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: visibility
21 reports, newest first. Show all
Visibility, May 4, 2014
THE SUNROOF DRAIN IN MY CAR IS APPARENTLY MADE OF 2 TUBES THAT CONNECT AND WERE NOT SECURED TOGETHER SO THEY BECOME DETACHED AND POUR WATER INTO THE CAR. THIS HAPPENED TO ME THIS YEAR, I LOOKED IT UP AND FOUND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS THAT I NEVER RECEIVED. I CALLED ROGER JOBS(MY LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP) IN BELLINGHAM, WA AND THEY TOLD ME THE RECALL EXPIRED AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO FIX THIS FACTORY DEFECT! I AM A COLLEGE STUDENT WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND REALLY MAKES ME MAD ESPECIALLY SINCE I RECEIVED NO NOTICE OF THIS RECALL. NOW I HAVE WATER FLOWING INTO MY CAR EVERY TIME IT RAINS, IT IS STARTING TO CAUSE RUSTING UNDER MY SEATS AND MOLD. NOT HAPPY! *TR
Visibility, Structure, Dec 29, 2013
THE CLAMPS ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW OF MY 2003 VW JETTA DETACHED LEAVING THE WINDOW STUCK CLOSED. *TR
Visibility, Jan 4, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Visibility, Feb 23, 2010
2003 VW JETTA: DIGITAL DISPLAY WOULD SHUT OFF WHEN KEY WAS REMOVED FROM IGNITION. UNABLE TO LOCK VEHICLE DOORS WITH REMOTE. VEHICLE HAD TO BE RESTARTED FOR DIGITAL PANEL TO APPEAR (RE-SET) AND FOR DOOR TO LOCK WITH REMOTE. ENGINE WOULD ALSO SHUT OFF WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT AND WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY. POSSIBILITY TO CAUSE A CRASH. ALL DIGITAL PANELS STILL ILLUMINATED, KEY WOULD BE LOCKED IN INGNITION, UN-ABLE TO TURN OR BE REMOVED UNTIL CAR PLACED BACK IN PARK AND HAND BRAKE PULLED UP. ISSUES OCCURED BI-WEEKLY, WEEKLY, AND NOW DAILY. VEHICLE BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP. WAS TOLD THAT IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER WARRANTY (WARRANT JUST EXPIRED LAST MONTH). AFTER TRYING TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM PRIOR TO BRINGING TO DEALERSHIP, I'VE FOUND ON SEVERAL FORUMS THAT THIS IS NOT A NEW ISSUE/REPAIR FOR VW CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL. MANY CUSTOMERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR COMPLAINTS/EXPERIENCES, ALL OF WHICH WERE TAKEN IN FOR REPAIR AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED. VEHICLE IS ONLY 7 YEARS OLD AND IS AT APPROXIMATELY 85,000 MILES. THIS VEHICLE HAS ALSO HAD SERVICE FOR THE FOLLOWING RECALLS: CATALYTIC CONVERTER, FAILED IGNITION COILS, FAILED REAR WINDOW/DOOR LOCKS. THIS CAR IS A LEMON! *TR
Visibility, Oct 5, 2009
PASSENGER AND DRIVERS WINDOWS SPONTANEOUSLY DROP FROM FRAME AND FALL INTO DOOR. THIS INCIDENT CAUSED MY ARM TO BE BRUISED WHEN ACCESSING MY MAILBOX. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON TWO DOORS BOTH DOOR REQUIRED NEW PULLEYS FOR THE WINDOW SYSTEM. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH VOLKSWAGEN. *TR
Electrical system, Visibility, Sep 27, 2009
SUN ROOF DRAIN CLOGS!!! NO DIRECTION IN MANUAL FOR CLEANING NOR WARNING THAT IT CAN HAPPEN. I FOUND NEARLY THREE INCHES OF WATER IN THE FLOOR AND WATER ALL OVER THE INTERIOR FUSE BLOCK. MY CONCERN IS FIRE RELATED. CORROSION CAN LEAD TO HIGH IMPEDENCE CONNECTIONS AND AFTER WATER INTRUSION I HAVE NO IDEA HOW SAFE MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS. THIS IS THE SECOND OR THIRD INCIDENT AND I FINALLY FOUND OUT WHAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM BY DOING RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET. MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM AND IT APPEARS THAT THE DESIGN OF THE OUTLET NIPPLE IS THE ISSUE. *TR
Visibility, May 29, 2008
THERE IS SIGNIFICANT DISTORTION THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. *TR
Visibility, Mar 9, 2008
WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR. THE CALL IS UNDRIVABLE IN THIS CONDITION AS IT IS AROUND 20 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND THE CAR CANNOT BE LOCKED SECURELY DUE TO ABSENCE OF WINDOW. THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE US $456 FOR A WINDOW REGULATOR AND MOTOR. *TR
Visibility, Feb 25, 2008
I BOUGHT AN 2003 VW JETTA WOLFSBERG ON JAN. 17TH, 2007. I WAS DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE AND HIT A BUMP AND THE RIGHT PASSENGER WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR PANEL. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY COULD FIX BUT ITS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL CHARGES. I CALLED VW AND THEY SAID THERE ARE NO KNOWN DEFECTS OR ANY PENDING AT THIS TIME. *TR
Visibility, Aug 3, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FELL WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO ROLL IT DOWN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REGULATOR THAT HOLDS THE WINDOW IN PLACE CRACKED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,455 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,500.
