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, Jan 20, 2005
IN JUNE 2004, I WAS DRIVING DOWN JOPLIN RD NEAR QUANTICO, VA AND DRIVER-SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. WHILE ITS A WINDING ROAD, I DIDN'T FEEL ANY IMPACT. THE DEALER SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR, SOMETHING HIT THE INSIDE OF THE CAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE TELLING THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. THEY SAID MY INSURANCE COMPANY WILL HAVE TO COVER THE AIRBAG/SEAT REPLACEMENT (ABOUT $2500). THIS IS THE SECOND TIME AN AIRBAG DEPLOYED IN THIS VEHICLE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. (NOTE: I PREVIOUSLY REPORTED THIS COMPLAINT IN JULY 2004 BUT HAD INCLUDED BOTH INCIDENTS IN ONE COMPLAINT.)*JB
Air bags, Jan 18, 2005
THE DRIVER WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN OUT OF THE PARKING LOT WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY THE OWNER. *JB
Seats, Jan 18, 2005
ON MONDAY MORNING I NOTICED THAT MY SEAT WARMER WAS BURNING THE LEFT SIDE OF MY BUTT. I DIDN'T NOTICE ANYTHING AT THAT TIME. ON TUESDAY MORNING, MY SEAT WAS SMOKING AND IT BURNED A WHOLE IN MY LEATHER. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD SEEN A COUPLE OF THESE INCIDENTS. SAID I WOULD NEED TO BRING MY CAR IN AND LEAVE IT OR WAIT 45+ MINUTES FOR THEM TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT. I COMPLAINED THAT I CAN'T MISS WORK, AND I NEED A CAR THAT I CAN RELY ON TO GET ME BACK AND FORTH. I ASKED FOR A LOANER FOR THE DAY, TO WHICH THEY RESPONDED NO. AT THIS TIME, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE, AND I AM STILL DRIVING WITH A DEFECTIVE SEAT WARMER. *NM
Seats, Jan 17, 2005, fire
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER MALFUNCTIONED WILE SET TO LEVEL (2) TWO. RESULTS WERE BURN HOLE TO SEAT, SMOKE ERUPTING FORM SEAT, BURN TO DRIVER?S JEANS, PAIN AND DISCOMFORT TO DRIVER THIS WAS DURING NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION ON PUBLIC STREETS. *JB
Seats, Jan 16, 2005, fire
PASSENGER SIDE SEAT HEATER MALFUNCTIONED. SEAT HEATER TURNED ON TO LEVEL 3. PASSENGER AND DRIVER NOTICED SMELL OF SOMETHING BURNING, THEN PASSENGER FELT PAIN UNDER LEFT THIGH. TURNED SEAT HEATER OFF. WHEN STOPPED, EXAMINED SEAT TO DISCOVER BROWN HOLE IN SEAT WHERE HEATER HAD BURNED THROUGH. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE YET. *NM
Air bags, Jan 12, 2005
COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. MY BROTHER WAS DRIVING MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA ON ROUTE 17 IN NEW JERSEY AND PASSED OVER RAILROAD TRACK AT A SPEED BETWEEN 20-30 MPH (ON 50 MPH HIGHWAY). AFTER CLEARING THE TRACKS THE DRIVERS SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG AND SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. LUCKILY, NO ONE WAS HURT... IMMEDIATELY HE CAME TO MY JOB (I WORK AT A CAR DEALERSHIP) FOR ONE OF THE TECHNICIANS ,FOR ME TO LOOK AT.VEHICLE. WE COULD NOT FIND ANY DAMAGE OR ANY SIGNS OF A COLLISION. SO, I TOOK MY CAR TO VOLKSWAGEN SO THIS COULD BE FIXED. THEN, I WAS INFORMED BECAUSE DRIVING OVER THE RAILROAD TRACKS TRIGGERED MY CRASH SENSOR CAUSING IT TO REGISTER A CRASH OR COLLISION, THIS WAS NOT COVERED. THE DEALERSHIP THEN INFORMED ME TO CALL MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND FILE A CLAIM. NOW I WOULD LIKE YOUR ADVICE IS THIS SUPPOSE TO HAPPEN, AND SINCE IT HAPPENED TO ME, SHOULD IT HAPPEN TO EVERYONE IF THE WARRANTY DOESN'T COVER IT. WOULDN'T A FAULTY SENSOR RATHER THEN A BUSY ROAD TRAVELED BY THOUSANDS A DAY CAUSE THIS.*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
Power train, Dec 30, 2004
DRIVING ALONG, CLUTCH STARTED TO SLIP AT ABOUT 25,000 MILES, WHEN TAKEN TO DEALER THEY SAID THE PRESSURE PLATE IS COMPLETELY WORN AND ITS MY FAULT, AFTER MUCH RESEARCH THIS IS QUITE COMMON. I HAVE GOTTEN NOWHERE WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE OR ANY NUMBER OF MANAGERS.*AK
