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
463 reports, newest first.
Air bags, Dec 11, 2006, crash
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THROUGH AN INTERSECTION, THE VEHICLE WAS T-BONED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE SIDE AND CURTAIN AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. FIVE PEOPLE SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED.
Exterior lighting, Dec 11, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS STAYED ILLUMINATED WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL #04V096000, REGARDING EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE YEAR. UPDATED 08/1/07 *TR
Seats, Dec 8, 2006
DRIVER TURNED ON THE SEAT HEATER ON A COLD EVENING AFTER STARTING THE CAR. THE DRIVER-SIDE SEAT HEATER BEGINS TO OVERHEAT AND SMOKE WITH THREE MINUTES. THE DRIVER ALMOST HIT A PARKED CAR WHILE ATTEMPTING TO AVOID BEING BURNED BY THE SEAT. THE DRIVERS NO LONGER USE THE SEAT HEATER ON THE DRIVER SIDE, AT A LOSS OF $300. *NM
Exterior lighting, Dec 8, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NON RESPONSIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE BRAKE SWITCH FAILED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL #04V096000 REGARDING THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS EXHIBITING THE SAME CHARACTERISTICS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
Exterior lighting, Nov 13, 2006
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED, RESULTING IN NO BRAKE LIGHTS. THIS WAS REPAIRED BY DEALER ONLY TO FAIL AGAIN WITHIN A FEW DAYS. WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILS THE BRAKES ETHER DO NOT WORK OR STAY ON WHEN THE PEDAL IS PUSHED. ALSO IF THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO STAY ON THE ACCELERATOR IS NON RESPONSIVE SINCE IT IS ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED. THIS SAME SWITCH HAS BEEN RECALLED IN PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS, THE SAME SWITCH IS BEING USED IN THIS MODEL. *NM
Structure, Nov 2, 2006
WATER FOUND ON DRIVERS SIDE FLOORBOARDS, FRONT AND REAR. WATER VISIBLE AROUND SUNROOF CONTROLLER AND ON DIRVERS SIDE WINDSHIELD PANEL AIR BG. *NM
Exterior lighting, Oct 21, 2006
I OWN A 2003 VW JETTA TDI. ON 10/17/2006 I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 72 MPH WHEN MY GLOW PLUG LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING. I HAD RECENTLY REPLACED THE GLOW PLUGS SO I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP. THEY STATED THAT IT WAS MOST LIKELY THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. I WAS NOT TOLD THAT THIS PROBLEM CAUSES THE BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO WORK. I LATER FOUND OUT THAT OTHER VW JETTA MODEL YEARS HAVE THE SAME DEFECT AND A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR 99-02 MODELS. APPARENTLY 03 MODELS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM BUT DEALERS ARE NOT INFORMING THEIR CUSTOMERS OF THE SAFETY ISSUES RELATED TO A MALFUNCTION IN THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. *NM
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
Exterior lighting, Oct 16, 2006
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT I NOTICED THAT MY CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERATIVE. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM WHEN I GOT HOME ON A VW RELATED WEBSITE AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS WAS MOST LIKELY DUE TO A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH LOCATED UNDER THE DRIVER NEAR THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH IS NOT WORKING IT CAUSES THE CRUISE CONTROL TO ALSO STOP WORKING. WHAT I ALSO FOUND OUT IS THAT SINCE THIS SWITCH WAS BROKEN ALL MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING. THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO WAY FOR ME TO BECOME AWARE THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING UNLESS I HAD CONNECTED THE PROBLEM BY RESEARCHING IT ONLINE. THIS POSES A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK FOR THOSE WHO WOULD NOT ASSOCIATE A CRUISE CONTROL PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE SWITCH AND THEREFORE BE DRIVING AROUND UNKNOWINGLY WITHOUT BRAKE LIGHTS AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BY NOT HAVING THE PROPER BRAKE LIGHTS OPERATIONAL. FORTUNATELY IN MY SITUATION IT DID NOT RESULT IN A REAR END COLLISION. I UNDERSTAND THAT VWOFA HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR 1999-2002 MODELS AND I HAVE A 2003 JETTA. IT FRUSTRATES ME THAT VW IS NOT RESPONSIBLE ENOUGH TO EXTEND THIS WARRANTY TO LATER MODEL YEARS AS THE PART HAS NOT CHANGED. IN MY OPINION THEY WAIT UNTIL THEY GET ENOUGH COMPLAINTS FOR THE NEWER YEARS BEFORE THEY AUTHORIZE RECALLS FOR THOSE YEARS. (THE 2004'S WILL FAIL LATER AND SO ON AND SO ON). THE PART NUMBER THAT FAILED ON MY CAR IS 1J0 945 511 C (ON MY CAR, BUT CURRENT PART NUMBER IS F REVISION). I HOPE THAT THIS COMPLAINT WILL GET VWOFA TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS SERIOUS SAFETY RELATED ISSUE. *NM
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Sep 28, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER READ 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING 97.3 MPH. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE GEAR BUSHING WAS BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PART NUMBER FOR THE GEAR WAS: 01M-409-187. THE PART NUMBER FOR THE BUSHING WAS: 095-409-190. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONTACT, THE MANUFACTURER NEEDED TO KEEP THE OLD GEAR AND BUSHING. THE CONTACT DID NOT AGREE AND WANTED THE OLD PARTS. *AK
Exterior lighting, Sep 27, 2006
2003 VW JETTA BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH BECAME INOPERABLE. THIS CAUSED ME TO HAVE NO BRAKE LIGHTS. THIS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AS A PERSON TRAVELING BEHIND BE DID NOT KNOW I WAS STOPPING. EVEN MORE CONCERNING IS THERE IS NO INDICATION LIGHT TO LET THE DRIVER OF THE JETTA KNOW THIS HAS HAPPENED. VW HAD A RECALL ON THE 2002 MODEL OF THIS CAR FOR THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM. WHY NOT THE 2003? IT USES THE EXACT SAME PART! TO SEE JUST HOW RAMPANT THIS PROBLEM IS JUST LOOK AT HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/ZEROTHREAD?ID=1158315&PAGE=6. *NM
Electrical system, Sep 26, 2006, fire
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING IN A RURAL AREA GOING 50 MPH, THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE ROAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK. BEFORE THE CONTACT COULD GET THE CALL MADE, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, AND BURNED TO THE GROUND. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, AND DETERMINED THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, THE CONTACT DETECTED A FAINT SMELL OF RUBBER BURNING. THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT NOTIFIED, BUT THE CONTACT PLANNED TO NOTIFY THEM SOON. UPDATED 10/17/2006 - *NM
Exterior lighting, Sep 25, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE EPC ENGINE PROTECTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY DEALER WHO DETERMINED WHEN THE EPC LIGHT ILLUMINATED; THIS WAS INDICATING THE EXTERIOR BRAKE LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 04V096000, REGARDING THE BRAKE LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.
Electrical system, Sep 21, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD PROBLEMS CROSSING THE UNITED STATES BORDER FROM CANADA DUE TO A REQUIRED CERTIFICATE OF CONFORMITY FROM VW OF AMERICA STATING THAT THE VEHICLE CONFORMED TO US FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS, CALIFORNIA AIR EMISSION REGULATIONS AND US EPA EMISSION REGULATIONS. ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER, THE VEHICLE MET ALL OF THE ABOVE EXCEPT THE SPEEDOMETER MUST BE KEPT IN READING MPH (WHICH IT DOES), THE ODOMETER MUST BE LABELED (IT IS LABELED IN KM), THE DASHBOARD BRAKE WARNING LIGHT AND ANTILOCKING BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT MUST BE MARKED BRAKE AND ABS IN LETTERS AT LEAST 1/8 OF AN INCH HIGH. THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE AND ABS INDICATORS ARE IMAGES , WHICH THE CONTACT CLEARLY UNDERSTANDS HAVING DRIVEN THE VEHICLE FOR 3 YEARS, AND THE CONTACT DID NOT UNDERSTAND HOW CHANGING THE IMAGES TO WORDS CAN SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECT THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. THE COST FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER RANGES FROM $500-700. THE VEHICLE WAS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA WAGON TDI.