Visibility, Jun 10, 2007
WHILE TRYING TO CLOSE THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW, IT STOPPED HALF WAY UP AND GOT STUCK. AFTER PUSHING THE ELECTRIC BUTTON TO LOWER THE WINDOW, IT FELL OUT OF THE TRACK MECHANISM AND INTO THE DOOR.
Exterior lighting, Visibility, Oct 17, 2006
2003 VW JETTA. BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH IS BROKEN CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE UNDRIVEABLE. ALSO, THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOWS KEEPS FALLING INTO THE DOOR. *NM
Visibility, Sep 13, 2006
I HAVE A 2003 JETTA WAGON TDI, 3.5 YEARS OLD WITH 63K MILES. I WAS DRIVING IN A NARROW RESIDENTIAL STREET WITH MY WINDOWS DOWN. I BEGAN TO RAISE THE WINDOWS AND I HEARD A LOUD POP AND A STRANGE NOISE FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. IT TURNS OUT THE WINDOW MECHANISM HAD BROKEN AND THE WINDOW WAS HANGING THERE 1/3 CLOSE IN A STRANGE ANGLE. I TRIED TO LOWER IT OR RAISE IT, BUT INSTEAD IT JUST WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN. THE SOUND STARTLED ME AND I MOMENTARILY SWERVED AND HIT THE CURVE. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE CAR OR OTHER PROPERTY. I HAD TO DRIVE HOME WITH WET COLD AIR BLOWING IN, WHICH WAS VERY DISTRACTING. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION BOTH BECAUSE THE ORIGINAL SOUND IS STARTLING, AND BECAUSE THE CONDITION BECOMES A DISTRACTION FROM DRIVING. *JB
Visibility, Feb 15, 2006
ON FEB. 14, 2006, I WAS DRIVING 65 MPH ON FREEWAY, EXPERIENCED LOUD EXPLOSION-TYPE NOISE - AFTER COMING TO REALITY AND OUT OF SHOCK REALIZED SUNROOF WAS BLOWN OUT - AND I WAS COVERED IN GLASS - FIRST REACTION WAS TO BELIEVE THAT I HAD BEEN SHOT WITH GUN OR THAT SOMETHING WAS THROWN FROM OVERPASS - AFTER POLICE INVESTIGATION, PHOTOGRAPHS BY DEALERSHIP AND DOZENS OF EYEWITNESSES VIEWING THE REMAINING OUT GLASS OF THE SUNROOF (THAT WAS STILL ATTACHED BUT SHATTERED) WAS POINTED IN AN UPWARD POSITION TOWARDS SKY - NOT INTO VEHICLE AS IF IT IMPLODED FROM THE INTERIOR TO EXTERIOR - EVERYONE DETERMINED THAT IT HAD NOT BEEN STRUCK BY ANYTHING BUT RATHER JUST BLEW OUT. THIS WAS VERY FRIGHTENING AND DANGEROUS - I COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED BY THE GLASS OR BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT FROM THE INCIDENT. EVERYONE SENT PHOTOS AND SPOKE TO VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA - THEY DO NOT CARE - AND REFUSE TO COVER UNDER WARRANTY OR EVEN QUESTION ME ABOUT INCIDENT EVEN THOUGH - I HAVE INFORMED THAT I AM FEARFUL TO EVEN DRIVE VEHICLE NOW - EVERYONE THAT SAW THE CAR IN PERSON - IS IN AWE AND THINKS THIS IS WEIRD - HOWEVER, VW AMERICA THE ONLY PARTY WHO DID NOT SEE THE VEHICLE IN PERSON - IS STILL STICKING BY THEIR ANSWER THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY SOMETHING STRIKING THE CAR - THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE WITH OTHER TYPES OF CARS ON THE INTERNET WITH THIS SAME EXPERIENCE AND THEY ALSO KNOW THAT THEY WERE NOT STRUCK - I HAD A POLICE REPORT AND PHOTOS WITH PROOF THAT THE GLASS BLEW FROM THE INTERIOR OUT - VW IS SHOWING NEGLIGENCE TOWARDS ME AND OTHER DRIVERS. THIS IS THE 10TH ODD INCIDENT THAT I HAVE HAD WITH VW - AND THE SECOND SAFETY HAZARD - I AM TRYING TO GET OUT OF THE LEASE BECAUSE I AM TOO SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR NOW. THEY NEED TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE - AND I AM APPALLED THAT THEY WERE NOT EVEN CONCERNED WITH MY SAFETY OR IF I HAD INJURIES. *NM
