NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
455 reports90,000 miles · Jul 22, 2008
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
MY 2003 VW JETTA HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP MORE IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS THAN IN THE LAST 5 YEARS. THE LATEST TWO PROBLEMS WERE; 1) THE ENGINE COIL (WAS REPLACED ONCE BY RECALL) AND 2) MY FUSE BOX ON TOP OF MY BATTERY MELTED. I HAVE SPENT OVER $1,500 IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS ON THE CAR. WAS TOLD THAT ONLY ONE ENGINE COIL WAS ALLOWED UNDER …
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MY 2003 VW JETTA HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP MORE IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS THAN IN THE LAST 5 YEARS. THE LATEST TWO PROBLEMS WERE; 1) THE ENGINE COIL (WAS REPLACED ONCE BY RECALL) AND 2) MY FUSE BOX ON TOP OF MY BATTERY MELTED. I HAVE SPENT OVER $1,500 IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS ON THE CAR. WAS TOLD THAT ONLY ONE ENGINE COIL WAS ALLOWED UNDER THE RECALL, AND WAS TOLD THE FUSE BOX MELTING WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE EVEN THOUGH THEY DID NOT EVER FIND THE "REAL" REASON FOR IT TO MELT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10235347
63,000 miles · Jul 15, 2008
Electrical System
WITHIN 6 MONTHS (4) OF THE (6) IGNITION COILS HAVE FAILED. I HAVE IT IN NOW FOR THE THIRD AND FOURTH ONES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10234444
62,000 miles · Jul 10, 2008
Electrical System
DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. HAS MADE TWO STOPS. ON THE WAY TO MY HOME MY ABS AND AIRBAG LIGHTS CAME ON, RADIO FROZE, THEN CAR SHUT OFF. WAS ADVISED FUSE PANEL ON THE TOP OF THE BATTERY HAD MELTED. MECHANIC FOUND NO REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. NO OTHER ISSUES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10233731
76,962 miles · Jun 27, 2008
Air Bags
THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING A 2003 JETTA GLS TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 35MPH WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS "CURTAINS AND SEAT AIRBAGS" SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. AFTER CONDUCTING EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ON 2002-2004 JETTAS, THIS SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR ISSUE …
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THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING A 2003 JETTA GLS TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 35MPH WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS "CURTAINS AND SEAT AIRBAGS" SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. AFTER CONDUCTING EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ON 2002-2004 JETTAS, THIS SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR ISSUE THAT IS NOT BEING RECOGNIZED BY VW OF AMERICA.
NHTSA ODI #10232464
56,000 miles · Jun 24, 2008
Equipment
I HAVE A 2003 VW JETTA GLI VR-6. THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING AFTER IT WAS NICE AND COLD FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES. HOT AIR WAS BLOWING OUT OF THE VENTS. ENGINE (COOLANT) LIGHT CAME ON AFTER ABOUT A 10 MINUTE DRIVE. THE ENGINE (COOLANT) GAUGE WAS ALMOST IN THE RED 260 DEGREES. I SWITCHED OFF THE AIR, AND THE GAUGE WENT DOW…
