2003 Volkswagen Jetta
Safety ratings
2003 Volkswagen Jetta 4-DR. Wagon w/SAB
- Lane departure warningNo
- Forward collision warningNo
- Electronic stability controlOptional
2003 Volkswagen Jetta 4-DR. w/SAB
- Lane departure warningNo
- Forward collision warningNo
- Electronic stability controlOptional
Crash test videos & photos
No public crash-test footage is available for this vehicle.
Recalls (4)
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDERCampaign 07E023000 · 29/03/2007
CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.
Risk: LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCHCampaign 07V063000 · 20/02/2007
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
Risk: THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: 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.
- AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULECampaign 18V406000 · 13/06/2018
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINECampaign 14E007000 · 07/03/2014
The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.
Risk: A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.
Owner complaints
Most-reported areas
- SEATS102
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM98
- AIR BAGS77
- POWER TRAIN55
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING48
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING27
- VISIBILITY21
- SERVICE BRAKES20
Read individual complaints (50 most recent)
These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.
- 12/31/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
A) 1) DROVE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 2 MILES ON THE MORNING OF 05/21/07 WHEN THE FAILURE HAPPENED. 2) VEHICLE LOST ENGINE POWER AND VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE A LOT. 3) FAILED IGNITION COIL #3 WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. B) 1) DROVE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 1 MILES ON THE MORNING OF 11/07/07 WHEN THE FAILURE HAPPENED. 2) VEHICLE LOST ENGINE POWER AND VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE A LOT. 3) FAILED IGNITION COIL #4 WAS REPLACED. *TR
- 12/30/2004· POWER TRAIN
DRIVING ALONG, CLUTCH STARTED TO SLIP AT ABOUT 25,000 MILES, WHEN TAKEN TO DEALER THEY SAID THE PRESSURE PLATE IS COMPLETELY WORN AND ITS MY FAULT, AFTER MUCH RESEARCH THIS IS QUITE COMMON. I HAVE GOTTEN NOWHERE WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE OR ANY NUMBER OF MANAGERS.*AK
- 12/30/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY BRAND NEW 2003 JETTA GLI FAILED TO START AT A SHOPPING CENTER. THE CAR WAS PARKED THERE FOR ONLY TWO HOURS. SEEMS LIKE THE BATTERY AND IGNITION SWITCH WORKS, BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. CALLED AAA. AFTER 10 MINUTES AND NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS OF CRANKING THE ENGINE, HE WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR. TOOK CAR INTO THE DELEARSHIP. THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AFTER TWO DAYS, BUT PUT 60 MILES ON THE CAR.
- 12/29/2013· VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE
THE CLAMPS ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW OF MY 2003 VW JETTA DETACHED LEAVING THE WINDOW STUCK CLOSED. *TR
- 12/29/2013· POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
ACCORDING TO A VW DEALER, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ON MY 2003 VW JETTA FAILED AT 89,000 MILES. THE VW DEALER STATED THAT IT FAILED BECAUSE THE MIL ILLUMINATED AND THE CAR'S COMPUTER SHOWS CODE P0420. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER COVERED BY ANY WARRANTY. *TR
- 12/29/2013· ENGINE
THE PLASTIC DIPSTICK HANDLE ON MY 2003 VW JETTA CRACKED OFF THE DIPSTICK AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE PART NUMBER IS 06J115611E. *TR
- 12/28/2016· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IAM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND HAVE ALWAYS KEPT MY JETTA IN THE GARAGE. I MOVED 3 AND A HALF YEARS AGO AND MY CAR IS NO LONGER GARAGED. MY HEADLINE IS STARTING TO DETACH FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CAR AND THE LEATHER THROUGHOUT MY CAR IS CRACKING. I NOTICED THERE WAS A CLASSSS ACTION LAWSUIT REGARDING THE SUNROOF DRAIN GETTING CLOGGED CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE CAR. WHO CAN I CONTACT TO SEE IF I QUALIFY FOR THIS ACTION. AT THE TIME OF THE RECALL I DID TAKE MY JETTA TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE, IS THIS BECAUSE MY CAR WAS GARAGED AND NOW ITS OUTSIDE EXPOSED TO THE ELEMETS, WHICH HAS CAUSED THIS DAMAGE? THANK YOU,
- 12/27/2006· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINECrashFire
OUR JETTA WAS REAR-ENDED AT A RED LIGHT AND THE GAS TANK EXPLODED, CAUSING THE CAR TO BECOME A FIREBALL. THE CAR WAS OBVIOUSLY TOTALLED, AND WE LOST ALL OF OUR BELONGINGS INSIDE THE CAR.
