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, Feb 7, 2011
2003 VOLKS JETTA PASSENGER SIDE HEATED SEAT STOPPED WORKING, AND THE DRIVER SIDE ONLY HAS TWO POSTIONS...BURN YOUR BUTT OR OFF. COULD HAVE BEEN A DANGEROUS SITUATION HAD I BEEN ON A HWY AT HWY SPEEDS. *LN
Electrical system, Seats, Feb 7, 2011, fire
MY SEAT HEATER FAILED IN MY 2003 VW JETTA, BURNING A HOLE IN THE SEAT UNDER MY LEFT [XXX]. I WAS STARTLED WHEN SUDDENLY THERE A STRONG BURNING SMELL IN THE CAR, THEN A HOT SPOT IN THE SEAT OCCURRED WHICH CAUSED ME TO HAVE TO QUICKLY SHIFT MY SEATING POSTING AND I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER. LUCKILY I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY IN THE CITY AND ABLE TO PULL IN THE IN A PARKING SPOT QUICKLY AND THE SEAT OR MY CLOTHING DID NOT CATCH ON FIRE. THE SEAT WAS SET TO 3 ON A SCALE OF 1-5. THE CAR HAS ABOUT 125K MILES ON IT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *LN
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 12, 2011, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS HESITATING. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL OVER AND APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE HIT A BOULDER AND FLIPPED OVER. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SEVERAL BRUISES. A PASSENGER SUSTAINED A FRACTURED WRIST AND ANKLE, SEAT BELT RASH, AND BRUISING. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 110,000. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED.
Visibility, Jan 4, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.
Air bags, Dec 22, 2010
DRIVER STARTED FROM A STOPPED POSITION, RAN OVER CURB BETWEEN 5-10 MPH, SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *TR
Seats, Dec 15, 2010, fire
HEATED SEATS MELTED A HOLE IN THE LEATHER AND BURNED MY BUTT. VERY VERY HOT. IT SMELTED LIKE BURNT RUBBER AND SMOKE INSIDE THE CAR. *TR
Electrical system, Seats, Dec 6, 2010
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2003 VW JETTA. I WAS RECENTLY BURNED(11/2010) BY THE SEAT HEATER WHILE DRIVING AND THE CAR SEAT SMELLED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO START ON FIRE. MY CAR HAD A RECALL NOT LONG AFTER I BOUGHT IT FOR THE SEAT HEATERS. IT IS OBVIOUSLY A MALFUNCTION IN THE SEAT HEATER THAT VW HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH BASED ON THE RECALL AND THE PLETHORA OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET. I CAN NO LONGER USE THE HEATING UNIT. I TOOK IT TO PATRICK MOTORS IN AUBURN, MA WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR. THEY SAID IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WOULD CHARGE ME TO LOOK AT IT TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND THEN MAYBE ASK VWOA IF THEY WOULD HELP. I WAS NOT WILLING TO PAY MORE MONEY FOR SOMETHING THAT IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM AND HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED AS PROBLEMATIC. *TR
Seats, Nov 21, 2010, fire
2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA PASSENGER SIDE HEATED SEAT BECAME SO HOT, THAT THE LEATHER WAS BURNED, SMOLDERED AND BEGAN TO CATCH FIRE. SINCE I WAS SITTING ON THE SEAT AT THE TIME, IT ALSO BURNED MY PANTS AND MY SKIN AS WELL. *TR
Seats, Nov 10, 2010
DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER OVERHEATING, BURNT MULTIPLE HOLES IN SEAT AS WELL AS BURNT LEG. SETTING WAS PLACED ON 2 OF 5 WHEN SEAT WAS BURNT.
Other or unspecified, Oct 21, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE WHICH MADE THE CONTACT NAUSEOUS. SHE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHERE THE ODOR WAS EMITTING FROM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,718.
