2003 Volkswagen Jetta Complaint Log

LOST POWER, RADIO STOPPED WORKING, A/C STARTING BLOWING HOT AIR, EPC LIGHT CAME ON, BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON, ABS LIGHT CAME ON. THEN THE CAR WOULD NOT CRANK. I THOUGHT THE BATTERY WAS DEAD SO I JUMPED THE CAR. I MADE IT HOME THEN THE CAR WOULD NOT START THE NEXT MORNING. AFTER EXAMINATION I FOUND THAT THE FUSE BOX ON TOP OF THE BATTERY HAD MELTED. THE WIRE FROM THE FUSE BOX TO THE ALTERNATOR OVERHEATED. WAS TOLD BY TWO DIFFERENT VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIPS IN BIRMINGHAM, AL THAT THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. IF IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WHY IS THERE NO RECALL? *TR

DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. HAS MADE TWO STOPS. ON THE WAY TO MY HOME MY ABS AND AIRBAG LIGHTS CAME ON, RADIO FROZE, THEN CAR SHUT OFF. WAS ADVISED FUSE PANEL ON THE TOP OF THE BATTERY HAD MELTED. MECHANIC FOUND NO REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. NO OTHER ISSUES. *TR

MY 2003 VW JETTA HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP MORE IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS THAN IN THE LAST 5 YEARS. THE LATEST TWO PROBLEMS WERE; 1) THE ENGINE COIL (WAS REPLACED ONCE BY RECALL) AND 2) MY FUSE BOX ON TOP OF MY BATTERY MELTED. I HAVE SPENT OVER $1,500 IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS ON THE CAR. WAS TOLD THAT ONLY ONE ENGINE COIL WAS ALLOWED UNDER THE RECALL, AND WAS TOLD THE FUSE BOX MELTING WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE EVEN THOUGH THEY DID NOT EVER FIND THE "REAL" REASON FOR IT TO MELT. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 VW JETTA GLI VR-6. THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING AFTER IT WAS NICE AND COLD FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES. HOT AIR WAS BLOWING OUT OF THE VENTS. ENGINE (COOLANT) LIGHT CAME ON AFTER ABOUT A 10 MINUTE DRIVE. THE ENGINE (COOLANT) GAUGE WAS ALMOST IN THE RED 260 DEGREES. I SWITCHED OFF THE AIR, AND THE GAUGE WENT DOWN A LITTLE, BUT DIDN'T REALLY COOL OFF. THE GUY AT THE DEALERSHIP EXPLAINED IF THE ENGINE STARTS OVERHEATING, THE FAIL SAFE FOR THE CAR IS TO AUTOMATICALLY TURN THE A/C OFF IN ORDER TO SAVE ITSELF FROM OVERHEATING TO THE POINT WHERE DAMAGE WOULD OCCUR. AFTER ALL DAY DIAGNOSTICS, THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THE FUSE BOX IS MELTED DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THIS, CONVENIENTLY, IS NOT COVERED BY MY GOLD PLUS EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I SPENT LOTS OF MONEY ON. REPAIRS SO FAR WILL COST ~$800. THEY HAVE TO FIX THAT BEFORE THEY CAN TEST TO SEE IF THE ALTERNATOR IS DAMAGED. BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND THE WARRANTY REP SAY THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH VOLKSWAGEN CARS. IF IT IS COMMON IT SHOULD BE RECALLED!! *TR

THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING A 2003 JETTA GLS TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 35MPH WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS "CURTAINS AND SEAT AIRBAGS" SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. AFTER CONDUCTING EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ON 2002-2004 JETTAS, THIS SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR ISSUE THAT IS NOT BEING RECOGNIZED BY VW OF AMERICA.