- 12/27/2005· SEATS
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
- 12/27/2004· SEATSFire
THIS CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRIC SEAT HEATERS. AFTER DRIVING THIS VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES, THE DRIVER SEAT HEATER BURNT THROUGH THE SEAT, BURNING MY BUTT. THE SEAT QUIT BURNING AFTER TURNING THE HEATER OFF. I HAVE SPOKE TO TWO VW DEALERS AND VW DIRECTLY AND IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT BY ANY MEANS.*AK
- 12/27/2004· SEATSFire
CONSUMER NOTICED THAT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER BECAME EXTREMELY HOT, BURNING THE PLASTIC OF THE SEAT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
- 12/27/2002· STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION - 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLI. VR6 WITH 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. VIN 3 V W V H 6 9 M 1 3 M 0 5 4 8 0 3. DATE OF PURCHASE - 17-OCT-2002. MILEAGE AT TIME OF NHTSA COMPLAINT - 1550. PROBLEM: DOOR "RATTLE" UNDER ANY DRIVING CONDITION. THE "RATTLING" WAS FIRST THOUGHT TO BE THE PANELING. TEFLON TAPE WAS PLACED BETWEEN THE METAL PART AND THE PLASTIC PANELING. THIS PROCEDURE STOPPED THE PANELING FROM MAKING ANY NOISE. BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. THE NOISE "RATTLING" IS COMING FROM THE UPPER FRAME OF THE DOOR. MEANING THE DOOR IS NOT CLOSING OR MEETING THE ROOF/PILLAR SECTION OF THE ROOF. WATER PASSED THROUGH THE DOOR. THE OTHER DAY WE HAD RAIN FOR SEVERAL DAYS, AND WATER WAS COMING IN WHILE THE CAR WAS DRIVEN. THE DEALERSHIP HAS TRIED SEVERAL APPROACHES INCLUDING THE ONE MENTIONED ABOVE. ALSO, VW TECH SUPPORT HAS BEEN CONTATED AND SUGGESTED TO REPLACE THE DOOR STRIKERS. DOOR STRIKERS (ALL 4) HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND NO IMPROVEMENT. DEALERSHIP IS WAITING FOR "VW ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT TO GET BACK FROM THE HOLIDAYS" TO SEE WHAT STEPS TO BE TAKEN. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE DOOR ARE NOT CLOSING PROPERLY. IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT WILL THE DOOR HOLD IN PLACE? WHAT HAPPENS IF I INSTALL A ROOF RACK AND PLACE A LOAD IN THE ROOF? IS THE ROOF GOING TO GIVE IN SINCE IT IS MISSING THE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FROM THE DOORS? MY MAIN CONCERN IS IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT ARE THE DOOR GOING TO HOLD IN PLACE OR ARE THEY GOING TO FLY OF SINCE THE VIBRATION "OPENING AND CLOSING" THE DOORS? TS
- 12/26/2014· SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED, THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED THAT THE NOISE BARRIER WAS RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
- 12/26/2013· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
ONE OF THE TWO LARGE COOLING FANS IN THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE FAILED. THE PART MUST BE REPLACED TO PREVENT ENGINE OVERHEATING. THE PART NUMBER IS 6X0-959-445-F. *TR
- 12/26/2013· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
THE TEMP SENDER ON MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED AT APPROXIMATELY 38,000 MILES IN 2007. *TR
- 12/26/2013· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
THE THERMOSTAT ON MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE FIRST TIME IT FAILED AS AT APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES IN 2009. *TR
- 12/24/2003· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,TIRES,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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
- 12/23/2013· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA EXPERIENCED A FUEL PUMP FAILURE WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. MY VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP IN FRONT OF THE ENTRANCE TO AN ALLEY. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER THE FAILURE. THE FUEL PUMP HAS TO BE REPLACED, BUT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. *TR