Visibility, Oct 21, 2005
DT: ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL THE REAR DEFROSTER SWITCH IS SUPPOSED TO TURN OFF AUTOMATICALLY TEN MINUTES AFTER BEING ACTIVATED. WHEN THE CONSUMER TURNED ON THE REAR DEFROSTER IT DID NOT SHUT ITSELF OFF. AS A RESULT, THE WIRES IN THE REAR WINDOW DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. THIS CAUSES THE CONSUMER NOT TO BE ABLE TO SEE THROUGH SOME PARTS OF THE REAR WINDOW. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT IT WAS SUPPOSE TO BE MANUAL. THE WINDOW WAS REPLACED IN FEBRUARY 2005. THE REPLACEMENT WINDOW HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY DAMAGE BECAUSE THE DEFROSTER SWITCH HAD BEEN TURNED OFF MANUALLY. *AK (11/17/05) *SC
Visibility, Jan 28, 2005
WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH FRONT RIGHT AND REAR RIGHT WINDOW'S FELL DOWN WITHOUT WARNING.DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. *AK
Visibility, Jan 4, 2005
THE AUTOMATIC WINDOWS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WAS REPAIRED TWICE FOR FALLING OUT, AND ONCE FOR GOING INSIDE THE DOOR. THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW FELL OUT TWICE.*AK.......*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
Parking brake, Exterior lighting, Visibility, Jul 22, 2004, crash
I GOT MY 2003 VW JETTA IN FEBRUARY OF '03. NOW NOT EVEN A YEAR AND A HALF LATER I HAVE HUGE PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR. MY BRAKE LIGHTS WILL RANDOMLY STAY ON EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. MY WINDOWS DO NOT ALWAYS WORK PROPERLY. FINALLY THE WORST WAS THAT I WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVE WAY, IT IS STEEP BUT THE SAME PLACE I HAVE PARKED DOZENS OF TIMES, WHEN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LET GO IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AND MY CAR ROLLED DOWN THE DRIVE WAY EVENTUALLY CRASHING INTO TREES. I READ ON OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT THERE WAS ONE OTHER PERSON WHO HAD EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE OF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND MANY OTHERS WHO HAD SIMILAR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. WELL I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN ABOUT MY BRAKE LIGHTS AND THEY SAID THAT INDEED THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY CAR AS A RESULT OF A FAILING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. TURNS OUT THEY HAD FAILED TO INFORM ME. I WONDER WHAT OTHER RECALLS THEY HAVE FAILED TO INFORM PEOPLE ABOUT. *JB
Power train, Visibility, Dec 3, 2003
PROBLEMS WITH REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER AND TRANSMISSION.*MR REAR DEFOGGER DIDN'T TURN OFF. CONSUMER FEARED IT WOULD CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL HAZARD. TRANSMISSION LOCKED AND WOULDN'T MOVE TO REVERSE. TRANSMISSION WAS REPAIRED AND FAILED AGAIN. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH WAS INSTALLED. ON THE DAY OF PURCHASE, CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF THE PROBLEM BUT THE SALESMAN STATED HE WASN'T USE TO A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND IGNORED IT. *PH
Visibility, Jan 21, 2003
WHILE DRIVING UNDER RAINY CONDITIONS, CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE WIPERS MAY STOP FOR 15 SECONDS THEN THEY'LL START BACK UP AGAIN. ALSO THEY STOP ANY WHERE ON THE WINDOW, AND ITS DISTRACTING TO DRIVER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS