I'VE HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH MY VW JETTA 2003 AND HAVE PUT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS INTO THE VEHICLE. MY LIMIT WAS THAT ALTERNATOR CABLE MELTING THE FUSE BOX AND THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE AND COULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND POTENTIALLY INJURED INDIVIDUALS OR CAUSED GREAT HARM. THE SAD PART ABLE THE ENTIRE SCENARIO IS THE F…
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I'VE HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH MY VW JETTA 2003 AND HAVE PUT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS INTO THE VEHICLE. MY LIMIT WAS THAT ALTERNATOR CABLE MELTING THE FUSE BOX AND THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE AND COULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND POTENTIALLY INJURED INDIVIDUALS OR CAUSED GREAT HARM. THE SAD PART ABLE THE ENTIRE SCENARIO IS THE FACT THAT I CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER CARE THAT SPOKE WITH BREA S. WHICH MAY NOT BE AN ACTUAL NAME BECAUSE SHE COULD NOT PROVIDE IT AND SHE SAID THAT SHE HAD SPOKEN TO HER LEADERSHIP ASHLEY AND THAT THEY DID NOT SEE THIS AS A SAFETY CONCERNS AND JUST BECAUSE LOTS OF OTHER PEOPLE HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND MENTIONED IT ON A BLOG THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO HELP ME. NOW FOR ME SOMETHING THAT CAN CAUSE A POTENTIAL ELECTRICAL FIRE FOR MOST PEOPLE IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND THE FACT THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE VOLKSWAGEN JETTA AND BEETLE MODELS, IT AMAZES ME THAT VW CUSTOMER CARE DOES NOT SEE IT AS THERE ISSUE, BREA WAS OUT OF THE AUBURN HILLS LOCATION IN MICHIGAN. THIS REALLY NEEDS FURTHER ATTENTION.
NHTSA ODI #10790767
193,000 miles · Oct 26, 2015
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR A FEW DAYS, THE BATTERY FAILED TO MAKE CONNECTION WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT N…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR A FEW DAYS, THE BATTERY FAILED TO MAKE CONNECTION WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 193,000.
NHTSA ODI #10786157
86,000 miles · Sep 11, 2015
Electrical System
THE FUSE BOX IN THESE OLDER JETTAS MELTS BECAUSE IT IS ON TOP OF THE BATTERY, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. ITS VERY DANGEROUS.
NHTSA ODI #10763228
Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2015
Electrical System
ALTERNATOR HARNESS WIRING AND FUSE BOX ARE UNDER-ENGINEERED FOR ELECTRICAL CONDITIONS AND OUTPUT GIVEN BY ALTERNATOR. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN ONE YEAR I HAVE TO REPLACE THE FUSE BOX AND ALTERNATOR HARNESS WIRING DUE TO RISK OF ENGINE BAY FIRE. MANY OTHER VW OWNERS IN THIS GENERATION AND DIFFERENT MODELS ALSO HAVE THIS PROBLEM…
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ALTERNATOR HARNESS WIRING AND FUSE BOX ARE UNDER-ENGINEERED FOR ELECTRICAL CONDITIONS AND OUTPUT GIVEN BY ALTERNATOR. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN ONE YEAR I HAVE TO REPLACE THE FUSE BOX AND ALTERNATOR HARNESS WIRING DUE TO RISK OF ENGINE BAY FIRE. MANY OTHER VW OWNERS IN THIS GENERATION AND DIFFERENT MODELS ALSO HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR VEHICLES. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO GO UNNOTICED.
NHTSA ODI #10760319
96,000 miles · Jun 3, 2015
Electrical SystemFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD THAT ENTERED THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND OPENED THE BATTERY FUSE BOX WHERE HE FOUND THAT THERE WERE OVERHEATED WIRES AND OVERWHELMING SMOKE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RECURR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD THAT ENTERED THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND OPENED THE BATTERY FUSE BOX WHERE HE FOUND THAT THERE WERE OVERHEATED WIRES AND OVERWHELMING SMOKE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING AND THE SMOKE WAS EMITTING FROM THE BATTERY FUSE BOX. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10723278
120,000 miles · Nov 21, 2014
Electrical SystemFire
THE ALTERNATOR CABLE MELTED THE FUSE BLOCK AND THE CAR ALMOST CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10659992
43,000 miles · Sep 10, 2014
Electrical SystemFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AS THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FUSE PANEL CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR, THE HARNESS, AND THE FU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AS THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FUSE PANEL CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR, THE HARNESS, AND THE FUSE PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT FAILED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
NHTSA ODI #10632159
154,000 miles · Aug 13, 2014
Electrical System
THERE IS A FUSE BOX ON THE TOP OF MY BATTERY AS THERE WAS FOR ALL MK4 JETTAS, GOLF IN ALL MOTOR TRIMS. THE FUSE BOX ON TOP OF THE BATTERY MELTED. WHEN OPENED THERE WAS A BLACK WIRE SEVERED FROM THE BOX. WHEN TURNING THE BATTERY OVER THE CABLE WIRE WAS ARCHING. THE WIRE WAS ACTUALLY SPARKING. THERE ARE FUSES IN THE ORIGINAL BOX B…
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THERE IS A FUSE BOX ON THE TOP OF MY BATTERY AS THERE WAS FOR ALL MK4 JETTAS, GOLF IN ALL MOTOR TRIMS. THE FUSE BOX ON TOP OF THE BATTERY MELTED. WHEN OPENED THERE WAS A BLACK WIRE SEVERED FROM THE BOX. WHEN TURNING THE BATTERY OVER THE CABLE WIRE WAS ARCHING. THE WIRE WAS ACTUALLY SPARKING. THERE ARE FUSES IN THE ORIGINAL BOX BUT THEY NEVER BROKE, TRIPPED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10622163
112,432 miles · Jul 31, 2014
Electrical System
BATTERY FUSE BOX MELTED. ENGINE OVERHEATED AND CUT OFF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10618049
114,000 miles · Jun 20, 2014
Electrical System
AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING . FOUND LEFT FUSE ON FUSE BOX ON TOP OF BATTERY IS BLACK AND MELTED. *TR
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 & remedy
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.