- 12/23/2013· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA HAS EXPERIENCED A COIL PACK FAILURE CAUSING A REDUCTION IN POWER, AND THE ENGINE TO MISFIRE. ACCORDING TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER, THE HOUSING OF THE COIL PACK WAS CRACKED WHICH ALLOWED MOISTURE TO AFFECT ITS OPERATION. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL OR REPLACEMENT PROGRAM FOR 4 CYLINDER ENGINES EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. *TR
- 12/23/2013· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE REAR O2 SENSOR ON MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA FAILED CAUSING THE MIL INDICATOR TO ILLUMINATE. THE SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR EMISSIONS. *TR
- 12/23/2013· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,INTERIOR LIGHTING
THE SAFETY LIGHT ON THE INTERIOR OF THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR THAT LIGHTS UP WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED FAILED ON MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A FAILURE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LATCH MECHANISM. THE DOOR LATCH MECHANISM WAS REPLACED, AND WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
- 12/23/2013· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ENGINE
MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA'S COOLANT PUMP FAILED WHILE IN TRAFFIC. THIS CAUSED A REDUCTION IN POWER AND ENGINE OVERHEATING. REPLACEMENT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
- 12/23/2004· SEATSFire
(1) DRIVING ON IH-35, SEAT STARTED BURNING AND SMOKE FILLED THE CAR, SEAT HEATER HAD BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT. *AK
- 12/22/2010· AIR BAGS
DRIVER STARTED FROM A STOPPED POSITION, RAN OVER CURB BETWEEN 5-10 MPH, SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *TR
- 12/22/2004· SEATSFire
THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT WARMER CAUSED THE SEAT TO CATCH ON FIRE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BEING WARMED UP. *JB
- 12/20/2011· SEATS
I CURRENTLY OWN A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. PASSENGER SEAT HEATER GETS EXTREMELY HOT AND VERY CONCERNED DUE TO BURN RISK TO CHILDREN AS WELL AS POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. *TR
- 12/20/2004· SEATSFire
THE HEATER ON DRIVER SEAT OVERHEATED AND BURNED A HOLE THROUGH DRIVER'S SEAT, AND IT ALSO CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH HIS HAND. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. *AK
- 12/20/2004· SEATSFire
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER TURNED ON THE SEAT HEATER AND SEAT BURNED THROUGH COMPLETELY; BURNING CONSUMERS BUTTOCKS AND HAND. CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK
- 12/20/2003· POWER TRAIN
I'M ON 3RD TRANSMISSION ON MY 2003 JETTA TDI WAGON IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR. ORIGINAL PLUS TWO FAILURES REPLACED. *LA
- 12/19/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
EXCESSIVE BUILDUP OF CARBON IN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD LEADING TO THE FAILURE OF THE CAR TO START. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AMONG VW DEALERS WITH TDI DIESELS AND THERE IS NOTHING VW IS DOING ABOUT IT. COST $700 TO REPAIR THIS. *NM
- 12/19/2004· SEATSFire
2003 VW JETTA FRONT PASSENGER HEATING ELEMENT (HEATED SEATS) FAILURE; FIRE BURNED THROUGH SEAT FABRIC. *JB
- 12/17/2018· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED OR WHILE IDLING WHEN THE FUEL GAUGE IS AROUND OR UNDER 1/4 OF A TANK. I HAVE READ UP ON THIS AND PEOPLE ARE DUMPING A LOT OF MONEY ONTO TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE ISSUE IS AND THERE IS NO ANSWER. STALLING ON A HIGHWAY WITHOUT A MEDIAN OR PULL-OFF IS NOT ONLY INCONVENIENT BUT DANGEROUS.
