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.
Visibility, Aug 3, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FELL WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO ROLL IT DOWN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REGULATOR THAT HOLDS THE WINDOW IN PLACE CRACKED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,455 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,500.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 26, 2007
THERE WAS A LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE FROM THE TAILPIPE RIGHT AFTER THE 75,000 MILE CPO WARRANTY ENDED. THE SMOKE WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY TURBO. THE TURBO HAD BEEN REPLACED AT 49,000 MILES AND VW AND AN INDEPENDENT VERIFIED THAT THE TURBO WAS FAULTY. THE DEALERSHIP WAS ASKED TO CHECK THE ENGINE (UNDER WARRANTY) FIVE TIMES THROUGHOUT THE TIME AFTER THE FIRST TURBO WAS INSTALLED, THEY REPORTED THAT ALL WAS FINE. AS SOON AS THE WARRANTY ENDED, THEY SAID THAT THE TURBO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. VW HAS SHIFTED ALL RESPONSIBILITY TO ME. EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS BURNING OIL, AND AFFECTING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, NO WARRANTIES APPLY. THE TURBO NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN, HOWEVER, NO ONE (INCLUDING VW) CAN EXPLAIN WHY IT KEEPS FAILING, DESPITE PERFECT MAINTENANCE. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Wheels, Equipment, Jul 22, 2007, crash
I HAVE OWNED A VOLKSWAGEN JETTA (TURBO - 2003) AND HAVE HAD ONE HORRIBLE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER. WITHOUT FAIL, I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN FOR RANDOM MECHANICAL REPAIRS EVERY FEW MONTHS SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. I FOUND OUT THE CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN MEXICO AND THAT VW WAS AWARE OF HOW BAD THEIR CAR'S MANUFACTURED IN MEXICO WERE. IF THAT IS THE CASE, HOW CAN SO MANY CAR OWNERS WITH SO MANY MECHANICAL ISSUES CONTINUE TO SELL IN THIS COUNTRY? I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT VW FOR LACKLUSTER PERFORMANCE AND FOR CONTINUING MANUFACTURE IN AN AREA WELL KNOWN FOR ITS BELOW AVERAGE STANDARDS AND FOR CONTINUING TO BLEED THE CONSUMER WHEN IT IS FULLY AWARE OF THE ISSUE. *TR
Power train, Jul 19, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE EXPERIENCED PREMATURE CLUTCH FAILURE. THE CLUTCH WAS REPLACED AT 34,000 MILES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 34,489 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000. UPDATED 09/17/07 *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 11, 2007
STARTING CAR IN THE MORNING OR AT END OF WORK DAY AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. CAR CANNOT BE MOVED - BRAKES HAVE HISSING OR WHISKING SOUND WHEN PRESSED. CAR CANNOT BE DRIVEN, UNLESS TURNING IGNITION TO FIRST ON POSITION PUTTING CAR IN NEUTRAL THEN STARTING THE CAR. *AK 2. BRAKES DO NOT WORK PROPERLY - CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE 3. DEALER CLAIMS THAT THERE IS SOME SORT OF BRAKE SWITCH THAT HAS A "UNIVERSAL RECALL" THAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. I DID RESEARCH BEFORE BUYING MY '03 JETTA AND FOUND THAT SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT BRAKE FAILURE AND BRAKE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN ON-GOING. WHEN I QUESTIONED THE DEALER THEY KNEW NOTHING OF THE SORT AND SAID "IF THERE HAD BEEN PROBLEMS IN THE PAST THEY HAVE BEEN FIXED." APPARENTLY THESE PROBLEMS HAVE NOT - I CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE THEM AS HAVE OTHER JETTA OWNERS WITH WHOM I HAVE SPOKEN.
Electrical system, Jun 25, 2007
NO ADVANCE NOTICE. THE CAR SHUT OFF IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENTS. THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER , CARL GREGORY IN COLUMBUS, GA, COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM AT FIRST. LATER THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM AND REPLACED: 1. HARNESS P/N 1J0-971-349-HG, 2. HOLDER P/N 1J0-937-617-D, .FUSE P/N N-104-249-0. THEY DID NOT RETURN THE PARTS TO ME. SINCE NO ONE WAS SURE WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM OR IF THIS FIXED THE PROBLEM. I OWN A VOLKSWAGEN WITH ONLY 56622 MILES THAT I COULD NOT TRUST TO DRIVE OUT OF TOWN. *AK
Electrical system, Jun 22, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE IGNITION COIL WAS DEFECTIVE. AS OF JUNE 22, 2007, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 76,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.
