MYRModel Year Report

2003 Volkswagen Jetta

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2003 Volkswagen Jetta
BUILT 2026-08-02

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. 1980: 0 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 0 complaints 1983: 0 complaints 1984: 1 complaints 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 14 complaints 1986 1987: 18 complaints 1988: 19 complaints 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 22 complaints 1991: 31 complaints 1992: 30 complaints 1992 1993: 17 complaints 1994: 117 complaints 1995: 220 complaints 1996: 31 complaints 1997: 54 complaints 1998: 192 complaints 1998 1999: 349 complaints 2000: 439 complaints 2001: 668 complaints 2002: 702 complaints 2003: 455 complaints 2003 2004: 231 complaints 2004 2005: 248 complaints 2006: 580 complaints 2007: 201 complaints 2008: 188 complaints 2009: 888 complaints 2010: 852 complaints 2010 2011: 606 complaints 2012: 499 complaints 2013: 515 complaints 2014: 386 complaints 2015: 193 complaints 2016: 160 complaints 2016 2017: 158 complaints 2018: 30 complaints 2019: 537 complaints 2020: 51 complaints 2021: 65 complaints 2022: 41 complaints 2022 2023: 41 complaints 2024: 36 complaints 2025: 21 complaints 2026: 3 complaints 2026
2003: 455 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19810
19820
19830
19841
198513
198614
198718
198819
198928
199022
199131
199230
199317
1994117
1995220
199631
199754
1998192
1999349
2000439
2001668
2002702
2003455
2004231
2005248
2006580
2007201
2008188
2009888
2010852
2011606
2012499
2013515
2014386
2015193
2016160
2017158
201830
2019537
202051
202165
202241
202341
202436
202521
20263

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SEATS 15%

15% of complaints: seats — 69 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

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 14%

14% of complaints: electrical system — 65 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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

AIR BAGS 10%

10% of complaints: air bags — 45 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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

SEATS 7%

7% of complaints: seats — 34 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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

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

WHEN THE SEAT HEATER IS TURNED ON, THE SEAT CATCHES ON FIRE. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE PICTURE THAT IS SMOKE COMING FROM THE SEAT, THE HOLES WERE CAUSED BY THE SEAT HEATER.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180103

AIR BAGS 5%

5% of complaints: air bags — 22 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

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 (69 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (65 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (45 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:front assembly:seat heater/cooler, accounting for 15% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.