Exterior lighting, Sep 17, 2006
I PURCHASED A 2003 VW JETTA TDI WAGON ABOUT A YEAR AGO, USED. THIS CAR HAS BEEN REALLY GREAT TO ME THUS FAR, UNTIL MY GLOW PLUG LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AT ME THE OTHER DAY. AFTER CHECKING THE MANUAL, WHICH BASICALLY SAID THERE WAS AN INTERNAL ERROR, AND NOT MUCH MORE, I DECIDED TO CHECK THE INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION. THE SEARCH RESULTS MENTIONED THAT IT IS MOST LIKELY A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH PROBLEM AND EITHER THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON, OR SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. SO, AFTER MY WIFE CHECKED THE BACK OF THE CAR WHILE I PRESSED ON THE BRAKES, SURE ENOUGH, MY BRAKE LIGHTS NO LONGER WORK! I CHECKED THE WEB SOME MORE, AND IT LOOKS AS IF THERE WAS A RECALL FOR 98-02 JETTAS FOR THE VERY SAME PROBLEM. BEING THAT MINE IS A 2003, MY CAR DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL! I DID SOME MORE SEARCHES, AND HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM I FOUND THIS THREAD, WHICH DETAILS A DIY METHOD OF REPLACING THIS $10 PART. I'D RATHER DO THIS MYSELF IF I HAVE TO PAY THE DEALERSHIP TO WHAT AMOUNTS TO AN EXTORTION FEE FOR THIS 5 MINUTE JOB. IN MY HUMBLE OPINION, I THINK VW SHOULD REPLACE THIS PART, FREE OF CHARGE. I REALLY THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON MY JETTA MODEL BECAUSE THE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF PEOPLE BEHIND YOU AREN'T WARNED WHEN YOU BRAKE. THE FACT THAT THE WARNING LIGHTS DO NOT MENTION WHAT TYPE OF A PROBLEM THIS IS WOULD FURTHER LEAD TO MORE CONFUSION. THE FACT THAT THIS PROBLEM MAKES MY CAR ILLEGAL TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS FURTHER COMPLICATES THE PROCESS OF BRINGING IN THIS CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. *JB
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
Power train, Aug 15, 2006
2003 VW JETTA CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL OUT AT 47,962 MILES. I AM AN EXPERIENCED MANUAL TRANSMISSION DRIVER. THIS IS NOT MY FAULT, AND THIS IS VERY PREMATURE FOR A CLUTCH FAILURE. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS $2088.00 PLUS TAX FOR PARTS AND LABOR. MY DEALERSHIP QUOTED ME AT $1400 BACK HOME, BUT IM STUCK IN COLORADO WAITING FOR THE CUSTOMER CARE TO GET BACK TO ME. EVERY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC I HAVE TALKED TO INCLUDING VW CERTIFIED; BUT NOT AFFILIATED HAVE TOLD ME THAT EVEN THE WORST CLUTCH -RIDER(WHICH I AM NOT) WOULD HAVE CLUTCH FAILURE AT ABOUT 100,000 MILES. VW IS TOO CHEAP TO SUBMIT A RECALL FOR THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLIES ON THEIR 2000-2004 VEHICLES. WITH THE VOLUME OF COMPLAINTS ALL OVER THE WEB AND EVEN ON THIS SITE, THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, AND IM NOT JUST SPEAKING ABOUT THE EXTREMELY OUTRAGEOUS REPLACEMENT AND REPAIR COSTS. PLUS! THEY NOW USE NON- RE-SURFACE FLYWHEELS...*JB
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
Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Aug 5, 2006