Visibility, Jun 10, 2007
WHILE TRYING TO CLOSE THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW, IT STOPPED HALF WAY UP AND GOT STUCK. AFTER PUSHING THE ELECTRIC BUTTON TO LOWER THE WINDOW, IT FELL OUT OF THE TRACK MECHANISM AND INTO THE DOOR.
Engine and engine cooling, May 28, 2007
VW JETTA 2003 OIL LEAKAGE FROM OIL PAN SCREW ACCORDING LOCAL SERVICE GUY: ALUMIN PAN AND STEEL SCREW THEARD ON OIL PAN LOOSE GRIP. VW NEED TO RECALL THIS. HTTP://WWW.AUHO.COM/FORUM/ARCHIVE/INDEX.PHP/T-1613.HTML *TR
Air bags, May 21, 2007
THE 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA STATION WAGON WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT WHICH WAS LANDSCAPED WITH 3.5-INCH HIGH BELGIAN BLOCK CURBS. FROM A PARKED POSITION AND AT A DEAD STOP THE CAR WAS DRIVEN AT ALMOST NO SPEED SO THAT THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE CLIMBED ONE OF THE BELGIAN BLOCK CURBS. THE DRIVER WAS ALONE IN THE CAR. AS THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE CLIMED THE BELGIAN BLOCK CURB THE PASSENGER'S SEATBACK SIDE-THORAX AIRBAG AND THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT AIRBAG WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR, BUT THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO EVIDENCE OF ANY DAMAGE TO ANY PART OF THE CAR ARISING FROM THE CONTACT BETWEEN THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE AND THE BELGIAN BLOCK CURB. *AK
Electrical system, May 10, 2007
IGNITION COILS ON 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1.8T CONTINUE D TO FAIL EVERY 3-4 MONTHS. I HAVE GONE THROUGH 6 COILS IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR. NUMEROUS TIMES A COIL FAILED WHILE ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, ESPECIALLY WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC FLOW. I COULD RECALL TWICE WHERE I CAME VERY CLOSE TO BEING REAR ENDED BECAUSE OF THIS SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD BRIEFLY FLASH LETTING ME KNOW THAT THE CAR WAS HAVING A MISFIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THIS AND PLENTY OF OTHER PROBLEMS IN THE PAST. THE SERVICE MANAGER SUGGESTED THAT I DO A TUNE-UP ON THE VEHICLE ONLY 5,000 MILES AFTER ONE WAS PERFORMED. HE COULD NOT PINPOINT' THE PROBLEM OR DUPLICATE IT EITHER. APPARENTLY, VOLKSWAGEN WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT HAD NOT TAKEN ACTION TO MY KNOWLEDGE. THIS WAS SOMETHING VERY SERIOUS THAT SHOULD BE MORE OF A PRIORITY TO VOLKSWAGEN CONSIDERING I HAVE FOUND PLENTY OF ARTICLES ON THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM.*AK
Electrical system, Apr 4, 2007
ADDENDUM TO NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: DP05004 OVER THE COURSE OF THE PAST 11 MONTHS, FOUR OF THE IGNITION COILS IN MY 2003 JETTA GLI/ 6CYL HAVE FAILED. THE SERVICE DATES FOR EACH OCCURRENCE ARE: 5-12-06, 8-9-06, 12-26-06 AND 4-5-07. UPON THE THIRD FAILURE IN DECEMBER 2006 I ASKED IF MY VW DEALER COULD REPLACE ALL OF THE ORIGINAL IGNITION COILS, AS CLEARLY A PATTERN OF FAILURE WAS EVIDENT. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THEY WERE ONLY ABLE TO REPLACE COILS AS THEY FAILED AND THAT I COULD CONTACT VW TO VOICE MY CONCERN. I CONTACTED VW CUSTOMER SERVICE TO REQUEST THAT THEY REPLACE THE REMAINING 3 COILS, TO AGAIN RECEIVE THE RESPONSE THAT THEY WILL REPLACE THE COILS AS THEY FAIL, BUT NOT PROACTIVELY. (AS LONG AS MY CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY.) TODAY THE FOURTH IGNITION COIL FAILED AND I AM NOW OUTSIDE OF MY WARRANTY COVERAGE. (WARRANTY ENDED 2-28-07.) I CONTACTED VW CUSTOMER SERVICE TO FILE ANOTHER COMPLAINT AND WAS INSTRUCTED THAT I WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS AS THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. UPON RECEIVING THIS INFORMATION, I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND FOUND NHTSA ACTION NUMBER DP05004, WHICH INDICATES THAT VW ISSUED CUSTOMER SERVICE CAMPAIGNS ON 1-31-03, 6-6-03, 12-03 AND 1-04 INSTRUCTING DEALERS TO REPLACE ALL IGNITION COIL PACKS IN MODEL YEAR 2000-2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTAS. UPON FINDING THIS INFORMATION, I CALLED VW CUSTOMER SERVICE AGAIN TO SEE IF MY CAR WOULD BE COVERED AND WAS INFORMED THAT MY VIN WAS NOT COVERED BY THE CSC, AS CSC'S ARE VIN SPECIFIC, NOT MODEL/YEAR SPECIFIC. I WOULD LIKE THE NHTSA TO RE-OPEN ACTION NUMBER DP05004. THE IGNITION COIL ISSUE IS STILL OCCURRING, AND VW IS NOT AUTHORIZING DEALERS TO REPLACE ALL OF THE SUSPECT IGNITION COILS AS INDICATED WHEN THIS ACTION NUMBER WAS CLOSED. *JB
Air bags, Mar 23, 2007
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO AIR BAG WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO DEPLOYMENT. HOWEVER, THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER IT DEPLOYED. THERE WERE MINOR INJURIES TO THE DRIVER'S EARS. THERE WERE NO PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 60,000. *AK
Tires, Mar 22, 2007
I OWN A 2003 VOLKSWAGON JETTA THAT CAME WITH GOODYEAR TIRES. AT 20,435 THOUSAND MILES I GOT MY FIRST FLAT TIRE. WHEN A SECOND TIRE WENT FLAT LESS THAN 2 MONTHS LATER, I DECIDED TO PURCHASE A FULL SET OF DIFFERENT TIRES. WHEN THE OLD TIRES WERE REMOVED THERE WAS SEVERE CRACKING AND "TEARS" IN THE WALLS OF THE TIRES. I MAINTAIN MY VEHICLE SO THERE WAS NO REASON AS TO WHY THE TIRES WENT FLAT. I LIVE IN A SAFE NEIGHBOORHOOD AND HAD MY CAR FOR A YEAR BEFORE THE TIRES STARTED TO GO FLAT. I DID NOT DRIVE THROUGH ANY CONSTRUCTION SITES AND THERE WAS NO SIGN THIS WAS VANDALISM SINCE THE CUTS WERE ON THE INSIDE OF THE WHEEL. LUCKILY, NEITHER OF THE FLATS HAPPENED ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY BECAUSE I COULD HAVE LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF MY CAR. WHEN MY TIRES WERE REPLACED THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT I WAS BASICALY DRIVING ON "TIME BOMBS" AND THAT IT WAS GOOD THAT I CAME IN. HE THEN PROCEEDED TO SHOW ME OTHER TIRES WITH THE SAME CHARACTERISTICS. I COULD NOT BELIEVE GOODYEAR HAD A LINE OF DEFECTIVE TIRES AND THEY WERE DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. WITH A NAME LIKE GOODYEAR I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THEY WOULD HAVE CARED MORE ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS. ASIDE FROM THE TEARS, THE TIRES ARE STILL IN GOOD SHAPE WITH THE TREAD BARELY WORN DOWN. MOST TIRES LAST 40,000 PLUS MILES, I GOT MY FIRST FLAT TIRE AT HALF THAT. NOW, I AM OUT OVER $500.00 BECAUSE I HAD TO PURCHASE A WHOLE NEW SET OF TIRES. I THINK IT IS OUTRAGEOUS GOODYEAR HAS NOT OFFERED TO PAY ANY OF THAT. I KEPT THE TIRES AS PROOF AND I HAVE MANY PICTURES. APPARENTLY THEY ONLY PAY ATTENTION TO PEOPLE WHO GET INJURED.
