There are 4 owner-reported electrical system complaints for the 2003 Volkswagen Golfin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER, WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND HEADLIGHTS BECAME INOPERABLE, AS WELL AS THE TURN SIGNALS. THE CONTACT PERFORMED REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE HIMSELF AND REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT DETECTED THE IGNITION CONNECTOR HOUSING HAD OVERHEATED WHICH CAUSED THE PLASTIC TO MELT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000. UPDATED 09/27/11*LJ UPDATED 2/23/12 *CN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED. THE GLOW PLUG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE WIRING CIRCUIT IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE TECHNICIAN ORDERED THE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 118,000. UPDATED 1/6/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WERE WIRING BUNDLES THAT PASS FROM THE BODY INTO THE REAR HATCH FOR THE CENTER BRAKE LIGHT, WINDSHIELD WIPER AND ELECTRICAL LOCKS. THE WIRES BEND WHENEVER THE HATCH IS OPENED OR CLOSED. THE OPENING AND CLOSING OF THE HATCH, CAUSED THE WIRING TO CRACK AND EVENTUALLY LED TO A SHORT OF A FUSE. UPDATED 01/14/09.*JB
VEHICLES CAR ALARM CONTINUES TO GO OFF ONCE THE ALARM HAS BEEN SET. TRIED TO DEACTIVATE THE HORN, ALARM SYSTEM, AND LEAVE THE VEHICLE UNLOCKED, BUT IT CONTINUES TO GO OFF FOR NO REASON. *JB
COILPACK FAILURES ARE A SAFETY ISSUE. IS VOLKSWAGON WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO DIE UNTIL THEY RECALL THIS? WHILE YOUR AT IT, FIX MY WINDOWS THAT ARE GOING TO BREAK SOON TOO.
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026