IllustrationSINCE 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
2003 Volkswagen Jetta
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Jetta years
Owner complaints for the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta are substantially higher than the model-year median of 68.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Jetta years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
790–25K
9225–50K
7650–75K
4875–100K
46100–150K
33150K+
374 reports with mileage · 81 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.
- Seats. Review the 100 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 97 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 76 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
25 crash reports70 fire reports76 injury reports
Seats complaints
100 reportsDRIVER TURNED ON THE SEAT HEATER ON A COLD EVENING AFTER STARTING THE CAR. THE DRIVER-SIDE SEAT HEATER BEGINS TO OVERHEAT AND SMOKE WITH THREE MINUTES. THE DRIVER ALMOST HIT A PARKED CAR WHILE ATTEMPTING TO AVOID BEING BURNED BY THE SEAT. THE DRIVERS NO LONGER USE THE SEAT HEATER ON THE DRIVER SIDE, AT A LOSS OF $300. *NM
WHILE DRIVING DRIVER SMELLED AND COULD SEE SMOKE AND REALIZED DRIVERS SEAT WAS ON FIRE. DRIVER MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND PUT OUT FIRE ON SEAT. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA DID NOTHING - TOLD OWNER THEY HAD NOTHING TO SAY. DEALER REPLACED SEAT. *JB
THE HEATED SEAT ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 4DR SEDAN BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT AND THROUGH MY WIFE'S JACKET. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SEAT WARMER OVERHEATED AND STARTED SMOKING. ALTHOUGH A SMALL HOLE FORMED IN THE SEAT CUSHION THERE WAS NOT VISIBLE EVIDENCE OF A FIRE OTHER THAN SMOKE. *AK
I HAVE HAD THIS CAR SINCE 10/31/02. I PURCHASED IT NEW. I BOUGHT IT FOR MY TEENAGERS TO DRIVE AS THEY BEGIN SINCE IT IS A SAFE CAR. LAST WEEKEND, (12/17/05) I WAS PERSONALLY DRIVING THE CAR, AND THE SEAT WARMER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE GOT SO HOT THAT IT ACTUALLY BURNED A HOLE IN THE SEAT, AND THE CAR SMELLED TERRIBLE FOR SEVERAL…
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I HAVE HAD THIS CAR SINCE 10/31/02. I PURCHASED IT NEW. I BOUGHT IT FOR MY TEENAGERS TO DRIVE AS THEY BEGIN SINCE IT IS A SAFE CAR. LAST WEEKEND, (12/17/05) I WAS PERSONALLY DRIVING THE CAR, AND THE SEAT WARMER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE GOT SO HOT THAT IT ACTUALLY BURNED A HOLE IN THE SEAT, AND THE CAR SMELLED TERRIBLE FOR SEVERAL DAYS AFTER. I THINK THAT HAVING TO FEAR AN ELECTRICAL FIRE IN MY CAR IS OUTRAGEOUS. *NM
I OWN A 2003 VW JETTA 1.8T WITH FRONT HEATED SEATS. DRIVERS SIDE SEAT CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO A SHORT IN THE SEATS HEATER 2 DAYS AGO ON 12/13/2005 AFTER THE HEATER WAS ON FOR LESS THAN 2 MINUTES. BURNING A SMALL HOLE TROUGH THE SEAT TO THE BOTTOM AREA OF MY LEFT SIDE (BUTTOCK) I HAVE COME TO FIND SINCE THIS HAPPENED, MY NHTSA HAS BE…
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I OWN A 2003 VW JETTA 1.8T WITH FRONT HEATED SEATS. DRIVERS SIDE SEAT CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO A SHORT IN THE SEATS HEATER 2 DAYS AGO ON 12/13/2005 AFTER THE HEATER WAS ON FOR LESS THAN 2 MINUTES. BURNING A SMALL HOLE TROUGH THE SEAT TO THE BOTTOM AREA OF MY LEFT SIDE (BUTTOCK) I HAVE COME TO FIND SINCE THIS HAPPENED, MY NHTSA HAS BEEN INVESTIGATING 2002, 2003 VW JETTAS FOR SEAT FIRES WITH THIS EXACT PROBLEM FOR OVER A YEAR NOW. WHY, AS THE ORIGINAL REGISTER OWNER OF THIS MODEL WAS I NOT INFORMED OF THIS INVESTIGATION AND THE POSSIBILITY OF A FIRE INSIDE MY CAR, WHILE ME, MY WIFE AND MY 5 YEAR GIRL ARE IN IT! THE PROBLEM WITH THE ABOVE IS THAT IT WAS NOT A POSSIBILITY, IT JUST WAS A MATTER OF TIME AND IN MY CASE, THE TIME WAS DECEMBER 13TH AT APPROXIMATELY 7PM AT NIGHT. THIS CAR HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE THE FIRST 3,000 MILES, WITH WATER PUMPS AND DOOR LATCHES, FIRMWARE UPDATES, VIOLENT SHAKING OF THE VEHICLE IN COLD WEATHER STARTS, ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS RANGING FROM ENTIRELY IMMOBILIZING AND STRANDING ME TO THE CAR PARTIALLY BEING IMMOBILIZED THE VW JETTA TO AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTER ISSUES WHICH INCLUDE THE CARS SHIFTER BEING ABLE TO BE MOVED WHEN THE KEY IS NOT EVEN IN THE IGNITION TO A POSITION IN THE SHIFTER SELECTOR BECAUSE A CABLE WAS NEVER CONNECTED TO PREVENT THAT, THAT SHOULD ALSO BE A NHTSA SAFETY ISSUE TOO ON THIS CAR. BUT FIRST I WANT YOU FOR THE LOVE OF GOD CONTACT THE OWNERS OF THESE CARS BEFORE REAL TRAGEDY HAPPENS IF THAT ALL READY HAS NOT HAPPENED. I HAVE JUST TALKED VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER CARE ADVOCATE AT VW AMERICA, THEY HAVE NOT WARNED THEIR CUSTOMERS OF THIS, WHO WILL. AGAIN SINCE THIS HAS HAPPENED I SEE MANY PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING. PLEASE NOTIFY THE OWNERS FIRST, THEN CONTACT ME SECOND. PLEASE! *NM
THE SEAT ON MY 2003 VW JETTA CAUGHT FIRE TODAY. AS A RESULT, THERE IS A NICKEL-SIZE BURN IN MY SEAT AND MY PANTS. *JB
AT APPROXIMATELY 5:15 AM THIS MORNING I STARTED MY CAR AND TURNED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT. AFTER WAITING APPROXIMATELY 2 MINUTES FOR THE RPMS TO DROP BELOW 1000, I PLACED THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND BEGAN HEADING FOR WORK. I IMMEDIATELY SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. I TRAVELED LESS THAN AN 1/8 OF A MILE TO A STOP SIGN. AF…
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AT APPROXIMATELY 5:15 AM THIS MORNING I STARTED MY CAR AND TURNED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT. AFTER WAITING APPROXIMATELY 2 MINUTES FOR THE RPMS TO DROP BELOW 1000, I PLACED THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND BEGAN HEADING FOR WORK. I IMMEDIATELY SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. I TRAVELED LESS THAN AN 1/8 OF A MILE TO A STOP SIGN. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE AND PLACING IT IN PARK, I OPENED THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, PULLED THE HOOD LATCH, AND QUICKLY STEPPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. I LEFT THE CAR RUNNING AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OPEN WHILE I OPENED THE HOOD TO INSPECT FOR THE SOURCE OF THE BURNING SMELL. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 2 MINUTES OF INSPECTION I DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING BURNING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I CLOSED THE HOOD AND WHILE STANDING AT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT. I IMMEDIATELY RAN TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND DISCOVERED A SMALL FIRE IN THE FRONT SEAT. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, TURNED THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT OFF, AND MANAGED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THIS HAS BEEN A VERY TRAUMATIC EVENT. REFLECTING ON THE TYPICAL USAGE OF THE HEATED SEATS BY MYSELF, OR WORSE YET MY WIFE, THE OUTCOME COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. THE SEAT WAS LITERALLY ON FIRE IN LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES. I CAN NOT IMAGINE WHAT THE OUTCOME MIGHT HAVE BEEN IF THIS HAD OCCURRED DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. IF I HAD NOT EXITED THE VEHICLE TO INSPECT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, I WOULD HAVE SUFFERED BURNS. AFTER TALKING TO CUSTOMER SERVICE I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SEATS. I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE SERVICED AT THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER THAT I PURCHASE THE VEHICLE FROM SINCE DAY ONE AND THEY NEVER DID ANY RECALL WORK ON THE SEATS. I SEARCHED YOUR SIGHT FOR RECALL INFORMATION ON MY VEHICLE AND THERE WAS NO DATA. I WANTED YOU TO BE INFORMED. I WOULD HATE TO FIND OUT THAT SOMEONE WAS BURNED IN THERE VEHICLE DURING NORMAL OPERATION. *JB
I OWN A 2003 JETTA TDI WAGON AND MY FRONT SEAT HEATER HAS BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT. *NM
Official recalls
218V406000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Jun 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.
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.
07V063000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
Feb 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.
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
4DP05004 · 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.