE TIME WAS ON TWO. I FELT HEAT GENERATING BENEATH MY REAR-END AND WHEN I LIFTED MY LEG TO LOOK BELOW ME, I SAW AND FELT THE FLAMES BENEATH ME. TRYING TO PUT THE FIRE OUT, WHICH BY THE TIME I'D GOT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF ROAD HAD BURNED THROUGH MY JACKET AND PANTS, I'D BURNT MY HAND IN AN ATTEMPT TO SQUOOSH THE FIRE BETWEEN THE SEAT AND THE CUSHIONING. NOT A PLEASANT EXPERIENCE. THE SEATS ARE 'VELOUR'. THIS IS MY THIRD AND LAST JETTA. MY PREVIOUS JETTA HAD THE HEATED 'LEATHER' SEATS PACKAGE AND I'D NEVER HAD THIS EXPERIENCE. THE DEALER WAS KIND ENOUGH TO REPLACE THE HEATING COMPONENTS, CUSHIONING AND SEAT COVER. (SARCASTICALLY SPEAKING) HOWEVER, I DO NOT FEEL CONFIDENT IN MY VEHICLE, MUCH LESS VOLKSWAGEN. VERY DISAPPOINTED. *AK
Seats, Nov 14, 2004
2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLS WITH COLD WEATHER PACKAGE HAD SEAT HEATING ELEMENT BURN HOLE IN SEAT. *JB
Seats, Nov 10, 2004, fire
I WAS DRIVING MY LEASED, 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, (EQUIPPED WITH COLD WEATHER PACKAGE), ON A VERY BUSY ROAD IN LATE AFTERNOON ON A COLD AUTUMN DAY JUST OUTSIDE OF BOSTON. I TURNED MY DRIVER SIDE SEAT WARMER ON THE HIGHEST LEVEL, (5) AND IN ABOUT 5 MINUTES I FELT A SHARP PAIN ON THE BACKSIDE OF MY LEFT THIGH AND THOUGHT SOMETHING HAD STUNG ME AT FIRST. I REPOSITIONED MYSELF IN THE SEAT, AND COULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. I LOOKED DOWN AND SAW DARK BROWN SMOKE POURING FROM THE SEAT AND REALIZED THE SEAT WAS ACTUALLY BURNING ME. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE SEAT WARMER OFF, PULLED OVER, (AGAIN IN VERY BUSY TRAFFIC IN WATERTOWN, MA), AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO FIND A DARK BROWN, DIME-SIZED BURN MARK IN THE SEAT!!! THE HEAT ACTUALLY WENT THROUGH THE SEAT AND BURNED A SMALL BROWN MARK INTO MY BLUE JEANS AND SUBSEQUENTLY, LEFT A SMALL WELT ON THE BACKSIDE OF MY THIGH. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR NOW BECAUSE I AM NOT SURE IF THERE ARE OTHER ELECTRICAL DEFECTS WITH THIS CAR THAT MAY PUT MY LIFE, AND MY PASSENGERS LIVES IN DANGER. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP I LEASED THE CAR FROM AND THEY SEEM VERY EAGER TO REPLACE THE SEAT AND TO CLEAR THIS MATTER UP IMMEDIATELY.