BOUGHT A VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLS IN 2003. SEVERAL THINGS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED. FOR EXAMPLE THE GLOVE BOX COVER, WHEEL BEARING. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT ON MOST NEWER VEHICLES THAT WHEEL BEARINGS DO NOT REQUIRE MAINTENANCE. MY CAR HAS 74,000 MILES. LAST WEEK I WAS DRIVING AND MY MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND THE CAR IF GOING OVER 30 MPH CUT OUT. THERE WAS A ROTTEN EGG SMELL. IT IMMEDIATELY WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND 2 COILS WERE FAULTY. THEY REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND IGNITION COILS FOR CYLINDERS 1&3 AND CLEARED FAULT CODES. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. BUT SAID VOLKSWAGEN FEELS THE IGNITION COILS ARE A REGULAR MAINTENANCE ISSUE. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND AM FINDING THAT VOLKSWAGEN HAS NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE COILS. IN MY RESEARCH I FOUND THAT VW HAD A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION LETTER THAT WAS SENT OUT TO VW OWNERS TO BRING CAR INTO DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE THE COILS. VW REPRESENTATIVE IN MICHIGAN TOLD ME THAT THEY STOPPED DOING THAT IN 2005. I BELIEVE THAT I SHOULD HAVE NOT HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE THE IGNITION COILS. VW KNOWS THAT THEY HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS. I LOVE MY VW BUT I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS THIS CAR THAT I HAVE NEVER HAD IN ANY OTHER VEHICLE. I TRADE VEHICLES EVERY 3-4 YEARS BUT WILL NOT PURCHASE ANOTHER VOLKSWAGEN. NOT BECAUSE I HAVE HAD SO MANY THINGS GO WRONG BECAUSE THE STRANGE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH THE CAR AND VOLKSWAGEN DOESN'T TAKE CARE OF THEIR DRIVERS. *JB
Electrical system, Aug 3, 2006
A WEEK BEFORE THIS INCIDENT SPEEDOMETER QUIT. NON VW REPAIR SHOP REPLACED SPEED SENSOR, THIS DID NOT FIX SPEEDOMETER PROBLEM SO THEY SENT ME TO NY VW DEALER WHO REPLACED CRANK SENSOR. COULD NOT EVEN DRIVE CAR OUT OF THEIR LOT AFTER THE REPAIR AS CAR WAS STALLING AND HESITATING. THEY THEN SAID I NEEDED TO REPLACE NEEDLE LIFT SENSOR. I BEGGED THEM AT THAT POINT TO LOOK FOR A WIRING PROBLEM OR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM BECAUSE I COULDN'T BELIEVE THAT 3 SENSORS COULD ALL GO AT ONCE WITHOUT A SYSTEM CAUSE. I WAS TOLD TO "TRUST THEM" AND THAT THEY HAD CHECKED WITH VW AND VW SAID THAT WAS ALL THEY COULD DO. "THE DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER SAID THAT IS ALL THAT IS WRONG" . AFTER WEEK IN REPAIR SHOP VW DEALER TOLD ME CAR WAS "ALL FIXED". 3 DAYS AND 300 MILES LATER ON I-83 SOUTH OF HARRISBURG CAR BEGAN JERKING AND LURCHING OUT OF CONTROL, THEN STALLED. I WAS NEAR EXIT 32 AND WAS ABLE TO GET OFF SAFELY, FORTUNATELY. HAD TO BE TOWED TO VW DEALER. NOW VW DEALER IN PA TELLS ME CAR HAD "COOLANT MIGRATION" WHICH WAS SOURCE OF ALL PROBLEMS, THEY THINK DEALER IN NY SHOULD HAVE CAUGHT IT. VW IS BACKING NY DEALER THAT THEY FIXED CAR CORRECTLY DESPITE OTHER DEALERS COMMENT AND MY NEAR MISS WITH BEING CRASHED INTO BY OTHER DRIVERS ON I-83. I FAIL TO SEE HOW COOLANT MIGRATION HAPPENED IN 3 DAYS AND 300 MILES. PA VW DEALER SAYS NY DEALER SHOULD NOT HAVE MISSED THE COOLANT MIGRATION, AND SHOULD NOT HAVE REPLACED THE EXPENSIVE SENSORS BEFORE REPAIRING THE COOLANT MIGRATION PROBLEM. I CERTAINLY AGREE SINCE I TRAVELED LESS THAN 300 MILES AND I WAS JUST LUCKY THAT I WAS SO CLOSE TO AN EXIT AND WAS ABLE TO KEEP RESTARTING THE CAR AND COAST OFF I-83. HAD I BEEN FURTHER AWAY FROM AN EXIT OR IN HEAVIER TRAFFIC I COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN RUN INTO BY ANOTHER DRIVER AS THE CAR LURCHED AND JERKED AND STALLED. I ALSO FAIL TO UNDERSTAND WHY VW IS NOT RESPONSIBLE. OBVIOUSLY THIS PROBLEM STARTED WHILE THE CAR WAS STILL IN WARRANTY -PA DEALER SAID ENGINE WAS "VERY CORRODED" AND THE WIRING WAS "FULL OF COOLANT". *JB