Air bags, Mar 8, 2007
I PURCHASED A 2003 VW JETTA THIS PAST APRIL. ON NOVEMBER 22, 2006 AT 6:00 AM ON INTERSTATE 395 CT, MY SIDE DRIVER AIRBAGS, BACK SEAT AIRBAG AND DRIVER SEAT AIRBAG DEPLOYED. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING ON THE HIGHWAY NOR WAS MY CAR STRUCK BY ANY OBJECT. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT DAY TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT ASSUMING THAT THEY WOULD FIND A DEFECT AND FIX THE PROBLEM. INSTEAD OF BEING HELPED BY THE SERVICE MANAGER I WAS ACCUSED OF HITTING SOMETHING. THEY SAID THERE WAS DAMAGE UNDERNEATH THE CAR. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO MY INSURANCE BRANCH AND THEY FOUND NO DAMAGE. VW AGAIN REFUSED MY CLAIM. I THEN HAD THE INSURANCE COMPANY COME TO THE DEALERSHIP TO LOOK AT THE CAR. LATER THAT WEEK THE INSURANCE COMPANY HIRED AN INVESTIGATOR TO EXAMINE THE CAR AND HE FOUND NO DAMAGE TO DEPLOY THE AIRBAGS. MY INSURANCE WILL NOT PAY THE $3,000 TO FIX THE CAR AND VW WILL NOT PAY. I HAVE 3 DEPLOYED AIRBAGS AND ONE BROKEN DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT. *JB
Seats, Mar 4, 2007, fire
DRIVER'S ELECTRIC SEAT HEATER ELEMENT IN 2003 JETTA CAUGHT FIRE BURNING HOLE IN LEATHER SEAT AND BURNING DRIVER. *JB
Electrical system, Mar 2, 2007
THREE OUT OF FOUR OF MY IGNITION COILS HAVE BLOWN AND I HAVE LESS THEN 50,000 MILES ON MY CAR. THE DEALERSHIP ADMITS THERE IS NO REASON THIS SHOULD BE HAPPENING, HOWEVER I HAVE TO KEEP BREAKING DOWN AND GETTING MY CAR TOWED IN FOR IT TO BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS THEY KNOW THEY ARE ALL BAD, BUT IF I ASK THEM TO FIX THEM I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MY MAKE/MODEL AND YEAR. I HAVE CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN DIRECTLY AND THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT THEY SAY AND I QUOTE "I'M SORRY TO HEAR THAT" I TELL EVERYONE HOW MANY PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD DUE TO THIS ISSUE AND HAVE DETERRED AT LEAST TWO PEOPLE THAT WERE CONSIDERING VOLKSWAGENS TO BUY DIFFERENT VEHICLES. ITS A SHAME THIS IS MY HUSBAND AND I'S SECOND VOLKSWAGEN BUT THE CAR HAS BEEN TOWED/OR BROKEN DOWN 9 TIMES IN LESS THEN 3 YEARS, THAT'S NOT GOOD. ONCE THIS LEASE IS UP WE WILL NEVER DEAL WITH VOLKSWAGEN AGAIN. THEY DON'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING TO HELP THEIR CUSTOMERS, AND THAT'S A SHAME. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON THE COIL ISSUE AND THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE ENCOUNTERED THIS SAME PROBLEM, OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A HUGE DEFECT AND A LOT OF VEHICLES WERE AFFECTED. *JB
Electrical system, Feb 15, 2007
EPC LIGHT ON DASH KEEPS COMING ON. WHEN ON, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SHIFT CAR OUT PARK. WHEN AT IDLE AND LIGHT COMES ON, IDLES WILDLY UP AND DOWN. WHEN EPC LIGHT IS ON, BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK. *JB
Air bags, Seat belts, Feb 14, 2007, crash
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JETTA JLS. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS CUT OFF BY A TRUCK AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED DOWN AN EMBANKMENT, FLIPPED OVER SIDEWAYS, AND END OVER END, LANDING UPSIDE DOWN IN A CANAL. THE DRIVER WAS PULLED FROM THE WRECKAGE AND IT BECAME SUBMERGED. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE DOORS, THE REAR AND THE FRONT. THE AIR BAG SIDE/CURTAIN, FRONTAL AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY DURING THE CRASH. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE BOTH 35000. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A BROKE NOSE, AS WELL AS, OTHER INJURIES. *AK
Seats, Jan 29, 2007, fire
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA STATION WAGON, CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20-25 MPH THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE THE SEAT HEATER WAS OPERATING. THE SEAT SUSTAINED A HOLE THE DIAMETER OF A PENCIL. THE SEAT BURNED PASSENGER BUTTOCKS, BUT DIDN'T CATCH HIS CLOTHING ON FIRE. *AK
Structure, Jan 19, 2007
WHILE DRIVING A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA WITH APPROX 66,000 MILES THE MOTOR MOUNT BOLTS BROKE OFF AND THE ENGINE FELL TO THE GROUND. DAMAGES WERE TO THE SUSPENSION OF THE CAR AND NO ONE SUFFERED INJURIES. THE SPEED AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT WAS APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES. NO SIGNS THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS OR ASSEMBLY BOLTS WERE BAD OR LOOSE. THE CAR IS AT THE DEALER BECAUSE THEY SAID THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY BUT THE BOLTS ARE NOT. THEY WANT US TO PAY $2,200.00 FOR THE REPAIRS AND THE WARRANTY COVER OTHER PARTS. I TOLD THEM THAT THE BOLTS ARE PART OF THE MOTOR MOUNTS AND THEY FAIL TO PERFORM AS EXPECTED. IN ADDITION THE CAR IS BEEN MAINTAINED BY THE SAME VOLKSWAGEN DEALER SINCE WE PURCHASED THE CAR 2 YEARS AGO. PLEASE ADVISE SINCE THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AS I USUALLY DO. I THINK THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD FIX MY CAR AND INSPECT ALL VOLKSWAGEN'S FOR ANY DEFECTIVE MOTOR MOUNT BOLTS. THANK-YOU *JB
Suspension, Jan 17, 2007
WHILE PULLING TO A STOP AT THE END OF MY STREET I HEARD A LOUD BANG. AFTER GETTING OUT AND INSPECTING THE VEHICLE I NOTICED THE RIGHT FRONT SPRING HAD BROKEN. I HAVE NOT HIT ANYTHING THAT WOULD CAUSE THE SPRING TO BREAK. I AM PUZZLED AS TO WHY THIS HAPPENED ON A CAR WITH ONLY 78,000 MILES. THE REPAIR SHOP SAYS THIS IS THE 6TH JETTA OR GOLF THEY HAVE SEEN WITH THIS PROBLEM IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS. THE CAR IS A 2003 VW JETTA TDI. I AM NOW OUT $450 TO REPLACE THE SPRINGS? *JB
Seats, Jan 4, 2007
SINCE I HAVE HAD MY JETTA THE SEAT WARMERS HAVE BEEN HOT. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WHO ADVISED THAT IS HOW THEY WORK. SINCE THEN MY SEAT WARMER HAS BURNED A HOLE IN THE CLOTH SEAT AND HAS BURNED ME. IT ALSO CREATES SPARKS WHEN TURNED ON. *JB
Power train, Jan 3, 2007
2003 VW JETTA AT 40K MILES TRANS HAD TO BE REPLACED IN FEB 06, JUNE 06 SAME SYMPTOMS, TOLD BY DEALER NOT TO BE CONCERNED THAT THE SENSORS TAKE TIME TO ADJUST TO NEW TRANS, EMISSIONS LIGHT ON DEALER SAYS NOT TO WORRY IF IT DOES NOT STAY ON, CONTINUE TO CALL,WITH SAME RESPONSE. DEC 06 CAR LOSES POWER ON INTERSTATE TAKES TWO WKS TO MAKE AN APPT TO GET INTO DEALER, TOLD IT IS NOW THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE, VW WILL NOT WARRANTY ALTHOUGH THIS PART WAS NOT CHKD WHEN TRANS REPLACED, TOLD THIS PART IS THE BRAIN TO TRANS IT TELLS TRANS WHEN TO SHIFT. DEALER AND VW OF NO HELP. LOOKED AT CONSUMER AFFAIRS ON THE INTERNET NOTICED HUGE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE HAVING SAME PROBLEMS AS I SAME YEAR SAME MODEL. THE ECM LIGHT STAYS ON AND IS NOT EMITTING SMOKE. *NM
Fuel system, Gasoline, Dec 27, 2006, crash, fire
OUR JETTA WAS REAR-ENDED AT A RED LIGHT AND THE GAS TANK EXPLODED, CAUSING THE CAR TO BECOME A FIREBALL. THE CAR WAS OBVIOUSLY TOTALLED, AND WE LOST ALL OF OUR BELONGINGS INSIDE THE CAR.