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
10,000 miles · Jun 30, 2003
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control
JUNE 24TH, WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY FOUR MONTH OLD 2003 JETTA TDI ON THE THE HIGHWAY AT A 70MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO ENGAGE. AFTER THE CAR HAD STOPPED AND BEGAN MOVING AGAIN THE CRUISE FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. TWO DAYS LATER ON JUNE 26, 2003, WHILE IN LUNCH HOUR TRAFFIC-WITH A CO-WORKER IN THE CAR THE BRAKES AUTOMATICALLY…
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JUNE 24TH, WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY FOUR MONTH OLD 2003 JETTA TDI ON THE THE HIGHWAY AT A 70MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO ENGAGE. AFTER THE CAR HAD STOPPED AND BEGAN MOVING AGAIN THE CRUISE FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. TWO DAYS LATER ON JUNE 26, 2003, WHILE IN LUNCH HOUR TRAFFIC-WITH A CO-WORKER IN THE CAR THE BRAKES AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGED BY THEMSELVES AT 40 MPH. WE STOPPED ON A DIME AND WERE ALMOST REAR ENDED. THIS OCCURED OVER 10 TIMES BEFORE WE GOT BACK TO THE OFFICE (WE WERE LESS THAN TWO MILES AWAY). DEALERSHIP IS REPLACING BRAKE BOOSTER AND MASTER CYLINDER AND I HAVE REQUESTED FULL WARRENTY ON NEW BRAKE SYSTEM FROM VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS FLAW THAT COULD HAVE EAISLY CAUSED BODILY INJURY. I HAVE YET TO LEARN IF THERE IS A TRACK RECORD OF THE BRAKES FAILING ON THE 2003 DESIGNS BUT WANTED TO BEGIN A DOCUMENTATION RECORD. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10025161
3,459 miles · May 18, 2003
Air BagsInjury
MY SON WAS DRIVING HIS 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA WHEN THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR UNEXPLAINED REASONS. THE LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN DEALER READ THE SENSORS IN THE CAR AND IT REGISTERED CRASH DATA. THERE WAS NO IMPACT WHEN THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10018891
10,198 miles · May 15, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
10,000 MILES, MIL (MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP) CAME ON SOLID. AFTER I WAS TOLD THAT IF THE LIGHT WAS SOLID, THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. TOOK CAR HOME AND DROVE TO DEALERSHIP NEXT DAY. AFTER PRINCETON VOLKSWAGEN LOOKED AT THE CAR, TURNED OUT TO BE THAT MY 2003 JETTA GLS 1.8T THAT WAS LESS THAN 3 MONTHS OLD HAD A FUEL LEAK! I W…
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10,000 MILES, MIL (MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP) CAME ON SOLID. AFTER I WAS TOLD THAT IF THE LIGHT WAS SOLID, THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. TOOK CAR HOME AND DROVE TO DEALERSHIP NEXT DAY. AFTER PRINCETON VOLKSWAGEN LOOKED AT THE CAR, TURNED OUT TO BE THAT MY 2003 JETTA GLS 1.8T THAT WAS LESS THAN 3 MONTHS OLD HAD A FUEL LEAK! I WAS TOLD THAT THE FUEL SENDER CLAMP WAS LOOSE AND HOSE WAS SMOKING. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10018754
Mileage unknown · May 8, 2003
Air Bags
WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY IMPACT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10019523
Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 2003
Air Bags
AS MY FAMILY AN I WERE DRIVING DOWN TEH FREEWAY, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS INCLUDING THE INE IN THE SEAT DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WE DID NOT EVEN HIT A BUMP, THE BAGS JUST DEPLOYED. WE JUST WANTED TO REPORT THIS TO HELP TRACK A PROBLEM, IF THERE IS ONE WITH THIS TYPE OF CAR.
NHTSA ODI #10010975
1,500 miles · Mar 7, 2003
Air Bags
I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT AND MY DRIVER SIDE TIRE HIT THE CURB. THERE WAS A SCRATCH ON MY MUFFLER. MY SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG AND THE AIR BAG IN MY SEAT DEPLOYED. I WAS TOLD MY FIRST TIME OF CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER (BEFORE I MADE A CLAIM) THAT THE SENSORS WERE IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND THE AIR BAGS SHOULD NOT HAVE …
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I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT AND MY DRIVER SIDE TIRE HIT THE CURB. THERE WAS A SCRATCH ON MY MUFFLER. MY SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG AND THE AIR BAG IN MY SEAT DEPLOYED. I WAS TOLD MY FIRST TIME OF CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER (BEFORE I MADE A CLAIM) THAT THE SENSORS WERE IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND THE AIR BAGS SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED. AFTER I FILED A CLAIM ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY LOST ALL TIES WITH ME EVER TALKING WITH THAT SPECIALIST BUT ALL MY OTHER CONVERSATIONS WITH THE MANUFACTURER WERE RECORDED. AFTER ARGUING WITH THEM FOR MONTHS I DECIDED TO GO AHEAD AND FILE A CLAIM THROUGH MY INSURANCE COMPANY. DOING THAT I HAD TO WAIT 3 WEEKS BEFORE MY AIR BAGS WOULD COME IN BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY IN THE WHOLE COUNTRY. A GENTLEMAN AT MY OFFICE HIS SON ALSO WAS DRIVING DOWN THE RODE WENT OVER A STEEL PLATE AND THE SAME AIR BAGS WENT OFF. THEY AGAIN TOLD HIM 3-4 WEEKS FOR THE AIR BAG. THE AIR BAGS WENT OFF DUE TO A SCRATCH UNDER THE DOOR.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10010116
6,942 miles · Feb 2, 2003
Electrical System
IGNITION COIL FAILURE ON THE 1.8 LITER TURBO ENGINE FOR THE VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10005120
Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 2003
Electrical System
MY COIL PACKS SEEM TO BE FAILING, BUT CANNOT BE REPRODUCED BY THE DEALER. MY 2003 JETTA 1.8T RUNS VERY ROUGH IN THE MORNING AND THEN RUNS FINE. I AM SCARED THAT THE COIL PACKS WILL FAIL IN A CRITICAL DRIVING SITUATION.
NHTSA ODI #10004902
5,200 miles · Jan 27, 2003
Electrical System
IGNITION COIL ON A BRAND NEW VW WILL GO BAD. I OWN A 2003 VW JETTA 1.8T. IGNITION COIL #3 WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. CAR JUST LOST POWER AND STARTED TO RUN VERY ROUGH. BROUGHT IT IN TO DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR AND WAS INFORM THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND PARTS ARE BACK ORDERED. SHOULDN'T THERE BE A NOTI…
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IGNITION COIL ON A BRAND NEW VW WILL GO BAD. I OWN A 2003 VW JETTA 1.8T. IGNITION COIL #3 WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. CAR JUST LOST POWER AND STARTED TO RUN VERY ROUGH. BROUGHT IT IN TO DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR AND WAS INFORM THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND PARTS ARE BACK ORDERED. SHOULDN'T THERE BE A NOTICE SENT OUT TO OWNERS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND IT'S POTENTIAL RISK?
NHTSA ODI #10003465
Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 2003
Visibility
WHILE DRIVING UNDER RAINY CONDITIONS, CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE WIPERS MAY STOP FOR 15 SECONDS THEN THEY'LL START BACK UP AGAIN. ALSO THEY STOP ANY WHERE ON THE WINDOW, AND ITS DISTRACTING TO DRIVER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
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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