Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
160–25K
1225–50K
1050–75K
475–100K
1100–150K
0150K+
43 reports with mileage · 10 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Air Bags. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
7 crash reports1 fire reports6 injury reports
What owners actually said
53 reports
Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2005
Air BagsEquipment
I WAS DRIVING AT 15 MPH AND HIT A POTHOLE. ALL OF A SUDDEN MY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ALONG WITH THE PASSANGER SIDE SEAT AIRBAG. THERE IS NO DAMAGE TO THE CAR WHAT SO EVER. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY IMAGINE AIRBAGS DEPOLYING EVERY TIME SOMEONE RAN OVER A POTHOLE. THE DEALERSHIP (WWW.REYDELVW.COM)…
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I WAS DRIVING AT 15 MPH AND HIT A POTHOLE. ALL OF A SUDDEN MY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ALONG WITH THE PASSANGER SIDE SEAT AIRBAG. THERE IS NO DAMAGE TO THE CAR WHAT SO EVER. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY IMAGINE AIRBAGS DEPOLYING EVERY TIME SOMEONE RAN OVER A POTHOLE. THE DEALERSHIP (WWW.REYDELVW.COM) REFUSES TO COVER THIS UNDER WARRENTY.
NHTSA ODI #10128283
15,000 miles · Mar 25, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE SERVICED AT CONSUMER'S COST. ALSO, CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE OF THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10115871
26,000 miles · Feb 25, 2005
Power Train
THE CLUTCH SLOWLY STARTED TO SLIP WHEN TRYING TO MOVE FORWARD EVENTUALLY THE ENGINE WOULD REV AT VERY HIGH RPMS WITH VERY LITTLE FORWARD MOVEMENT IN THE CAR. AFTER MUCH READING, THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. MY CAR ONLY HAD 26,000 MILES ON IT. IT IS A DAILY COMMUTER DRIVEN MOSTLY ON THE FREEWAY WHICH SHOULD MEAN VERY L…
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THE CLUTCH SLOWLY STARTED TO SLIP WHEN TRYING TO MOVE FORWARD EVENTUALLY THE ENGINE WOULD REV AT VERY HIGH RPMS WITH VERY LITTLE FORWARD MOVEMENT IN THE CAR. AFTER MUCH READING, THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. MY CAR ONLY HAD 26,000 MILES ON IT. IT IS A DAILY COMMUTER DRIVEN MOSTLY ON THE FREEWAY WHICH SHOULD MEAN VERY LITTLE CLUTCH WEAR. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP TO REPLACE IT WITH A MORE "STURDY" CLUTCH MADE OF CERAMIC SINCE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY ALREADY. APPROXIMATELY 8 MONTHS AFTER THE CLUTCH WAS REPLACED THE SUDDENLY STUCK IN FIRST GEAR AND WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALER AGAIN, THEY DETERMINED IT WAS MOST LIKELY THE TRANSMISSION, ONCE THEY PULLED IT APART THEY SAID THE CLUTCH WAS BAD AGAIN. THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THE DESIGN OF THE CAR IS CAUSING THESE PROBLEMS, NOT MY DRIVING OR NORMAL "WEAR AND TEAR". *NM
NHTSA ODI #10112158
7,950 miles · Feb 9, 2005
Air BagsSeatsVisibilityCrash
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 5 MPH AND STRUCK A POT HOLE AND SIDE DOOR AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. ALSO, SIDE WINDOW MALFUNCTIONED, AND SEAT RECLINER BROKE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10111254
31,850 miles · Dec 21, 2004
Air BagsElectrical System
AS I WAS GETTING INTO MY CAR AT NIGHT (2003 VW GTI) I NOTICED IT WAS VERY COLD. I THEN PROCEEDED TO TRY TO TURN THE CAR ON BUT THE STARTER WOULD NOT GIVE, THEN TO NO AVAIL I NOTICED THAT THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT WOULD NOT TURN OFF. ROADSIDE ASSITANCE THROUGH VW WAS CONTACTED AND STATED UNFORTUNATLY UNDER THE EXTREME COLD AND DU…
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AS I WAS GETTING INTO MY CAR AT NIGHT (2003 VW GTI) I NOTICED IT WAS VERY COLD. I THEN PROCEEDED TO TRY TO TURN THE CAR ON BUT THE STARTER WOULD NOT GIVE, THEN TO NO AVAIL I NOTICED THAT THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT WOULD NOT TURN OFF. ROADSIDE ASSITANCE THROUGH VW WAS CONTACTED AND STATED UNFORTUNATLY UNDER THE EXTREME COLD AND DUE TO IT BEING SO LATE AT NIGHT THEY COULD NOT CONTACT A TOW TO ASSIST ME . *AK
NHTSA ODI #10104208
Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 2004
Air BagsCrashInjury
WHEN THE 2003 VOLKSWAGEN GTI VR6 WAS IN A FRONT END COLLISION WITH A SUV AND AS A RESULT WAS TOTALED THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT GO OFF. IT SEEMS THERE MAY BE MORE FAULTY AIG BAGS OUT THERE IN THE 2003 YEAR MODEL GTI'S. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. PEOPLE, YOU'RE SAFETY IS AT RISK.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10102562
Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 2004
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury
THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 40 MPH, BUT WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT THE PASSENGER SIDE DID DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES. THE CONSUME…
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THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 40 MPH, BUT WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT THE PASSENGER SIDE DID DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES. THE CONSUMER REFUSED TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED T BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10103469
17,367 miles · Dec 9, 2004
Air BagsCrashInjury
EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE WAS A FRONT END COLLISION, IN WHICH MY CAR WAS IN A FRONT IMPACT ACCIDENT WITH A SUV. MY CAR IS A LITTLE 2 DOOR VW GTI VR6 2003. THE SUV WAS A HONDA PILOT. THE FAILURE WAS THAT MY CAR WAS CONSIDERED TOTALED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND BY THE BODY SHOP MY CAR WAS TOWED TO AND THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID …
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EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE WAS A FRONT END COLLISION, IN WHICH MY CAR WAS IN A FRONT IMPACT ACCIDENT WITH A SUV. MY CAR IS A LITTLE 2 DOOR VW GTI VR6 2003. THE SUV WAS A HONDA PILOT. THE FAILURE WAS THAT MY CAR WAS CONSIDERED TOTALED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND BY THE BODY SHOP MY CAR WAS TOWED TO AND THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT GO OFF. THE ENGINE BLOCK WAS CRACKED AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WENT OFF, BUT I WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN THE VEHICLE. I HAD MY SEAT BELT ON AND MY AIR BAG DID NOT GO OFF. THE CONSEQUENCES ARE THAT MY NECK AND BACK HURT DAILY. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE THAT I KNOW OF TO THIS DAY TO CORRECT THE ACTION. I WOULD SUGGEST LOOKING AT THE ENGINEERING OF THE COMPUTER SYSTEM DEALING WITH THE AIR BAG.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10102480
24,000 miles · Dec 9, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
REAR BRAKES LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING. DEALER COULD FIND NO FAULT CODES OR PROBLEM. BUT THE PROBLEM IS THERE, THEY JUST COULD NOT REPLICATE IT. VW CUSTOMER CARE- DOESN'T CARE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10102461
20,895 miles · Oct 24, 2004
EquipmentPower Train
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME MY CLUTCH ASSEMBLY FAILED. FIRST TIME AT 4500 MILES IN DECEMBER 2003. VW DEALERSHIP REPLACED CLUTCH. CLUTCH ASSEMPLY AGAIN BECAME SPONGY AND RPMS INCREASED TO DANGEROUS LEVELS. VOLKSWAGEN AMERICA REFUSED TO REPAIR MALFUNCTUION IN EQUIPMENT. MANY SPECIALTY REPAIR SHOPS ARE SAYING THIS IS CAUSED BY THE DU…
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THIS IS THE SECOND TIME MY CLUTCH ASSEMBLY FAILED. FIRST TIME AT 4500 MILES IN DECEMBER 2003. VW DEALERSHIP REPLACED CLUTCH. CLUTCH ASSEMPLY AGAIN BECAME SPONGY AND RPMS INCREASED TO DANGEROUS LEVELS. VOLKSWAGEN AMERICA REFUSED TO REPAIR MALFUNCTUION IN EQUIPMENT. MANY SPECIALTY REPAIR SHOPS ARE SAYING THIS IS CAUSED BY THE DUAL MASS FLY WHEEL STICKING OPEN. *AK
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 & remedy
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 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
Defect investigations
1
PE04081 · Inadvertent SIDE-AIRBAG Deployment
Opened Dec 16, 2004 · Closed Apr 1, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:side/window
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH SIDE-THORAX AND SIDE-HEAD CURTAIN AIRBAGS TO PROTECT THE FRONT AND REAR OUTBOARD OCCUPANTS IN A SIDE-IMPACT CRASH.THIS INVESTIGATION IDENTIFIED A TOTAL OF 499 REPORTS (482 OWNERS REPORTS AND 17 WARRANTY CLAIMS).THE CRASH SENSING SYSTEM?S ALGORITHM MAY RECOGNIZE CERTAIN NON-CRASH IMPACTS (WHEEL, TIRE AND UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACTS) AS DEPLOYABLE EVENTS.THE 97 ALLEGED INJURIES WERE MINOR IN NATURE AND CONSIST OF ABRASIONS, BRUISES, EAR RINGING AND HEADACHES.THERE WAS NO ALLEGED LOSS OF CONTROL CRASH AS A RESULT OF SIDE-AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.ODI ALSO OBTAINED COUNTS OF ALLEGED INADVERTENT SIDE-AIRBAG DEPLOYMENTS FROM PEER MANUFACTURERS.THE DATA SHOWS THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE NOT UNIQUE IN BEING SUBJECT TO SUCH ALLEGATIONS.THE COMPLAINT RATE FOR NON-SUBJECT INDIVIDUAL MODEL VEHICLES VARIES WIDELY.THE RATE FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS COMPARABLE TO THREE PEER MODELS, EACH WITH COMPACT CHASSIS/WHEELBASES.ODI HAS NOT IDENTIFIED ANY COMPONENT FAILURE OR MANUFACTURING TREND THAT MAY RELATE TO A COMPONENT OR MANUFACTURING ISSUE.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.
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