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
What owners actually said
455 reports
46,000 miles · Apr 5, 2005
SeatsFireInjury
THIS MORNING, 4/5/05, I TURNED ON MY HEATED LEATHER SEATS IN MY 2003 JETTA GLS AND IN A MATTER OF ABOUT A MINUTE, I FELT SOMETHING EXTREMELY HOT ON MY LEG. I IMMEDIATELY LIFTED MYSELF UP FROM THE SEAT BUT IT WAS TOO LATE. I LOOKED DOWN AND THERE WAS A HOLE BURNT INTO MY LEATHER SEAT, SMOKE COMING FROM THE SEAT AND A BURN IN M…
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THIS MORNING, 4/5/05, I TURNED ON MY HEATED LEATHER SEATS IN MY 2003 JETTA GLS AND IN A MATTER OF ABOUT A MINUTE, I FELT SOMETHING EXTREMELY HOT ON MY LEG. I IMMEDIATELY LIFTED MYSELF UP FROM THE SEAT BUT IT WAS TOO LATE. I LOOKED DOWN AND THERE WAS A HOLE BURNT INTO MY LEATHER SEAT, SMOKE COMING FROM THE SEAT AND A BURN IN MY PANTS...NOT TO MENTION MY SKIN. WHAT I FIND DISTURBING IS NOT THAT IT HAPPENED BUT THE FACT THAT I TOOK MY CAR IN LAST THURSDAY AND WAS NOT TOLD ABOUT THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH A RECALL HAD ALREADY BEEN ISSUED. IF VW HAD BEEN PROACTIVE, I WOULD NOT HAVE HAD THIS INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10116389
46,000 miles · Mar 28, 2005
SeatsFire
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HAD THE HEATER SEAT ON AND IT BURNED THROUGH CONSUMER'S COAT AND BURNED HER PANTS. CONSUMER DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURY. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND THE PART FOR REPAIR WAS ON ORDER.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10116964
Mileage unknown · Mar 24, 2005
Seats
2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLS VELOUR HEATED SEAT MALFUNCTION. BURNED A HOLE IN CAR SEAT, THROUGH MY COAT AND SCORCHED MY PANTS. ALSO BURNED FINGER. VOLKSWAGEN IS FIXING THE PROBLEM AND HAS OFFERED TO REIMBURSE FOR COAT AND PANTS. ALL IS DONE AT NO CHARGE.
NHTSA ODI #10114652
Mileage unknown · Mar 24, 2005
SeatsFireInjury
NOTICED THE SEAT WSA HOTTER THAN NORMAL A FEW DAYS BEFORE INCIDENT. I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND I SMELLED BURNING, THEN NOTICED MY LEG WAS HURTING, THEN NOTICED SMOKE. I PULLED OVER AND JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR. I PATTED OUT THE FIRE/SMOKE WITH MY HAND. THERE WAS A BURNED HOLE THROUGH THE LEATHER IN THE SIDE OF MY SEAT. THERE WAS A…
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NOTICED THE SEAT WSA HOTTER THAN NORMAL A FEW DAYS BEFORE INCIDENT. I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND I SMELLED BURNING, THEN NOTICED MY LEG WAS HURTING, THEN NOTICED SMOKE. I PULLED OVER AND JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR. I PATTED OUT THE FIRE/SMOKE WITH MY HAND. THERE WAS A BURNED HOLE THROUGH THE LEATHER IN THE SIDE OF MY SEAT. THERE WAS ALSO A SMALL BURN IN MY PANTS AND ON MY UPPER LEG. I IMMEDIATLY CALLED THE DEALER. THEY COULD TAKE MY CAR THAT DAY, THEY KEPT IT FOR A DAY AND A HALF AND REPLACED THE HEATER AND COVER. I WAS NOT PLEASED WITH THE LOOK OF THE SEAT, IT IS NOT TIGHT AND DOES NOT LOOK LIKE THE PASSENGER SIDE. I TOOK THE CAR BACK AND THEY SAID I NEEDED TO WAIT FOR THE LEATHER TO GET TIGHTER. IT HAS BEEN TWO MONTHS AND IT IS NOT ANY TIGHTER. I AM HAPPY THEY FIXED THE SEAT BUT I WOULD LIKE IT TO LOOK LIKE IT USED TO.
