2003 Volkswagen Jetta Complaint Log

SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF LOW SULFUR DIESEL MY INJECTION PUMP HAS DEVELOPED A LEAK ! POSSIBLE FIRE DANGER. *TR

MY TRANSMISSION TAKES ALONG TIME TO SHIFT TO 2ND GEAR,WONT P/U SPEED ,IF YOU TURN OFF CAR FOR A FEW MINS SOMETIMES IT WORKS BETTER. SORRY ITS A 2003 JETTA. *TR

AS WE WERE DRIVING HOME, ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH STARTED BLINKING. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION. THE CAR ENGINE CONTINUED RUNNING, BUT IT JUST STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND COULD NOT ACCELERATE TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC. SO WE COASTED THE CAR FOR ABOUT 1.5 MILES TO A FAMILY MEMBERS HOUSE. WHEN WE ARRIVED, WE TURNED OFF THE CAR AND TRIED TO RESTART IT, IT WOULD NOT START. AFTER OPENING THE HOOD WE NOTICED THAT THE FUSE BOX/HARNESS THAT SITS ON THE BATTERY WAS VERY HOT. WE OPENED IT AND SAW THE FAR LEFT BLACK WIRE/CABLE WAS BURNT UP AND MELTING THE PLASTIC IN THE HARNESS. THE BLACK WIRE WAS EXTREMELY HOT. I HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE, IT WAS 3 YEARS AGO, BUT I DID NOT KNOW WHERE TO LOOK. I SPENT OVER $500 FIXING WHAT SEEMS TO ME THE SAME PROBLEM AS BEFORE. ON THE DEALERSHIP RECEIPT IT SAID "FOUND GENERATOR HARNESS AT BATTERY FUSE BOX MELTED CAUSING HIGH RESISTANCE IN VOLTAGE CIRCUIT.....REPLACED FUSE BOX AND GENERATOR CABLE". ON THAT OCCURRENCE IT WAS SO BAD THE BURNS HAD RUINED MY BATTERY CAUSING IT TO LEAK. I CALLED VW MANUFACTURING, BUT THEY WERE NOT VERY HELPFUL AND JUST TOLD ME TO CALL MY LOCAL DEALER FOR ASSISTANCE. THEY SAID IT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, EVEN IF THERE WAS A FIRE HAZARD. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY BEING LOOKED, LOOKING FOR AN UNDERLYING CAUSE FOR THIS...IF IT IS THE CABLE OR SOMETHING ELSE IN THE ENGINE. THE CONNECTION WAS RESET BUT THE WIRE/CABLE CONTINUED TO GET EXCESSIVELY HOT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AFTER BEING PREVIOUSLY REPLACED UNDER THE WARRANTY TWO YEARS PRIOR. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO PASS EMISSIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THE DEALER COULD MAKE REPAIRS BUT AT HIS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED A SECOND TIME. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

STARTED CAR AND TURNED ON HEADLIGHTS. STARTED DRIVING HOME AND THE DASHBOARD DIMMER SWITCH CAUGHT FIRE. FIRE WENT OUT BUT ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS WERE OUT. *TR

Since New we noticed transmission malfunctioning, transmission would jerk on the upshifts and downshifting also, then it would take longer than normal to go into gears Im the original owner, I parked it for 11 years waiting for a recall letter, I heard the beatle had gotten a recall on this failure,, the Jetta had the same motor and transmission the triptronic, I should get one also it only has 89164 miles, I’m waiting for a letter please respond thank you.