THERE ARE MANY PROBLEMS WHICH SEEM TO BE A CAUSE OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE CAR WILL SIMPLY DIE WHEN YOU STOP AT A RED LIGHT, STOP SIGN, ETC. IT WILL TRY TO DIE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE DIGITAL DISPLAY CONSTANTLY RESETS ITSELF, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU TURN THE CAR OFF, BUT ALSO WHILE DRIVING. THE RADIO DOES THIS TOO. THE BACK BRAKE LIGHT ALSO HAS SOME TYPE OF SHORT IN IT. IT GOES OUT AND COMES BACK ON. WE HAVE REPLACED IT TWICE IN AS MANY MONTHS. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 VW JETTA TDI. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD IT SERVICED ON TIME AND HAVE KEPT IT WELL MAINTAINED, I HAVE 78,000 MILES ON IT. THE SPEED SENSOR IN THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AND VOLKSWAGEN REFUSES TO FIX IT. I WORRY BECAUSE THE DOORS NOT LOCK CORRECTLY BECAUSE OF THIS AND I AM NOT AWARE AT THE SPEED I TRAVEL BECAUSE THE GAUGES HAVE FAILED. MY BIGGEST WORRY IS THAT IF I WERE TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT THE AIRBAGS WOULD NOT WORK BECAUSE THE CAR DOES NOT KNOW HOW FAST IT IS GOING. IF THIS WERE A NORMAL ITEM LIKE BREAKS, TIRES OR SOMETHING THAT HAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR I WOULD UNDERSTAND BUT ITS NOT. IT IS A MECHANICAL PROBLEM WHAT I VITAL FUNCTION OF THE CAR. I REALLY FEEL THAT VW SHOULD COVER THE COST OR AT LEAST SPLIT IT WITH ME. WHAT DO I NEED TO DO? *TR

MY 2003 VW WOLFSBURG EDITION JETTA CONTINUES TO LOSE POWER. WHILE I AM DRIVING THE CAR WILL ALMOST STALL THE POWER CATCHES AND POWERS BACK UP PRIOR TO STALLING. THE LIGHTS INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR GO OUT, THE RADIO TURNS OFF, THE CLOCK LOSES POWER, THE ENGINE LOSES ENOUGH POWER TO NOT ACCELERATE, BUT STILL DOES NOT STALL. THE POWER LOSE LAST FOR A FEW SECONDS. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ALSO FLICKER. THIS HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES EVERY DAY. SO FAR I HAVE REPLACED THE COOLANT FANS AND CENSOR (1ST DIAGNOSTIC FROM VW DEALERSHIP), REPLACED THE 2ND COIL (2ND DIAGNOSTIC FROM VW DEALERSHIP) REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH (LESUEUR CAR CO), & REPLACED THE CONTROL MODULE (3RD DIAGNOSTIC LESUEUR CAR CO) WHEN I PICKED UP MY CAR FROM LESUEUR CAR CO I DIDN'T GET A MILE AWAY WHEN THE CAR LOSE POWER AGAIN. I BOUGHT THIS 2003 VW JETTA FROM CARDINALE WAY OF SCOTTSDALE LAST SEPT. (2007) I ASKED FOR A BUMPER TO BUMPER EXTENDED WARRANTY AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. MY CAR STARTED LOSING POWER AND WHEN I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC I FOUND OUT MY WARRANTY IS NOT WHAT I ASKED FOR. IT'S JUST A POWER/TRAN WARRANTY WHICH DOESN'T COVER ANYTHING! I HAVE SPENT ALMOST $1300 IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS TRYING TO FIX THE POWER LOSE PROBLEM AND NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT EXACTLY WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY CAR?!?! EVERYTIME IT GIVES A DIAGNOSTIC ERROR, WE FIX THE ERROR, AND THE CAR STILL CONTINUES TO LOSE POWER! IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP AT LEAST 6 TIMES, TWICE AT A VW CERTIFIED DEALERSHIP AND THE 4 OR 5 TIMES AT LESUEUR CAR CO WHICH IS THE LARGEST NON-CERTIFIED DEALERSHIP IN AZ. I HAVE CONTACTED CARDINALE WAY AND THEY ARE UNWILLING TO HELP ME WITH THIS MATTER. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO??? I HAVE 3 MORE YEARS TO PAY ON A CAR THAT NO ONE CAN FIX!! AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO KEEP FIXING THINGS THAT AREN'T THE PROBLEM EITHER! IF THERE IS ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO HELP IT WILL BE VERY APPRECIATED. THANKS *TR

I HAVE A PIECE OF JUNK VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1.8T THAT IS A LEMON. AT 64,000 MILES THE FAN SHORTED OUT AND CAUSED SOME PROBLEMS TO THE TUNE OF $800. THEN AT 70,000 MILES THE AIR TUBES MELTED MAKING THE CAR RUN TERRIBLE. THAT WAS ANOTHER $600 DOLLARS TO FIX. NOW AT 71000 MILES THE HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING ALONG WITH OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. I HAVE HAD IT TALKING TO THE DEALER AND CONSTANTLY WRITING VOLKSWAGEN. THERE CUSTOMER SERVICE SUCKS AND THEY DO NOT STAND BY THEIR PRODUCTS. THANK YOU, GEORGE AND LAURA BOGDAN *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND IT RESTARTED THREE HOURS LATER. ONE WEEK LATER, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE NEAREST MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V375000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: FUEL PUMP) WAS REFERENCED CONCERNING THE 2003 PASSATS. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 46,000. UPDATED 5/6/08 *CN UPDATED 05/06/08 *TR

