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, May 8, 2003
WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY IMPACT. *JB
Air bags, Mar 25, 2003
AS MY FAMILY AN I WERE DRIVING DOWN TEH FREEWAY, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS INCLUDING THE INE IN THE SEAT DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WE DID NOT EVEN HIT A BUMP, THE BAGS JUST DEPLOYED. WE JUST WANTED TO REPORT THIS TO HELP TRACK A PROBLEM, IF THERE IS ONE WITH THIS TYPE OF CAR.
Air bags, Mar 7, 2003
I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT AND MY DRIVER SIDE TIRE HIT THE CURB. THERE WAS A SCRATCH ON MY MUFFLER. MY SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG AND THE AIR BAG IN MY SEAT DEPLOYED. I WAS TOLD MY FIRST TIME OF CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER (BEFORE I MADE A CLAIM) THAT THE SENSORS WERE IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND THE AIR BAGS SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED. AFTER I FILED A CLAIM ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY LOST ALL TIES WITH ME EVER TALKING WITH THAT SPECIALIST BUT ALL MY OTHER CONVERSATIONS WITH THE MANUFACTURER WERE RECORDED. AFTER ARGUING WITH THEM FOR MONTHS I DECIDED TO GO AHEAD AND FILE A CLAIM THROUGH MY INSURANCE COMPANY. DOING THAT I HAD TO WAIT 3 WEEKS BEFORE MY AIR BAGS WOULD COME IN BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY IN THE WHOLE COUNTRY. A GENTLEMAN AT MY OFFICE HIS SON ALSO WAS DRIVING DOWN THE RODE WENT OVER A STEEL PLATE AND THE SAME AIR BAGS WENT OFF. THEY AGAIN TOLD HIM 3-4 WEEKS FOR THE AIR BAG. THE AIR BAGS WENT OFF DUE TO A SCRATCH UNDER THE DOOR.*JB
Electrical system, Equipment, Feb 12, 2003
FAILURE OF DOOR WIRING HARNESS. DOES NOT ALLOW ME TO DRIVE THE CAR - THE ENGIN WILL NOT ENGAGE DUE TO THE ELECTRONIC FAILURE OF THE DOOR WIRING HARNESS. THERE SHOULD BE SOME WAY TO OVERRIDE THE ELECTRONIC FAILURE SO THAT I CAN DRIVE IT.
Electrical system, Feb 2, 2003
IGNITION COIL FAILURE ON THE 1.8 LITER TURBO ENGINE FOR THE VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. *JB
Electrical system, Jan 29, 2003
MY COIL PACKS SEEM TO BE FAILING, BUT CANNOT BE REPRODUCED BY THE DEALER. MY 2003 JETTA 1.8T RUNS VERY ROUGH IN THE MORNING AND THEN RUNS FINE. I AM SCARED THAT THE COIL PACKS WILL FAIL IN A CRITICAL DRIVING SITUATION.
Electrical system, Jan 27, 2003
IGNITION COIL ON A BRAND NEW VW WILL GO BAD. I OWN A 2003 VW JETTA 1.8T. IGNITION COIL #3 WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. CAR JUST LOST POWER AND STARTED TO RUN VERY ROUGH. BROUGHT IT IN TO DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR AND WAS INFORM THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND PARTS ARE BACK ORDERED. SHOULDN'T THERE BE A NOTICE SENT OUT TO OWNERS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND IT'S POTENTIAL RISK?