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 ↗
NHTSA investigations
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DP05004 · Engine Stalling
Opened Aug 11, 2005 · Closed Dec 8, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:ignition:module
BY LETTER RECEIVED ON JUNE 24, 2005, MR. RONALD M. STRICKLAND OF RALEIGH, NC, SUBMITTED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE IGNITION COIL PLUGS ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, GOLF AND PASSAT SEDANS.THE PETITIONER ALLEGES THAT HE HAD EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE STALLING EVENTS AS A RESULT OF ONE OR MORE IGNITION COIL PLUGS MALFUNCTIONING ON HIS 2002 VW JETTA SEDAN.AS A RESULT OF THE ENGINE STALLING, THE PETITIONER EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND INCREASED BRAKING EFFORTS WHEN HE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE.AFTER A FEW MINUTES PARKED ON THE SHOULDER HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE OPERATED AT REDUCED POWER.VW ISSUED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN (CSC) ON JANUARY 31, 2003 TO INSTRUCT THEIR DEALERSHIPS TO INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR ANY MALFUNCTIONING IGNITION COIL PACKS AND TO REPLACE THEM AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER.CONSUMERS WERE NOTIFIED TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERSHIPS VIA OWNER LETTERS MAILED OUT ON JUNE 6, 2003.WHILE VW INITIALLY INSTRUCTED THE DEALERSHIPS TO ONLY REPLACE THE MALFUNCTIONING IGNITION COIL PACKS, A REVISED CSC WAS ISSUED TO DEALERSHIPS IN DECEMBER 2003 AND JANUARY 2004, INSTRUCTING DEALERSHIPS TO REPLACE ALL IGNITION COIL PACKS REGARDLESS OF THEIR PERFORMANCE.A REMINDER TO THE DEALERSHIPS WAS SENT BY VW ON APRIL OF 2004.ALTHOUGH THE CONCERNS OF THE PETITIONER COULD THEORETICALLY CREATE A SAFETY PROBLEM, THE RISK IS VERY SMALL, DUE TO THE ENGINE STILL RUNNING ON EITHER 3, 5, OR 7 CYLINDERS.THERE ARE NO REPORTED CRASHES OR INJURIES DUE TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.ONCE DRIVERS ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM (LOSS OF POWER DUE TO ONE OF THE IGNITION COIL PACKS MALFUNCTIONING), DRIVERS ARE ABLE TO TAKE PRECAUTIONARY AND COMPENSATORY MEASURES AND STILL MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THEIR VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, FOUR FIRES WERE REPORTED TO ODI.THESE WERE IGNITION COIL BURNOUTS WITH NO ADDITIONAL DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND WERE LOCALIZED ON TOP OF THE ENGINE. DURING THE LAST 24 MONTHS THE NUMBER OF STALL AND DRIVABILITY COMPLAINTS REPORTED TO ODI HAS GREATLY DIMINISHED FROM A PEAK OF 195 IN JANUARY OF 2003 TO ONLY 3 IN AUGUST OF 2005.THIS COINCIDES WITH THE CSC RELEASED BY VW.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
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.
EA04010 · Driver Side Front Seat Overheats
Opened Mar 30, 2004 · Closed Oct 21, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler
THIS INVESTIGATION CONCERNS THE ELECTRIC SEAT HEATER INSTALLED IN SOME MY 2002-2003 VOLKSWAGEN (VW) JETTA VEHICLES.CONSUMERS ALLEGE THAT THE SEAT HEATER MAY OVERHEAT, RESULTING IN BURN DAMAGE TO THE SEAT COVER AND TO THE DRIVER'S CLOTHING AND/OR SKIN.THIS EA ADDRESSES WHETHER SUCH FAILURES MAY POSE A RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY.ODI CONCLUDES THAT THE DRIVER-SIDE SEAT HEATER MAY FAIL OR MALFUNCTION DUE TO NORMAL VEHICLE USE, (I.E., DRIVER INGRESS AND EGRESS FROM THE VEHICLE).THE INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THAT SUCH FAILURES DO NOT POSE A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF INJURY OR FIRE.ODI BELIEVES THAT FURTHER INVESTIGATION WOULD NOT LIKELY IDENTIFY A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND.THEREFORE, THIS EA HAS BEEN CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.THE ATTACHED SUMMARY REPORT PROVIDES FURTHER DETAIL CONCERNING THIS EA.
PE03052 · Driver Seat Overheats/burns
Opened Nov 19, 2003 · Closed Mar 30, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL ELECTRICALLY HEATED DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEATS.INFORMATION RECEIVED DURING PE03-052 DISCLOSED A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF INCIDENTS OF MALFUNCTIONING/OVERHEATING OF THE DRIVER SEAT HEATER IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ADDITIONAL INCIDENTS MAY OCCUR DURING THE FINAL MONTHS OF THE WINTER SEASON.THIS MATTER IS ALSO CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED BY TRANSPORT CANADA.THIS PE HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA04-010)IN ORDER TO FULLY INVESTIGATE THESE OCCURRENCES AND THEIR SAFETY IMPLICATIONS.
2003 Volkswagen Jetta Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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