2003 Volkswagen Jetta seats problems
103 complaints about seats have been filed for the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta, which is 19% of all its NHTSA complaints. It is the most reported problem area for this model year.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 103 19% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 55,000 miles 84 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 2 and 56
- Injuries and deaths
- 45 and 1
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When seats problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 7 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 22 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 21 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 10 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 7 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 4 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 5 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 3 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 3 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 1 |
| 200k+ miles | 1 |
What the data shows
Of the 84 seats complaints that report mileage, the median is about 55,000 miles, and 60% were reported before 60,000 miles.
These complaints mention 2 crashes, 56 fires, 45 injuries, 1 death.
What owners wrote
This car is equipped with electric seat heaters. After driving this vehicle for approximately 25 miles, the driver seat heater burnt through the seat, burning my butt. The seat quit burning after turning the heater off. I have spoke to two VW dealers and VW directly and it sounds like this is not an isolated incident by any means.
I was driving my leased, 2003 volkswagen jetta, (equipped with cold weather package), on a very busy road in late afternoon on a cold autumn day just outside of boston. I turned my driver side seat warmer on the highest level, (5) and in about 5 minutes I felt a sharp pain on the backside of my left thigh and thought something had stung me at first. I repositioned myself in the seat, and could smell something burning.
Other problems reported for the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
- Electrical system 97 complaints
- Air bags 82 complaints
- Air conditioning & heating 69 complaints
- Engine 54 complaints
- Lighting 31 complaints
- Drivetrain & axles 29 complaints
- Transmission 26 complaints
- Brakes 22 complaints