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
Electrical system, Jan 20, 2003
FAILURE (CRACKED) OF MULTIPLE IGNITION COIL PACKS- CAUSES ENGINE TO MISFIRE/SPUTTER- ALLOWABLE EMISSIONS EXCEEDED (MIL-LIGHT INDICATOR). SCC ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****770863****
Electrical system, Jan 20, 2003
MY WIFE'S 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA HAS A BAD IGNITION COIL. BOTH VOLKSWAGEN CORPORATION AND OUR LOCAL VW DEALER, SPEEDCRAFT IN WAKEFIELD RI, ADMITTED THAT THEY HAVE A COIL PROBLEM WITH ALL 2002 JETTAS AND PASSATS. THEY FURTHER NOTED TO MY WIFE THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH PARTS ON HAND TO PERFORM AN ACTUAL RECALL. WE ARE DEMANDING THAT THEY REPLACE ALL 4 COILS SINCE THEY KNOW THAT IT IS LIKELY THAT ALL 4 WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL. THEY ARE REFUSING TO DO THIS. WE FEEL IT IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR THEM TO REFUSE FIXING A PROBLEM THEY KNOW WILL LIKELY OCCUR. SUCH A FAILURE AT THE WRONG TIME WHILE DRIVING COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. WE ARE FEARING FOR OUR SAFETY.
Electrical system, Jan 15, 2003
IGNITION COIL PACKS ARE FAULTY ON 2002 VW JETTA'S WITH 1.8T ENGINES. THERE ARE FOUR OF THESE PARTS ON EACH 1.8T ENGINE. THIS PROBLEM CAUSES THE ENGINE TO MISFIRE TO THE POINT OF THE CAR WILL STALL AND CAN NOT BE DRIVEN. VW IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL AND WILL ONLY REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE COIL THAT FAILS NOT ALL DEFECTIVE COILS. OWNERS COULD BE STRANDED ON THE ROADSIDE AND FACE POTENTIAL DANGER. ONE OF MY COILS FAILED THIS JANUARY 13, 2003
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 27, 2002
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION - 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLI. VR6 WITH 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. VIN 3 V W V H 6 9 M 1 3 M 0 5 4 8 0 3. DATE OF PURCHASE - 17-OCT-2002. MILEAGE AT TIME OF NHTSA COMPLAINT - 1550. PROBLEM: DOOR "RATTLE" UNDER ANY DRIVING CONDITION. THE "RATTLING" WAS FIRST THOUGHT TO BE THE PANELING. TEFLON TAPE WAS PLACED BETWEEN THE METAL PART AND THE PLASTIC PANELING. THIS PROCEDURE STOPPED THE PANELING FROM MAKING ANY NOISE. BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. THE NOISE "RATTLING" IS COMING FROM THE UPPER FRAME OF THE DOOR. MEANING THE DOOR IS NOT CLOSING OR MEETING THE ROOF/PILLAR SECTION OF THE ROOF. WATER PASSED THROUGH THE DOOR. THE OTHER DAY WE HAD RAIN FOR SEVERAL DAYS, AND WATER WAS COMING IN WHILE THE CAR WAS DRIVEN. THE DEALERSHIP HAS TRIED SEVERAL APPROACHES INCLUDING THE ONE MENTIONED ABOVE. ALSO, VW TECH SUPPORT HAS BEEN CONTATED AND SUGGESTED TO REPLACE THE DOOR STRIKERS. DOOR STRIKERS (ALL 4) HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND NO IMPROVEMENT. DEALERSHIP IS WAITING FOR "VW ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT TO GET BACK FROM THE HOLIDAYS" TO SEE WHAT STEPS TO BE TAKEN. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE DOOR ARE NOT CLOSING PROPERLY. IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT WILL THE DOOR HOLD IN PLACE? WHAT HAPPENS IF I INSTALL A ROOF RACK AND PLACE A LOAD IN THE ROOF? IS THE ROOF GOING TO GIVE IN SINCE IT IS MISSING THE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FROM THE DOORS? MY MAIN CONCERN IS IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT ARE THE DOOR GOING TO HOLD IN PLACE OR ARE THEY GOING TO FLY OF SINCE THE VIBRATION "OPENING AND CLOSING" THE DOORS? TS
Vehicle speed control, Sep 10, 2002
WHEN ACTIVATING CRUISE CONTROL VEHICLE WILL STAY ON CRUISE CONTROL AND NOT TURN OFF. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK *YH