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.
Seats, Nov 27, 2004, fire
I CURRENTLY OWN A 2003 VOLKWAGEN JETTA AND HAVE BEEN DRIVING IT FOR 2 YEARS. I LIVE IN MICHIGAN AND AS A RESULT USE THE SEAT WARMERS REGULARLY DURING THE COLD WINTER MONTHS. I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM OR ANY COMPLAINTS UNTIL YESTERDAY. I DROVE ABOUT 1 MILE AND HAD THE SEAT WARMER ON 3, WHICH ISN'T THE HIGHEST SETTING, AND MY SEAT CAUGHT FIRE. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, GET OUT, AND PROCEED TO STOMP OUT THE SMALL EMBER BURNING. I KNOW HAVE A DIME TO NICKEL SIZE HOLE IN MY DRIVER SIDE SEAT.*AK
Seats, Nov 21, 2004, fire
SUNDAY EVENING I LEFT MY HOUSE TO RUN OUT TO THE LOCAL CONVENIENT STORE WHEN THE DRIVER SEAT OF MY 2003 VW JETTA CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE HEAT SETTINGS RUN AS HIGH AS FIVE, MY SETTING AT THE TIME WAS ON TWO. I FELT HEAT GENERATING BENEATH MY REAR-END AND WHEN I LIFTED MY LEG TO LOOK BELOW ME, I SAW AND FELT THE FLAMES BENEATH ME. TRYING TO PUT THE FIRE OUT, WHICH BY THE TIME I'D GOT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF ROAD HAD BURNED THROUGH MY JACKET AND PANTS, I'D BURNT MY HAND IN AN ATTEMPT TO SQUOOSH THE FIRE BETWEEN THE SEAT AND THE CUSHIONING. NOT A PLEASANT EXPERIENCE. THE SEATS ARE 'VELOUR'. THIS IS MY THIRD AND LAST JETTA. MY PREVIOUS JETTA HAD THE HEATED 'LEATHER' SEATS PACKAGE AND I'D NEVER HAD THIS EXPERIENCE. THE DEALER WAS KIND ENOUGH TO REPLACE THE HEATING COMPONENTS, CUSHIONING AND SEAT COVER. (SARCASTICALLY SPEAKING) HOWEVER, I DO NOT FEEL CONFIDENT IN MY VEHICLE, MUCH LESS VOLKSWAGEN. VERY DISAPPOINTED. *AK
Air bags, Nov 15, 2004
CONSUMER STATED AIR BAG COVER SHOOK WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. DEALER INDICATED THAT IT WAS NORMAL. *AK
Seats, Nov 14, 2004
2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLS WITH COLD WEATHER PACKAGE HAD SEAT HEATING ELEMENT BURN HOLE IN SEAT. *JB
Seats, Nov 10, 2004, fire
I WAS DRIVING MY LEASED, 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, (EQUIPPED WITH COLD WEATHER PACKAGE), ON A VERY BUSY ROAD IN LATE AFTERNOON ON A COLD AUTUMN DAY JUST OUTSIDE OF BOSTON. I TURNED MY DRIVER SIDE SEAT WARMER ON THE HIGHEST LEVEL, (5) AND IN ABOUT 5 MINUTES I FELT A SHARP PAIN ON THE BACKSIDE OF MY LEFT THIGH AND THOUGHT SOMETHING HAD STUNG ME AT FIRST. I REPOSITIONED MYSELF IN THE SEAT, AND COULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. I LOOKED DOWN AND SAW DARK BROWN SMOKE POURING FROM THE SEAT AND REALIZED THE SEAT WAS ACTUALLY BURNING ME. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE SEAT WARMER OFF, PULLED OVER, (AGAIN IN VERY BUSY TRAFFIC IN WATERTOWN, MA), AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO FIND A DARK BROWN, DIME-SIZED BURN MARK IN THE SEAT!!! THE HEAT ACTUALLY WENT THROUGH THE SEAT AND BURNED A SMALL BROWN MARK INTO MY BLUE JEANS AND SUBSEQUENTLY, LEFT A SMALL WELT ON THE BACKSIDE OF MY THIGH. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR NOW BECAUSE I AM NOT SURE IF THERE ARE OTHER ELECTRICAL DEFECTS WITH THIS CAR THAT MAY PUT MY LIFE, AND MY PASSENGERS LIVES IN DANGER. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP I LEASED THE CAR FROM AND THEY SEEM VERY EAGER TO REPLACE THE SEAT AND TO CLEAR THIS MATTER UP IMMEDIATELY.