- 12/17/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT DROVE HOME AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE COIL INSIDE THE CYLINDER FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME IN ONE MONTH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,890 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,046. UPDATED 03/14/08. *LJ THE COIL PACK WAS REPLACED
- 12/16/2019· UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I CLOSED MY TRUNK ONE DAY AND NOW IT WILL NOT OPEN WITH FOB OR INSIDE DOOR LATCH OR THE KEY.
- 12/16/2004· SEATSFire
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN SUDDENLY THE PASSENGER FELT HEAT COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE SEAT STARTED TO BURN. CONUMER EXITED THE VEHICLE, AND IT WAS TOWED.*AK
- 12/16/2003· SEATS
2003 VW JETTA 1.8T GLS W/ LEATHER HAS HEATED SEATS. SEATS MALFUNCTIONED AND BURNT A HOLE THROUGH THE LEATHER. IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING I WOULD HAVE BEEN SCORCHED, LUCKILY I WAS STILL IN MY DRIVEWAY. SEE HERE FOR SIMILAR INCIDENTS. *AK HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/ZEROTHREAD?ID=1113071&PAGE=1
- 12/15/2010· SEATSFire
HEATED SEATS MELTED A HOLE IN THE LEATHER AND BURNED MY BUTT. VERY VERY HOT. IT SMELTED LIKE BURNT RUBBER AND SMOKE INSIDE THE CAR. *TR
- 12/15/2005· SEATSFire
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
- 12/15/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION. WHEN THE CAR WAS IDLING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BLINKED. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO FAIRFAX VOLKSWAGEN IN FAIRFAX, VA TO HAVE THE CAR CHECKED OUT. APPARENTLY THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE IGNITION COILS, WHICH HAD BEEN OUT FOR OVER A YEAR. I HAD NO IDEA ABOUT THE RECALL -- EVEN AFTER I TOOK THE JETTA TO STOHLMAN VW FOR SERVICE ON MY AUDIO SPEAKERS IN THE FALL OF 2004. THEY NEVER TOLD ME ABOUT THE RECALL AND IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPAIRED AT THAT TIME. FAIRFAX VW TOLD ME THAT CHECKING FOR RECALLS IS THEIR FIRST PRIORITY, AND THAT IS HOW THE RECALL WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION. I AM VERY DISPLEASED WITH STOHLMAN, AND THE SERVICE, OR LACK THEREOF, I RECEIVED. *AK
- 12/13/2004· SEATSFire
WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH HEATER IN THE DRIVER SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED THROUGH THE DRIVER'S SEAT. CONSUMER EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH HER HAND. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO ORDERED A NEW SEAT.*AK
- 12/12/2004· SEATS
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND HAD JUST CUT ON MY HEATED SEATS IN MY 2003 VOLKSWAGON JETTA AND NOTICED THAT MY SEAT WAS GETTING VERY HOT ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE. I COULD NOT FIGURE IT OUT AND COULD NOT SEE B/C IT WAS DARK. I STARTED FILLING AROUND IN MY SEAT AND FELT A WHOLE AND IT BURNED MY FINGER. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT IT WAS. I STARTED SMELLING SMOKE AND SO I TURNED ON MY LIGHT IN MY CAR AND PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY. MY SEAT STARTED SMOKING OUT OF THE WHOLE. I TRIED TO SEE CLOSER WHAT WAS GOING ON AND NOTICED SPARKS COMING OUT OF THE WHOLE. THE ONLY THING I COULD THINK OF AT THAT MOMENT WAS MY HEATED SEATS. I TURNED THEM OFF AND THE SPARKS WENT AWAY. I NOW HAVE A WHOLE IN MY SEAT THE SIZE OF A NICKEL. IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND I AM TAKING IT IN ON MONDAY, HOWEVER AFTER READING MANY WEBSITES ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM IN 2002/2003 JETTA'S I AM NOT SO SURE THAT VOLKSWAGEN WILL STAND BEHIND THIS PROBLEM AND THAT THEY TRY AND BLAME IT ON THE DRIVER MESSING AROUND WITH THE GRID WHICH IS NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE. I AM WRITING IN ADVANCE AND CALLING AS WELL SO IT IS ON FILE THAT THIS HAPPENED. I FOUND THE COIL IN THE SEAT THAT WAS NOT PROTECTED BY ANYTHING AND LOOKS TO BE WHAT WAS CAUSING THE SPARKS IN MY SEAT. *JB
- 12/11/2006· AIR BAGSCrash
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THROUGH AN INTERSECTION, THE VEHICLE WAS T-BONED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE SIDE AND CURTAIN AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. FIVE PEOPLE SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED.