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I HAVE A 2003 VW JETTA GLI VR-6. THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING AFTER IT WAS NICE AND COLD FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES. HOT AIR WAS BLOWING OUT OF THE VENTS. ENGINE (COOLANT) LIGHT CAME ON AFTER ABOUT A 10 MINUTE DRIVE. THE ENGINE (COOLANT) GAUGE WAS ALMOST IN THE RED 260 DEGREES. I SWITCHED OFF THE AIR, AND THE GAUGE WENT DOWN A LITTLE, BUT DIDN'T REALLY COOL OFF. THE GUY AT THE DEALERSHIP EXPLAINED IF THE ENGINE STARTS OVERHEATING, THE FAIL SAFE FOR THE CAR IS TO AUTOMATICALLY TURN THE A/C OFF IN ORDER TO SAVE ITSELF FROM OVERHEATING TO THE POINT WHERE DAMAGE WOULD OCCUR. AFTER ALL DAY DIAGNOSTICS, THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THE FUSE BOX IS MELTED DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THIS, CONVENIENTLY, IS NOT COVERED BY MY GOLD PLUS EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I SPENT LOTS OF MONEY ON. REPAIRS SO FAR WILL COST ~$800. THEY HAVE TO FIX THAT BEFORE THEY CAN TEST TO SEE IF THE ALTERNATOR IS DAMAGED. BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND THE WARRANTY REP SAY THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH VOLKSWAGEN CARS. IF IT IS COMMON IT SHOULD BE RECALLED!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10232221
47,423 miles · Jun 16, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
ON MARCH 1, 2004, I PURCHASED AND FINANCED A 2003 JETTA TDI FROM THE VW DEALERSHIP IN CHICO, CA. I BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH MY NEW VEHICLE IN LATE NOVEMBER 2005, WITH MILEAGE AT 47399. I SUFFERED INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER WHEN ACCELERATING ONTO THE FREEWAY AND IN TRAVELING UP HILLS. DURING THE LOSS OF POWER, I ALSO …
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ON MARCH 1, 2004, I PURCHASED AND FINANCED A 2003 JETTA TDI FROM THE VW DEALERSHIP IN CHICO, CA. I BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH MY NEW VEHICLE IN LATE NOVEMBER 2005, WITH MILEAGE AT 47399. I SUFFERED INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER WHEN ACCELERATING ONTO THE FREEWAY AND IN TRAVELING UP HILLS. DURING THE LOSS OF POWER, I ALSO NOTICED THAT I COULD NOT HEAR THE WHINE OF THE TURBO AND ASSUMED THAT THE PROBLEM MUST BE RELATED TO MY TURBO. THE CHICO DEALER TEST DROVE THE CAR FOR APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES WITH A SCAN TOOL BUT WAS UNABLE TO VERIFY MY COMPLAINT. UNFORTUNATELY, THE PROBLEM WITH THE TURBO PERSISTED. I BROUGHT MY CAR BACK TO THE CHICO DEALERSHIP ON JANUARY 7, 2006, WITH MILEAGE AT 50856. ONCE AGAIN, THE CHICO DEALER WAS UNABLE TO VERIFY MY COMPLAINT BECAUSE THEIR SCAN TOOL DID NOT PULL A CODE. THE CHICO DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR IN AN ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE MY COMPLAINT REGARDING THE LOSS OF POWER. THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS REPLACED BY THE CHICO DEALER ON JANUARY 7, 2006. FEELING DEFEATED AND FRUSTRATED, I SUFFERED THROUGH THE TURBO PROBLEM FOR ANOTHER YEAR. DURING THIS TIME, I WAS FORCED TO TAKE EXTRA SPECIAL PRECAUTION WHEN ENTERING THE FREEWAY IN CASE MY TURBO FAILED TO RESPOND UPON ACCELERATION. IN ADDITION, WHEN I EXPERIENCED A LOSS POWER TRAVELING UP-HILL, I WAS FORCED TO UTILIZE MY HAZARD SIGNAL AND MOVE TO EITHER THE SLOW LANE OR THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD TO ALLOW OTHER VEHICLES TO PASS ME. WHEN MY TURBO FAILED TO RESPOND PROPERLY, MY VEHICLE WOULD ONLY TRAVEL AT A MAXIMUM OF 45-55 MPH WHEN ACCELERATING ONTO THE FREEWAY AND 35-45 MPH WHEN TRAVELING UP-HILL. NEEDLESS TO SAY, EVEN LARGE SEMI-TRUCKS PASSED ME TRAVELING UP-HILL. THE PROBLEM WITH MY TURBO JEOPARDIZED MY SAFETY AND THAT OF MY PASSENGERS' AS WELL AS THOSE TRAVELING AROUND US. THIS HAS GONE ON TOO LONG WITHOUT THE PROPER ATTENTION TO MY CONCERNS AND I FEEL UNSAFE WHILE TRAVELING IN MY VW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10231190
Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2008
Electrical System
THERE ARE MANY PROBLEMS WHICH SEEM TO BE A CAUSE OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE CAR WILL SIMPLY DIE WHEN YOU STOP AT A RED LIGHT, STOP SIGN, ETC. IT WILL TRY TO DIE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE DIGITAL DISPLAY CONSTANTLY RESETS ITSELF, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU TURN THE CAR OFF, BUT ALSO WHILE DRIVING. THE RADIO DOES THIS TOO. THE …