Seats, Nov 9, 2004, fire
DURING FIRST USE IN COLD WEATHER TURNED ON HEATING SEAT ON DRIVER'S SIDE AFTER ABOUT THIRTY SECONDS THE CAR BEGAN TO FILL WITH SMOKE, I FELT A SHARP PAIN IN MY LEFT REAR BUTT CHEEK. OPENED THE DOOR & GOT OUT OF THE CAR .REACHED IN AND TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER. NOTED A HOLE IN THE LEATHER SEAT, FOUND ONE IN MY TROUSERS AND A SMALL BURN MARK ON MY BUTT. TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL DEALER, AND THEY ORDERED THE PARTS. AM NOW WAITING TO SEE IF IT WILL BE PAID FOR BY VOLKSWAGEN. THE CAR IS 5000 MILES OVER WARRANTY. *AK
Seats, Oct 26, 2004
UPON TURNING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE HEATED SEAT ELEMENT TO STRENGTH 2 OUT OF 5 A STRONG BURNING ODOR WAS RELEASED AND A SECTION OF THE HEATING ELEMENT PROCEEDED TO BURN THROUGH THE SEAT COVER AND SLIGTLY BURNED MY LEG. I TURNED OFF THE HEATING ELEMENT TO STOP THE PROBLEM AND AM BRINGING THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO INSPECT IT.*AK
Air bags, Oct 24, 2004
MAKING A RIGHT TURN DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED.*AK
Air bags, Oct 19, 2004, crash
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS GOING 40 MPH WHEN IT WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH HAD CUT IN FRONT OF CONSUMER. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED WHIPLASH. VEHICLE WAS NOT TOTALLED, BUT IT DID SUFFER OVER $8,000.00 IN DAMAGES. *AK *TC
Air bags, Oct 18, 2004
RE FORD WINDSTAR (MY) 2001-2003, 2ND & 3RD ROW SEAT RECALL. *BF RECALL NUMBER 03V459000. *TC
Seats, Oct 15, 2004, fire
HEATED SEAT WARMER ON DRIVERS SIDE FRONT SEAT OF MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA CAUGHT FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING, BURNING BOTH THE SEAT AND MY BODY. NO REPAIR AS OF YET.*AK
Electrical system, Oct 14, 2004, fire
WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, SUDDENLY A FIRE STARTED FOR NO REASON FROM UNDER THE PASSENGER GLOVE COMPARTMENT, BURNING PLASTIC WAS DRIPPING TO THE FLOOR MATS. I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER, AND AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES MY CAR WAS TOTALLY ON FIRE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE ARE OTHER INCIDENTS OF SPONTANEOUS FIRES FOR THIS MAKE AND YEAR MODEL.*AK
Seats, Oct 12, 2004
THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT PROBLEM WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. *JB. *AK
Power train, Oct 2, 2004
I BEGAN NOTING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR IN FEBRUARY OF 04. WHEN I BROUGHT IT TO THE ATTENTION OF MY DEALERSHIP AND VW OF AMERICA, THEY BOTH DISMISSED MY CONCERNS. THE CLUTCH WAS INSPECTED IN THE SPRING BUT THEY COULD FIND NO PROBLEM WITH IT. MY CLUTCH HAS NOW FAILED AT 18,600 MILES AND VW IS REFUSING TO REPAIR IT. I HAVE NEVER DRIVEN ANYTHING OTHER THAN MANUAL TRASMISSION CARS AND HAVE NEVER NEEDED TO REPLACE A CLUTCH, EVEN AFTER 130K. THE DEALERSHIP HAS MY CAR AND REFUSES TO REPAIR IT. I HAVE NO TRANSPORATION AS A RESULT AS THEY WILL NOT GIVE ME A LOANER CAR WHILE I WAIT FOR THE FACTORY CUSTOMER SERVICE PERSON TO INSPECT THE CAR. I HAVE NOTIFIED THEM THAT I WILL SEEK LEMON LAW STATUS IF THEY FAIL TO REPAIR THE CAR BY OCTOBER 8TH, 2004. *AK
Air bags, Sep 28, 2004, crash
THE VEHICLE'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING AN ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED MULTIPLE INJURIES AS A RESULT. *NM VW REFUSED TO INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED AN EXCHANGE FOR A MOST RECENT MODEL AT NO COST OR PENALTY UNDER THE SAME REMAINING TERMS OF THE EXISTING LEASE. *SC
Seats, Sep 21, 2004, fire
HEATED SEAT (DRIVER SIDE) OVERHEATED TO THE POINT WHERE IT BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT MATERIAL, AND BURNED THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE. SMALL HOLE VISIBLE IN MATERIAL OF SEAT WHERE IT BURNED THROUGH, AND SMOKE COULD BE SMELLED. THIS OCCURED WITHIN 10 MINUTES OF THE SEAT BEING TURNED ON.*AK
Seats, Sep 19, 2004
1- TURNED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER 2- FELT HOT SPOT, AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM LEFT SIDE OF SEAT. A SMALL HOLE WAS BURNED IN LEATHER, AND PADDING INSIDE SEAT WAS BLACK. NO FIRE, JUST SMOKE.*AK 3- TURN OFF SEAT HEATER, PUT WATER ON SMOKING HOLE IN LEATHER SEAT.
