Engine
1.9L 4-cyl
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
When it fails
The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.
Vehicle age when the failure occurred
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 448 of 456 complaints with a usable failure date.
Odometer when the failure occurred
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 366 of 456 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Seats
103 complaint records56 fire reports2 crash reports
"THE SEAT ON MY 2003 VW JETTA CAUGHT FIRE TODAY. AS A RESULT, THERE IS A NICKEL-SIZE BURN IN MY SEAT AND MY PANTS. *JB..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse seats parts in the directory →
Electrical system
97 complaint records15 fire reports1 crash report
"VEHICLE QUITS RUNNING AFTER BEING DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY FOR A PERIOD OF TIME WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP THEN ATTEMPTS TO TURN LEFT. *LA..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse electrical system parts in the directory →
Air bags
82 complaint records1 fire report15 crash reports
"AIR BAG SENSORS FAILURE. IN EVENT OF A CRASH AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. THERE ARE 1000'S OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse air bags parts in the directory →
Federal defect investigations
Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.
| Investigation | Status | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| DP05004 opened Aug 2005 | closed Dec 2005 | Electrical System | ENGINE STALLING BY LETTER RECEIVED ON JUNE 24, 2005, MR. RONALD M. STRICKLAND OF RALEIGH, NC, SUBMITTED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE IGNITION COIL PLUGS ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, GOLF AND PASSAT SEDANS.THE... |
| PE04081 opened Dec 2004 | closed Apr 2005 | Air Bags | INADVERTENT SIDE-AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH SIDE-THORAX AND SIDE-HEAD CURTAIN AIRBAGS TO PROTECT THE FRONT AND REAR OUTBOARD OCCUPANTS IN A SIDE-IMPACT CRASH.THIS INVESTIGATION IDENTIFIED A TOTAL OF 499 REPORTS (482 OWNERS REPORTS AND 17 WARRANTY CLAIMS).THE CRASH... |
| EA04010 opened Mar 2004 | closed Oct 2004 | Seats | DRIVER SIDE FRONT SEAT OVERHEATS THIS INVESTIGATION CONCERNS THE ELECTRIC SEAT HEATER INSTALLED IN SOME MY 2002-2003 VOLKSWAGEN (VW) JETTA VEHICLES.CONSUMERS ALLEGE THAT THE SEAT HEATER MAY OVERHEAT, RESULTING IN BURN DAMAGE TO THE SEAT COVER AND TO THE DRIVER'S CLOTHING AND/OR SKIN.THIS EA... |
| PE03052 opened Nov 2003 | closed Mar 2004 | Seats | DRIVER SEAT OVERHEATS/BURNS THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL ELECTRICALLY HEATED DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEATS.INFORMATION RECEIVED DURING PE03-052 DISCLOSED A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF INCIDENTS OF MALFUNCTIONING/OVERHEATING OF THE DRIVER SEAT HEATER IN THE SUBJECT... |
Recall campaigns
Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18V406000 | 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. | Normally free |
| 07V063000 | 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. | Normally free |
Transport Canada recalls
Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018316 2018-06-13 | Airbag | 368 | On certain vehicles, the driver frontal airbag could explode if the vehicle is involved in a collision that warrants an airbag deployment. |
| 2006122 2006-05-24 | Lights And Instruments | 244,526 | On certain Golf, GTI, Jetta, Jetta wagon, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, Passat and Passat wagon, the brake lamp switch may malfunction. |
| 2005012 2005-01-19 | Seats And Restraints | 108,501 | Certain vehicles equipped with the comfort seats option may have a seat heater element that can malfunction when the ignition switch is in the "ON" position and the seat heater switch is also "ON". |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| V171901201285565 Aug 2023 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards | |
| V171901201285562 May 2023 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments. | |
| V171901201285560 Apr 2023 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments. | |
| V941901201152119 Dec 2022 | Equipment | Update model year applicability to include 2023. | |