2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE CLOCKS SPEEDS MUCH SLOWER THAN THE CAR IS ACTUALLY GOING DURING SUSTAINED HIGHWAY DRIVING CONDITIONS. *TGW THE DEALERSHIP FOUND A BROKEN PLASTIC GEAR AND BEARING WHICH WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. *JB

2003 VW JETTA: SPONTANEOUS/UNINTENDED PASSENGER SIDE, SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. WHILE DRIVING SUBJECT CAR ON MAY 5, 2010, PASSENGER SIDE, SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO COLLISION, IMPACT WITH ROAD DEBRIS OR ROUGH PAVEMENT INVOLVED. REPORTED TO DEALERSHIP. SEEKING REPAIR OF SAME. *TR

HEADED WEST ON I70 IN EAGLE COUNTY AND HIT AN ICE BRIDGE AND WENT HEAD ON TO A CONCRETE BARRIER. 03 TDI JETTA WAS TOTALED. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT ALL. *TR

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING MY CAR OVER RAILROAD TRACKS WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND THE CAR SHUT OFF. FORTUNATELY MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING SLOW AND NO ONE WAS INJURED. MY VW DEALERSHIP INSTRUCTED ME TO CONTACT MY INSURANCE AGENT. THEY CONDUCTED AN INVESTIGATION AND FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF COLLISION AND REFUSED TO COVER DAMAGES. THEN I BROUGHT THE CAR TO VW AND THEY DISCOVERED SOME UNDERCARRIAGE DAMAGE AND INFORMED MY INSURANCE AGENCY. UPON RE-INVESTIGATION OF THE CAR THE INSURANCE DECIDED THAT THEY WOULD NOW COVER THE DAMAGES THAT ARE ESTIMATED AT AROUND $5,000 BUT I HAVE A $500 DEDUCTIBLE AND MY PREMIUMS WILL NOW GO UP. AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED RAILROAD TRACKS SHOULD NOT DEPLOY AIRBAGS AND I SHOULD ABSOLUTELY NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY COSTS RELATED. *TR

2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GL WAS FOUND TO HAVE FRIED CABLE FROM ALTERNATOR LEADING TO FUSE BOX ON TOP OF BATTERY. PROBLEM WAS FOUND AND FIXED 3 YEARS PRIOR TO BEING FOUND AGAIN AT THE DEALERSHIP. BOTH TIMES CABLE AND FUSE BOX WERE REPLACED. PICTURES OF THE SECOND INCIDENT ARE AVAILABLE. ALSO FOUND THAT THIS INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED ON OTHER JETTAS AS WELL. WORRIED THAT COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE. *TR

WE PURCHASED AN 03 VW JETTA WAGON APPROX. 2.5 YEARS AGO. WE CHANGED THE OIL AT THE DEALER EVERY 5000 MILES. WE MISSED ONE OIL CHANGED AND THE ENGINE STALLED ON THE ROAD. IT WAS TOWED TO A VW MECHANIC. WE WERE TOLD IT A HAD TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE DO TO SLUDGE-WHICH THEY SAID WAS LACK OF MAINTENANCE. WE PAID 16,000 FOR THE CAR, IT HAD 40,000 MILES ON IT, WE PUT 20,000 MILES ON IT. WE CONTACTED A LAWYER AND WE WERE TOLD THERE ISN'T ANYTHING WE CAN DO-IT WAS SOLD AS IS. WE CONTACTED VW AMERICA AND THEY TOLD US JETTAS' DON'T HAVE THE SLUDGE PROBLEM, IT'S THE PASSAT WITH THE 1.8T ENGINE THAT HAS THE PROBLEM. MY RESEARCH SHOWS IT'S THE 1.8T ENGINE THAT IS THE PROBLEM REGARDLESS OF THE CAR IT'S IN. WE HAVE NO RECOURSE. THE CAR NOW SITS IN OUR DRIVE WAY WITH NEW TIRES AND A BROKEN ENGINE. A NEW MOTOR PLUS INSTALLATION WOULD COST MORE THAN THE CAR IS WORTH. ONCE AGAIN THE WORKING PEOPLE GET SCREWED.

