I OWN A 2003 VOLKSWAGON JETTA THAT CAME WITH GOODYEAR TIRES. AT 20,435 THOUSAND MILES I GOT MY FIRST FLAT TIRE. WHEN A SECOND TIRE WENT FLAT LESS THAN 2 MONTHS LATER, I DECIDED TO PURCHASE A FULL SET OF DIFFERENT TIRES. WHEN THE OLD TIRES WERE REMOVED THERE WAS SEVERE CRACKING AND "TEARS" IN THE WALLS OF THE TIRES. I MAINTAIN MY…
Read full complaint
I OWN A 2003 VOLKSWAGON JETTA THAT CAME WITH GOODYEAR TIRES. AT 20,435 THOUSAND MILES I GOT MY FIRST FLAT TIRE. WHEN A SECOND TIRE WENT FLAT LESS THAN 2 MONTHS LATER, I DECIDED TO PURCHASE A FULL SET OF DIFFERENT TIRES. WHEN THE OLD TIRES WERE REMOVED THERE WAS SEVERE CRACKING AND "TEARS" IN THE WALLS OF THE TIRES. I MAINTAIN MY VEHICLE SO THERE WAS NO REASON AS TO WHY THE TIRES WENT FLAT. I LIVE IN A SAFE NEIGHBOORHOOD AND HAD MY CAR FOR A YEAR BEFORE THE TIRES STARTED TO GO FLAT. I DID NOT DRIVE THROUGH ANY CONSTRUCTION SITES AND THERE WAS NO SIGN THIS WAS VANDALISM SINCE THE CUTS WERE ON THE INSIDE OF THE WHEEL. LUCKILY, NEITHER OF THE FLATS HAPPENED ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY BECAUSE I COULD HAVE LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF MY CAR. WHEN MY TIRES WERE REPLACED THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT I WAS BASICALY DRIVING ON "TIME BOMBS" AND THAT IT WAS GOOD THAT I CAME IN. HE THEN PROCEEDED TO SHOW ME OTHER TIRES WITH THE SAME CHARACTERISTICS. I COULD NOT BELIEVE GOODYEAR HAD A LINE OF DEFECTIVE TIRES AND THEY WERE DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. WITH A NAME LIKE GOODYEAR I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THEY WOULD HAVE CARED MORE ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS. ASIDE FROM THE TEARS, THE TIRES ARE STILL IN GOOD SHAPE WITH THE TREAD BARELY WORN DOWN. MOST TIRES LAST 40,000 PLUS MILES, I GOT MY FIRST FLAT TIRE AT HALF THAT. NOW, I AM OUT OVER $500.00 BECAUSE I HAD TO PURCHASE A WHOLE NEW SET OF TIRES. I THINK IT IS OUTRAGEOUS GOODYEAR HAS NOT OFFERED TO PAY ANY OF THAT. I KEPT THE TIRES AS PROOF AND I HAVE MANY PICTURES. APPARENTLY THEY ONLY PAY ATTENTION TO PEOPLE WHO GET INJURED.
NHTSA ODI #10185925
Mileage unknown · Jul 20, 2006
Tires
GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A TIRE FAILED DUE TO CRACKS ON THE INTERIOR SIDEWALL LEADING TO A BLOWOUT AND NEAR SEPARATION OF THE TIRE FROM THE WHEEL. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10162932
24,000 miles · Mar 8, 2005
Tires
MY TIRE WENT FLAT WHILE DRIVING, WHEN I REALIZED WHAT HAD HAD HAPPENED AND FOUND A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER ABOUT A QUARTER MILE LATER, BY THAT TIME THE TIRE HAD SPLIT COMPLETELY AROUND THE ENTIRE TIRE ON THE OUTSIDE AND THE INSIDE. THANK GOODNESS THIS HAPPENED JUST AS I WAS MERGING ON TO THE INTERSTATE, AND I WASN'T GOING VERY F…
Read full complaint
MY TIRE WENT FLAT WHILE DRIVING, WHEN I REALIZED WHAT HAD HAD HAPPENED AND FOUND A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER ABOUT A QUARTER MILE LATER, BY THAT TIME THE TIRE HAD SPLIT COMPLETELY AROUND THE ENTIRE TIRE ON THE OUTSIDE AND THE INSIDE. THANK GOODNESS THIS HAPPENED JUST AS I WAS MERGING ON TO THE INTERSTATE, AND I WASN'T GOING VERY FAST AT THE TIME. I WAS TOLD LATER BY THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER THAT THESE LOW PROFILE TIRES SPLIT LIKE THAT FREQUENTLY BY JUST DRIVING A SHORT WHILE ON IT AFTER IT BLOWS. I AM VERY FEARFUL OF THESE TIRES NOW.(GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A 225/45R17. I WAS TOLD MY THE MANUFACTURER OF MY CAR VW THAT THEY DIDN'T WARRANTY TIRES ON THERE CARS. THE LOCAL GOODYEAR DEALER TOLD ME THAT THIS TIRES DIDN'T HAVE A MILEAGE GUARNTEE, THAT THE TIRES SHOULD GO 50,000 MILES. MY CAR ONLY HAD 24,000 MILES ON IT. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN VW AND GOODYEAR AND THESE TIRES. SO MUCH FOR SO CALLED PERFORMANCE TIRES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10112743
8,067 miles · Dec 24, 2003
Electrical SystemPower TrainTires
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED HESITATION, KEYLESS KEY BATTERY DOES NOT WORK, EPC LIGHT ILLUMINATED DUE TO LOST OF POWER, JACK FELL WHILE CAR WAS ON IT, AND PROBLEMS SHIFTING THE CAR OUT OF PARK.*MR WHEN THE EPC LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOR THE SECOND TIME, THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TWO FLAT DUE TO …