Equipment, Aug 3, 2006
OUT OF NO WHERE MY RADIO ON MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA WAGON STOPPED WORKING. ALL I GOT WAS STATIC ON MY RADIO. AFTER REVIEWING SEVERAL VW FORUMS, I FOUND OUT THAT MY RADIO ANTENNA HAD CORRODED INSIDE. I TOOK IT APART AND CLEANED ALL THE CORROSION AND FOUND THAT THE MAIN WIRE ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD WAS BROKE. I HAD TO SOLDER A NEW WIRE ONTO IT. MANY VW OWNERS ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM, BUT VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. A ANTENNA SHOULD NOT GO BAD IN A THREE YEAR OLD CAR. *JB
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
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Jul 20, 2006
I HAVE A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI GLS. I SHOULD NOTE THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN FAITHFULLY SERVICED BY THE DEALER FOLLOWING THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE LISTED IN THE USER MANUAL. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 109,000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE INCIDENT DATE LISTED ON THIS COMPLAINT, THE A/C CEASED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THERE WAS NO COOL AIR COMING OUT OF THE VENTS. ALSO, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHUTDOWN, THE RADIATOR FANS WOULD CONTINUE TO RUN UPWARDS OF 15 MINUTES. NEITHER EVENT HAS OCCURRED BEFORE. I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN TO A VW DEALERSHIP ON THE INCIDENT DATE TO HAVE ITS NORMAL 110,000 MILE SERVICE AND TO HAVE THE ISSUES (NOTED ABOVE) DIAGNOSED. I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DEALERSHIP LATER IN THE DAY ON THE INCIDENT DATE STATING THAT A FAILURE IN THE COOLANT LEVEL SENSOR CAUSED COOLANT FLUID TO BE WICKED INTO THE VEHICLE'S WIRING HARNESS LEADING TO CONTAMINATION / CORROSION OF THE ENGINE AND BODY HARNESS. THE QUOTE TO REPAIR WAS APPROXIMATELY $6,000. THIS PROBLEM IS A LATENT DEFECT IN THE DESIGN. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UN-DRIVABLE UNTIL THE REPAIRS ARE MADE. THE SERVICE ADVISOR ALSO CONFIRMED THAT BECAUSE THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE HARNESS ITSELF, ANY ELECTRICAL COMPONENT COULD BE AFFECTED SUCH AS THE AIRBAGS, ABS, SRS, ETC. ALSO, FROM MY OWN RESEARCH I FOUND SOME PEOPLE WHO EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM HAVE ALSO HAD SMOKE OR FIRES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. VW ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (ID# C 97-01-01) FOR A SIMILAR ISSUE ON 1999.5 - 2001 MODEL YEAR JETTAS, BUT NEVER FOR THE 2003 AND NEVER A RECALL CAMPAIGN ON THE DEFECTIVE DESIGN. VW HAS REFUSED TO ASSIST IN THE COST OF REPAIR TO THE VEHICLE AS WELL. *NM
Wheels, Jul 20, 2006
TIRE RIMS ON 2003 JETTA WOLFSBURG EDITION MODEL CORRODE AND CAUSE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS LEAKS. MY DAUGHTERS HAVE CALLED CRYING SEVERAL TIMES WITH NEARLY FLAT TIRES. HAD THEY NOT NOTICED, WE COULD HAVE HAD DISASTROUS RESULTS. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS AND VW USA ABOUT THE UNSIGHTLY CORROSION. THE HAVE DISMISSED IT AS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS IN NORTHERN WEATHER WERE THIS SALT ON THE ROAD. IT'S NOW A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ANYONE WHO DRIVES THAT CAR. *NM
Tires, Jul 20, 2006
GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A TIRE FAILED DUE TO CRACKS ON THE INTERIOR SIDEWALL LEADING TO A BLOWOUT AND NEAR SEPARATION OF THE TIRE FROM THE WHEEL. *NM