| V271901201189422 Dec 2022 | Electrical System | Battery testing and charging using special tools VAS6161 & GRX3000VAS Charger. Updated to include additional model year applicability. |
Show 55 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| A002155201173212 Dec 2021 | Electrical System | This bulletin contains general instructions for software updates. | |
| V871806201994714 May 2020 | Equipment | Tool number added to table. Removal of Behr Flush Kit. VAS 6337/1A | |
| V941901201152115 Apr 2020 | Equipment | Updated to include additional models and model year applicability. | |
| SM 102-2019 Oct 2019 | Unknown Or Other | The part number listed in the document is to be returned if it meets the criteria provided. | |
| SM 80-2019 Oct 2019 | Unknown Or Other | Parts are currently blocked from sale at this time. | |
| V011812_2014603 Jul 2019 | Electrical System | Update vehicle metadata to include pull ahead models. Also includes R32 2002-2007 and 2002-2006 Jetta Wagon. | |
| V871812-2005566 Jun 2019 | Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | Update vehicle metadata. | |
| SM 33-2019 Mar 2019 | Equipment | The part number listed in the document is to be returned if it meets the criteria provided. | |
| TT 91 19 01 Mar 2019 | Electrical System | Alternative method for radio code retrieval. | |
| V171901-2012855 Mar 2019 | Engine | Engine Oils Which Meet Volkswagen Oil Quality Standards | |
| Gasoline Engine Feb 2019 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Gasoline Engine Misfire Diagnosis document | |
| V271901-2011894 Feb 2019 | Electrical System | Battery Testing and Charging instruction. Updated to include model year 2019 applicability. | |
| V941901-2011521 Feb 2019 | Exterior Lighting | Condensation and or water droplets visible on inside of exterior light lenses. TB updated to include model year 2019 applicability. | |
| V871812-2005566 Nov 2018 | Equipment | Update vehicle metadata. | |
| TT 10 12 01 Sep 2018 | Engine | Engine replacement tip | |
| V871809-2005566 Aug 2018 | Equipment | To include an additional model year applicability. | |
| V011812-2014603 Aug 2018 | Electrical System | Update content and include additional models and model year applicability. | |
| A971861 2013504- Jun 2018 | Electrical System | This information bulletin contains instructions for checking the pins/terminals for contacts and nano contacts. | |
| TT001703 Nov 2017 | Electrical System | Tip for Scan tool concerns that may occur duing a test plan | |
| TT 961011 Sep 2017 | Equipment | Update to model year applicability. | |
| TT 271002 Sep 2017 | Equipment | Updated to include model year 2014 thru 2018 applicability. | |
| TT 200901 Aug 2017 | Equipment | Update to existing tip for fuel quality checking. | |
| V171701 2012855 Jul 2017 | Engine And Engine Cooling | 17 17 01 July 5, 2017 2012855 Supersedes Technical Bulletin 17-16-02 (V171602) dated April 29, 2016 due to updated oil standards lists to current specifications. Engine Oils Which Meet Volkswagen Oil Quality Standards | |
| SM 44-2017 EN Jun 2017 | Equipment | This special notice is to inform dealers to return all part numbers listed in the document and order the superseded part numbers going forward. | |
| VHW-17-11 Jun 2017 | Equipment | VAS 6154 Replacement Part Setup Guide | |
| Quick Reference Mar 2017 | Electrical System | Quick Reference of vehicle concerns. Includes a list of Software versions and the technical bulletin numbers that referred to the concerns Updated | |
| 1-2017 Update Feb 2017 | Equipment | This communication is to update our ProFi dealers of the current status of the latest inbound and outbound ProFi requests. | |
| V691601 2010479 Oct 2016 | Equipment | Update model year applicability to include 2017. | |
| TT 00-16-02 Oct 2016 | Equipment | Reminder for dealers to reference the repair manual and replace all necessary fasteners (bolts, nuts) that cannot be re-used | |
| V871622 2019947 Oct 2016 | Equipment | Update to model year applicability. | |
| V011615 2014815 Oct 2016 | Engine | Update to include additional model year applicability. | |
| V871620 2005566 Oct 2016 | Equipment | Update model and model year applicability. | |
| TT 97-12-02 Sep 2016 | Equipment | Data Link connector pin assignment chart that is applicable to all models. Update model year applicability. | |
| TT001601 Sep 2016 | Equipment | Contacting the parts helpline | |
| V551613_2039446 Jul 2016 | Structure | TO UPDATE MODEL TABLE TO CLARIFY JETTA WAGON APPLICABILITY TO TB CONTENT. | |
| V571605-2038887 Jun 2016 | Equipment | To update Claim processing statement. | |
| V551612-2039446 Jun 2016 | Structure | Corrosion may be found on the folded edge of the hood. Supersedes TB V551603 | |
| V551605-2038994 Jun 2016 | Equipment | To update Claim process statement. | |
| V551604-2038992 Jun 2016 | Equipment | To update claim processing statement. | |
| V531602-2040536 Jun 2016 | Equipment | To update claim processing statement. | |
| V501606_2011761 Jun 2016 | Structure | TO UPDATE CLAIM PROCESSING STATEMENT. | |
| Ref. - Reflash U May 2016 | Electrical System | Quick Reference Update Guide of the vehicles expected upgraded software level. The latest corresponding technical bulletins that address the issues, and concerns that have been had with the vehicles. | |
| V501604 2014370 Mar 2016 | Structure | Technical Bulletin about Paint Finish, Reducing Swirl Marks and Fine Scratches New vehicles (prior to Retail Delivery) with swirl marks and or fine scratches from polishing or cleaning. The document also have infromation about where to find warrenty coverage for the service | |
| V551603 2039446 Feb 2016 | Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | Document discusses Corrosion that may be found on the folded edge of the hood. The corrosion may be found on this edge anywhere around the hood. It discusses how to service it, and document that service. | |
| TB551603 Feb 2016 | Structure | Corrosion on hood edge. | |
| Edition173 Feb 2016 | Equipment | Fuel Additive to Help Prevent Sporadic Misfire Faults | |
| Update 02122016 Feb 2016 | Electrical System | Quick Reference of vehicle concerns. Includes a list of Software versions and the technical bulletin numbers that referred to the concerns Updated | |
| UpdateGuide Feb 2016 | Equipment | Quick reference update guide. | |
| V551602 2038992 Feb 2016 | Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | Document discusses Electrolytic corrosion around the license plate lights (opening/contact surface, inside and outside) because of water ingress via the seal of the license plate lights. | |
| TB551602 Feb 2016 | Equipment | Corrosion on rear lid around license plate lights. | |
| V011602 2014815 Feb 2016 | Fuel System | Technical tips on what to do if improper gasoline has been added to the vehicle. | |
| TB011602 Feb 2016 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Gasoline quality. | |
| V501602 2011761 Feb 2016 | Structure | Document refers to Surface corrosion or corrosion perforation that can occur on various locations around the front wheel arch. It gives examples on where to check for repair coverage from warranties, fixing possible issues, and how to document the corrections | |
| TB501602 Feb 2016 | Wheels | Corrosion, Front fenders, at upper wheel opening. | |
| V531601 2040536 Feb 2016 | Structure | The document refers to Corrosion being found where the rear bumper cover meets the quarter panel. It discusses how it can happen, and where to find warranty coverage to service the parts |
Showing 60 of 215 distinct bulletins on file for this vehicle.
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Run every power seat adjustment and check the seat frame.Motors that stall and seats that rock on their tracks are this vehicle's seat complaints.
- Sit in it with the engine off and test everything that has a switch.Windows, locks, lights, the cluster, the radio. Electrical faults are this vehicle's story and the hardest to see on a drive: an intermittent no-start waits for the second week of ownership. Ask for the battery's age and whether any control module has been replaced.
- Watch the airbag warning light through a full key cycle.It should light on start and go out within seconds. A light that stays on, or never lights at all, means the system needs attention. Run the VIN for inflator recalls specifically.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 2 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Volkswagen Jetta →