Seats, Nov 9, 2004, fire
DURING FIRST USE IN COLD WEATHER TURNED ON HEATING SEAT ON DRIVER'S SIDE AFTER ABOUT THIRTY SECONDS THE CAR BEGAN TO FILL WITH SMOKE, I FELT A SHARP PAIN IN MY LEFT REAR BUTT CHEEK. OPENED THE DOOR & GOT OUT OF THE CAR .REACHED IN AND TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER. NOTED A HOLE IN THE LEATHER SEAT, FOUND ONE IN MY TROUSERS AND A SMALL BURN MARK ON MY BUTT. TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL DEALER, AND THEY ORDERED THE PARTS. AM NOW WAITING TO SEE IF IT WILL BE PAID FOR BY VOLKSWAGEN. THE CAR IS 5000 MILES OVER WARRANTY. *AK
Seats, Oct 26, 2004
UPON TURNING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE HEATED SEAT ELEMENT TO STRENGTH 2 OUT OF 5 A STRONG BURNING ODOR WAS RELEASED AND A SECTION OF THE HEATING ELEMENT PROCEEDED TO BURN THROUGH THE SEAT COVER AND SLIGTLY BURNED MY LEG. I TURNED OFF THE HEATING ELEMENT TO STOP THE PROBLEM AND AM BRINGING THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO INSPECT IT.*AK
Seats, Oct 15, 2004, fire
HEATED SEAT WARMER ON DRIVERS SIDE FRONT SEAT OF MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA CAUGHT FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING, BURNING BOTH THE SEAT AND MY BODY. NO REPAIR AS OF YET.*AK
Seats, Oct 12, 2004
THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT PROBLEM WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. *JB. *AK
Seats, Sep 21, 2004, fire
HEATED SEAT (DRIVER SIDE) OVERHEATED TO THE POINT WHERE IT BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT MATERIAL, AND BURNED THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE. SMALL HOLE VISIBLE IN MATERIAL OF SEAT WHERE IT BURNED THROUGH, AND SMOKE COULD BE SMELLED. THIS OCCURED WITHIN 10 MINUTES OF THE SEAT BEING TURNED ON.*AK
Seats, Sep 19, 2004
1- TURNED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER 2- FELT HOT SPOT, AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM LEFT SIDE OF SEAT. A SMALL HOLE WAS BURNED IN LEATHER, AND PADDING INSIDE SEAT WAS BLACK. NO FIRE, JUST SMOKE.*AK 3- TURN OFF SEAT HEATER, PUT WATER ON SMOKING HOLE IN LEATHER SEAT.
Seats, Apr 21, 2004, fire
WHILE DRIVING WITH THE SEAT HEATER ENGAGED, THE CONSUMER SMELLED A BURNING ODOR ALONG WITH REAR END GETTING EXCESSIVELY HOT. CONSUMER PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER, AND NOTICED THE LEATHER SEAT HAD BURN HOLES. BOTH THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALERSHIP WERE CONTACTED.*AK
Seats, Apr 2, 2004, fire
DRIVER SEAT HEATER OVERHEATED AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO SEAT. *JB
Seats, Mar 4, 2004
I OWN A VOLKSWAGEN 2003 JETTA WAGON. THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT WARMER BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT COVER. WHEN BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE I ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE PASSENGER SIDE FOR THE DEFECTIVE PART AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. ONE MONTH LATER I STARTED SMELLING THE SAME SYNTHETIC BURNING SMELL, AND NOTICED A DISCOLORATION ON THE SEAT WHERE THE HOT SECTION IS. *AK
Seats, Feb 23, 2004
DRIVERS HEATED SEAT BURNED A HOLE IN THE SEAT AND BURNED THE DRIVER.*AK
Seats, Dec 16, 2003
2003 VW JETTA 1.8T GLS W/ LEATHER HAS HEATED SEATS. SEATS MALFUNCTIONED AND BURNT A HOLE THROUGH THE LEATHER. IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING I WOULD HAVE BEEN SCORCHED, LUCKILY I WAS STILL IN MY DRIVEWAY. SEE HERE FOR SIMILAR INCIDENTS. *AK HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/ZEROTHREAD?ID=1113071&PAGE=1
Seats, Dec 8, 2003
WE OWN A 2002 JETTA TDI WAGON AND THE DRIVER SEAT HEATING DEVICE BURNED A HOLE IN THE SEAT AND STRAIGHT THROUGH MY OVERCOAT. THIS ALL HAPPENED WITHIN 1 MILE OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE. IF I DID NOT HAVE A THICK JACKET ON, I CERTAINLY WOULD HAVE BEEN BURNED AND IF I DID NOT CATCH IT IN TIME, A FIRE COULD HAVE STARTED. *AK