NHTSA ODI #10114647
Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 2005
SeatsFireInjury
WHILE DRIVING THE SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER SMELLED A BURNT ODOR. THE SEAT BECAME VERY HOT; BURNING COMPLETELY THROUGH THE LEATHER. ALSO, BURNING THROUGH CONSUMER'S JEANS. THE SEAT BURNED CONSUMER'S LEGS AND HER BACKSIDE. IT WASN'T UNTIL SHE GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE SHE COULD SEE THE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE SEAT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10115596
Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 2005
SeatsFire
2003 VW JETTA WAGON HEATED SEATS MALFUNCTION. DRIVER RECEIVED A STRONG SHOCK FROM THE SEAT FOLLOWED BY A STRONG BURNING ODOR.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10113926
24,000 miles · Mar 8, 2005
Tires
MY TIRE WENT FLAT WHILE DRIVING, WHEN I REALIZED WHAT HAD HAD HAPPENED AND FOUND A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER ABOUT A QUARTER MILE LATER, BY THAT TIME THE TIRE HAD SPLIT COMPLETELY AROUND THE ENTIRE TIRE ON THE OUTSIDE AND THE INSIDE. THANK GOODNESS THIS HAPPENED JUST AS I WAS MERGING ON TO THE INTERSTATE, AND I WASN'T GOING VERY F…
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MY TIRE WENT FLAT WHILE DRIVING, WHEN I REALIZED WHAT HAD HAD HAPPENED AND FOUND A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER ABOUT A QUARTER MILE LATER, BY THAT TIME THE TIRE HAD SPLIT COMPLETELY AROUND THE ENTIRE TIRE ON THE OUTSIDE AND THE INSIDE. THANK GOODNESS THIS HAPPENED JUST AS I WAS MERGING ON TO THE INTERSTATE, AND I WASN'T GOING VERY FAST AT THE TIME. I WAS TOLD LATER BY THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER THAT THESE LOW PROFILE TIRES SPLIT LIKE THAT FREQUENTLY BY JUST DRIVING A SHORT WHILE ON IT AFTER IT BLOWS. I AM VERY FEARFUL OF THESE TIRES NOW.(GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A 225/45R17. I WAS TOLD MY THE MANUFACTURER OF MY CAR VW THAT THEY DIDN'T WARRANTY TIRES ON THERE CARS. THE LOCAL GOODYEAR DEALER TOLD ME THAT THIS TIRES DIDN'T HAVE A MILEAGE GUARNTEE, THAT THE TIRES SHOULD GO 50,000 MILES. MY CAR ONLY HAD 24,000 MILES ON IT. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN VW AND GOODYEAR AND THESE TIRES. SO MUCH FOR SO CALLED PERFORMANCE TIRES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10112743
18,000 miles · Mar 4, 2005
SeatsInjury
SEAT HEATER IN 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SHORTED OUT CAUSING SMALL HOLE TO BURN IN LEATHER SEAT AND INFLICTING MINOR PINPOINTED BURN TO DRIVER WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. SEAT HEAT TURNED OFF RETURNED VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIR. TO DATE THE PARTS FOR REPAIR ARE NOT AVAILABLE. CONDITION IS STILL ACTIVE IF SWITCH IS TURNED ON.*A…
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SEAT HEATER IN 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SHORTED OUT CAUSING SMALL HOLE TO BURN IN LEATHER SEAT AND INFLICTING MINOR PINPOINTED BURN TO DRIVER WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. SEAT HEAT TURNED OFF RETURNED VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIR. TO DATE THE PARTS FOR REPAIR ARE NOT AVAILABLE. CONDITION IS STILL ACTIVE IF SWITCH IS TURNED ON.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10112500
58,000 miles · Feb 28, 2005
SeatsInjury
FAILURE IN THE DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT ELEMENT RESULTED IN A SMOKING HOLE BURNT THROUGH THE SEAT LEATHER. THE INCIDENT RESULTED IN A SMALL BURN TO THE PASSENGER.
NHTSA ODI #10112324
34,000 miles · Feb 16, 2005
SeatsFire
WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER'S SEAT CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR. *JB *NM
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
4
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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