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.
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 19, 2005
EXCESSIVE BUILDUP OF CARBON IN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD LEADING TO THE FAILURE OF THE CAR TO START. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AMONG VW DEALERS WITH TDI DIESELS AND THERE IS NOTHING VW IS DOING ABOUT IT. COST $700 TO REPAIR THIS. *NM
Seats, Dec 15, 2005, fire
I OWN A 2003 VW JETTA 1.8T WITH FRONT HEATED SEATS. DRIVERS SIDE SEAT CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO A SHORT IN THE SEATS HEATER 2 DAYS AGO ON 12/13/2005 AFTER THE HEATER WAS ON FOR LESS THAN 2 MINUTES. BURNING A SMALL HOLE TROUGH THE SEAT TO THE BOTTOM AREA OF MY LEFT SIDE (BUTTOCK) I HAVE COME TO FIND SINCE THIS HAPPENED, MY NHTSA HAS BEEN INVESTIGATING 2002, 2003 VW JETTAS FOR SEAT FIRES WITH THIS EXACT PROBLEM FOR OVER A YEAR NOW. WHY, AS THE ORIGINAL REGISTER OWNER OF THIS MODEL WAS I NOT INFORMED OF THIS INVESTIGATION AND THE POSSIBILITY OF A FIRE INSIDE MY CAR, WHILE ME, MY WIFE AND MY 5 YEAR GIRL ARE IN IT! THE PROBLEM WITH THE ABOVE IS THAT IT WAS NOT A POSSIBILITY, IT JUST WAS A MATTER OF TIME AND IN MY CASE, THE TIME WAS DECEMBER 13TH AT APPROXIMATELY 7PM AT NIGHT. THIS CAR HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE THE FIRST 3,000 MILES, WITH WATER PUMPS AND DOOR LATCHES, FIRMWARE UPDATES, VIOLENT SHAKING OF THE VEHICLE IN COLD WEATHER STARTS, ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS RANGING FROM ENTIRELY IMMOBILIZING AND STRANDING ME TO THE CAR PARTIALLY BEING IMMOBILIZED THE VW JETTA TO AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTER ISSUES WHICH INCLUDE THE CARS SHIFTER BEING ABLE TO BE MOVED WHEN THE KEY IS NOT EVEN IN THE IGNITION TO A POSITION IN THE SHIFTER SELECTOR BECAUSE A CABLE WAS NEVER CONNECTED TO PREVENT THAT, THAT SHOULD ALSO BE A NHTSA SAFETY ISSUE TOO ON THIS CAR. BUT FIRST I WANT YOU FOR THE LOVE OF GOD CONTACT THE OWNERS OF THESE CARS BEFORE REAL TRAGEDY HAPPENS IF THAT ALL READY HAS NOT HAPPENED. I HAVE JUST TALKED VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER CARE ADVOCATE AT VW AMERICA, THEY HAVE NOT WARNED THEIR CUSTOMERS OF THIS, WHO WILL. AGAIN SINCE THIS HAS HAPPENED I SEE MANY PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING. PLEASE NOTIFY THE OWNERS FIRST, THEN CONTACT ME SECOND. PLEASE! *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 28, 2005
ON SEPT. 22ND, 2005, OUR 2003 VW EUROVAN BROKE DOWN ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WE HAD IT TOWED TO OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP, ROGER JOBS VW IN BELLINGHAM, WA. A FEW DAYS LATER, I WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THAT THE CAUSE OF THE BREAKDOWN WAS THAT THE OIL FILTER CAP HAD SPLIT, CAUSING ALL THE OIL TO DRAIN OUT, RUINING THE ENTIRE ENGINE WITHIN MOMENTS. FIVE VW EXPERTS EMPLOYED WITH OR ASSOCIATED WITH ROGER JOBS VW (ANGELA MATTIX THE SERVICE ADVISER, PETER DRAKE THE SERVICE MANAGER, DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE JUAN GARCIA, AND TWO TECHNICIANS, BOB GORSUCH AND PAUL TIEGROB), UNANIMOUSLY AGREE AND ARE UNEQUIVOCALLY CERTAIN, THAT BASED ON THEIR EXPERIENCE AND WISDOM, THE OIL FILTER CAP SPLITTING WAS DUE TO AN OVER TIGHTENING OF THE CAP BY THE SELLING DEALERSHIP (PACIFIC VW), AND, WAS NOT THE RESULT OF, AS CLAIMED BY PACIFIC VW AND SUPPORTED BY VW OF AMERICA, A STONE FLYING UP UNDERNEATH THE CAR, WHICH WOULD CLASSIFY IT AS DAMAGE DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES, THEREBY EXCLUDING IT FROM COVERAGE UNDER THE LIMITED NEW VEHICLE WARRANTY. AS POINTED OUT BY THE FIVE VW EMPLOYEES LISTED ABOVE, THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE IS STRONGLY PROTECTED AGAINST SUCH OCCURRENCES WITH MULTIPLE LAYERS OF HARD PLASTIC SHIELDS, ALL OF WHICH SHOW NO SIGN WHATSOEVER OF ANY KIND OF ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE. THEY ALSO CONFIRMED THAT THE OIL FILTER IN THE CAR WAS A FACTORY VW OIL FILTER. WE BOUGHT THE CAR (ALONG WITH A FULL WARRANTY) DIRECTLY FROM PACIFIC VW IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IN THE SPRING OF 2004. ACCORDING TO THE EXPERT OPINION OF FIVE VW EMPLOYEES, IT''S CLEAR, THAT THE FAILURE OF THE OIL FILTER CAP WAS DUE TO FAULTY SERVICE ON THE PART OF PACIFIC VW, AND WAS NOT DAMAGE DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES. *NM
Air bags, Nov 14, 2005
DT:THE CONTACTS STATED WHILE DRIVING THE PASSENGER'S SIDE/CURTAIN AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT PRIOR TO THE DEPLOYMENT. THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE MANUFACTURE STATED THE VEHICLE MUST HAVE BEEN IN A PREVIOUS ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE BLACK BOX CONTAINS CRASH DATA AND THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE UNDERCARRIAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT REPAIR THIS VEHICLE. THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE04081.*AK
Seats, Nov 14, 2005, fire
THE SEAT ON MY 2003 VW JETTA CAUGHT FIRE TODAY. AS A RESULT, THERE IS A NICKEL-SIZE BURN IN MY SEAT AND MY PANTS. *JB
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
Exterior lighting, Nov 8, 2005
PURCHASED NEW 2003 JETTA MAY 2003. SINCE THAT TIME WE HAVE HAD TO TOW THE CAR TWICE AND REPAIR SAME PART 4 TIMES. IT IS THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH THAT BREAKS WHICH MEANS THE CAR CAN NOT BE TAKEN OUT OF PARK. CAN NOT BE MOVED UNLESS IT IS TOWED OR GET IT IN WHEN YOU FIRST SEE IT IS GOING OUT YET AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED JAN 28, 2004, AUG 2, 2004, MAY 31, 2005, AND OCT 14, 2005. TWICE IT WAS SERVICED AT THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP IN SAN LUIS OBISPO AND TWICE AT THE DEALERSHIP IN FRESNO, CALIFORNIA. *NM
Power train, Oct 26, 2005
THE CLUTCH ON MY 03' VW JETTA HAS BEEN FAILING SINCE DAY ONE , I NOW HAVE 42,000 KMS. WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR. REVERSE, SECOND GEAR AND THIRD GEAR ALL HAVE PROBLEMS. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON WITH EVERY PERSON WITH A MANUAL JETTA, ESPECIALLY A 1.8T. I THINK VWOA SHOULD RECALL THE CLUTCH AND TRANSMISSION AND CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. WE SPEND HARD EARNED MONEY ON OUR CARS AND DO NOT DESERVE A PROBLEM LIKE THIS ON BRAND NEW CARS. *JB
Electrical system, Oct 25, 2005
DT: THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE ABS LIGHT AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. SHE PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE STALLED . THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START BACK. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE ALTERNATOR CABLE BURNED THE FUSE BOX AND COVER. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT IF THEY SAME PART WILL BE PUT BACK ON THE SAME THING WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. *AK *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, Oct 21, 2005
I WAS ON MY WAY TO FLORIDA, DRIVING SOUTH ON I-95 (GOING THROUGH THE TOWN OF ST. MARYS) WHEN I RAN OVER A GREY METAL GRATE (THE SAME COLOR AS THE ROAD) THAT WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LEFT LANE (I WAS DRIVING 70 MPH). THE GRATE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1FT X 1FT AND ABOUT 1 INCH THICK. AS SOON AS I RAN OVER IT, THE SIDE CURTAIN AND THE SIDE SEAT AIRBAGS (ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE) DEPLOYED CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE SEAT, SEAT BELT, AND MY LEFT ARM WAS BURNT. *JB
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
Electrical system, Sep 30, 2005, fire