I TURNED ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER TO 5 (HIGHEST SETTING) ON MY 2003 VW JETTA TDI WHEN LEAVING MY HOUSE AT 7 AM. I USED THIS REGULARLY TO WARM THE SEAT FOR A FEW MINUTES ON COLD MORNINGS, THEN WOULD TURN IT OFF (LOWER SETTINGS NEVER PRODUCED NOTICEABLE HEAT). WITHIN ONE MINUTE I FELT A BURNING/ELECTRICAL SENSATION IN MY UPPER LEFT THIGH. I WAS DRIVING ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD AND THE PAIN MADE ME JUMP IN MY SEAT AND NEARLY LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER (HAVING HEARD OF PROBLEMS WITH THE HEATER). THE LEATHER SEAT HAD A BLISTER ABOUT THE SIZE OF A CIGARETTE BURN BUT HAD NOT BURNED COMPLETELY THROUGH. WHILE I STOPPED THE HEATER BEFORE IT BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT (AND MY PANTS), THE REAL DANGER WAS IN A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT FROM THE BURN/SHOCK THAT CAUSED ME TO MOMENTARILY LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. THE SEAT HEATER IS NO LONGER SAFE TO OPERATE. MY UNDERSTANDING FROM READING SIMILAR POSTS HERE AND ELSEWHERE IS THAT THE WIRING IS NOW BROKEN IN THE SEAT (AND MANY HAVE HAD IT BREAK IN THE SAME SPOT). IF I HAD NOT GUESSED THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM QUICKLY, OR IF SOMEONE WERE TO UNKNOWINGLY USE THE HEAT SETTER IN THE FUTURE, IT COULD LEAD TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, PERSONAL INJURY, AND CAR FIRE. SIMILARLY, THIS POSES A SERIOUS RISK FOR OTHER DRIVERS OF THESE VEHICLES WHO MAY NOT BE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND REACT TOO LATE. I REQUEST THAT THE NHTSA URGE VW OF AMERICA TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS DANGEROUS AND PERVASIVE PROBLEM (MANY REPORTS HERE AND ELSEWHERE, SUCH AS TDICLUB.COM AND VWVORTEX.COM). VW HAS ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM IN CANADA BUT NOT IN THE U.S. THEY ALSO HAVE A VOLUNTARY REPAIR FOR PASSATS OF SIMILAR YEARS, BUT NOT JETTAS OR GOLFS. THANK YOU. *TR

IGNITION COIL FAILED, WAS TOLD THE O2 SENSOR WAS BAD AND NEEDED NEW SPARK PLUGS, I HAD JUST REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS 5 DAYS EARLIER, THEY ONLY HAD 11 MILES ON THEM, SO IT CANNOT BE SPARK PLUGS, QUESTION WHETHER THE O2 IS TRULY BAD, HAVING IGNITION COIL REPLACED BUT WAS UNABLE TO TELL WHETHER THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS ALSO BAD UNTIL OTHER PROBLEMS ARE CORRECTED. *TR

THE HEATED SEATS IM MY 2003 VW JETTA STARTED TO CATCH ON FIRE. *TR

ALTERNATOR WIRING HARNESS MELTED. *TR

I AM A RESIDENT OF SOUTH FLORIDA AND IN THE SUMMER OF 2007 , DUE TO THE FACT MY CAR HAS BEEN RELIABLE I DECIDED TO DRIVE CROSS COUNTRY TO LOS ANGELES , I TOOK ALL PRECAUTIONS PRIOR TO LIVING, FROM OIL CHANGES , BRAKES , TIRE ROTATION AND SO FORTH. IN OCT. OF 2007 , I WAS IN A FENDER BENDER IN LOS ANGELES , WHICH DELAYED MY RETURN TO SOUTH FLORIDA IN THE ACCIDENT THEY HAD TO REPLACE FRONT END LIGHTS AS WELL AS MY RADIATOR. I ONCE AGAIN TOOK ALL PRECAUTIONS ON THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO MY JOURNEY. AS OF MID NOVEMBER I WAS BACK IN MIAMI , NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR , ALL IS GOOD AT THAT POINT THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 72,000 OR SO . IN MID MARCH I NOTICED THAT WHEN I STARTED MY CAR AND TRY TO ACCELERATE THE CAR , IT WOULD NOT SURPASS 15/20MPH AND IT MADE A VERY STRANGE SOUND. IT WOULD ONLY FUNCTION APPROPRIATELY WHEN THE ENGINE WAS @ 190. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A DEALERSHIP AS WELL AS ANOTHER MECHANIC AND THEY BOTH HAVE INFORMED ME THAT MY CLUTCH IS WORN OUT. I'M NOT SURE WHY THAT IS? I HAVE DONE EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO KEEP THIS CAR UP TO PAR , AS FAR AS MAINTENANCE . THE DEALER QUOTED ME $5600 AND THE OTHER MECHANIC $2500. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD BEEN AMAZING TO ME TILL NOW, I HAVE A LITTLE LESS THEN 80,000 AND WOULD LOVE TO DRIVE IT TOO AT LEAST 160,000 , BUT THE WAY THIS IS GOING I'M AFRAID THAT WILL NOT HAPPEN . I HAVE NOTICED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THE ISSUE. VW JETTA STATION WAGON - 2003 , TURBO GLS TIPTRONIC - 80,000. *TR

THIS IS IN REGARD TO TIPTRONIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 77,000 MILES. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS FULLY PAID OFF AND 17K MILES AFTER WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. WHILE I WAS DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD STAY IN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR AND GIVE A BIG JOLT WHEN GOING INTO 3RD AND 4TH WHILE STILL COLD, ONLY AFTER ENGINE WOULD HEAT UP WITHOUT ANY STOPS WOULD IT PERFORM SUB PAR. PREVIOUS TO THIS I HAD HAVE NO COMPLAINTS. DEALER QUOTED $5600 TO REBUILD TRANSMISSION AND INDEPENDENT SHOP $2500. I WAS INFORMED I HAD A WORN CLUTCH AND IN 2008 I REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION AND CONTINUED HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. AFTER THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS SPENT ON THIS VEHICLE ON APRIL 12 OF 2012 I SENT IT THE JUNKYARD. I WILL FOLLOW UP AND SEND MORE HARD COPIES DOCUMENTS TO NHTSA AS I HAVE MY ENTIRE SERVICE RECORDS FROM 2003 - 2012 TO SUBMIT. THERE ARE 100'S OF OTHER AMERICAN CAR OWNERS WITH TIPTRONIC TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCING SAME ISSUES AND ITS APPARENT THAT IT IS FAULTY MANUFACTURING.I'M ATTACHING SEVERAL PDF DOCUMENTS WITH ARTICLES AND OTHER SIMILAR COSTUMER COMPLAINTS. I HAVE ALL MY SERVICE RECORDS AND WILL SUBMIT HARD COPIES SEPARATELY HOWEVER WANTED TO GET THE COMPLAINT STARTED HERE. THE YEAR OF MY VEHICLE WAS NEVER INCLUDED BUT ITS OBVIOUS THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN HAPPENING LONGER THEN PREVIOUS RECALLS. *TR

I DROVE TO WORK THE CAR RAN FINE. AFTER WORK I STARTED THE CAR IT BEGIN TO SHAKE. IT LOST HALF ITS POWER..THE DEALERSHIP WAS THREE MILES AWAY. IGNITION COIL WENT BAD AT 46,158 MILES AND TODAY 3-10-08 ANOTHER ONE WENT BAD AT 49,036. MY BEST FRIENDS PASSAT IGNITION COIL WENT BAD AT 19,367. I THINK THESE IGNITION COILS ARE LEMONS AND THEY NEED TO MAKE BETTER ONES. *TR

THE CLUTCH ON MY VW JETTA BURNED OUT ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE AND WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE CAR HAD 46,604 MILES ON IT AND SHOULD HAVE LASTED MANY MILES ABOVE THAT BUT I HAVE LEARNED OF 100'S WHO OWN THE SAME CAR WITH THIS SAME SITUATION. *TR

DRIVERS SIDE HEAT SEATER FAILED ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO. IT GOT HOTTER THAN NORMAL WHEN ON SETTING #3, I TURNED IT OFF, AND FROM THAT POINT ON IT DIDN'T WORK. TWO DAYS AGO, I HAD THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER REPLACED AT THE KAISERSLAUTERN, GERMANY VW DEALERSHIP. WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, THE SEAT BECAME EXTREMELY HOT WHILE ONLY ON SETTING #2. IT WAS SO HOT, THAT I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, AND COULD NOT SIT DOWN WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE OF THE EXTREME PAIN TO MY BUTTOCKS. I REACHED DOWN WITH MY HAND TO CONFIRM THE HEAT AND ALSO BURNED MY HAND. NOTE THAT I WAS ONLY RUNNING THE SEAT HEATER ON LEVEL 2 OF 5 FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES. UPON INSPECTION OF THE SEAT, THERE IS NOW A HARDENED PLASTIC FEELING AREA WHERE THE LEATHER ON THE SEAT WAS THE HOTTEST. HAD I NOT IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE HEATER, IT IS VERY LIKELY THAT THE ENTIRE SEAT WOULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FLAMES. ADDITIONALLY, SINCE THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AND I WAS UNABLE TO PROPERLY SIT IN THE SEAT, AN ACCIDENT COULD MOST CERTAINLY HAVE OCCURRED ON THE SPOT. I IMMEDIATELY SPOKE WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY WILL REPLACE THE HEATER BUT NOT THE SEAT. THEY SAY THE DAMAGE TO THE SEAT IS NOT EXTREME ENOUGH TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE THING. HOWEVER, I FEEL IT IS THEIR OBLIGATION TO REPLACE IT BECAUSE THE DAMAGE WAS CAUSED BY THEIR INSTALLATION OF A FACTORY ITEM THAT HAS ALREADY FAILED ONCE. *TR

HAD THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEAT SEATER ON. FELT A SHOCKING SENSATION AND SMELLED SMOKE. PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF HEAT SEATER AND EXITED CAR. THERE IS A HOLE BURNED IN THE SEAT AND IT TOOK OVER 5 MINUTES FOR IT TO STOP SMOKING. *TR

I BOUGHT AN 2003 VW JETTA WOLFSBERG ON JAN. 17TH, 2007. I WAS DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE AND HIT A BUMP AND THE RIGHT PASSENGER WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR PANEL. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY COULD FIX BUT ITS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL CHARGES. I CALLED VW AND THEY SAID THERE ARE NO KNOWN DEFECTS OR ANY PENDING AT THIS TIME. *TR

PURCHASED A USED 03 VW TDI ON 04/05, HAD THE WARRANTY TRANSFERRED AND REGISTERED TO ME AT VW. BRIEF RANDOM INCIDENTS OCCURRED WHERE THROTTLE WOULD NOT RESPOND FOR 1-3 SECONDS WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP SIGN. (THIS COULD BE DETRIMENTAL TO YOUR HEALTH) VW DEALER COULD DO NOTHING WITHOUT A FAULT CODE. THIS CONTINUED FOR 2 YEARS AND 24000 MILES. ON 02/04/08, I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, DID AN ERRAND, CAME OUT AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE ONLY TO HAVE IT IDLE ROUGH THEN DIE OUT, DURING THIS TIME THERE WAS NO THROTTLE RESPONSE. I RESTARTED ENGINE 6-7 TIMES, ON THE 8TH TIME IT RAN NORMALLY. NEXT DAY SAME HAPPENED TO WIFE. I LOADED CAR ONTO A FLATBED AND DELIVERED TO VW DEALER 60 MILES AWAY. THEY FOUND THE EGR THROTTLE VALVE STUCK, REMOVED IT, CLEANED OUT BUILT-UP CARBON. THIS COST $370.00 WE DO NOT KNOW IF THESE INCIDENTS ARE RELATED. *TR

AM RADIO NOT WORKING. FM RADIO HAS LIMITED RANGE. *TR

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED CAUSING BRAKES LIGHTS TO STAY ILLUMINATED EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED. *TR

RECENTLY THE RADIO IN MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA WOLFSBURG EDITION STOPPED WORKING. AT FIRST THE RADIO STATION WAS DISPLAYED BUT I WAS UNABLE TO GET ANY BUTTONS TO WORK EXCEPT THE EJECT BUTTON, THE VOLUME KNOB, AND THE ON/OFF BUTTON. THE LAST RADIO STATION I LISTENED TO WAS DISPLAYED BUT NO SOUND COULD BE HEARD. I STARTED TO LOOK FOR HELP ON THE INTERNET, POSSIBLY A FUSE OR SOMETHING SIMPLE BUT WHAT I FOUND WAS COMPLETELY THE OPPOSITE. ACCORDING TO SEVERAL WEBSITES, THE RADIO HAS AN INTERNAL DEFECT WHICH FRIES THE RADIO WHEN THE BATTERY STARTS TO GET WEAK. I WORK AT A CADILLAC DEALERSHIP SO I TESTED THE BATTERY AND IT TESTED MARGINAL. I CHECKED WITH A COUPLE VW DEALERSHIPS AND THEY BOTH TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE RADIO. I JUST RECEIVED MY AFTERMARKET RADIO, WHICH I ORDERED AFTER HEARING HORROR STORIES OF REPLACING THE RADIO WITH AN OEM UNIT AND HAVING THEM GO BAD AGAIN THE NEXT TIME THE BATTERY WENT DEAD. I STILL HAVE THE OEM RADIO, AND WILL HANG ON TO IT FOR WHILE. *TR

1/10/08 I HAD MY 2003 VW JETTA IN FOR SERVICE. I WAS TOLD THE IGNITION COIL #3 NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. 4/11/08 IGNITION COIL #1 NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I FOUND THE RECALL ON YOUR WEB SITE AFTER THE APRIL PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL, EVEN THOUGH IT STATES 2003 JETTA. ON 12/4/08 I HAD TO REPLACE IGNITION COIL #4 AND ON 1/21/09 ANOTHER WHICH ALSO INCLUDED THE LAST TWO. I CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC AND WAS ONCE AGAIN TOLD THAT MY 2003 JETTA WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *TR

WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR. THE CALL IS UNDRIVABLE IN THIS CONDITION AS IT IS AROUND 20 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND THE CAR CANNOT BE LOCKED SECURELY DUE TO ABSENCE OF WINDOW. THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE US $456 FOR A WINDOW REGULATOR AND MOTOR. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 VW JETTA. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, WHEN I START THE CAR AND GET OUT TO SCRAPE THE SNOW & ICE OFF OF THE WINDOWS, THE DOOR LOCKS ENGAGE AND LOCK ME OUT OF THE RUNNING CAR. SINCE I HAVE JUST LEFT MY CAR TO REMOVE SNOW, OF COURSE MY PURSE AND CELL PHONE ARE IN THE CAR, SO I HAVE TO LEAVE THE LOCKED CAR RUNNING WHILE I KNOCK ON NEIGHBORS DOORS TO CALL SOMEONE TO BRING ME A SPARE KEY TO MY HOUSE, SO I CAN GET THE SPARE KEY TO MY CAR. I HAVE NOT HAD THE LOCKS REPAIRED, BUT WHEN I TOOK MY CAR TO GEBHARDT VW IN BOULDER FOR OTHER REPAIRS, I WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM IS SO COMMON THAT THE MECHANICS ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN WHENEVER A CAR COMES IN FOR SERVICE, TO MAKE SURE THEY WON'T GET LOCKED OUT. THE MECHANIC ACTUALLY HAD A BROKEN LOCK SITTING ON HIS DESK, AND SHOWED ME HOW THE LOCK WAS SUPPOSED TO WORK, BUT WHAT IT DOES INSTEAD. *TR

WHEN I START MY CAR, THE ENGINE IDLES INCONSISTENTLY AND THE CAR SHAKES OR STUTTERS. IF I BEGIN DRIVING NORMALLY ONE OF TWO THINGS WILL HAPPEN, EITHER THE ENGINE WILL STALL (HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY LATELY) OR THE CAR WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE IDLING PROBLEMS UNTIL IT WARMS UP. IN THE SECOND CASE, THE CAR WILL DRIVE NORMALLY FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES UNTIL I COME TO THE FIRST HILL. IF THE CAR DOWN SHIFTS WHILE GOING DOWN A HILL AT LOWER SPEEDS, THE ASR LIGHT WILL COME ON AND FROM THIS POINT ON THE CAR HAS A DIFFICULT TIME SHIFTING GEARS. THE SHIFTING IS ABRUPT AND THE ENGINE DOES NOT SOUND NORMAL. IF I STOP, TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON THE CAR APPEARS TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. TO AVOID THE ABOVE PROBLEM, I DO THE FOLLOWING WHEN FIRST STARTING MY CAR. I START THE CAR, TURN ON THE HEADLIGHTS AND REV MY ENGINE TO ABOUT 3000 RPM'S. I HOLD THIS RPM FOR ABOUT 30-60 SECONDS AND THEN I NOTICE THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKER ONCE AND BECOME STRONGER AND THE ENGINE WILL THEN REV UP ANOTHER 500 RPM'S ON ITS OWN. AT THIS POINT I USUALLY DO NOT EXPERIENCE THE ASR PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. PROBLEM FIRST STARTED IN 2007 AND PERSISTED UNTIL 2010 WHEN IT WAS FINALLY REPAIRED. *TR

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

THE FRONT HEADLIGHT LENSES HAVE OXIDIZED/DETERIORATED AND HAS DIFFUSED THE LIGHT TO THE POINT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. I HAD THE LENSES POLISHED TWO YEARS AGO, AND NOW THEY NEED POLISHING AGAIN. I DON'T FEEL THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO BEAR THE BURDEN OF A SAFETY ISSUE LIKE THIS. *TR

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

1. 2003 JETTA WAGON PASSENGER HEATED SEAT GOT EXTREMLY HOT AND THEN QUIT WORKING. *TR

WAS DRIVING TO A MOVIE THEATER AND A WAS DOING ABOUT 25 MPH AND I HIT A SMALL POT HOLE IN THE ROAD AND MY PASSENGER SIDE SEAT AND CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED THERE NO DENTS NO CRASH NOTHING AT ALL. *JB

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

WHILE DRIVING FROM PA TO BOSTON MY CAR'S ENGINE BROKE DOWN IN WHAT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE VW 1.8 LITER TURBO ENGINES. THE PASSAT (FROM '98-'04) HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE ISSUE BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT. I DRIVE A '03 JETTA WITH VW'S 1.8 TURBO ENGINE, BUT BECAUSE IT'S NOT A PASSAT THE WARRANTY WAS NOT EXTENDED. I STILL HAVE SEVERAL MONTHS OF PAYMENTS ON THIS CAR AND IT ONLY HAS 70,000. ALL VW CAN/WANTS TO DO TO HELP ME IS OFFER $1,500 IN REPAIRS OR TRADE IN. I'M LOOKING AT $7,200 AND OWE $1,600 ON THE CAR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FELL WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO ROLL IT DOWN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REGULATOR THAT HOLDS THE WINDOW IN PLACE CRACKED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,455 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,500.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, ON A SEPARATE OCCASION THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V063000, EXTERIOR LIGHTING,BRAKE LIGHTS; SWITCH WAS REPAIRED PER THE RECALL. THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER THE RECALL REMEDY WAS PERFORMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

THERE WAS A LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE FROM THE TAILPIPE RIGHT AFTER THE 75,000 MILE CPO WARRANTY ENDED. THE SMOKE WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY TURBO. THE TURBO HAD BEEN REPLACED AT 49,000 MILES AND VW AND AN INDEPENDENT VERIFIED THAT THE TURBO WAS FAULTY. THE DEALERSHIP WAS ASKED TO CHECK THE ENGINE (UNDER WARRANTY) FIVE TIMES THROUGHOUT THE TIME AFTER THE FIRST TURBO WAS INSTALLED, THEY REPORTED THAT ALL WAS FINE. AS SOON AS THE WARRANTY ENDED, THEY SAID THAT THE TURBO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. VW HAS SHIFTED ALL RESPONSIBILITY TO ME. EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS BURNING OIL, AND AFFECTING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, NO WARRANTIES APPLY. THE TURBO NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN, HOWEVER, NO ONE (INCLUDING VW) CAN EXPLAIN WHY IT KEEPS FAILING, DESPITE PERFECT MAINTENANCE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE EXPERIENCED PREMATURE CLUTCH FAILURE. THE CLUTCH WAS REPLACED AT 34,000 MILES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 34,489 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000. UPDATED 09/17/07 *TR

NO ADVANCE NOTICE. THE CAR SHUT OFF IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENTS. THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER , CARL GREGORY IN COLUMBUS, GA, COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM AT FIRST. LATER THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM AND REPLACED: 1. HARNESS P/N 1J0-971-349-HG, 2. HOLDER P/N 1J0-937-617-D, .FUSE P/N N-104-249-0. THEY DID NOT RETURN THE PARTS TO ME. SINCE NO ONE WAS SURE WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM OR IF THIS FIXED THE PROBLEM. I OWN A VOLKSWAGEN WITH ONLY 56622 MILES THAT I COULD NOT TRUST TO DRIVE OUT OF TOWN. *AK

AT APPROXIMATELY 61,000 MILES ON MY 2003 VW JETTA GLX (V6), I BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS THAT SEEMED TO BE TRANSMISSION RELATED. THIS INITIALLY OCCURRED IN JUNE OF 2007. ALL EXCEPT ONE OF THE ISSUES WERE RESOLVED BY THE WRAY VW IN COLUMBIA SC. THE ONGOING AND CURRENT PROBLEM I HAVE IS THE CAR CHANGES GEARS HARD BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD. THE HARD GEAR SHIFTS HAPPENS 95% OF THE TIME THE CAR CHANGES BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO DUE TO THE FACT THE 2 VW DEALERSHIPS DEEMED THE TRANSMISSION TO BE THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, CHANGING THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. MY PROBLEM IS STILL ONGOING. *TR

WHILE TRYING TO CLOSE THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW, IT STOPPED HALF WAY UP AND GOT STUCK. AFTER PUSHING THE ELECTRIC BUTTON TO LOWER THE WINDOW, IT FELL OUT OF THE TRACK MECHANISM AND INTO THE DOOR.

STARTING CAR IN THE MORNING OR AT END OF WORK DAY AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. CAR CANNOT BE MOVED - BRAKES HAVE HISSING OR WHISKING SOUND WHEN PRESSED. CAR CANNOT BE DRIVEN, UNLESS TURNING IGNITION TO FIRST ON POSITION PUTTING CAR IN NEUTRAL THEN STARTING THE CAR. *AK 2. BRAKES DO NOT WORK PROPERLY - CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE 3. DEALER CLAIMS THAT THERE IS SOME SORT OF BRAKE SWITCH THAT HAS A "UNIVERSAL RECALL" THAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. I DID RESEARCH BEFORE BUYING MY '03 JETTA AND FOUND THAT SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT BRAKE FAILURE AND BRAKE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN ON-GOING. WHEN I QUESTIONED THE DEALER THEY KNEW NOTHING OF THE SORT AND SAID "IF THERE HAD BEEN PROBLEMS IN THE PAST THEY HAVE BEEN FIXED." APPARENTLY THESE PROBLEMS HAVE NOT - I CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE THEM AS HAVE OTHER JETTA OWNERS WITH WHOM I HAVE SPOKEN.

VW JETTA 2003 OIL LEAKAGE FROM OIL PAN SCREW ACCORDING LOCAL SERVICE GUY: ALUMIN PAN AND STEEL SCREW THEARD ON OIL PAN LOOSE GRIP. VW NEED TO RECALL THIS. HTTP://WWW.AUHO.COM/FORUM/ARCHIVE/INDEX.PHP/T-1613.HTML *TR

THE 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA STATION WAGON WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT WHICH WAS LANDSCAPED WITH 3.5-INCH HIGH BELGIAN BLOCK CURBS. FROM A PARKED POSITION AND AT A DEAD STOP THE CAR WAS DRIVEN AT ALMOST NO SPEED SO THAT THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE CLIMBED ONE OF THE BELGIAN BLOCK CURBS. THE DRIVER WAS ALONE IN THE CAR. AS THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE CLIMED THE BELGIAN BLOCK CURB THE PASSENGER'S SEATBACK SIDE-THORAX AIRBAG AND THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT AIRBAG WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR, BUT THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO EVIDENCE OF ANY DAMAGE TO ANY PART OF THE CAR ARISING FROM THE CONTACT BETWEEN THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE AND THE BELGIAN BLOCK CURB. *AK

IGNITION COILS ON 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1.8T CONTINUE D TO FAIL EVERY 3-4 MONTHS. I HAVE GONE THROUGH 6 COILS IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR. NUMEROUS TIMES A COIL FAILED WHILE ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, ESPECIALLY WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC FLOW. I COULD RECALL TWICE WHERE I CAME VERY CLOSE TO BEING REAR ENDED BECAUSE OF THIS SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD BRIEFLY FLASH LETTING ME KNOW THAT THE CAR WAS HAVING A MISFIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THIS AND PLENTY OF OTHER PROBLEMS IN THE PAST. THE SERVICE MANAGER SUGGESTED THAT I DO A TUNE-UP ON THE VEHICLE ONLY 5,000 MILES AFTER ONE WAS PERFORMED. HE COULD NOT PINPOINT' THE PROBLEM OR DUPLICATE IT EITHER. APPARENTLY, VOLKSWAGEN WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT HAD NOT TAKEN ACTION TO MY KNOWLEDGE. THIS WAS SOMETHING VERY SERIOUS THAT SHOULD BE MORE OF A PRIORITY TO VOLKSWAGEN CONSIDERING I HAVE FOUND PLENTY OF ARTICLES ON THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM.*AK

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO AIR BAG WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO DEPLOYMENT. HOWEVER, THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER IT DEPLOYED. THERE WERE MINOR INJURIES TO THE DRIVER'S EARS. THERE WERE NO PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 60,000. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE IGNITION COIL WAS DEFECTIVE. AS OF JUNE 22, 2007, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 76,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

EPC LIGHT ON DASH KEEPS COMING ON. WHEN ON, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SHIFT CAR OUT PARK. WHEN AT IDLE AND LIGHT COMES ON, IDLES WILDLY UP AND DOWN. WHEN EPC LIGHT IS ON, BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK. *JB