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Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

  1. Home
  2. >Volkswagen
  3. >Jetta
  4. >2003
  5. >Engine

2003 Volkswagen Jetta Engine Problems

Engine complaints and recalls from NHTSA

Summary

The 2003 Volkswagen Jetta has 50 NHTSA engine complaints and 1 engine-related recall.

Problem Areas for the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta

Seats
90
Electrical
84
Airbags
75
Powertrain
52
Engine
50
Brakes
22
Lights
20
Visibility
16
Other
13
Structure
10
Fuel System
9
Suspension
6
Latches & Locks
4
Tires
4
Wheels
3

50

Complaints

1

Recalls

0

Injuries Reported

Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated April 10, 2026

Engine Recalls

14E007000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or ins...

All Engine Complaints

Date ↓ComponentSummary
Mar 20, 2018ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINETL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATE...
May 30, 2017ENGINETL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50...
Feb 17, 2016ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMTRANSMISSION STRAINED TO SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. WATER PUMP WENT OUT CAUSE CAR TO RUN HOT.. WATER P...
Aug 22, 2014ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGMY WATER PUMP FAILED SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE OVERHEAT SIGN LIT UP. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE O...
Apr 15, 2014ENGINEFORTUNATELY, MY SON WAS AT A RED LIGHT AND WENT TO TAKE OFF AND IT WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS..HE ROLLED...
Dec 26, 2013ENGINETHE PLASTIC DIPSTICK HANDLE ON MY 2003 VW JETTA CRACKED OFF THE DIPSTICK AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. T...
Mar 29, 2013ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGI HAVE NOTICED A BURNING CRAYON SMELL IN MY 2003 VW JETTA FOR A FEW MONTHS. I HAVE HAD THE CAR DETAI...
Dec 24, 2012ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMCAR STALLS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN AT QUARTER TANK OR LESS. PARTS REPLACED, STILL OCCURS. THERE IS NO...
Sep 1, 2012ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,SEATSI STARTED EXPERIENCING A HOT SPOT IN THE DRIVER'S HEATED SEAT IN THE FALL OF 2012. I HAVE TO PUT A ...
Jan 30, 2012ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGTHE DRIVERS SIDE MOTOR MOUNT BROKE, ENGINE DROPPED AND FELL ON THE AXLE AND BROKE IT. *TR
Feb 11, 2011ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGRATTLING NOISE IN THE ENGINE, OIL PUMP WAS NOT PUMPING OIL AND CAMSHAFT CHAIN TENSIONER (TIMING BELT...
Jul 21, 2010ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGWATER PUMP FAILURE. *TR
Jun 15, 2010ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AFTER BEING PREVIOUSLY ...
Mar 19, 2010ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGWE PURCHASED AN 03 VW JETTA WAGON APPROX. 2.5 YEARS AGO. WE CHANGED THE OIL AT THE DEALER EVERY 5000...
Feb 22, 2010ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY2003 VW JETTA: DIGITAL DISPLAY WOULD SHUT OFF WHEN KEY WAS REMOVED FROM IGNITION. UNABLE TO LOCK VEH...
Feb 3, 2010ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGAFTER TAKING MY 2003 VW JETTA 1.8L TURBO TO THE VW DEALERSHIP FOR A BROKEN DIPSTICK AND IGNITION REC...
Sep 21, 2009ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1.8 TURBO, ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO SLUDGE FORMATION. *TR
Mar 20, 2009ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTEN...
Dec 15, 2008ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2003 VW JETTA - FUSE BOX INSIDE ENGINE COMPARTMENT MELTED! *TR
Nov 30, 2008ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGI AM COMPLAINING ABOUT FAILURE OF THE IGNITION COILS ON A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA ( ) WITH THE 1.8 LIT...

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