Seats, Dec 27, 2004, fire
CONSUMER NOTICED THAT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER BECAME EXTREMELY HOT, BURNING THE PLASTIC OF THE SEAT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Seats, Dec 27, 2004, fire
THIS CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRIC SEAT HEATERS. AFTER DRIVING THIS VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES, THE DRIVER SEAT HEATER BURNT THROUGH THE SEAT, BURNING MY BUTT. THE SEAT QUIT BURNING AFTER TURNING THE HEATER OFF. I HAVE SPOKE TO TWO VW DEALERS AND VW DIRECTLY AND IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT BY ANY MEANS.*AK
Seats, Dec 23, 2004, fire
(1) DRIVING ON IH-35, SEAT STARTED BURNING AND SMOKE FILLED THE CAR, SEAT HEATER HAD BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT. *AK
Seats, Dec 22, 2004, fire
THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT WARMER CAUSED THE SEAT TO CATCH ON FIRE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BEING WARMED UP. *JB
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
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 15, 2004
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION. WHEN THE CAR WAS IDLING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BLINKED. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO FAIRFAX VOLKSWAGEN IN FAIRFAX, VA TO HAVE THE CAR CHECKED OUT. APPARENTLY THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE IGNITION COILS, WHICH HAD BEEN OUT FOR OVER A YEAR. I HAD NO IDEA ABOUT THE RECALL -- EVEN AFTER I TOOK THE JETTA TO STOHLMAN VW FOR SERVICE ON MY AUDIO SPEAKERS IN THE FALL OF 2004. THEY NEVER TOLD ME ABOUT THE RECALL AND IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPAIRED AT THAT TIME. FAIRFAX VW TOLD ME THAT CHECKING FOR RECALLS IS THEIR FIRST PRIORITY, AND THAT IS HOW THE RECALL WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION. I AM VERY DISPLEASED WITH STOHLMAN, AND THE SERVICE, OR LACK THEREOF, I RECEIVED. *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
Power train, Nov 30, 2004
I HAVE A 2003 VW JETTA TDI. AT 29,000 MILES THE CLUTCH FAILED IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGHWAY IN A BLIZZARD. THE VW DEALER HAS NOT GIVEN ME ANY INFORMATION OTHER THAN THE CLUTCH FAILED DUE TO MY DRIVING AND THAT IT WILL COST $2000. I HAVE DRIVEN A JEEP WRANGLER OVER 100000 AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE CLUTCH. MY FAMILY AND I WERE IN DANGER IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSTATE 70 FOR SEVERAL HOURS. IN ADDITION TO CALLING THE VW DEALER, I ALSO SPOKE WITH 2 CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE WHO TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I HAD THE CAR IN 2 WEEKS AGO FOR ANOTHER PROBLEM AND THE DEALER NEVER TOLD ME THAT MY CLUTCH WAS NOT FUNTIONING PROPERLY. VW SOLD ME THE CAR BASED ON QUALITY AND RELIABLITY IN BAD WEATHER. THEY CERTAINTLY CANNOT BACK WHAT THEY ARE MARKETING TO CONSUMERS. I HAVE NEVER HAD SUCH A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE AS THIS. I WILL BE SEEKING LEGAL ACTION IF I AM NOT REMIBURSED FOR MY TROUBLES. *AK
Air bags, Nov 30, 2004, crash
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AND NONE OF THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. *AK VW SUGGESTED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE AIR BAGS UPON INSPECTION. *SC
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
Electrical system, Nov 27, 2004
ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THEN THE CAR DIED WITHIN SIXTY SECONDS. WE WERE ABLE TO RE-START THE CAR AFTER SITTING FOR 30 MINUTES, ONLY TO HAVE THE SAME THING RE-OCCUR WITHIN TWO MILES. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS, EXCEPT FOR THE ILLUMINATED LIGHTS, BUT THIS LEFT NO TIME TO SAFELY PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY TRAGIC OR FATAL EVENT IF WE WERE NOT ON A LOCAL, NEIGHBORHOOD ROAD.*AK