2003 Volkswagen Jetta Electrical System Problems
- 63
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 63 stored complaint records:
- 1 indicate a crash
- 5 indicate injury
- 9 indicate fire
What owners report
- seat heater · 11 records
- fuse battery · 9 records
- side seat · 6 records
- light came · 6 records
- battery melted · 5 records
- alternator cable · 5 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 100–150k mi | 18 |
| 60–100k mi | 18 |
| 150–400k mi | 10 |
| 30–60k mi | 9 |
| 1–30k mi | 4 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Electrical System
Iam the original owner and have always kept my jetta in the garage. I moved 3 and a half years ago and my car is no longer garaged. My headline is starting to detach from the inside of the car and the leather throughout my car is cracking. I noticed there was a classss action lawsuit regarding the sunroof drain getting clogged causing damage to the car. Who can i contact to see if i qualify for this action. At the…
ODI 10938362
Electrical System · Seats
Both front seats, the bottom right side bolster burned. The heated front seats will over heat, the failure appears to be confined to the right bolster on the bottom section of the seat. The heating elements get hot enough to burn through the seat material. Being the side of the seat i was able to shift my leg away and power off the heated seat. If left on the seats will start to smoke. I consider this a safety…
1 injury
ODI 10500938
Electrical System · Engine
All warning indicators (abs, cel, airbag, ecp, battery and other instrument dash panel lights) would flicker repetitively until the car lost all power. After inspection of the engine compartment it was found that the alternator cable that attaches to the fuse box located on top of the battery was melting the fuse box and causing power distribution problems. The volkswagen dealer recommended that they both be…
ODI 10547473
Electrical System · Seats
Driver's seat heater malfunctioned. Right side of seat has small burn marks, is discolored, has exposed elements, and seat foam is melted. Two pairs of pants obtained singe marks on separate occasions. I drive the car to and from the city via interstate for [redacted]. Seat heaters are typically on for about 20 minutes. Beginning in november when i used the seat heaters i could smell a slight burning smell. Since it…
Fire reported
ODI 10446433
Electrical System
My 2003 volkswagen jetta has experienced a coil pack failure causing a reduction in power, and the engine to misfire. According to the volkswagen dealer, the housing of the coil pack was cracked which allowed moisture to affect its operation. The dealer also stated that there is no recall or replacement program for 4 cylinder engines experiencing this problem. *tr
ODI 10557087
Electrical System
Hola mi hija tuvo una experiencie terrible con su auto.ella se dirigia a la universidad en su auto y de momento comenzo a salir humo pr el area donde esta el guia y el conta milla mas o menos por lo poco que no pudo explicar por lo afectada que estaba.inmediatamente ella se detuvo y se bajo de vehiculo para llamar a su papa y jucto en ese momento se incendio y estamos seguros que fue un problema de fabrica para que…
Fire reported · 1 injury
ODI 10445143
Electrical System · Power Train
The rear o2 sensor on my 2003 volkswagen jetta failed causing the mil indicator to illuminate. The sensor had to be replaced, and is not covered under the extended warranty for emissions. *tr
ODI 10557097
Electrical System · Interior Lighting
The safety light on the interior of the front passenger door that lights up when the door is opened failed on my 2003 volkswagen jetta. The dealer stated that the problem was a failure in the front passenger door latch mechanism. The door latch mechanism was replaced, and was not covered under warranty. *tr
ODI 10557099
Electrical System · Seats
My drivers side seat heater doesn't recognize the setting of 0-5. It's either on, or off. Meaning, 0-4 the seat heater doesn't heat the seat. But when i turn it to 5 on the setting within 10 minutes the seat gets so hot it burns my legs through clothing. *tr
1 injury
ODI 10437253
Electrical System · Seats
My seat heater failed in my 2003 vw jetta, burning a hole in the seat under my left [xxx]. I was startled when suddenly there a strong burning smell in the car, then a hot spot in the seat occurred which caused me to have to quickly shift my seating posting and i immediately turned off the seat heater. Luckily i was driving slowly in the city and able to pull in the in a parking spot quickly and the seat or my…
Fire reported
ODI 10380923
Electrical System · Seat Heater/Cooler
I am the owner of a 2003 vw jetta. I was recently burned(11/2010) by the seat heater while driving and the car seat smelled like it was going to start on fire. My car had a recall not long after i bought it for the seat heaters. It is obviously a malfunction in the seat heater that vw has had numerous problems with based on the recall and the plethora of complaints on the internet. I can no longer use the heating…
ODI 10369355
Electrical System