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THERE ARE MANY PROBLEMS WHICH SEEM TO BE A CAUSE OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE CAR WILL SIMPLY DIE WHEN YOU STOP AT A RED LIGHT, STOP SIGN, ETC. IT WILL TRY TO DIE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE DIGITAL DISPLAY CONSTANTLY RESETS ITSELF, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU TURN THE CAR OFF, BUT ALSO WHILE DRIVING. THE RADIO DOES THIS TOO. THE BACK BRAKE LIGHT ALSO HAS SOME TYPE OF SHORT IN IT. IT GOES OUT AND COMES BACK ON. WE HAVE REPLACED IT TWICE IN AS MANY MONTHS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10229845
61,000 miles · May 30, 2008
Power Train
AT APPROXIMATELY 61,000 MILES ON MY 2003 VW JETTA GLX (V6), I BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS THAT SEEMED TO BE TRANSMISSION RELATED. THIS INITIALLY OCCURRED IN JUNE OF 2007. ALL EXCEPT ONE OF THE ISSUES WERE RESOLVED BY THE WRAY VW IN COLUMBIA SC. THE ONGOING AND CURRENT PROBLEM I HAVE IS THE CAR CHANGES GEARS HARD BETWEEN 2ND …
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AT APPROXIMATELY 61,000 MILES ON MY 2003 VW JETTA GLX (V6), I BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS THAT SEEMED TO BE TRANSMISSION RELATED. THIS INITIALLY OCCURRED IN JUNE OF 2007. ALL EXCEPT ONE OF THE ISSUES WERE RESOLVED BY THE WRAY VW IN COLUMBIA SC. THE ONGOING AND CURRENT PROBLEM I HAVE IS THE CAR CHANGES GEARS HARD BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD. THE HARD GEAR SHIFTS HAPPENS 95% OF THE TIME THE CAR CHANGES BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO DUE TO THE FACT THE 2 VW DEALERSHIPS DEEMED THE TRANSMISSION TO BE THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, CHANGING THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. MY PROBLEM IS STILL ONGOING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10229374
76,000 miles · May 29, 2008
Visibility
THERE IS SIGNIFICANT DISTORTION THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10229261
78,126 miles · May 22, 2008
Power Train
I HAVE A 2003 VW JETTA TDI. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD IT SERVICED ON TIME AND HAVE KEPT IT WELL MAINTAINED, I HAVE 78,000 MILES ON IT. THE SPEED SENSOR IN THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AND VOLKSWAGEN REFUSES TO FIX IT. I WORRY BECAUSE THE DOORS NOT LOCK CORRECTLY BECAUSE OF THIS AND I AM NOT AWARE AT THE SPEED I TRAVEL BECAUSE THE GAUGES…
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I HAVE A 2003 VW JETTA TDI. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD IT SERVICED ON TIME AND HAVE KEPT IT WELL MAINTAINED, I HAVE 78,000 MILES ON IT. THE SPEED SENSOR IN THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AND VOLKSWAGEN REFUSES TO FIX IT. I WORRY BECAUSE THE DOORS NOT LOCK CORRECTLY BECAUSE OF THIS AND I AM NOT AWARE AT THE SPEED I TRAVEL BECAUSE THE GAUGES HAVE FAILED. MY BIGGEST WORRY IS THAT IF I WERE TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT THE AIRBAGS WOULD NOT WORK BECAUSE THE CAR DOES NOT KNOW HOW FAST IT IS GOING. IF THIS WERE A NORMAL ITEM LIKE BREAKS, TIRES OR SOMETHING THAT HAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR I WOULD UNDERSTAND BUT ITS NOT. IT IS A MECHANICAL PROBLEM WHAT I VITAL FUNCTION OF THE CAR. I REALLY FEEL THAT VW SHOULD COVER THE COST OR AT LEAST SPLIT IT WITH ME. WHAT DO I NEED TO DO? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10228645
Official recalls
2Jun 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.
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.
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