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTY. THE CONTACT STATED S DASHBOARD CONTROL SYSTEM CAUGHT ON FIRE. LAST NIGHT WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. WAS NOT SURE WHAT IT WAS. GOT CLOSE TO HOME AND SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE DASHBOARD. BY THE TIME SHE GOT WITHIN A BLOCK OF THE HOUSE THE DASHBOARD WAS ON FIRE. HUSBAND CAME OUT WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. HUSBAND USED EXTINGUISHER ON VEHICLE. CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS. THEY UNHOOKED THE BATTERY. FIRE DEPARTMENT GAVE ALL CLEAR, BUT NOT TO TRY TO DRIVE VEHICLE. THEY TOLD CONSUMER TO TAKE VEHICLE TO VOLKSWAGEN DEALER. THIS MORNING CALLED VOLKSWAGEN, AND WERE IN THE PROCESS OF SEEING WHAT THEY COULD DO. HUSBAND SUSTAINED RIGHT LEG INJURIES. CUSTOMER ALSO COMPLAINED OF EYES BURNING FROM SMOKE. POLICE DEPARTMENT AND FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTS TAKEN. NO CRASHES. WE HAD JUST PICKED VEHICLE UP FROM THE DEALER.*AK
Air bags, Sep 27, 2005
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON A STRAIGHT SECTION OF ROAD THAT WAS NEWLY GRADED GRAVEL AT ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. BOTH THE SIDE AIR CURTAIN AND THE SEAT AIR BAGS WENT OFF. THE SEAT BAG HIT MY WIFE ON THE BACK OF THE UPPER ARM LEAVING SOME BRUISING AND WHAT LOOKED TO BE LARGE WELTS AND BURNS. THE SWELLING AND BURNS WENT AWAY AFTER WE FOUND SOME ICE AND PACK HER ARM IN IT. VW SAYS THAT WE WERE IN A COLLISION BUT WE WERE AROUND NO ONE AND DID NOT HIT ANYTHING. THERE IS NO DAMAGE TO MY CAR FOR ANY COLLISION. MY INSURANCE COMPANY FIXED THE CAR UNDER A COMP. CLAIM AS THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANY COLLISION DAMAGE. *JB
Air bags, Sep 27, 2005
DT: ON JULY 3, 2004 THE PASSENGER'S SIDE/CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT CAUSE. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE VOLKSWAGEN FIELD TECHNICIAN HE SAID THAT THERE WERE SOME SMALL DENTS THAT CAUSED THE DEPLOYMENT. WHEN SOMEONE FROM TRANSPORT CANADA INSPECTED THE VEHICLE HE SAID THAT THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS TO HAVE DEPLOYED. HE SAID THAT THE DENTS WERE THERE BEFORE THE CLEAR COAT WAS EVEN PUT ON THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO COLLUSION.
Air bags, Aug 31, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. THE SPEED AT THIS TIME WAS ABOUT 60 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF ANY DEBRIS THAT MAY HAVE BEEN ON THE ROAD. THE CONTACT DID NOT LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS NOT ON PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TOMORROW, AND THE VEHICLE WAS COVERED UNDER A WARRANTY. THIS OCCURRED ON AUGUST 31, 2005.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 21, 2005, fire
A/C FAN SIEZED, CAUSING ENOUGH HEAT TO START A FIRE. THE SHROUD, UPPER RADIATOR MODLINGS, A/C HOSE, HOOD INSULATION AND PAINT WERE DAMAGED.
Power train, Jul 26, 2005
* 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA WITH 38,116 MILES / ONE OWNER * VW CASE # 50260581 * REPAIR LOCATION: NORTH POINT VW, SHERWOOD, AR (501) 945-5353 THE PROBLEM THIS VEHICLE'S CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL BOTH FAILED (COMPLETELY WORN) AT 38,116 MILES, WELL BEFORE THE AVERAGE EXPECTED LIFE... POSSIBLE MATERIAL DEFICIENCY. BACKGROUND ALL SERVICE FOR THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND DOCUMENTED WITH VW. THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SUBJECTED TO ANY EXTREME DRIVING IN ANY WAY. MANUFACTURER'S ASSISTANCE NONE. THE CLUTCH IS A WEAR ITEM AND THEREFORE NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. ALTHOUGH THE LOCAL SERVICE MANAGER AGREES THAT A CLUTCH SHOULD NOT FAIL AT THIS LOW MILEAGE, NEITHER HE, OR THE VW HELP CENTER (800 411-6688) WOULD HELP IN THE $1,600 REPAIR. BOTTOM LINE AFTER DOING A GOOGLE SEARCH FOR "VW JETTA CLUTCH FAILURE", I NOTED NUMEROUS REPORTS OF PREMATURE VW CLUTCH FAILURE. IS THIS A "WEAK LINK" IN THIS VEHICLE? IS VW TRYING TO HIDE AN INFERIOR PART?
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 18, 2005
VEHICLE BEING DRIVEN ON A HIGHWAY AND MOTOR "BLEW UP". TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THAT IT WAS FAULTY TURBO DUE TO SLUDGE IN THE TURBO. DEALERSHIP DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY CLAIMING IT WAS OWNER'S PROBLEM BECAUSE SYNTHETIC OIL WAS NOT USED.
Air bags, Jul 11, 2005
NO ACCIDENT HAS OCCURRED. HOWEVER, WHO OR WHAT COMPANY DO I EMAIL TO GET INFORMATION ON WHY VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOT PUT FORTH A RECALL ON THE SUNROOF OF THE JETTA MODEL 2001 AND 2002? I AM WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM THIS COMPANY. HOWEVER, FROM THE CONSUMER REPORTS I SEE THAT THEY HAVE NOT RECALLED THIS PART ON THESE CARS. CAN YOU PLEASE DIRECT ME TO THE EMAIL ADDRESS THAT I MIGHT GET AN ANSWER? IT IS A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH THE AIRBAGS THAT ARE LOCATED IN THE COLULMS OF THIS VEHICLE. IF THEY GET WET THEY WILL NOT WORK. THEREFORE IT IS A HAZARD THAT VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD ADDRESS.THANK YOU
Electrical system, Jul 8, 2005
DT: 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA DIESEL TDI. THE ENGINE DIED AT 70 MPH. THE CONSUMER KNEW IT WAS NOT THE TIMING BELT AND BELIEVED IT TO BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTER SENSOR THAT CONTROLS THE SIGNALS. LIGHTS TO FLASH, FLASHERS ALSO WITH POWER WINDOWS. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND HE COULD FIND NO REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. THE TIMING BELT IS IN PLACE AND IN GOOD CONDITION. *TT *SC *JB
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
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.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 6, 2005
CAR STARED PUTTING OUT ALOT OF BLUE SMOKE FROM TAIL PIPE ON START UP AND GAS MILAGE WAS DROPPING 5-6 MPG AND I THOUGHT THAT WAS ALOT FOR A DIESEL ENGINE. CAR LOST POWER AT FREEWAY SPEEDS AND WOULD BARELY RUN. ENTIRE INTAKE SYSTEM TO THE HEAD WAS FULL BLACK STICKY CARBON CHOKING THE ENGINE FOR CLEAN AIR. INTAKE SYSTEM HAD TO BE COMPLETLY DISASSEMBLED (MANIFLOD,EGR VAVLE,CCV TUBE) AND CLEANED OF CARBON, WHICH BY SEARCHING THE INTERNET IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH VW TDI 1.9 ENGINE.
Power train, Jun 3, 2005
BLOWN CLUTCH ON NEW 2003 VW JETTA TDI 1.8. FIRST OCCURANCE IN AUGUST OF 04 WITH 26,000 MILES AND AGAIN NOW IN MAY OF 05 WITH 40,500 OR 14,000 MILES TO ANOTHER BLOWN CLUTCH. I AM NOT A TEENAGE DRIVER, I AM 23 WITH EXCELLENT DRIVING SKILLS AND HAVE DRIVEN CLUTCHES ALL MY ADULT DRIVING LIFE. THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THEIR CLUTCH SYSTEM. I HAVE FOUND TONS OF EVIDENCE IN BULLETIN BOARDS. VW IS BLAMING THIS ON POOR DRIVING SKILLS AND I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT THAT OCCURS EVERY 20,000 MILES. CONSUMERS LIKE ME ARE GETTIGN RIPPED OFF ON THIS ONE LEFT AND RIGHT. YOU NEED TO DO SOMETHING. THIS IS NO ISOLATED INCIDENT!