Power train, Sep 16, 2004
REPEATED COMPLETE CLUTCH FAILURE ON MY 2003 JETTA. I AM AN EXPERIENCED STANDARD TRANSMISSION DRIVER AND NEVER HAD PROBLEM LIKE THIS WITH ANY OTHER CAR. THE CLUTCH SEEMS TO BE OF LOW QUALITY AND VOLKWAGEN IS BLAIMING CLUTCH FAILURE ON THE DRIVER - EASY WAY OUT. *JB
Power train, Sep 13, 2004
COMPLETE CLUTCH FAILURE ON MY 2003 JETTA. I AM AN EXPERIENCED STANDARD TRANSMISSION DRIVER. *AK
Air bags, Sep 8, 2004
WHILE BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY DRIVER'S FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED. MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO BUY THE VEHICLE.*AK
Power train, Aug 23, 2004
THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2003 VW JETTA HAS NOT WORKED RIGHT SINCE THE 1ST WEEK AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR. IT SHIFTS INAPPROPRIATLEY AND HESITATES WHEN PULLING INTO ON ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAVE BEEN NEARLY HIT BY CARS AND TRUCKS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. WHEN GOING UP A HILL THE CAR SEEMS TO DOWNSHIFT OR SKIP A GEAR, THIS IS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. GOING 75 MILES AN HOUR RECENTLY THE CAR SEEMED TO DOWN SHIFT AND I THOUGHT THE CAR WAS GOING TO SPIN AROUND IN THE ROAD. I WAS ON THE TRANS CANADA HIGHWAY. VERY SCARY. WHEN USING THE CRUISE CONTROL THE CAR ACCELERATES EXTREMLEY FAST. THE CAR HAS BEEN FOR TRANSMISSION REPAIR 6 OR MORE TIMES. VOLKSWAGON IS AWARE. *AK
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
Power train, Aug 16, 2004
COMPLETE CLUTCH FAILURE, (THE CAR WILL IDLE IN ALL 5 GEARS) SUDDENLY THAT LEFT MY CAR DISABLED ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY 2 Y/O SON IN HIS CAR SEAT 30 MILES AWAY FROM ANYWHERE.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Aug 9, 2004
VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH 2003 GLX. *MR THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE MECHANICS SUGGESTED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS AN INCIDENT WHERE THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON, THE VEHICLE STARTED SPUTTERING AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTING SHIRTING ERRATICALLY. AFTER THREE ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM, THE VEHICLE STILL DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD ERRATICALLY MIS-SHIFT AND OR BUCK. (MODEL/GLX) *SC
Structure, Aug 9, 2004
MY 2003 VW JETTA TDI GLS SEDAN WAS PARKED ON A SUMMER DAY (APPROX. 100 DEGREES F). UPON RETURNING TO THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED A WAXY, GREASY, YELLOW SUBSTANCE LEAKING FROM BELOW THE DOORS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION, I DISCOVERED THAT THE SUBSTANCE WAS LEAKING FROM BETWEEN THE INSIDE SURFACE OF THE DOOR AND THE RUBBER WEATHER STRIPPING. CONTACTED MY VW SERVICE DEALER (DANA MOTORS, BILLINGS, MT), AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH VWS DURING HOT MONTHS, THAT THE SUBSTANCE WAS AN UNDERCOATING PROTECTANT THAT WAS SPRAYED ON AT THE FACTORY. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NOT NECESSARY TO HAVE THIS PROTECTANT REPLACED. THE STUFF HAS CONTINUED LEAKING OUT ON VERY HOT DAYS, USUALLY ONLY 95+ DEGREES. IT IS HARD TO REMOVE BUT DOESN'T SEEM TO HAVE DONE ANY DAMAGE TO THE PAINT. I WANT TO KNOW IF IT'S TRUE THAT THIS STUFF DOESN'T NEED TO BE REPLACED. WHAT IF IT'S A NECESSARY LUBRICATION AND BY LEAKING OUT WILL HARM A PART OF THE DOOR ASSEMBLY?*AK