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 1, 2010
MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING MY CAR OVER RAILROAD TRACKS WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND THE CAR SHUT OFF. FORTUNATELY MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING SLOW AND NO ONE WAS INJURED. MY VW DEALERSHIP INSTRUCTED ME TO CONTACT MY INSURANCE AGENT. THEY CONDUCTED AN INVESTIGATION AND FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF COLLISION AND REFUSED TO COVER DAMAGES. THEN I BROUGHT THE CAR TO VW AND THEY DISCOVERED SOME UNDERCARRIAGE DAMAGE AND INFORMED MY INSURANCE AGENCY. UPON RE-INVESTIGATION OF THE CAR THE INSURANCE DECIDED THAT THEY WOULD NOW COVER THE DAMAGES THAT ARE ESTIMATED AT AROUND $5,000 BUT I HAVE A $500 DEDUCTIBLE AND MY PREMIUMS WILL NOW GO UP. AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED RAILROAD TRACKS SHOULD NOT DEPLOY AIRBAGS AND I SHOULD ABSOLUTELY NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY COSTS RELATED. *TR
Seats, Apr 5, 2010, crash
2003 JETTA SEAT FAILS IN REAR END ACCIDENT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 3, 2010
WE PURCHASED AN 03 VW JETTA WAGON APPROX. 2.5 YEARS AGO. WE CHANGED THE OIL AT THE DEALER EVERY 5000 MILES. WE MISSED ONE OIL CHANGED AND THE ENGINE STALLED ON THE ROAD. IT WAS TOWED TO A VW MECHANIC. WE WERE TOLD IT A HAD TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE DO TO SLUDGE-WHICH THEY SAID WAS LACK OF MAINTENANCE. WE PAID 16,000 FOR THE CAR, IT HAD 40,000 MILES ON IT, WE PUT 20,000 MILES ON IT. WE CONTACTED A LAWYER AND WE WERE TOLD THERE ISN'T ANYTHING WE CAN DO-IT WAS SOLD AS IS. WE CONTACTED VW AMERICA AND THEY TOLD US JETTAS' DON'T HAVE THE SLUDGE PROBLEM, IT'S THE PASSAT WITH THE 1.8T ENGINE THAT HAS THE PROBLEM. MY RESEARCH SHOWS IT'S THE 1.8T ENGINE THAT IS THE PROBLEM REGARDLESS OF THE CAR IT'S IN. WE HAVE NO RECOURSE. THE CAR NOW SITS IN OUR DRIVE WAY WITH NEW TIRES AND A BROKEN ENGINE. A NEW MOTOR PLUS INSTALLATION WOULD COST MORE THAN THE CAR IS WORTH. ONCE AGAIN THE WORKING PEOPLE GET SCREWED.
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 8, 2010
WHEN I START MY CAR, THE ENGINE IDLES INCONSISTENTLY AND THE CAR SHAKES OR STUTTERS. IF I BEGIN DRIVING NORMALLY ONE OF TWO THINGS WILL HAPPEN, EITHER THE ENGINE WILL STALL (HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY LATELY) OR THE CAR WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE IDLING PROBLEMS UNTIL IT WARMS UP. IN THE SECOND CASE, THE CAR WILL DRIVE NORMALLY FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES UNTIL I COME TO THE FIRST HILL. IF THE CAR DOWN SHIFTS WHILE GOING DOWN A HILL AT LOWER SPEEDS, THE ASR LIGHT WILL COME ON AND FROM THIS POINT ON THE CAR HAS A DIFFICULT TIME SHIFTING GEARS. THE SHIFTING IS ABRUPT AND THE ENGINE DOES NOT SOUND NORMAL. IF I STOP, TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON THE CAR APPEARS TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. TO AVOID THE ABOVE PROBLEM, I DO THE FOLLOWING WHEN FIRST STARTING MY CAR. I START THE CAR, TURN ON THE HEADLIGHTS AND REV MY ENGINE TO ABOUT 3000 RPM'S. I HOLD THIS RPM FOR ABOUT 30-60 SECONDS AND THEN I NOTICE THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKER ONCE AND BECOME STRONGER AND THE ENGINE WILL THEN REV UP ANOTHER 500 RPM'S ON ITS OWN. AT THIS POINT I USUALLY DO NOT EXPERIENCE THE ASR PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. PROBLEM FIRST STARTED IN 2007 AND PERSISTED UNTIL 2010 WHEN IT WAS FINALLY REPAIRED. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Visibility, Feb 23, 2010
2003 VW JETTA: DIGITAL DISPLAY WOULD SHUT OFF WHEN KEY WAS REMOVED FROM IGNITION. UNABLE TO LOCK VEHICLE DOORS WITH REMOTE. VEHICLE HAD TO BE RESTARTED FOR DIGITAL PANEL TO APPEAR (RE-SET) AND FOR DOOR TO LOCK WITH REMOTE. ENGINE WOULD ALSO SHUT OFF WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT AND WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY. POSSIBILITY TO CAUSE A CRASH. ALL DIGITAL PANELS STILL ILLUMINATED, KEY WOULD BE LOCKED IN INGNITION, UN-ABLE TO TURN OR BE REMOVED UNTIL CAR PLACED BACK IN PARK AND HAND BRAKE PULLED UP. ISSUES OCCURED BI-WEEKLY, WEEKLY, AND NOW DAILY. VEHICLE BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP. WAS TOLD THAT IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER WARRANTY (WARRANT JUST EXPIRED LAST MONTH). AFTER TRYING TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM PRIOR TO BRINGING TO DEALERSHIP, I'VE FOUND ON SEVERAL FORUMS THAT THIS IS NOT A NEW ISSUE/REPAIR FOR VW CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL. MANY CUSTOMERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR COMPLAINTS/EXPERIENCES, ALL OF WHICH WERE TAKEN IN FOR REPAIR AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED. VEHICLE IS ONLY 7 YEARS OLD AND IS AT APPROXIMATELY 85,000 MILES. THIS VEHICLE HAS ALSO HAD SERVICE FOR THE FOLLOWING RECALLS: CATALYTIC CONVERTER, FAILED IGNITION COILS, FAILED REAR WINDOW/DOOR LOCKS. THIS CAR IS A LEMON! *TR
Air bags, Jan 27, 2010
2003 VW JETTA - SIDE AND WINDOW AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ON PASSENGER SIDE WHILE CAR WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT. NO VISIBLE SIGNS OF IMPACT TO CAUSE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. WILL HAVE TO HAVE NEW AIRBAGS PUT BACK IN AT APPROXIMATE COST OF $2,500. IF DEPLOYED WHILE VEHICHLE MOVING COULD BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION. VW TOLD US GOING OVER A POTHOLE CAN ALSO CAUSE THEM TO DEPLOY. *CN
Seats, Equipment, Jan 26, 2010, fire
RECALL FOR 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA- SEAT HEATER DEFECT CAUSING SEATS TO GET TOO HOT EVEN CAUSING FIRE IN SOME INSTANCES. BROUGHT MY JETTA TO RIVERSIDE VOLKSWAGEN IN RIVERSIDE, CA. INSPECTION AND REPAIRS MADE IN 2006. YESTERDAY, 1/25/2010, DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER STARTED TO BURN A HOLE IN SEAT. DID NOT BURN ALL THE WAY THROUGH AS I TURNED THE HEATER OFF BEFORE HAND. FELT SOMETHING THAT RESEMBLED A BEE STING BEFORE REALIZING THAT IT WAS THE SEAT HEATER THAT WAS MALFUNCTIONING. BURNING SMELL DETECTED. CALLED VW RIVERSIDE, SAID THAT IT WOULD NOT BE A COVERED FIX BASED ON RECALL INFO. COMPLAINT OF FAILED INITIAL REPAIR. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 26, 2009, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. HE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AT 30 MPH , BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE. AS A CONSEQUENCE HE REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. HE SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY COLLISION CENTER; AND COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 78,000. UPDATED 12/10/09.*JB
Visibility, Oct 5, 2009
PASSENGER AND DRIVERS WINDOWS SPONTANEOUSLY DROP FROM FRAME AND FALL INTO DOOR. THIS INCIDENT CAUSED MY ARM TO BE BRUISED WHEN ACCESSING MY MAILBOX. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON TWO DOORS BOTH DOOR REQUIRED NEW PULLEYS FOR THE WINDOW SYSTEM. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH VOLKSWAGEN. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 29, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW JETTA. WHILE DRIVING IN WINDY CONDITIONS, THE HINGE ON THE TRUNK FRACTURED AND THE TRUNK OPENED. WHEN THE TRUNK OPENED, IT SLAMMED INTO THE WINDSHIELD, AND CAUSED IT TO SHATTER. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 70,000.
Electrical system, Visibility, Sep 27, 2009
SUN ROOF DRAIN CLOGS!!! NO DIRECTION IN MANUAL FOR CLEANING NOR WARNING THAT IT CAN HAPPEN. I FOUND NEARLY THREE INCHES OF WATER IN THE FLOOR AND WATER ALL OVER THE INTERIOR FUSE BLOCK. MY CONCERN IS FIRE RELATED. CORROSION CAN LEAD TO HIGH IMPEDENCE CONNECTIONS AND AFTER WATER INTRUSION I HAVE NO IDEA HOW SAFE MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS. THIS IS THE SECOND OR THIRD INCIDENT AND I FINALLY FOUND OUT WHAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM BY DOING RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET. MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM AND IT APPEARS THAT THE DESIGN OF THE OUTLET NIPPLE IS THE ISSUE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 21, 2009
2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1.8 TURBO, ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO SLUDGE FORMATION. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 31, 2009, fire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE VEHICLE HAS A FUSE BOX THAT IS UNDER THE HOOD LOCATED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY. THE 150 AMP FUSE IS FOR THE ALTERNATOR; HOWEVER, THE FUSE ITSELF IS GETTING HOT ENOUGH TO MELT THE BOX. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE ARE NO EXISTING RECALLS; HOWEVER, THEY HAVE SEEN THIS FAILURE OCCUR FREQUENTLY. THE VIN IS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 79,000.
Suspension, Aug 26, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. THERE WAS A LOUD POPPING SOUND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER CONTINUED TO TRAVEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE FRONT PASSENGER COIL SPRING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 17,643. BL UPDATED 9/17/09 *CN UPDATED 09/18/09.*JB
Exterior lighting, Aug 24, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, ON A SEPARATE OCCASION THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V063000, EXTERIOR LIGHTING,BRAKE LIGHTS; SWITCH WAS REPAIRED PER THE RECALL. THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER THE RECALL REMEDY WAS PERFORMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
Air bags, Aug 10, 2009, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING 45 MPH. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BACK INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 118,000.
Power train, Jun 12, 2009
ENGINE CASING BROKE WHERE THE MOTOR MOUNT CONNECTS, GOT THAT REPAIRED. 2 DAYS LATER WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY, ENGINE MAKES LOUD NOISE AND SEIZES. UNDRIVEABLE, WONT START. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 22, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY AND THE DEALER CANNOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. HE HAS PAID OVER $500 IN REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
Air bags, Seats, May 7, 2009, crash
I WAS IN A REAR END INCIDENT IN WHICH MY 2003VW JETTA WAS STRUCK ALMOST DEAD-ON IN THE REAR BY A 2009 BMW SEDAN. BOTH MY WIFE, SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, AND I, DRIVING, WERE WEARING THREE POINT SEAT BELTS. THE AIRBAGS IN OUR VEHICLE DID NOT DEPLOY. BOTH THE DRIVERS SEAT AND THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT WERE RECLINED ALMOST COMPLETELY AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT, TO THE POINT THAT ANY REAR SEAT PASSENGERS WE MIGHT HAVE HAD IN THE CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN PINNED BY THE RECLINED FRONT SEATS. *TR UPDATED 05/20/09 *BF UPDATED IVOQ 05/27/09.*JB
Power train, Apr 27, 2009
2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1.8T WOLFSBURG EDITION PURCHASED USED AT 23,000 MILES WITH A BURNT OUT CLUTCH. THE CLUTCH WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP IN ORDER TO COMPLETE SALE. AT PURCHASE WE WERE ASSURED THE CLUTCH WOULD LAST AND NOT BE AN ISSUE. THIS IS THE ONLY WAY THE SALE WAS COMPLETED. WITHIN 30,000 MILES THE CLUTCH HAS GONE OUT ONCE MORE. THE TECHNICIAN IT WAS TAKEN TO REPORTED THAT HE RECEIVES AT LEAST 2 OF THE EXACT SAME CAR WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE PER MONTH. VW DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE PRESSURE PLATE IS DEFECTIVE AND BLAMES THE DRIVER. ANY CLUTCH IS EXPECTED TO LAST AT LEAST 90,000 MILES. BOTH VW AND EXTENDED WARRANTIES WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR WHICH IS BEING QUOTED AT $1900- $2200. THE PART HAS BEEN REPORTED DEFECTIVE IN PREVIOUS MODELS BUT IS STILL NOT BEING CORRECTED OR ACKNOWLEDGED AS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT, WHICH IT IS. THE PRESSURE PLATE, FLYWHEEL, AND CLUTCH DISC ARE UNDER-RATED FOR THE VEHICLES STOCK HORSEPOWER. THE IDENTICAL PARTS ARE FOUND IN OTHER VW VEHICLES WITH UP TO 80 HORSEPOWER LESS. THE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED SINCE THE PREVIOUS 2 MODELS. THE VEHICLES NEED TO BE RECALLED. WHEN EVEN A VW TECHNICIAN ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE PARTS ARE DEFECTIVE SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE WITH VW AMERICA, REQUIRING THEM TO REPLACE THESE PARTS AT THEIR EXPENSE WITH PARTS QUALIFIED TO SUPPORT THE VEHICLES NEEDS. *TR
Air bags, Apr 12, 2009
VEHICLE PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AND SEAT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN DRIVER ENCOUNTERED MINOR POT HOLE IN ROAD. THERE WAS NO EXTERIOR DAMAGE TO THE CAR OR WHEELS DUE TO THE POT HOLE. DRIVER PAID OUT OF POCKET (AND VIA INSURANCE) TO REPLACE AIRBAG SYSTEM. VOLKSWAGEN ACKNOWLEDGES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR FAULTY SYSTEM OR REPAIRS. DRIVER SUFFERED POTENTIALLY PERMANENT HEARING DAMAGE DUE TO BLAST OF AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. *TR
Power train, Apr 3, 2009
SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR, AND IT'S UNFORTUNATE. STARTED ABOUT A YEAR AGO, AT TIMES MY CAR WILL START AT THE TURN OF THE IGNITION AND SOMETIMES IT WILL NOT. I HAVE ALSO BROUGHT TO VW'S ATTENTION ABOUT MY CLUTCH, IN PARTICULAR IS VERY HEAVY (I HAVE ALWAYS DRIVEN MANUALS) AND AGAIN, AT TIMES I HAVE DIFFICULTY SHIFTING INTO 'R' AND INTO '3RD' GEAR. I WOULD HAVE TO RETURN SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL; STEP ON THE CLUTCH SEVERAL TIMES AND I AM ABLE TO GET INTO 'R'. AS FAR AS '3RD' GEAR, ITS PRETTY TRICKY(SINCE I AM MOVING!!!!) SOMETIMES I CANNOT SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR, AND LITERALLY HAVE TO DOWN-SHIFT AND ATTEMPT 3RD AGAIN!!!! AND NOW, MY CLUTCH IS COMPLETELY SHOT, WITH ONLY 65,000MI ON IT. *TR
Air bags, Apr 3, 2009
DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG AND THE PASSENGER WINDOW AIR BAG JUST WENT OFF FOR NOW REASON WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING AND NOTHING HIT MY CAR. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 10, 2009
I HAVE A 2003 JETTA GLS. I HAD ABOUT 65K MILES ON IT AND THE SPEEDOMETER FIRST FLUCTUATED WILDLY THEN DIED, OR APPEARED TO BE DEAD. IT WOULD RANDOMLY START WORKING FOR A FEW DAYS AND OFTEN WOULD DIE AGAIN WHILE I WAS DRIVING. NON FUNCTIONING SPEEDOMETER AFFECTS FUNCTION OF AUTO LOCKING DOORS, ODOMETER, TRIP COMPUTER, AND RELATED FUNCTIONS (THEY DO NOT WORK WHEN SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING). MY MECHANIC TESTED THE VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR LOCATED ON THE TRANSAXLE. IT IS FINE. I HAD THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL REPLACED (TO THE TUNE OF ALMOST $700, $500 OF WHICH IS FOR THE PART!). NOW I AM BEING TOLD IT MAY BE A COOLANT MIGRATION ISSUE SIMILAR TO THAT OF THE MY 99-01 CARS. HOWEVER THERE HAS BEEN NO TSB FOR 2003 JETTAS AND NOW MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. REPLACING THE WIRING HARNESS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE ($6K HAS BEEN MENTIONED) REPAIR. INTERNET RESEARCH SHOWS THAT MY ISSUE IS NOT UNIQUE, MANY FAILED SPEEDOMETERS IN THIS MODEL YEAR JETTA, ALTHOUGH VW TO DATE IS SILENT W/CUSTOMERS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 10, 2009
2003 JETTA GLS; TWICE WHEN RUNNING THE AC THE CAR SUDDENLY OVERHEATS, FUSE BLOWS. THE ENGINE TEMP GAUGE GOES FAR INTO THE RED ZONE. I TURNED ON THE HEATER TO DRAW HEAT AWAY FROM ENGINE, AIR WAS SO HOT IT LITERALLY MELTED THE PLASTIC WATER BOTTLE IN THE CUP HOLDER. (DIDN'T HELP MY COMFORT THAT THE OUTSIDE TEMP WAS NEAR 100 DEGREES AND I'M DRIVING ALONG WITH SUNROOF OPEN, WINDOWS OPEN, AND HEATER TURNED ON HIGH!) I WAS CONCERNED THAT MY LEG WAS BURNED AS WELL BECAUSE THE AIR BLOWING FROM VENT WAS SO HOT. I HAD TO IDLE THE CAR EVERY FEW THOUSAND FEET TO ALLOW CAR TO COOL ENOUGH TO LIMP TO SERVICE STATION. FIRST TIME (JULY 06, CAR W/I WARRANTY @ 32K MILES), VW TOLD ME THAT THE FUSE WAS BLOWN; THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE AND INDICATED THAT IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN THEY WOULD NEED TO FIGURE OUT WHY. SECOND TIME (NOV. 2007, CAR OUT OF WARRANTY @ 51K)), NON-VW MECHANIC ABLE TO REPLICATE AND SAID THAT FUSE BLEW BECAUSE "COOLING FANS ARE DRAWING TOO MANY AMPS (UP TO 100 AMPS) WHEN STARTING. WHEN RUNNING THEY ARE STILL DRAWING 37 AMPS AND SHOULD BE LESS THAN 20 AMPS." ALTHOUGH THIS HAS HAPPENED ONLY TWICE, AND I HAVE YET TO REPAIR (TOO EXPENSIVE AT $800+ AND I'M UNEMPLOYED), I LIVE IN GREAT FEAR AS WARM WEATHER APPROACHES THAT I WILL BE "BURNED" BY THIS ISSUE AGAIN. IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME. *TR