Seats, Oct 13, 2010, fire
MY CAR DRIVER SEAT IS BURNED WITH SOME SMOKE BECAUSE OF FAULTY SEAT HEATER. *TR
Seats, Oct 7, 2010
OVERHEATED DRIVER SEAT, WHICH BURNED HOLE THROUGH DRIVER'S SEAT AND LEFT A 2" BURN MARK ON SWEATER THAT WAS IN CONTACT WITH THAT AREA OF THE SEAT. THIS IS A 2003 VW JETTA TDI (TURBO DIESEL). *TR
Electrical system, Aug 15, 2010
(PRIOR INCIDENT) 05/27/08 AT 32K MILES ALTERNATOR HARNESS BURNED AND MELTED FUSE PANEL (WHILE CAR OPERATING AT LOW SPEED RETURNING HOME FROM LOCAL TRIP). FUSE FAILED TO PREVENT OVERHEATING OF TERMINAL CONNECTOR ON ALTERNATOR HARNESS AT FUSE PANEL. CURRENT INCIDENT: 08/06/10 AT 47K MILES THE ALTERNATOR HARNESS THAT HAD BEEN REPLACED AT 32K MILES BURNED AND MELTED FUSE PANEL AGAIN, AND ALTERNATOR WAS ALSO DAMAGED REQUIRING REPLACEMENT (CAR FAILED TO START AT HOME AFTER BEING PARKED OVERNIGHT). FUSE AGAIN FAILED TO PREVENT OVERHEATING OF TERMINAL CONNECTOR ON ALTERNATOR HARNESS AT FUSE PANEL. *TR
Air bags, Aug 12, 2010
MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING ON ROUTE 87 IN NEW YORK WHEN WITHOUT WARNING THE DRIVERSIDE AIRBAGS IN OUR 2003 JETTA DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. NO LIGHTS WHERE ON OR ANY IMPACT OR CRASH. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 24, 2010
WATER PUMP FAILURE. *TR
Power train, Jul 8, 2010
MY TRANSMISSION TAKES ALONG TIME TO SHIFT TO 2ND GEAR,WONT P/U SPEED ,IF YOU TURN OFF CAR FOR A FEW MINS SOMETIMES IT WORKS BETTER. SORRY ITS A 2003 JETTA. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 8, 2010
AS WE WERE DRIVING HOME, ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH STARTED BLINKING. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION. THE CAR ENGINE CONTINUED RUNNING, BUT IT JUST STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND COULD NOT ACCELERATE TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC. SO WE COASTED THE CAR FOR ABOUT 1.5 MILES TO A FAMILY MEMBERS HOUSE. WHEN WE ARRIVED, WE TURNED OFF THE CAR AND TRIED TO RESTART IT, IT WOULD NOT START. AFTER OPENING THE HOOD WE NOTICED THAT THE FUSE BOX/HARNESS THAT SITS ON THE BATTERY WAS VERY HOT. WE OPENED IT AND SAW THE FAR LEFT BLACK WIRE/CABLE WAS BURNT UP AND MELTING THE PLASTIC IN THE HARNESS. THE BLACK WIRE WAS EXTREMELY HOT. I HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE, IT WAS 3 YEARS AGO, BUT I DID NOT KNOW WHERE TO LOOK. I SPENT OVER $500 FIXING WHAT SEEMS TO ME THE SAME PROBLEM AS BEFORE. ON THE DEALERSHIP RECEIPT IT SAID "FOUND GENERATOR HARNESS AT BATTERY FUSE BOX MELTED CAUSING HIGH RESISTANCE IN VOLTAGE CIRCUIT.....REPLACED FUSE BOX AND GENERATOR CABLE". ON THAT OCCURRENCE IT WAS SO BAD THE BURNS HAD RUINED MY BATTERY CAUSING IT TO LEAK. I CALLED VW MANUFACTURING, BUT THEY WERE NOT VERY HELPFUL AND JUST TOLD ME TO CALL MY LOCAL DEALER FOR ASSISTANCE. THEY SAID IT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, EVEN IF THERE WAS A FIRE HAZARD. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY BEING LOOKED, LOOKING FOR AN UNDERLYING CAUSE FOR THIS...IF IT IS THE CABLE OR SOMETHING ELSE IN THE ENGINE. THE CONNECTION WAS RESET BUT THE WIRE/CABLE CONTINUED TO GET EXCESSIVELY HOT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 23, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AFTER BEING PREVIOUSLY REPLACED UNDER THE WARRANTY TWO YEARS PRIOR. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO PASS EMISSIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THE DEALER COULD MAKE REPAIRS BUT AT HIS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED A SECOND TIME. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.
Electrical system, Jun 7, 2010, fire
STARTED CAR AND TURNED ON HEADLIGHTS. STARTED DRIVING HOME AND THE DASHBOARD DIMMER SWITCH CAUGHT FIRE. FIRE WENT OUT BUT ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS WERE OUT. *TR
Structure, Jun 4, 2010
I OWN A 2003 VW JETTA TDI. SIX MONTHS AGO THE CLEAR COAT STARTED PEELING FROM THE HOOD AND NOW IT IS PEELING EVERYWHERE. I SPOKE TO VW CUSTOMER CARE AND THEY SAID OUT OF WARRANTY, TOO BAD. LESS THEN 7 YEARS OLD. AT LEAST GM PAINT JOBS DON'T FALL OFF THE MINUTE THE WARRANTY RUNS OUT. THE ONLY GOOD THING IS I DRIVE IT AROUND WITH A SIGN STATING, "DON'T LAUGH, YOUR VW WILL LOOK LIKE THIS SOON". *TR
Air bags, May 20, 2010, crash
HEADED WEST ON I70 IN EAGLE COUNTY AND HIT AN ICE BRIDGE AND WENT HEAD ON TO A CONCRETE BARRIER. 03 TDI JETTA WAS TOTALED. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT ALL. *TR
Vehicle speed control, May 12, 2010
2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE CLOCKS SPEEDS MUCH SLOWER THAN THE CAR IS ACTUALLY GOING DURING SUSTAINED HIGHWAY DRIVING CONDITIONS. *TGW THE DEALERSHIP FOUND A BROKEN PLASTIC GEAR AND BEARING WHICH WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, May 10, 2010
AFTER TAKING MY 2003 VW JETTA 1.8L TURBO TO THE VW DEALERSHIP FOR A BROKEN DIPSTICK AND IGNITION RECALL, I WAS TOLD THERE WAS SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE IN WHICH THE CAR HAD UNDER 68,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP STATED IT WAS NOT UNDER THE MANUFACTURES WARRANTY AND WOULD COST AT LEAST $900 TO CLEAN OUT THE ENGINE. UPON DECIDING TO TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC FOR A 2ND OPINION, THE CAR SEIZED UP AND CEASED TO WORK WHILE DRIVING. THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THE ENTIRE ENGINE WAS BLOWN FROM THE SLUDGE BUILD UP WHEN OIL CHANGES HAD BEEN PERFORMED AT 3,000 MILE INTERVALS THOUGH THE MANUFACTURES OWNERS MANUAL STATED IT ONLY HAD TO BE CHANGED EVERY 5,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT OTHER THAN FOR ME TO PURCHASE A NEW ENGINE OR A REBUILT ENGINE. AFTER HAVING A USED ENGINE INSTALLED FROM A SALVAGE YARD, I DISCOVERED FROM THE CAR POURING SMOKE AND MAKING A HIGH PITCHED WHINING NOISE. APPARENTLY WHEN THE ORIGINAL ENGINE WENT IT ALSO DAMAGED THE TURBO AS A RESULT OF SLUDGE BUILD UP. I'VE FURTHER DISCOVERED AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM TO VW CARS WITH 1.8 LITER TURBO ENGINES FROM MODELS FOLLOWING 2000. UNFORTUNATELY BECAUSE THE TURBO IS CONSIDERED AN ACCESSORY TO THE ENGINE, THE TURBO WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE SALVAGE YARDS ENGINE WARRANTY I JUST HAD INSTALLED AND WOULD REQUIRE THE TURBO BEING REPLACED AS WELL. THE VW DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT A REBUILT TURBO WOULD COST $1700 ALONE NOT INCLUDING SMALL PARTS AND LABOR AFTER I HAD ALREADY SPENT $2800 ON A USED 1.8L TURBO ENGINE AND SMALL PARTS AND LABOR. THE USED ENGINE HAD 46,000 MILES ON IT SO IT IS HIGHLY LIKELY THAT IT WILL ALSO GO DUE TO ENGINE SLUDGE. *TR
Air bags, May 7, 2010
2003 VW JETTA: SPONTANEOUS/UNINTENDED PASSENGER SIDE, SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. WHILE DRIVING SUBJECT CAR ON MAY 5, 2010, PASSENGER SIDE, SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO COLLISION, IMPACT WITH ROAD DEBRIS OR ROUGH PAVEMENT INVOLVED. REPORTED TO DEALERSHIP. SEEKING REPAIR OF SAME. *TR
Electrical system, May 6, 2010
2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GL WAS FOUND TO HAVE FRIED CABLE FROM ALTERNATOR LEADING TO FUSE BOX ON TOP OF BATTERY. PROBLEM WAS FOUND AND FIXED 3 YEARS PRIOR TO BEING FOUND AGAIN AT THE DEALERSHIP. BOTH TIMES CABLE AND FUSE BOX WERE REPLACED. PICTURES OF THE SECOND INCIDENT ARE AVAILABLE. ALSO FOUND THAT THIS INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED ON OTHER JETTAS AS WELL. WORRIED THAT COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE. *TR