Read full complaint
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED HESITATION, KEYLESS KEY BATTERY DOES NOT WORK, EPC LIGHT ILLUMINATED DUE TO LOST OF POWER, JACK FELL WHILE CAR WAS ON IT, AND PROBLEMS SHIFTING THE CAR OUT OF PARK.*MR WHEN THE EPC LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOR THE SECOND TIME, THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TWO FLAT DUE TO THE TIRES BEING OVERINFLATED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10053529
16,023 miles · Oct 28, 2003
Tires
I HAVE A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLS 1.8T SPORT EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR RSA TIRES, SIZE 245/45 R17 H91. THE TIRES HAD ONLY 16,000 MILES ON THEM. AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE DRIVERS SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE TIRE SHOWED THAT IT FAILED AT THE SIDE WALL. THERE WAS A TEAR IN THE SIDEWALL ALMOST THRU 40 PERCENT OF THE T…
Read full complaint
I HAVE A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLS 1.8T SPORT EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR RSA TIRES, SIZE 245/45 R17 H91. THE TIRES HAD ONLY 16,000 MILES ON THEM. AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE DRIVERS SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE TIRE SHOWED THAT IT FAILED AT THE SIDE WALL. THERE WAS A TEAR IN THE SIDEWALL ALMOST THRU 40 PERCENT OF THE TIRE. I MANAGED TO MAKE IT OVER 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC AND NARROWLY OVERTED A COLLISSION. FUTHERMORE GOODYEAR DECLINED TO HONOR MY WARRANTY CLAIM. I THINK THAT GOODYEAR RSA MODEL TIRES SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. THESE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE HIGH PERFORMANCE TIRES AND ONE FAILED AT THE SIDEWALL WITH ONLY 16,000 MILES ON IT AND AT ONLY 60 MILES PER HOUR. *AK
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began May 2, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69X3.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: 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 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
4
DP05004 · Engine Stalling
Opened Aug 11, 2005 · Closed Dec 8, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:ignition:module
BY LETTER RECEIVED ON JUNE 24, 2005, MR. RONALD M. STRICKLAND OF RALEIGH, NC, SUBMITTED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE IGNITION COIL PLUGS ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, GOLF AND PASSAT SEDANS.THE PETITIONER ALLEGES THAT HE HAD EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE STALLING EVENTS AS A RESULT OF ONE OR MORE IGNITION COIL PLUGS MALFUNCTIONING ON HIS 2002 VW JETTA SEDAN.AS A RESULT OF THE ENGINE STALLING, THE PETITIONER EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND INCREASED BRAKING EFFORTS WHEN HE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE.AFTER A FEW MINUTES PARKED ON THE SHOULDER HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE OPERATED AT REDUCED POWER.VW ISSUED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN (CSC) ON JANUARY 31, 2003 TO INSTRUCT THEIR DEALERSHIPS TO INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR ANY MALFUNCTIONING IGNITION COIL PACKS AND TO REPLACE THEM AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER.CONSUMERS WERE NOTIFIED TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERSHIPS VIA OWNER LETTERS MAILED OUT ON JUNE 6, 2003.WHILE VW INITIALLY INSTRUCTED THE DEALERSHIPS TO ONLY REPLACE THE MALFUNCTIONING IGNITION COIL PACKS, A REVISED CSC WAS ISSUED TO DEALERSHIPS IN DECEMBER 2003 AND JANUARY 2004, INSTRUCTING DEALERSHIPS TO REPLACE ALL IGNITION COIL PACKS REGARDLESS OF THEIR PERFORMANCE.A REMINDER TO THE DEALERSHIPS WAS SENT BY VW ON APRIL OF 2004.ALTHOUGH THE CONCERNS OF THE PETITIONER COULD THEORETICALLY CREATE A SAFETY PROBLEM, THE RISK IS VERY SMALL, DUE TO THE ENGINE STILL RUNNING ON EITHER 3, 5, OR 7 CYLINDERS.THERE ARE NO REPORTED CRASHES