2003 VW JETTA: DIGITAL DISPLAY WOULD SHUT OFF WHEN KEY WAS REMOVED FROM IGNITION. UNABLE TO LOCK VEHICLE DOORS WITH REMOTE. VEHICLE HAD TO BE RESTARTED FOR DIGITAL PANEL TO APPEAR (RE-SET) AND FOR DOOR TO LOCK WITH REMOTE. ENGINE WOULD ALSO SHUT OFF WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT AND WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY. POSSIBILITY TO CAUSE A CRASH. ALL DIGITAL PANELS STILL ILLUMINATED, KEY WOULD BE LOCKED IN INGNITION, UN-ABLE TO TURN OR BE REMOVED UNTIL CAR PLACED BACK IN PARK AND HAND BRAKE PULLED UP. ISSUES OCCURED BI-WEEKLY, WEEKLY, AND NOW DAILY. VEHICLE BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP. WAS TOLD THAT IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER WARRANTY (WARRANT JUST EXPIRED LAST MONTH). AFTER TRYING TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM PRIOR TO BRINGING TO DEALERSHIP, I'VE FOUND ON SEVERAL FORUMS THAT THIS IS NOT A NEW ISSUE/REPAIR FOR VW CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL. MANY CUSTOMERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR COMPLAINTS/EXPERIENCES, ALL OF WHICH WERE TAKEN IN FOR REPAIR AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED. VEHICLE IS ONLY 7 YEARS OLD AND IS AT APPROXIMATELY 85,000 MILES. THIS VEHICLE HAS ALSO HAD SERVICE FOR THE FOLLOWING RECALLS: CATALYTIC CONVERTER, FAILED IGNITION COILS, FAILED REAR WINDOW/DOOR LOCKS. THIS CAR IS A LEMON! *TR

AFTER TAKING MY 2003 VW JETTA 1.8L TURBO TO THE VW DEALERSHIP FOR A BROKEN DIPSTICK AND IGNITION RECALL, I WAS TOLD THERE WAS SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE IN WHICH THE CAR HAD UNDER 68,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP STATED IT WAS NOT UNDER THE MANUFACTURES WARRANTY AND WOULD COST AT LEAST $900 TO CLEAN OUT THE ENGINE. UPON DECIDING TO TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC FOR A 2ND OPINION, THE CAR SEIZED UP AND CEASED TO WORK WHILE DRIVING. THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THE ENTIRE ENGINE WAS BLOWN FROM THE SLUDGE BUILD UP WHEN OIL CHANGES HAD BEEN PERFORMED AT 3,000 MILE INTERVALS THOUGH THE MANUFACTURES OWNERS MANUAL STATED IT ONLY HAD TO BE CHANGED EVERY 5,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT OTHER THAN FOR ME TO PURCHASE A NEW ENGINE OR A REBUILT ENGINE. AFTER HAVING A USED ENGINE INSTALLED FROM A SALVAGE YARD, I DISCOVERED FROM THE CAR POURING SMOKE AND MAKING A HIGH PITCHED WHINING NOISE. APPARENTLY WHEN THE ORIGINAL ENGINE WENT IT ALSO DAMAGED THE TURBO AS A RESULT OF SLUDGE BUILD UP. I'VE FURTHER DISCOVERED AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM TO VW CARS WITH 1.8 LITER TURBO ENGINES FROM MODELS FOLLOWING 2000. UNFORTUNATELY BECAUSE THE TURBO IS CONSIDERED AN ACCESSORY TO THE ENGINE, THE TURBO WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE SALVAGE YARDS ENGINE WARRANTY I JUST HAD INSTALLED AND WOULD REQUIRE THE TURBO BEING REPLACED AS WELL. THE VW DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT A REBUILT TURBO WOULD COST $1700 ALONE NOT INCLUDING SMALL PARTS AND LABOR AFTER I HAD ALREADY SPENT $2800 ON A USED 1.8L TURBO ENGINE AND SMALL PARTS AND LABOR. THE USED ENGINE HAD 46,000 MILES ON IT SO IT IS HIGHLY LIKELY THAT IT WILL ALSO GO DUE TO ENGINE SLUDGE. *TR

RECALL FOR 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA- SEAT HEATER DEFECT CAUSING SEATS TO GET TOO HOT EVEN CAUSING FIRE IN SOME INSTANCES. BROUGHT MY JETTA TO RIVERSIDE VOLKSWAGEN IN RIVERSIDE, CA. INSPECTION AND REPAIRS MADE IN 2006. YESTERDAY, 1/25/2010, DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER STARTED TO BURN A HOLE IN SEAT. DID NOT BURN ALL THE WAY THROUGH AS I TURNED THE HEATER OFF BEFORE HAND. FELT SOMETHING THAT RESEMBLED A BEE STING BEFORE REALIZING THAT IT WAS THE SEAT HEATER THAT WAS MALFUNCTIONING. BURNING SMELL DETECTED. CALLED VW RIVERSIDE, SAID THAT IT WOULD NOT BE A COVERED FIX BASED ON RECALL INFO. COMPLAINT OF FAILED INITIAL REPAIR. *TR

2003 VW JETTA - SIDE AND WINDOW AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ON PASSENGER SIDE WHILE CAR WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT. NO VISIBLE SIGNS OF IMPACT TO CAUSE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. WILL HAVE TO HAVE NEW AIRBAGS PUT BACK IN AT APPROXIMATE COST OF $2,500. IF DEPLOYED WHILE VEHICHLE MOVING COULD BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION. VW TOLD US GOING OVER A POTHOLE CAN ALSO CAUSE THEM TO DEPLOY. *CN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.

I OWN A 2003 VW JETTA TDI. SIX MONTHS AGO THE CLEAR COAT STARTED PEELING FROM THE HOOD AND NOW IT IS PEELING EVERYWHERE. I SPOKE TO VW CUSTOMER CARE AND THEY SAID OUT OF WARRANTY, TOO BAD. LESS THEN 7 YEARS OLD. AT LEAST GM PAINT JOBS DON'T FALL OFF THE MINUTE THE WARRANTY RUNS OUT. THE ONLY GOOD THING IS I DRIVE IT AROUND WITH A SIGN STATING, "DON'T LAUGH, YOUR VW WILL LOOK LIKE THIS SOON". *TR

AIR BAG SENSORS FAILURE. IN EVENT OF A CRASH AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. THERE ARE 1000'S OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET

REAR PASSENGER DOORS FAIL TO RESPOND TO KEY FOB. STAY LOCKED/ UNLOCKED.

SUN ROOF DRAIN CLOGS!!! NO DIRECTION IN MANUAL FOR CLEANING NOR WARNING THAT IT CAN HAPPEN. I FOUND NEARLY THREE INCHES OF WATER IN THE FLOOR AND WATER ALL OVER THE INTERIOR FUSE BLOCK. MY CONCERN IS FIRE RELATED. CORROSION CAN LEAD TO HIGH IMPEDENCE CONNECTIONS AND AFTER WATER INTRUSION I HAVE NO IDEA HOW SAFE MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS. THIS IS THE SECOND OR THIRD INCIDENT AND I FINALLY FOUND OUT WHAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM BY DOING RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET. MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM AND IT APPEARS THAT THE DESIGN OF THE OUTLET NIPPLE IS THE ISSUE. *TR

2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1.8 TURBO, ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO SLUDGE FORMATION. *TR

2003 JETTA'S CLEARCOAT IS PEELING OFF, IT STARTED ON FRONT HOOD AND NOW IT IS PEELING ALL OVER THE CAR. CALLED VOLKSWAGEN THEY SAID IT WASN'T THEIR PROBLEM. I THINK IT IS!!! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE VEHICLE HAS A FUSE BOX THAT IS UNDER THE HOOD LOCATED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY. THE 150 AMP FUSE IS FOR THE ALTERNATOR; HOWEVER, THE FUSE ITSELF IS GETTING HOT ENOUGH TO MELT THE BOX. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE ARE NO EXISTING RECALLS; HOWEVER, THEY HAVE SEEN THIS FAILURE OCCUR FREQUENTLY. THE VIN IS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 79,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. THERE WAS A LOUD POPPING SOUND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER CONTINUED TO TRAVEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE FRONT PASSENGER COIL SPRING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 17,643. BL UPDATED 9/17/09 *CN UPDATED 09/18/09.*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AS THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FUSE PANEL CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR, THE HARNESS, AND THE FUSE PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT FAILED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING 45 MPH. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BACK INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 118,000.

PASSENGER AND DRIVERS WINDOWS SPONTANEOUSLY DROP FROM FRAME AND FALL INTO DOOR. THIS INCIDENT CAUSED MY ARM TO BE BRUISED WHEN ACCESSING MY MAILBOX. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON TWO DOORS BOTH DOOR REQUIRED NEW PULLEYS FOR THE WINDOW SYSTEM. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH VOLKSWAGEN. *TR

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

ENGINE CASING BROKE WHERE THE MOTOR MOUNT CONNECTS, GOT THAT REPAIRED. 2 DAYS LATER WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY, ENGINE MAKES LOUD NOISE AND SEIZES. UNDRIVEABLE, WONT START. *TR

I WAS IN A REAR END INCIDENT IN WHICH MY 2003VW JETTA WAS STRUCK ALMOST DEAD-ON IN THE REAR BY A 2009 BMW SEDAN. BOTH MY WIFE, SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, AND I, DRIVING, WERE WEARING THREE POINT SEAT BELTS. THE AIRBAGS IN OUR VEHICLE DID NOT DEPLOY. BOTH THE DRIVERS SEAT AND THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT WERE RECLINED ALMOST COMPLETELY AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT, TO THE POINT THAT ANY REAR SEAT PASSENGERS WE MIGHT HAVE HAD IN THE CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN PINNED BY THE RECLINED FRONT SEATS. *TR UPDATED 05/20/09 *BF UPDATED IVOQ 05/27/09.*JB

2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1.8T WOLFSBURG EDITION PURCHASED USED AT 23,000 MILES WITH A BURNT OUT CLUTCH. THE CLUTCH WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP IN ORDER TO COMPLETE SALE. AT PURCHASE WE WERE ASSURED THE CLUTCH WOULD LAST AND NOT BE AN ISSUE. THIS IS THE ONLY WAY THE SALE WAS COMPLETED. WITHIN 30,000 MILES THE CLUTCH HAS GONE OUT ONCE MORE. THE TECHNICIAN IT WAS TAKEN TO REPORTED THAT HE RECEIVES AT LEAST 2 OF THE EXACT SAME CAR WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE PER MONTH. VW DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE PRESSURE PLATE IS DEFECTIVE AND BLAMES THE DRIVER. ANY CLUTCH IS EXPECTED TO LAST AT LEAST 90,000 MILES. BOTH VW AND EXTENDED WARRANTIES WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR WHICH IS BEING QUOTED AT $1900- $2200. THE PART HAS BEEN REPORTED DEFECTIVE IN PREVIOUS MODELS BUT IS STILL NOT BEING CORRECTED OR ACKNOWLEDGED AS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT, WHICH IT IS. THE PRESSURE PLATE, FLYWHEEL, AND CLUTCH DISC ARE UNDER-RATED FOR THE VEHICLES STOCK HORSEPOWER. THE IDENTICAL PARTS ARE FOUND IN OTHER VW VEHICLES WITH UP TO 80 HORSEPOWER LESS. THE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED SINCE THE PREVIOUS 2 MODELS. THE VEHICLES NEED TO BE RECALLED. WHEN EVEN A VW TECHNICIAN ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE PARTS ARE DEFECTIVE SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE WITH VW AMERICA, REQUIRING THEM TO REPLACE THESE PARTS AT THEIR EXPENSE WITH PARTS QUALIFIED TO SUPPORT THE VEHICLES NEEDS. *TR

2003 JETTA SEAT FAILS IN REAR END ACCIDENT. *TR

DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG AND THE PASSENGER WINDOW AIR BAG JUST WENT OFF FOR NOW REASON WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING AND NOTHING HIT MY CAR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY AND THE DEALER CANNOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. HE HAS PAID OVER $500 IN REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

VEHICLE PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AND SEAT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN DRIVER ENCOUNTERED MINOR POT HOLE IN ROAD. THERE WAS NO EXTERIOR DAMAGE TO THE CAR OR WHEELS DUE TO THE POT HOLE. DRIVER PAID OUT OF POCKET (AND VIA INSURANCE) TO REPLACE AIRBAG SYSTEM. VOLKSWAGEN ACKNOWLEDGES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR FAULTY SYSTEM OR REPAIRS. DRIVER SUFFERED POTENTIALLY PERMANENT HEARING DAMAGE DUE TO BLAST OF AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. *TR

SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR, AND IT'S UNFORTUNATE. STARTED ABOUT A YEAR AGO, AT TIMES MY CAR WILL START AT THE TURN OF THE IGNITION AND SOMETIMES IT WILL NOT. I HAVE ALSO BROUGHT TO VW'S ATTENTION ABOUT MY CLUTCH, IN PARTICULAR IS VERY HEAVY (I HAVE ALWAYS DRIVEN MANUALS) AND AGAIN, AT TIMES I HAVE DIFFICULTY SHIFTING INTO 'R' AND INTO '3RD' GEAR. I WOULD HAVE TO RETURN SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL; STEP ON THE CLUTCH SEVERAL TIMES AND I AM ABLE TO GET INTO 'R'. AS FAR AS '3RD' GEAR, ITS PRETTY TRICKY(SINCE I AM MOVING!!!!) SOMETIMES I CANNOT SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR, AND LITERALLY HAVE TO DOWN-SHIFT AND ATTEMPT 3RD AGAIN!!!! AND NOW, MY CLUTCH IS COMPLETELY SHOT, WITH ONLY 65,000MI ON IT. *TR

THE HEATED SEAT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF OUR 2003 VW JETTA TDI GOT VERY HOT ON MY RIGHT LEG, I REACHED DOWN TO FEEL THE SEAT AND IT BURNT MY HAND. WE TURNED ON THE LIGHTS AND THE SEAT HAD A BURNED HOLE WITH SMOKE COMING OUT OF IT. HAD I BEEN WEARING MY COAT IT COULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE BEFORE I FELT THE INTENSE HEAT. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 JETTA GLS. I HAD ABOUT 65K MILES ON IT AND THE SPEEDOMETER FIRST FLUCTUATED WILDLY THEN DIED, OR APPEARED TO BE DEAD. IT WOULD RANDOMLY START WORKING FOR A FEW DAYS AND OFTEN WOULD DIE AGAIN WHILE I WAS DRIVING. NON FUNCTIONING SPEEDOMETER AFFECTS FUNCTION OF AUTO LOCKING DOORS, ODOMETER, TRIP COMPUTER, AND RELATED FUNCTIONS (THEY DO NOT WORK WHEN SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING). MY MECHANIC TESTED THE VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR LOCATED ON THE TRANSAXLE. IT IS FINE. I HAD THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL REPLACED (TO THE TUNE OF ALMOST $700, $500 OF WHICH IS FOR THE PART!). NOW I AM BEING TOLD IT MAY BE A COOLANT MIGRATION ISSUE SIMILAR TO THAT OF THE MY 99-01 CARS. HOWEVER THERE HAS BEEN NO TSB FOR 2003 JETTAS AND NOW MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. REPLACING THE WIRING HARNESS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE ($6K HAS BEEN MENTIONED) REPAIR. INTERNET RESEARCH SHOWS THAT MY ISSUE IS NOT UNIQUE, MANY FAILED SPEEDOMETERS IN THIS MODEL YEAR JETTA, ALTHOUGH VW TO DATE IS SILENT W/CUSTOMERS. *TR

THE CLAMPS ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW OF MY 2003 VW JETTA DETACHED LEAVING THE WINDOW STUCK CLOSED. *TR

I HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER BY POLICE MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE YEARS WITH THIS VEHICLE DUE TO REAR LIGHTS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. AT ONE POINT, BOTH OF MY TAIL LIGHTS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING -- THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE REPLACED THEM EACH TIME AND THEY SEEM TO GO OUT QUITE FREQUENTLY. I HAVE NOTICED TAIL LIGHTS BEING OUT ON CARS WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL AS MINE. *TR

2003 VW JETTA - FUSE BOX INSIDE ENGINE COMPARTMENT MELTED! *TR

I AM COMPLAINING ABOUT FAILURE OF THE IGNITION COILS ON A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA ( ) WITH THE 1.8 LITER TURBO ENGINE. VW HAS ALREADY RECALLED A NUMBER OF JETTAS OF THIS VINTAGE AND WITH THIS ENGINE FOR REPLACEMENT OF DEFECTIVE IGNITION COILS. HOWEVER, THEY HAVE REFUSED TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE COILS ON THIS CAR. ONE FAILED CAUSING THE ENGINE TO RUN POORLY. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACING ALL FOUR COILS AT A COST OF $384.48. THE CAR ONLY HAD 23,726 MILES AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THIS DEFECT CAN CAUSE IMMEDIATE ENGINE FAILURE. CLEARLY, THE VW DEALER BELIEVED THAT THE COILS ARE SUBJECT TO UNEXPECTED FAILURE AT LOW MILEAGE EVEN THOUGH VW OF AMERICA REFUSES TO RECALL THE PARTICULAR VEHICLE. *TR

I USE MY HEATED SEATS ALMOST DAILY IN THE WINTER MONTHS. I USED IT THIS MORNING FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES AS I DROVE FROM HOME TO THE GYM, THEN ANOTHER 10 MINUTES AS I DROVE FROM THE GYM TO THE STORE. WHEN I GOT INTO MY CAR AFTER THE STORE, IT WAS STILL ON THE SAME SETTING (5), I HAD DRIVEN ABOUT 50 YARDS IN THE PARKING LOT, WHEN I FELT A SHARP PAIN IN MY LEFT UPPER LEG/BUTT. I MOVED SLIGHTLY, THEN BEGAN TO SMELL SMOKE. I FELT AROUND WITH MY HAND AND FELT THE "HOT" WIRE AND THE HOLE IN MY SEAT. IT TOOK ME A MOMENT TO REALIZE WHAT IT WAS, AND THEN I IMMEDIATELY TURNED DOWN THE HEATED SEAT TO OFF, THEREBY PREVENTING FURTHER DAMAGE AND PAIN. LUCKILY THERE WAS LIMITED DAMAGE TO MY CLOTHING AND I WAS NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED, BUT HAD I BEEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, OR NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS CAUSING THE PAIN SO QUICKLY, THERE COULD HAVE BEEN MORE SEVERE CONSEQUENCES INCLUDING INJURY. *TR

I HAVE HAD 27 THINGS BREAK OR FAIL ON MY 03VW JETTA 1.8T. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED IN 01/06 WITH 32,000 MILES. AFTER BUYING THE CAR THE FIRST FIVE MINS THE WINDOW SHATTERED. FIRST TWO MONTHS 2 TIRES BLEW OUT, FRONT RIM CRACKED, BACK TIRES OUT OF ALIGNMENT. DEALER PAID TO FIX RIM BROKE 2 WEEKS LATER THE DEALER PAID FO USED SET OF SIMILAR RIMS. EVERY LIGHT INSIDE AND OUT WENT OUT BY 05/06 DRIVER SEAT WONT RAISE UP CARGO NET IN TRUNK FALLS APART DEALER WONT COVER. GAS AND TRUNK RELEASE BUTTONS FELL DOWN INSIDE OF DOOR. RADIO STOPPED WORKING FRONT DOOR SPEAKERS ARE SHORTING OUT. DRIVER WINDOW SWITCH GOES UP WHEN YOU PUSH DOWN AND DOWN WHEN YOU PUSH DOWN HAVE TO FIDDLE WITH IT FOR IT TO GO UP. EXHAUST HANGER BROKE CAUSING CHATTER. SWAYBAR BUSHING FELL OUT CAUSING GRINDING AND SHAKING WHEN EVER MOVING. NOT COVER BY WARRANTY ALL THESE HAPPENED BY 05/07. NOW ITS 10/08 AND I HAVE 84,000 MILES. CURRENT PROBLEMS ARE REAR SPOILER BRAKE LIGHT HANGS DOWN(DEALER JUST GLUED IT IN PLACE LASTED ABOUT 4 MONTHS) CAM AND CRANK SEALS LEAKING OIL CAUSE ODOR INSIDE OF CABIN. IF I DRIVE FOR MORE THEN AN HOUR I GET SICK AND LIGHT-HEADED. SEAT, CARGO NET IN TRUNK, IS STILL BROKEN. RADIO STILL ISN'T FIXED SO I JUST WENT AND BOUGHT AN AFTER MARKET. SPEAKERS STILL SHORTENING OUT ONLY WHEN ITS COLD OUT. KEYLESS ENTRY ONLY WORKS WITHIN 4FT OF THE CAR. IN THE WINTER THE CAR ONLY GETS 18MPG ON THE HIGHWAY AND ABOUT 14 IN THE CITY AND THE CAR IS PARKED IN A HEATED UNDERGROUND GARAGE. *TR

2003 VW JETTA GLS WAGON WITH 62K MILES, ABRUPTLY SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. AFTER TOWING TO LOCAL MECHANIC, IT WAS DETERMINED THE MAIN FUSE HOLDER HAD SHORTED OUT AND BEGUN TO MELT, RISKING AN ENGINE FIRE. PART WAS REPLACED AND PROBLEM REPAIRED FOR $237. *TR

SHORTLY AFTER TURNING THE DRIVERS SEAT HEATER ON, OPERATOR SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND FELT HER LEFT LEG BURNING. SHUT HEATER OFF AND TOOK TO DEALER, WHO ACTED SURPRISED THAT WE HAD A PROBLEM!! THEY CHARGED US TO LOOK AT THE SEAT, CLAIMING THE POWER SUPPLY WIRE UNDER THE SEAT HAD BEEN PULLED APART SHORTING OUT THE GRID WIRING. LONG STORY SHORT, THEY CLAIMED SOMETHING MUST HAVE BEEN JAMMED UP UNDER THE SEAT CAUSING THE PROBLEM. THEY OFFERED TO DO THE NECESSARY REPAIRS FOR $630. I THOUGHT THEIR ANSWER WAS CREATIVE, BUT AFTER READING ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS WHICH ARE VIRTUALLY IDENTICAL(QUARTER SIZED HOLE IN THE SEAT COVER), I'M CALLING [XXX]. I AM DISGUSTED WITH HOW VW HAS RESPONDED TO ALL OF US. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW JETTA. WHILE DRIVING IN WINDY CONDITIONS, THE HINGE ON THE TRUNK FRACTURED AND THE TRUNK OPENED. WHEN THE TRUNK OPENED, IT SLAMMED INTO THE WINDSHIELD, AND CAUSED IT TO SHATTER. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 70,000.

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED AND MY CAR IS STUCK IN PARK BECAUSE IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO SHIFT WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH IS FAULTY. THIS PART HAS BEEN RECALLED (N4), BUT I AM FORCED TO PAY FOR A TOW TRUCK TO GET ME TO A DEALER 20 MILES AWAY BECAUSE THE CAR IS INOPERABLE RIGHT NOW. WARRANTY IS OVER BUT IF IT'S A RECALL AND THE PART IN QUESTION IS CAUSING ME TO BE STUCK, WHY SHOULD I BE THE ONE PAYING FOR THE TOW? *TR

WITHIN 6 MONTHS (4) OF THE (6) IGNITION COILS HAVE FAILED. I HAVE IT IN NOW FOR THE THIRD AND FOURTH ONES. *TR