Worst 2003 Volkswagen Jetta Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER | 69 | — | 41 | 44,688 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 65 | 1 | 9 | 100,019 mi | |
| AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW | 45 | 2 | — | 57,847 mi | |
| SEATS | 34 | 2 | 15 | 101,393 mi | |
| AIR BAGS | 22 | 7 | 1 | 74,381 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 21 | 2 | — | 68,488 mi | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH | 20 | 1 | — | 109,338 mi | |
| ENGINE | 16 | — | 1 | 112,780 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN | 15 | 1 | — | 91,380 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 14 | — | — | 32,169 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 13 | — | — | 53,402 mi | |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 12 | 6 | — | 22,362 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY | 12 | — | — | 27,917 mi | |
| VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | 10 | 1 | 1 | 37,386 mi | |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 9 | — | 1 | 81,187 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION | 8 | — | — | 17,707 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 6 | — | 2 | 42,355 mi | |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 6 | — | — | 149,173 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 6 | 4 | — | 50,975 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 6 | 1 | — | 20,863 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 5 | — | — | 65,763 mi | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 5 | 1 | — | 114,796 mi | |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | 5 | — | — | 76,800 mi | |
| STRUCTURE | 5 | 1 | — | 23,000 mi | |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 4 | — | — | 99,011 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL | 3 | — | — | 109,550 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE | 3 | — | — | 28,028 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS | 3 | — | 2 | 80,000 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | 3 | — | 1 | 32,331 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER | 3 | — | — | 72,100 mi |
Recalls for 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
1 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~2,564 vehicles.
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.
Other Volkswagen Jetta Years
Wider context: See the full Volkswagen Jetta reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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