OR INJURIES DUE TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.ONCE DRIVERS ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM (LOSS OF POWER DUE TO ONE OF THE IGNITION COIL PACKS MALFUNCTIONING), DRIVERS ARE ABLE TO TAKE PRECAUTIONARY AND COMPENSATORY MEASURES AND STILL MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THEIR VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, FOUR FIRES WERE REPORTED TO ODI.THESE WERE IGNITION COIL BURNOUTS WITH NO ADDITIONAL DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND WERE LOCALIZED ON TOP OF THE ENGINE. DURING THE LAST 24 MONTHS THE NUMBER OF STALL AND DRIVABILITY COMPLAINTS REPORTED TO ODI HAS GREATLY DIMINISHED FROM A PEAK OF 195 IN JANUARY OF 2003 TO ONLY 3 IN AUGUST OF 2005.THIS COINCIDES WITH THE CSC RELEASED BY VW.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
PE04081 · Inadvertent SIDE-AIRBAG Deployment
Opened Dec 16, 2004 · Closed Apr 1, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:side/window
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH SIDE-THORAX AND SIDE-HEAD CURTAIN AIRBAGS TO PROTECT THE FRONT AND REAR OUTBOARD OCCUPANTS IN A SIDE-IMPACT CRASH.THIS INVESTIGATION IDENTIFIED A TOTAL OF 499 REPORTS (482 OWNERS REPORTS AND 17 WARRANTY CLAIMS).THE CRASH SENSING SYSTEM?S ALGORITHM MAY RECOGNIZE CERTAIN NON-CRASH IMPACTS (WHEEL, TIRE AND UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACTS) AS DEPLOYABLE EVENTS.THE 97 ALLEGED INJURIES WERE MINOR IN NATURE AND CONSIST OF ABRASIONS, BRUISES, EAR RINGING AND HEADACHES.THERE WAS NO ALLEGED LOSS OF CONTROL CRASH AS A RESULT OF SIDE-AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.ODI ALSO OBTAINED COUNTS OF ALLEGED INADVERTENT SIDE-AIRBAG DEPLOYMENTS FROM PEER MANUFACTURERS.THE DATA SHOWS THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE NOT UNIQUE IN BEING SUBJECT TO SUCH ALLEGATIONS.THE COMPLAINT RATE FOR NON-SUBJECT INDIVIDUAL MODEL VEHICLES VARIES WIDELY.THE RATE FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS COMPARABLE TO THREE PEER MODELS, EACH WITH COMPACT CHASSIS/WHEELBASES.ODI HAS NOT IDENTIFIED ANY COMPONENT FAILURE OR MANUFACTURING TREND THAT MAY RELATE TO A COMPONENT OR MANUFACTURING ISSUE.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
EA04010 · Driver Side Front Seat Overheats
Opened Mar 30, 2004 · Closed Oct 21, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler
THIS INVESTIGATION CONCERNS THE ELECTRIC SEAT HEATER INSTALLED IN SOME MY 2002-2003 VOLKSWAGEN (VW) JETTA VEHICLES.CONSUMERS ALLEGE THAT THE SEAT HEATER MAY OVERHEAT, RESULTING IN BURN DAMAGE TO THE SEAT COVER AND TO THE DRIVER'S CLOTHING AND/OR SKIN.THIS EA ADDRESSES WHETHER SUCH FAILURES MAY POSE A RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY.ODI CONCLUDES THAT THE DRIVER-SIDE SEAT HEATER MAY FAIL OR MALFUNCTION DUE TO NORMAL VEHICLE USE, (I.E., DRIVER INGRESS AND EGRESS FROM THE VEHICLE).THE INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THAT SUCH FAILURES DO NOT POSE A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF INJURY OR FIRE.ODI BELIEVES THAT FURTHER INVESTIGATION WOULD NOT LIKELY IDENTIFY A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND.THEREFORE, THIS EA HAS BEEN CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.THE ATTACHED SUMMARY REPORT PROVIDES FURTHER DETAIL CONCERNING THIS EA.
PE03052 · Driver Seat Overheats/burns
Opened Nov 19, 2003 · Closed Mar 30, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL ELECTRICALLY HEATED DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEATS.INFORMATION RECEIVED DURING PE03-052 DISCLOSED A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF INCIDENTS OF MALFUNCTIONING/OVERHEATING OF THE DRIVER SEAT HEATER IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ADDITIONAL INCIDENTS MAY OCCUR DURING THE FINAL MONTHS OF THE WINTER SEASON.THIS MATTER IS ALSO CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED BY TRANSPORT CANADA.THIS PE HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA04-010)IN ORDER TO FULLY INVESTIGATE THESE OCCURRENCES AND THEIR SAFETY IMPLICATIONS.
2003 Volkswagen Jetta Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration