2003 Volkswagen Jetta: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta: 2 recalls, 457 owner complaints and up to 38 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 2 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #07V063000 · 2007 · 1,002,000 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain passenger, wagon, and convertible vehicles equipped with or without cruise control, a brake light switch May malfunction if it was installed incorrectly.
Why it matters: The brake lights could become inoperative, or remain on. Failure to provide the proper signal when braking could lead to a crash without warning.
The fix: Dealers 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…
Airbags Vehicle recall #18V406000 · 2018 · 2,564 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: In 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.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began May 2, 2019.
2 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Brakes (hydraulic) Equipment recall #07E023000 · 2007 · 13,128 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Loss of brake fluid can result in poor braking performance, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Cardone 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.
Engine & cooling Equipment recall #14E007000 · 2014 · 50 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A failure of the timing belt May cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix: Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 70 mention a fire, 85 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Seats (100): the most common themes are fire / smoke (58), electrical failure (8).
- Electrical (97): the most common themes are electrical failure (46), fire / smoke (24), stalls / loses power (19).
- Airbags (77): the most common themes are fails to deploy (13), deploys unexpectedly / inflator (7).
- Transmission & drivetrain (54): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (19).
The 2003 Volkswagen Jetta has 457 owner complaints, ranking #10 of 37 Jetta model years for complaints (1.7× the average Jetta year). Complaints peaked in 2004 (84 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 56,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2002 (702 complaints, 5 recalls), 2004 (231 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 35 | 44 | 38 | Diesel |
| 1.9 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 | 40 | 33 | Diesel |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | Regular |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 28 | 24 | Premium |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 23 | Regular |
| 2.8 L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | Premium |
| 2.8 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S5) | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 28 | 22 | Premium |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S5) | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta, plus 2 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2003 Volkswagen Jetta problems?
Owners have filed 457 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are seats (100), electrical (97), airbags (77).
What gas mileage does the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta get?
EPA ratings run up to 38 mpg combined (1.9 L, Manual 5-spd), across 8 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2003 Volkswagen Jetta repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.