- 12/11/2006· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS STAYED ILLUMINATED WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL #04V096000, REGARDING EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE YEAR. UPDATED 08/1/07 *TR
- 12/10/2003· POWER TRAIN
WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 JETTA TDI (29,000 MILES), THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP CAUSING WHIPLASH AND ALMOST A CHAIN REACTION ACCIDENT TO THE CARS BEHIND ME. AFTER HAVING THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND IT SEEMS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER PEOPLE. THIS IS A SERIOUS LIFE THREATENING ISSUE IN MY EYES. I AM ONLY SEEM TO BE SORE, THANKFULLY THIS WASN'T MORE SERIOUS. I HAVE ATTACHED MY SEARCH RESULTS BELOW. HTTP://WWW.MYVWLEMON.COM/CGI-BIN/UBBCGI/SEARCH.CGI?ACTION=SIMPLESEARCH&SEARCHIN=ALL&FORUMCHOICE=ALL&SEARCHTERMS=VW+TRANSMISSION&BOOLEANAND=YES&SEARCHDATE=ALL&SEARCHUSER=&EXACTNAME=NO&FILE=TEMP-2452984-214219-93B9.CGI&TOTAL=69&STARTAT=A: *LA
- 12/09/2012· SEATS
AFTER NOTICING FOR WEEKS THAT MY HEATED SEATS WOULD ONLY WORK WHEN TURNED TO 5 (PASSENGER SEAT DOESN'T WORK AT ALL), MY LEG BEGAN BURNING WHILE DRIVING. I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND LOOKED DOWN TO SEE THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN MY SEAT AND THERE WAS SMOKE COMING OUT OF IT. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE SEAT OFF AND HAVEN'T TURNED IT ON SINCE. WHEN I CONTACTED VW, THEY TOLD ME THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE HEATED SEAT RECALL AND THAT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM AS WELL AS FOR THE REPAIRS. *TR
- 12/09/2003· STRUCTURE
CONSUMER STATED DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR PANEL HAD A RELEASE BUTTON THAT RELEASED THE GAS FLAP DOOR. THIS BUTTON KEPT FALLING INSIDE THE DOOR PANEL. CONSUMER BELIEVED THIS WAS VERY UNSAFE, COULD RUN OUT OF GAS. *AK
- 12/08/2006· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NON RESPONSIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE BRAKE SWITCH FAILED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL #04V096000 REGARDING THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS EXHIBITING THE SAME CHARACTERISTICS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
- 12/08/2006· SEATS
DRIVER 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
- 12/08/2003· SEATS
WE OWN A 2002 JETTA TDI WAGON AND THE DRIVER SEAT HEATING DEVICE BURNED A HOLE IN THE SEAT AND STRAIGHT THROUGH MY OVERCOAT. THIS ALL HAPPENED WITHIN 1 MILE OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE. IF I DID NOT HAVE A THICK JACKET ON, I CERTAINLY WOULD HAVE BEEN BURNED AND IF I DID NOT CATCH IT IN TIME, A FIRE COULD HAVE STARTED. *AK
- 12/07/2004· SEATS
A HOLE WAS BURNT INTO MY VELOUR DRIVER SEAT FROM THE SEAT HEATER ON MY 2003 DIESEL JETTA. I CANNOT USE THE SEAT HEATER AS IT CONTINUES TO PRODUCE A BURNING SMELL WHEN THE HEAT IS TURNED ON. *AK