MYRModel Year Report

2003 Volkswagen Jetta

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2003 Volkswagen Jetta
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Volkswagen Jetta Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2003 highlighted. 1984: 1 complaints 1984 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 14 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1988: 19 complaints 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 22 complaints 1990 1991: 32 complaints 1992: 30 complaints 1993: 17 complaints 1994: 120 complaints 1995: 220 complaints 1996: 173 complaints 1996 1997: 141 complaints 1998: 192 complaints 1999: 349 complaints 2000: 439 complaints 2001: 668 complaints 2002: 702 complaints 2002 2003: 455 complaints 2003 2004: 231 complaints 2005: 248 complaints 2006: 580 complaints 2007: 201 complaints 2008: 188 complaints 2008 2009: 888 complaints 2010: 852 complaints 2011: 606 complaints 2012: 499 complaints 2013: 516 complaints 2014: 386 complaints 2014 2015: 194 complaints 2016: 161 complaints 2017: 159 complaints 2018: 31 complaints 2019: 545 complaints 2020: 51 complaints 2020 2021: 66 complaints 2022: 42 complaints 2023: 42 complaints 2024: 40 complaints 2025: 24 complaints 2026: 5 complaints 2026
2003: 455 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19810
19820
19830
19841
198513
198614
198718
198819
198928
199022
199132
199230
199317
1994120
1995220
1996173
1997141
1998192
1999349
2000439
2001668
2002702
2003455
2004231
2005248
2006580
2007201
2008188
2009888
2010852
2011606
2012499
2013516
2014386
2015194
2016161
2017159
201831
2019545
202051
202166
202242
202342
202440
202524
20265

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

SEATS 23%

23% of complaints: seats — 103 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing seat heater/cooler.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

BOTH FRONT SEATS, THE BOTTOM RIGHT SIDE BOLSTER BURNED. THE HEATED FRONT SEATS WILL OVER HEAT, THE FAILURE APPEARS TO BE CONFINED TO THE RIGHT BOLSTER ON THE BOTTOM SECTION OF THE SEAT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130301

Also filed under ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20121209

DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT BECAME EXTREMELY HOT, BURNING THE LEATHER, AND BURNING THROUGH THE CONSUMERS PANTS, SLIGHTLY BURNING CONSUMER'S LEG. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK *PH *NLM

NHTSA ODI report, 20031008

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 21%

21% of complaints: electrical system — 97 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing ignition and interior/under dash.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
AIR BAGS 18%

18% of complaints: air bags — 81 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing side/window and frontal.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AND NONE OF THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. *AK VW SUGGESTED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE AIR BAGS UPON INSPECTION. *SC

NHTSA ODI report, 20030730

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 report, 20030518

POWER TRAIN 12%

12% of complaints: power train — 55 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and clutch assembly.

CRASH INJURY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 10%

10% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 45 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and cooling system.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ADDED WATER TO THE VEHICLE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180604

Also filed under ENGINE

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2003 — complaint volume: 455
I 20031119 — PE (closed 20040330)

DRIVER SEAT OVERHEATS/BURNS

I 20040330 — EA (closed 20041021)

DRIVER SIDE FRONT SEAT OVERHEATS

I 20041216 — PE (closed 20050401)

INADVERTENT SIDE-AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT

I 20050811 — DP (closed 20051208)

ENGINE STALLING

R 20070402 — service brakes, hydraulic

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

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 07E023000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20070427 — exterior lighting

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.

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. VEHICLE

Campaign 07V063000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140501 — engine and engine cooling

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...

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 14E007000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190502 — air bags

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.

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.

Campaign 18V406000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2003 Volkswagen Jetta — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for seats issues (103 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (97 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (81 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 07E023000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07V063000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14E007000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V406000 (air bags) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2018 ▲ 1992 ▲ 1991

WORST YEARS

■ 2009 ■ 2010 ■ 2002

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta?

The most-reported component is seats, accounting for 23% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.