2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
552
Owner Complaints
4
Recalls
10
Service Bulletins
1
Investigation
Overview of the 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
The 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA has received a total of 552 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 4 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH. 10 technical service bulletins have been issued by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Seatsfront Assemblyseat Heatercooler (69 complaints), Electrical System (65 complaints), and Air Bagssidewindow (45 complaints).
Recalls for the 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
NHTSA has recorded 4 recalls for the 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, potentially affecting up to 1,017,742 vehicles.
Recall 18V406000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 2,564 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 14E007000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
| 50 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 07V063000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
| 1,002,000 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
Consequence: THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Recall 07E023000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
| 13,128 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
552 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
Since New we noticed transmission malfunctioning, transmission would jerk on the upshifts and downshifting also, then it would take longer than normal to go into gears Im the original owner, I parked it for 11 years waiting for a recall letter, I heard the beatle had gotten a recall on this failure,, the Jetta had the same motor and transmission the triptronic, I should get one also it only has 89164 miles, I’m waiting for a letter please respond thank you.
My jetta stalls without warning when the gas gauge is at a quarter of a tank or less. No engine check light or any other any other device comes on to warn me it is going to stall. My speed does not matter. It happens at freeway speeds or around town. It does not occur if the gas gauge shows more than 1/4 of a tank of fuel. I do not know if it is an electrical problem, a fuel propulsion problem or an engine problem. From reading volkswagon forums, this is a very common problem with volkswagons of different years, including the new Tiguans. I'm sure there have been many fatalities as a result of this defect. I am surprised volkswagon has not been forced to repair this dangerous, life threatening problem before now! Maybe, a class action law suit involving products liability, merchantability, and fitness for a particular use would benefit not only owners, but the general public at large. I believe it is your duty to protect the general public from manufactures who place dangerous, defective products in the stream of commerce. Your action is required, and demanded. The first time ocurred right after I purchased the car in 2019. It has stalled many times since then, before I realized I needed to keep the fuel tank at least 1/2 full at all times. Keeping it 1/2 full at all times greatly deminishes the range of travel before I have to refill. It is inconvenient and expensive since fuel has to be purchased at places other the most economical place I usually purchase my gasoline. Thank you
My jetta stalls without warning when the gas gauge is at a quarter of a tank or less. No engine check light or any other any other device comes on to warn me it is going to stall. My speed does not matter. It happens at freeway speeds or around town. It does not occur if the gas gauge shows more than 1/4 of a tank of fuel. I do not know if it is an electrical problem, a fuel propulsion problem or an engine problem. From reading volkswagon forums, this is a very common problem with volkswagons of different years, including the new Tiguans. I'm sure there have been many fatalities as a result of this defect. I am surprised volkswagon has not been forced to repair this dangerous, life threatening problem before now! Maybe, a class action law suit involving products liability, merchantability, and fitness for a particular use would benefit not only owners, but the general public at large. I believe it is your duty to protect the general public from manufactures who place dangerous, defective products in the stream of commerce. Your action is required, and demanded. The first time ocurred right after I purchased the car in 2019. It has stalled many times since then, before I realized I needed to keep the fuel tank at least 1/2 full at all times. Keeping it 1/2 full at all times greatly deminishes the range of travel before I have to refill. It is inconvenient and expensive since fuel has to be purchased at places other the most economical place I usually purchase my gasoline. Thank you
My jetta stalls without warning when the gas gauge is at a quarter of a tank or less. No engine check light or any other any other device comes on to warn me it is going to stall. My speed does not matter. It happens at freeway speeds or around town. It does not occur if the gas gauge shows more than 1/4 of a tank of fuel. I do not know if it is an electrical problem, a fuel propulsion problem or an engine problem. From reading volkswagon forums, this is a very common problem with volkswagons of different years, including the new Tiguans. I'm sure there have been many fatalities as a result of this defect. I am surprised volkswagon has not been forced to repair this dangerous, life threatening problem before now! Maybe, a class action law suit involving products liability, merchantability, and fitness for a particular use would benefit not only owners, but the general public at large. I believe it is your duty to protect the general public from manufactures who place dangerous, defective products in the stream of commerce. Your action is required, and demanded. The first time ocurred right after I purchased the car in 2019. It has stalled many times since then, before I realized I needed to keep the fuel tank at least 1/2 full at all times. Keeping it 1/2 full at all times greatly deminishes the range of travel before I have to refill. It is inconvenient and expensive since fuel has to be purchased at places other the most economical place I usually purchase my gasoline. Thank you
RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW IS BLOCKED INSIDE DOOR
Safety Rating for the 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. has issued 10 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
Edition115 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
VW Elsa Newsletter
Edition55 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
VW Elsa Newsletter
PDI - JETTA JSW — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
JETTA-JSW Perfect Delivery Inspection (PDI) - Technician and Detailer Inspections: A checklist to insure a customer receives a wonderful delivery of a vehicle that looks, feels, and meets the expectations of a new vehicle that he/she has purchased
PDITECHCHECKr — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
Perfect Delivery Inspection (PDI) - Technician and Detailer Inspections
Edition40 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
VW Elsa Newsletter
SA-28F3 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VOLKSWAGEN: (REVISED) VEHICLES MAY HAVE IGNITION COILS THAT COULD MALFUNCTION UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) WILL ILLUMINATED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT VEHICLE MAY EXPERIENCE SOME DETERIORATION IN PERFORMANCE. IN SOME CASES, A MALFUNCTIONING IGNITION COIL MAY CAUSE A VEHICLE TO EXCEED FEDERAL AND/OR...
SA-60A7-S9 — VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. INSPECT, CLEAN AND MODIFY SUNROOF DRAINS FOR CERTAIN VOLKSWAGEN VEHICLES AND REVISED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE; SUNROOF DRAIN INSPECTION AND CLEANING. NO MODELS OR MODEL YEARS LISTED. CSC LETTER WAS REC'D. *PE MODEL AND MODEL YEARS INCLUDED. UPDATED *PE
VT — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
CHECK/REPOSITION AND SECURE PLASTIC ASSEMBLY AID ON REAR DOOR LOCK RODS. REAR DOOR LOCK MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY DUE TO A DAMAGED PLASTIC ASSEMBLY AID. *TT
0303 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY, INSTALLING REPLACEMENT PART. REPLACEMENT ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY DOES NOT FIT OVER LOWER MOUNTING STUD. *TT
092302 — VISIBILITY
FRONT WINDOW REGULATOLR CLAMP TORQUE CORRECTION - DEALERSHIP, CUSTOMER LETTER. *TT
NHTSA Investigations for the 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA.
Investigation PE03052 — SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER Closed
Opened:
DRIVER SEAT OVERHEATS/BURNS
Other Model Years of the VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
- 1998 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA — 253 complaints
- 1999 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA — 488 complaints
- 2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA — 633 complaints
- 2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA — 862 complaints
- 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA — 885 complaints
- 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA (current)
- 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA — 295 complaints
- 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA — 354 complaints
- 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA — 792 complaints
- 2007 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA — 280 complaints
- 2008 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA — 248 complaints
Other VOLKSWAGEN Models
- VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 10,288 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE — 3,613 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN — 3,104 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS — 2,635 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN GOLF — 1,991 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN GTI — 1,916 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN ID.4 — 1,568 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN CC — 1,356 total complaints