Model Year Problem Record

Volkswagen Jetta 2003 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

456Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints

2Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls

4Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations

117Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Seats103 complaints

103 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System97 complaints

97 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags82 complaints

82 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 18V406000.

Engine61 complaints

61 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train55 complaints

55 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting31 complaints

31 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 07V063000.

Visibility22 complaints

22 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes22 complaints

22 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System17 complaints

17 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

07V063000Reported February 20, 2007 - 1,002,000 vehicles potentially affected

Lighting. Recall covering the lighting system, reported to NHTSA on February 20, 2007. The campaign covers an estimated 1,002,000 vehicles across all affected models.

18V406000Reported June 13, 2018 - 2,564 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on June 13, 2018. The campaign covers an estimated 2,564 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

DP05004Opened August 11, 2005 - Closed December 8, 2005

ENGINE STALLING. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA04010Opened March 30, 2004 - Closed October 21, 2004

DRIVER SIDE FRONT SEAT OVERHEATS. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE03052Opened November 19, 2003 - Closed March 30, 2004

DRIVER SEAT OVERHEATS/BURNS. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE04081Opened December 16, 2004 - Closed April 1, 2005

INADVERTENT SIDE-AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20022

200343

200484

200557

200648

200732

200836

200924

201028

201113

20129

201319

201422

20159

201612

20177

20184

20191

20203

20221

20231

20261

How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.