IllustrationI CLOSED MY TRUNK ONE DAY AND NOW IT WILL NOT OPEN WITH FOB OR INSIDE DOOR LATCH OR THE KEY.
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
Unknown Or Other complaints
9 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A WAS SMELL ENTERED THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CABIN FILTER WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A WAS SMELL ENTERED THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CABIN FILTER WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 10/19/16*LJ
SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM SHORTED SEAT HEATER AND BURNED A HOLE THROUGH PASSANGER SEAT COVER.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE WHICH MADE THE CONTACT NAUSEOUS. SHE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHERE THE ODOR WAS EMITTING FROM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE WHICH MADE THE CONTACT NAUSEOUS. SHE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHERE THE ODOR WAS EMITTING FROM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,718.
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED AND MY CAR IS STUCK IN PARK BECAUSE IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO SHIFT WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH IS FAULTY. THIS PART HAS BEEN RECALLED (N4), BUT I AM FORCED TO PAY FOR A TOW TRUCK TO GET ME TO A DEALER 20 MILES AWAY BECAUSE THE CAR IS INOPERABLE RIGHT NOW. WARRANTY IS OVER BUT IF IT'S A RECALL AND THE PART IN…
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BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED AND MY CAR IS STUCK IN PARK BECAUSE IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO SHIFT WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH IS FAULTY. THIS PART HAS BEEN RECALLED (N4), BUT I AM FORCED TO PAY FOR A TOW TRUCK TO GET ME TO A DEALER 20 MILES AWAY BECAUSE THE CAR IS INOPERABLE RIGHT NOW. WARRANTY IS OVER BUT IF IT'S A RECALL AND THE PART IN QUESTION IS CAUSING ME TO BE STUCK, WHY SHOULD I BE THE ONE PAYING FOR THE TOW? *TR
CONTINUOUS LEAKING OF WATER INTO INTERIOR OF CAR FROM CURRENTLY UNDETERMINED SOURCE(S) CAUSING MOLD/MILDEW PROBLEMS. OCCURS DURING/AFTER RAIN EVENTS. *JB
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: MY NAME IS [XXX]. I OWN A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI THAT I PURCHASED NEW ON 3/10/03 FROM AUTOHAUS OF LANCASTER IN LANCASTER, PA. IT NOW HAS 56,700 MILES ON IT. (MOSTLY HIGHWAY) WHILE DRIVING ON 6/21/05, I WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKES GOT MUSHY AND THEN GRABBED AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR…
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TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: MY NAME IS [XXX]. I OWN A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI THAT I PURCHASED NEW ON 3/10/03 FROM AUTOHAUS OF LANCASTER IN LANCASTER, PA. IT NOW HAS 56,700 MILES ON IT. (MOSTLY HIGHWAY) WHILE DRIVING ON 6/21/05, I WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKES GOT MUSHY AND THEN GRABBED AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR IN A SUDDEN STOP. AS IT WAS STOPPING YOU HEARD A SOUND LIKE THE VEHICLE NOW HAD AIR BRAKES. I DEPRESSED THE PEDAL AGAIN THE BRAKES LET UP. I WAS NEARLY REAR ENDED BY A TRUCK THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND CALLED THE GARAGE. IT TURNED OUT TO BE A BRAKE BOOSTER. PRIOR TO THIS PROBLEM, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AT 48,000 MILES, I HAD THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. IT WAS IN BECAUSE SEVERAL TIMES I APPLIED THE BRAKES IN THE SNOW AND THE TIRES LOCKED UP. THIS VEHICLE HAS ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. AT THIS TIME THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES DID NOT WORK. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALERSHIP FOUND NO PROBLEMS. THEY CHECKED IT AND SAID ALL WAS OK. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ABOUT A WEEK AFTER I GOT IT OUT OF THE SHOP. MY CURRENT MECHANIC (ROBERTS AUTOMOTIVE) WHO SPECIALIZES IN VOLKSWAGENS MENTIONED THAT HE BELIEVES THAT TWO PROBLEMS ARE VERY LIKELY THE SAME PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC ([XXX] @ ROBERTS AUTOMOTIVE) ALSO TOLD ME THAT HE CALLED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP (AUTOHAUS OF LANCASTER, PA) FOR THE PART, AND HE WAS TOLD THEY REPLACED 8 OF THESE BRAKE BOOSTERS IN THE LAST TWO YEARS. I ALSO TALKED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AT AUTOHAUS. DAVE TOLD ME THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL BRAKE BOOSTERS GO BAD ON THE TDI MODELS. THE VEHICLE IS NOW IN THE HANDS OF AUTOHAUS. IT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH QUALITY AND WORKMANSHIP HERE. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE. BY SHEER LUCK I WAS NOT HIT BY THAT TRUCK. I WILL BE SENDING A SIMILAR LETTER TO VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA WITH MY COMPLAINT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION. REGARDS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
I BOUGHT MY CAR AT THE END OF NOVEMBER. DROVE IT OFF THE LOT WITH 9 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. AT THE TIME OF BREAKDOWN ON JULY 25, 2003, THE CAR HAD 10,900 MILES ON IT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE ON IT NOW IS 13,000 JULY 25TH WAS A VERY HOT DAY. I BELIEVE IT WAS UP TO 110 DEGREES THAT DAY. I HAD NOTICED MY CAR RUNNING AT A SUBSTANTI…
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I BOUGHT MY CAR AT THE END OF NOVEMBER. DROVE IT OFF THE LOT WITH 9 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. AT THE TIME OF BREAKDOWN ON JULY 25, 2003, THE CAR HAD 10,900 MILES ON IT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE ON IT NOW IS 13,000 JULY 25TH WAS A VERY HOT DAY. I BELIEVE IT WAS UP TO 110 DEGREES THAT DAY. I HAD NOTICED MY CAR RUNNING AT A SUBSTANTIAL LOWER POWER THAN USUAL, BUT I ASSUMED IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE HEAT AND THAT I HAD MY AIR CONDITIONING ON HIGH. I HAD TO DO SOME ERRANDS IN TOWN THEN I HEADED HOME, WHICH IS ABOUT 30 MINUTES AWAY FROM THE TRI-CITIES, AT THIS TIME I DID NOTICE LOSS OF POWER GOING UP THE ON-RAMP TO THE INTERSTATE, BUT STILL DID NOT THINK TOO MUCH OF THE FACT. I WAS HALF WAY HOME WHEN I NOTICED THAT MY CAR WAS LOSING EVEN MORE POWER, THE CRUISE QUIT AND MY SPEEDOMETER WENT FROM 75 TO 50 MPH AND THAT IS WHEN I NOTICED THAT MY HEAT GAUGE WAS EXTREMELY HIGH. I ALSO FOUND IT ODD THAT THE INSIDE OF MY CAR HAD NOT COOLED OFF, BUT WAS GETTING WARMER. I HEADED TOWARDS THE OFF-RAMP AND AS I WAS DOWN SHIFTING AND APPLYING THE BREAKS, MY BRAKE PEDAL MADE ;PUFFY-POPPING NOISE AND THEN THE BRAKE PEDAL COLLAPSED TO THE FLOOR. I PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND PUMPED THE BRAKES TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP, WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED, I SMELLED HEAT, OR LIKE SOMETHING BURNING. I THOUGHT IT WAS A FIRE AROUND TOWN. PULLING AWAY FROM THE OFF-RAMP, I COULD NOT GET ANY PICKUP SPEED WITH MY CAR. THE CAR FELT LIKE IT WAS PUSHING TO GO FORWARD AND ALSO PULLING ITSELF BACK AT THE SAME TIME, AS THE VEHICLE TRIED TO PICK UP SPEED, IT WOULD PULL BACK AND FORTH. THE GAS PEDAL WAS ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND I COULDN'T GET ANY SPEED. I COULD ONLY SHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR AND THE VEHICLE COULD ONLY MAINTAIN 15 MPH. AS ALL OF THIS WAS HAPPENING, I WAS TURNING OFF EVERYTHING I THOUGHT TOOK POWER, AIR CONDITIONER WAS THE FIRST THING OFF WHEN I STARTED NOTICING THE CAR OVERHEATING AND LOSING POWER, THEN THE RADIO, THESE DID NOT HELP.
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED HESITATION, KEYLESS KEY BATTERY DOES NOT WORK, EPC LIGHT ILLUMINATED DUE TO LOST OF POWER, JACK FELL WHILE CAR WAS ON IT, AND PROBLEMS SHIFTING THE CAR OUT OF PARK.*MR WHEN THE EPC LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOR THE SECOND TIME, THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TWO FLAT DUE TO …
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VEHICLE EXPERIENCED HESITATION, KEYLESS KEY BATTERY DOES NOT WORK, EPC LIGHT ILLUMINATED DUE TO LOST OF POWER, JACK FELL WHILE CAR WAS ON IT, AND PROBLEMS SHIFTING THE CAR OUT OF PARK.*MR WHEN THE EPC LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOR THE SECOND TIME, THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TWO FLAT DUE TO THE TIRES BEING OVERINFLATED. *JB
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.