2003 Volkswagen Jetta

What owners report most often

1. Seats102
2. Electrical system98
3. Air bags78
4. Power train55
5. Engine and engine cooling48
6. Exterior lighting28
7. Visibility21
8. Service brakes20

Recalls and investigations

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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: service brakes

20 reports, newest first. Show all

1. Service brakes, Feb 10, 2020

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS INOPERABLE INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER DICK HANNAH DEALERSHIPS 10808 NE COXLEY DR, VANCOUVER, WA 98662 (360) 605-1726 WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V063000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.

2. Service brakes, May 27, 2014, crash

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL SANK TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE CAUSED FOUR OTHER VEHICLES TO CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT WHERE IT WAS SCHEDULED TO BE INSPECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

3. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 12, 2011, crash

   TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS HESITATING. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL OVER AND APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE HIT A BOULDER AND FLIPPED OVER. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SEVERAL BRUISES. A PASSENGER SUSTAINED A FRACTURED WRIST AND ANKLE, SEAT BELT RASH, AND BRUISING. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 110,000. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED.

4. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 26, 2009, crash

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. HE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AT 30 MPH , BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE. AS A CONSEQUENCE HE REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. HE SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY COLLISION CENTER; AND COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 78,000. UPDATED 12/10/09.*JB

5. 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

6. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 11, 2007

   STARTING CAR IN THE MORNING OR AT END OF WORK DAY AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. CAR CANNOT BE MOVED - BRAKES HAVE HISSING OR WHISKING SOUND WHEN PRESSED. CAR CANNOT BE DRIVEN, UNLESS TURNING IGNITION TO FIRST ON POSITION PUTTING CAR IN NEUTRAL THEN STARTING THE CAR. *AK 2. BRAKES DO NOT WORK PROPERLY - CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE 3. DEALER CLAIMS THAT THERE IS SOME SORT OF BRAKE SWITCH THAT HAS A "UNIVERSAL RECALL" THAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. I DID RESEARCH BEFORE BUYING MY '03 JETTA AND FOUND THAT SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT BRAKE FAILURE AND BRAKE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN ON-GOING. WHEN I QUESTIONED THE DEALER THEY KNEW NOTHING OF THE SORT AND SAID "IF THERE HAD BEEN PROBLEMS IN THE PAST THEY HAVE BEEN FIXED." APPARENTLY THESE PROBLEMS HAVE NOT - I CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE THEM AS HAVE OTHER JETTA OWNERS WITH WHOM I HAVE SPOKEN.

7. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 6, 2006

   MY WIFE'S 2003 VW JETTA TDI BRAKES WILL AGGRESSIVELY LOCK-UP WHEN LIGHTLY DEPRESSED FOR SLOWING DOWN OR COMING TO A SLOW STOP. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND WILL OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THE BRAKES LOCK UP THEY CAN ONLY BE RELEASED AFTER PLACING YOUR FOOT UNDER THE PEDAL AND FORCING THE PEDAL BACKWARDS. IN THE EVENT ANOTHER DIVER FOLLOWS TOO CLOSE, THE FAILURE WILL RESULT IN A REAR END COLLISION POTENTIALLY CAUSING SERIOUS INJURIES TO BOTH PARTIES. AFTER EXPERIENCING THE DEFECT THE CAR WAS IMMEDIATELY TAKEN TO THE VW DEALER FOR SERVICE AND WE RECEIVED A "NO FAULT FOUND REPORT". NOW THE PROBLEM HAS BECOME SEVERE AND IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN FOR MY WIFE AND I. EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE ALTERNATOR PULLEY BEARINGS SEIZED AND THE PULLEY WAS EJECTED FROM THE ALTERNATOR CAUSING DAMAGE TO OTHER ENGINE COMPONENTS IN THE SERPENTINE SYSTEM. *NM

8. 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

9. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Other or unspecified, Jun 23, 2005

   TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: MY NAME IS [XXX]. I OWN A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI THAT I PURCHASED NEW ON 3/10/03 FROM AUTOHAUS OF LANCASTER IN LANCASTER, PA. IT NOW HAS 56,700 MILES ON IT. (MOSTLY HIGHWAY) WHILE DRIVING ON 6/21/05, I WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKES GOT MUSHY AND THEN GRABBED AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR IN A SUDDEN STOP. AS IT WAS STOPPING YOU HEARD A SOUND LIKE THE VEHICLE NOW HAD AIR BRAKES. I DEPRESSED THE PEDAL AGAIN THE BRAKES LET UP. I WAS NEARLY REAR ENDED BY A TRUCK THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND CALLED THE GARAGE. IT TURNED OUT TO BE A BRAKE BOOSTER. PRIOR TO THIS PROBLEM, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AT 48,000 MILES, I HAD THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. IT WAS IN BECAUSE SEVERAL TIMES I APPLIED THE BRAKES IN THE SNOW AND THE TIRES LOCKED UP. THIS VEHICLE HAS ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. AT THIS TIME THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES DID NOT WORK. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALERSHIP FOUND NO PROBLEMS. THEY CHECKED IT AND SAID ALL WAS OK. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ABOUT A WEEK AFTER I GOT IT OUT OF THE SHOP. MY CURRENT MECHANIC (ROBERTS AUTOMOTIVE) WHO SPECIALIZES IN VOLKSWAGENS MENTIONED THAT HE BELIEVES THAT TWO PROBLEMS ARE VERY LIKELY THE SAME PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC ([XXX] @ ROBERTS AUTOMOTIVE) ALSO TOLD ME THAT HE CALLED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP (AUTOHAUS OF LANCASTER, PA) FOR THE PART, AND HE WAS TOLD THEY REPLACED 8 OF THESE BRAKE BOOSTERS IN THE LAST TWO YEARS. I ALSO TALKED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AT AUTOHAUS. DAVE TOLD ME THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL BRAKE BOOSTERS GO BAD ON THE TDI MODELS. THE VEHICLE IS NOW IN THE HANDS OF AUTOHAUS. IT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH QUALITY AND WORKMANSHIP HERE. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE. BY SHEER LUCK I WAS NOT HIT BY THAT TRUCK. I WILL BE SENDING A SIMILAR LETTER TO VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA WITH MY COMPLAINT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION. REGARDS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

10. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 22, 2004

    WHOOPING NOISE FROM BRAKES OF NEW VW JETTTA WITH POOR COMPRESSION AND BRAKING. CLUNKING FORM GEAR BOX. FAILURE OF BRAKE MAY LEAD TO AVOIDABLE ACCIDENT IN THE FUTURE DEALER CHANGED BRAKE BOOSTER BUT THIS DID NOT HELP. DEALER UNABLE TO FIX AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. *JB

11. 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

12. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 8, 2004

    VEHICLE WAS TOWED TWICE BECAUSE THE DEFECT DESCRIBED IN THE ABS ECU RECALL 02V03100 OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDEDIN THE RECALL DUE TO MODEL YEAR AND VIN. *AK

13. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 2, 2004

    WHILE BRAKING 55 MPH VEHICLE JERKED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

14. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, May 7, 2004, crash

    WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL BRAKES FAILED. THIS RESULTED IN A REAR END COLLISION. THE INSURANCE WAS NOT ABLE TO PROVE THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A MALFUNCTION IN THE BRAKE MECHANISM. *AK

15. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Equipment, Other or unspecified, Jan 15, 2004

    I BOUGHT MY CAR AT THE END OF NOVEMBER. DROVE IT OFF THE LOT WITH 9 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. AT THE TIME OF BREAKDOWN ON JULY 25, 2003, THE CAR HAD 10,900 MILES ON IT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE ON IT NOW IS 13,000 JULY 25TH WAS A VERY HOT DAY. I BELIEVE IT WAS UP TO 110 DEGREES THAT DAY. I HAD NOTICED MY CAR RUNNING AT A SUBSTANTIAL LOWER POWER THAN USUAL, BUT I ASSUMED IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE HEAT AND THAT I HAD MY AIR CONDITIONING ON HIGH. I HAD TO DO SOME ERRANDS IN TOWN THEN I HEADED HOME, WHICH IS ABOUT 30 MINUTES AWAY FROM THE TRI-CITIES, AT THIS TIME I DID NOTICE LOSS OF POWER GOING UP THE ON-RAMP TO THE INTERSTATE, BUT STILL DID NOT THINK TOO MUCH OF THE FACT. I WAS HALF WAY HOME WHEN I NOTICED THAT MY CAR WAS LOSING EVEN MORE POWER, THE CRUISE QUIT AND MY SPEEDOMETER WENT FROM 75 TO 50 MPH AND THAT IS WHEN I NOTICED THAT MY HEAT GAUGE WAS EXTREMELY HIGH. I ALSO FOUND IT ODD THAT THE INSIDE OF MY CAR HAD NOT COOLED OFF, BUT WAS GETTING WARMER. I HEADED TOWARDS THE OFF-RAMP AND AS I WAS DOWN SHIFTING AND APPLYING THE BREAKS, MY BRAKE PEDAL MADE ;PUFFY-POPPING NOISE AND THEN THE BRAKE PEDAL COLLAPSED TO THE FLOOR. I PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND PUMPED THE BRAKES TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP, WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED, I SMELLED HEAT, OR LIKE SOMETHING BURNING. I THOUGHT IT WAS A FIRE AROUND TOWN. PULLING AWAY FROM THE OFF-RAMP, I COULD NOT GET ANY PICKUP SPEED WITH MY CAR. THE CAR FELT LIKE IT WAS PUSHING TO GO FORWARD AND ALSO PULLING ITSELF BACK AT THE SAME TIME, AS THE VEHICLE TRIED TO PICK UP SPEED, IT WOULD PULL BACK AND FORTH. THE GAS PEDAL WAS ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND I COULDN'T GET ANY SPEED. I COULD ONLY SHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR AND THE VEHICLE COULD ONLY MAINTAIN 15 MPH. AS ALL OF THIS WAS HAPPENING, I WAS TURNING OFF EVERYTHING I THOUGHT TOOK POWER, AIR CONDITIONER WAS THE FIRST THING OFF WHEN I STARTED NOTICING THE CAR OVERHEATING AND LOSING POWER, THEN THE RADIO, THESE DID NOT HELP.

16. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 17, 2003

    WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY MA TRAFFIC THE FRONT BREAKS OF MY 2003 JETTA TDI LOCKED UP. I HAD TO PULL OVER AND IT TOOK ME 30 MINUTES TO GET THE BRAKES TO RELEASE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE IT. THEY HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR 11 DAYS AND THEY STILL REFUSE TO REPAIR THE CAR. VW CUSTOMER SUPPORT IS ALSO BEING UNHELPFUL. *LA

17. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Oct 23, 2003

    WHILE PROCEEDING TO ENTER THE HIGHWAY, THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD BANG. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LOSE POWER. TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, AND HE SAID THAT THE BOLTS SHEARED OFF THE FROM DRIVESHAFT TO THE TRANSMISSION. *AK THE TRANSMISSION, DRIVESHAFT, AND THE CV JOINTS WERE REPLACED DUE TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS AGAIN WITH THE FRONT BRAKES, WHERE THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED AGAIN. (THE PROBLEM RETURNED AGAIN) *SCC *JB

18. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 27, 2003

    I RECENTLY BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2003 VW JETTA TDI AT THE END OF NOVEMBER. ON THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT MY CAR FIRST STARTED LOSING POWER, I NOTICED THE PICK-UP WASN'T AS GOOD AS NORMAL, SECONDLY I STARTED NOTICING THE HEAT GAUGE WENT UP AS MY CAR STARTED OVER HEATING, THIRDLY I WAS ALMOST HOME GOING DOWN THE OFF-RAMP AND WHEN I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO STOP, THE BRAKE MADE A POPPING NOISE AND THEN THE BRAKE HIT THE FLOOR. I PUMPED THE BRAKES AND PUT THE CAR IN NUETRAL AND WAS ABLE TO STOP, AS I BEGAN DRIVING THE CAR WOULD NOT PICK UP ANY POWER AND IT FELT AS IF THE CAR WAS PULLING AGAINST ITSELF, I COULD NOT EVEN GET MY CAR TO GO ABOVE 15 MILES AN HOUR IN SECOND GEAR. I DROVE THE REST OF THE WAY HOME IN 2ND, AND WITH NO BRAKES. WHEN I MADE IT HOME I THOUGHT THERE WAS A FIRE UNDER MY CAR BECAUSE OF HOW HOT IT WAS, THE SMELL OF BURNING WAS AWFUL AND AS I GOT OUT OF MY VEHICLE THERE WERE CHUNKS OF CREAMY GREASE DRIPPING FROM MY CAR. I CALLED ROADSIDE ASST. AND HAD THEM COME TO MY HOUSE AND TOW THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP (OVERTURF VOLKSWAGEN). AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF TRYING TO FIND WHAT THE PROBLEMS WAS OVERTURF DECIDED THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE. MY HUSBAND AND I HAD TO FORCE THEM TO LOOK INTO THE BRAKING SYSTEM. OVERTURF EXPLAINED TO US THAT WHAT HAPPENED TO ME OUT ON THE HIGHWAY WAS TYPICAL AND NOT TO BE CONCERNED, I KNEW DIFFERENTLY AND ENFORCED THE FACT THAT THEY NEEDED TO CHECK THE BRAKING SYSTEM. AFTER SEVERAL HOURS OF DEBATING OVER THE FACT THAT THE BREAKS DIDN'T NEED CHECKED, THEY TEST DROVE THE CAR AGAIN AND THE CAR REINACTED THE PROBLEM. IN THE END, MY BRAKE BOOSTER AND MASTER CYLINDER HAD TO BE REPLACED. LUCKILY MY CAR STILL IS UNDER WARRENTY, BUT THE CAR ONLY HAD 10,900 MILES ON IT, SOMETHING LIKE THE WHOLE BREAKING SYSTEM SHOULD NOT FAIL WITH AS LITTLE AS MILEAGE AS THE CAR HAD. ONE WEEK LATER THE CAR GETS PICKED UP AND THE NEXT DAY MY CRUISE WILL NOT SET. I NOW HAVE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT TO GET MY CRUISE CONTROL FIXED.*AK

19. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 31, 2003

    OKAY, I HAVE HAD MY 03 JETTA FOR ONE MONTH AND TWO DAYS (I RECEIVED IT ON JUNE 29TH). IT HAS ALREADY BEEN IN FOR SERVICE FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS: JULY 8TH: -A/C VENT MADE LOUD NOISE LIKE SOMETHING WAS STUCK/FLAPPING AROUND IN IT - CONDENSATION IN DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT -PULLED TO THE RIGHT -MADE A MOANING NOISE WHEN I TURNED LEFT, GRADUALLY WORSENED TO MAKE THE SAME NOISE WHEN I TURNED LEFT. *VW HAD THE CAR AT THAT TIME FOR TWO DAYS, THEN CALLED ME TO TELL ME THAT THEY WERE STUMPED ABOUT THE MOANING NOISE AND THAT THEY WANTED THEIR HEAD TECH TO LOOK AT IT. HOWEVER, HE HAPPENED TO BE ON VACATION SO I WOULD NEED TO BRING IT BACK IN. BUT THEY ADDED THAT THEY DID INSPECT THE CAR AS FAR AS SAFETY WAS CONCERNED AND I WAS GOOD TO GO. JULY 24: -CAR BROUGHT IN FOR THE SECOND TIME FOR MOANING NOISE WHEN TURNING *VW CALLED ME THAT AFTERNOON STATING THAT SINCE THE LAST TIME I HAD BROUGHT IT IN A SERVICE BULLETIN HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR MY PROBLEM AND ALL THEY HAD TO DO WAS DRAIN AND REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION FLUID AND THE NOISE WOULD BE GONE. I PICKED UP MY CAR THAT EVENING AND 1 1/2 HRS LATER I HEARD THE NOISE AGAIN, NOT HALF AS LOUD OR AS NOTICEABLE BUT IT WAS STILL THERE AND IT AGAIN WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED AND LEFT AS MESSAGE WITH MY SERVICE ADVISOR THAT NIGHT AND CALLED MY SALESPERSON IN THE MORNING. I HAD TO WAIT ONE MORE WEEK UNTIL THEY COULD GET IT BACK IN AGAIN. JULY 30-PRESENT ( THEY STILL HAVE MY CAR!) - RETURNED CAR FOR THE THIRD TIME FOR MOANING NOISE WHEN TURNING -STILL PULLING TO THE RIGHT -PAINT ON HOOD HAD A NOTICEABLE 3D EFFECT & HAIRLINE SCRATCHES THAT WERE NOT JUST CAUSED BY A BAD DETAILING JOB -THE NIGHT BEFORE THIS MY BRAKES STARTED PUMPING WHEN I WOULD SLOW DOWN FROM 60 MPH TO GET OFF ONTO THE ON RAMP TO GET HOME, WHICH I DIDN'T THINK WAS NORMAL. T *VW SAID MY ROTORS WERE WARPED SO THEY HAD TO REPLACE THEM. *PH

20. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Jun 30, 2003

    JUNE 24TH, WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY FOUR MONTH OLD 2003 JETTA TDI ON THE THE HIGHWAY AT A 70MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO ENGAGE. AFTER THE CAR HAD STOPPED AND BEGAN MOVING AGAIN THE CRUISE FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. TWO DAYS LATER ON JUNE 26, 2003, WHILE IN LUNCH HOUR TRAFFIC-WITH A CO-WORKER IN THE CAR THE BRAKES AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGED BY THEMSELVES AT 40 MPH. WE STOPPED ON A DIME AND WERE ALMOST REAR ENDED. THIS OCCURED OVER 10 TIMES BEFORE WE GOT BACK TO THE OFFICE (WE WERE LESS THAN TWO MILES AWAY). DEALERSHIP IS REPLACING BRAKE BOOSTER AND MASTER CYLINDER AND I HAVE REQUESTED FULL WARRENTY ON NEW BRAKE SYSTEM FROM VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS FLAW THAT COULD HAVE EAISLY CAUSED BODILY INJURY. I HAVE YET TO LEARN IF THERE IS A TRACK RECORD OF THE BRAKES FAILING ON THE 2003 DESIGNS BUT WANTED TO BEGIN A DOCUMENTATION RECORD. *AK