Is This A Lemon?

Year · Make · Model

2003 Volkswagen Jetta

What the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration knows about this vehicle: every recall, every consumer complaint, every defect investigation, every NCAP crash test. Sourced directly from NHTSA data feeds.

4
Open recalls
456
NHTSA complaints
4
Defect investigations
233
Service bulletins

NCAP safety

Overall
Not rated
Frontal
Not rated
Side
Not rated
Rollover
Not rated

Consumer complaints

456 filed
25
Crashes
70
Fires
85
Injuries reported
1
Fatalities reported

What people complain about

  • SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
    69
  • Electrical System
    65
  • AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
    45
  • Seats
    34
  • AIR Bags
    22
  • Engine AND Engine Cooling
    21
  • Exterior LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
    20
  • Engine
    16

Recalls

4 campaigns
18V406000·AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE2018-06-13

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. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.

RiskIn the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

FixVolkswagen 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. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69X3.

14E007000·ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE2014-03-07

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 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.

RiskA failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

FixGates 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.

07E023000·SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER2007-03-29

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 AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.

RiskLOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

FixCARDONE 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.

07V063000·EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH2007-02-20

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.

RiskTHE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

FixDEALERS 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. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.

NHTSA investigations

4 actions
DP05004·ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE2005-08-11 → 2005-12-08

ENGINE STALLING

PE04081·AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW2004-12-16 → 2005-04-01

INADVERTENT SIDE-AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT

EA04010·SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER2004-03-30 → 2004-10-21

DRIVER SIDE FRONT SEAT OVERHEATS

PE03052·SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER2003-11-19 → 2004-03-30

DRIVER SEAT OVERHEATS/BURNS

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