(prior incident) 05/27/08 at 32k miles alternator harness burned and melted fuse panel (while car operating at low speed returning home from local trip). Fuse failed to prevent overheating of terminal connector on alternator harness at fuse panel. Current incident: 08/06/10 at 47k miles the alternator harness that had been replaced at 32k miles burned and melted fuse panel again, and alternator was also damaged…
ODI 10349433
Electrical System
As we were driving home, all the lights on the dash started blinking. The accelerator pedal stopped working in the middle of a busy intersection. The car engine continued running, but it just stalled in the middle of traffic and could not accelerate to get out of traffic. So we coasted the car for about 1.5 miles to a family members house. When we arrived, we turned off the car and tried to restart it, it would not…
ODI 10342088
Electrical System
Started car and turned on headlights. Started driving home and the dashboard dimmer switch caught fire. Fire went out but all dashboard lights were out. *tr
Fire reported
ODI 10334960
Electrical System
2003 volkswagen jetta gl was found to have fried cable from alternator leading to fuse box on top of battery. Problem was found and fixed 3 years prior to being found again at the dealership. Both times cable and fuse box were replaced. Pictures of the second incident are available. Also found that this incident has happened on other jettas as well. Worried that could potentially cause a fire. *tr
ODI 10329131
Electrical System · Engine And Engine Cooling · Visibility
2003 vw jetta: digital display would shut off when key was removed from ignition. Unable to lock vehicle doors with remote. Vehicle had to be restarted for digital panel to appear (re-set) and for door to lock with remote. Engine would also shut off while at a stop light and while driving on freeway. Possibility to cause a crash. All digital panels still illuminated, key would be locked in ingnition, un-able to turn…
ODI 10313312
Electrical System
Rear passenger doors fail to respond to key fob. Stay locked/ unlocked.
ODI 10544779
Electrical System · Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Sun roof drain clogs!!! No direction in manual for cleaning nor warning that it can happen. I found nearly three inches of water in the floor and water all over the interior fuse block. My concern is fire related. Corrosion can lead to high impedence connections and after water intrusion i have no idea how safe my electrical system is. This is the second or third incident and i finally found out what was causing the…
ODI 10285358
Electrical System
I have a 2003 jetta gls. I had about 65k miles on it and the speedometer first fluctuated wildly then died, or appeared to be dead. It would randomly start working for a few days and often would die again while i was driving. Non functioning speedometer affects function of auto locking doors, odometer, trip computer, and related functions (they do not work when speedometer not working). My mechanic tested the…
ODI 10261445
Electrical System · Engine And Engine Cooling · Exterior Lighting · Interior Lighting · Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. · Suspension · Wheels
I have had 27 things break or fail on my 03vw jetta 1.8t. I bought the car used in 01/06 with 32,000 miles. After buying the car the first five mins the window shattered. First two months 2 tires blew out, front rim cracked, back tires out of alignment. Dealer paid to fix rim broke 2 weeks later the dealer paid fo used set of similar rims. Every light inside and out went out by 05/06 driver seat wont raise up cargo…
ODI 10248367
Electrical System
2003 vw jetta gls wagon with 62k miles, abruptly shut down while driving. After towing to local mechanic, it was determined the main fuse holder had shorted out and begun to melt, risking an engine fire. Part was replaced and problem repaired for $237. *tr
ODI 10247228
Electrical System
Lost power, radio stopped working, a/c starting blowing hot air, epc light came on, battery light came on, abs light came on. Then the car would not crank. I thought the battery was dead so i jumped the car. I made it home then the car would not start the next morning. After examination i found that the fuse box on top of the battery had melted. The wire from the fuse box to the alternator overheated. Was told by…
ODI 10237984
Electrical System
Within 6 months (4) of the (6) ignition coils have failed. I have it in now for the third and fourth ones. *tr
ODI 10234444
Electrical System
Driving home from work. Has made two stops. On the way to my home my abs and airbag lights came on, radio froze, then car shut off. Was advised fuse panel on the top of the battery had melted. Mechanic found no reason for this to happen. No other issues. *tr
ODI 10233731
Electrical System · Engine And Engine Cooling
My 2003 vw jetta has been in the shop more in the past 6 months than in the last 5 years. The latest two problems were; 1) the engine coil (was replaced once by recall) and 2) my fuse box on top of my battery melted. I have spent over $1,500 in the last two months on the car. Was told that only one engine coil was allowed under the recall, and was told the fuse box melting was a common occurrence even though they…
ODI 10235347