Model year guide

2003 Volkswagen Jetta

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2003 Volkswagen Jetta is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 142 on record.

2003 Volkswagen Jetta — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2003 Volkswagen Jetta at a glance

Safety recalls4
Owner complaints462
Combined26 mpg
Typical price$1,834

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2003 Volkswagen Jetta recalls 4

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #18V406000 · 13/06/2018

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.

Fix: 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.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine NHTSA Campaign #14E007000 · 07/03/2014

The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use i…

Fix: Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch NHTSA Campaign #07V063000 · 20/02/2007

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.

Fix: 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 O…

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder NHTSA Campaign #07E023000 · 29/03/2007

CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.

Fix: CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2003 Volkswagen Jetta common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 462 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Seats
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.

2003 Volkswagen Jetta MPG & running costs

Combined26 mpg
City23 mpg
Highway31 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,900

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2003 Volkswagen Jetta worth?

Low
$800
Typical price
$1,834
High
$2,950

From 131 comparable 2003 Volkswagen Jetta listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2003 Volkswagen Jetta costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$14,500
Depreciation (5 yrs)$1,050
Total$15,550
Per mile$0.21

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($1,834) with the same model 5 model-years older ($767), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2003 Volkswagen Jetta trims & engines on record

Trims
GLS · GL · GLS 1.8T · Wolfsburg Edition · GLX VR6 · GLI VR6 · GLS TDI · GL TDI
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl 115 hp · 1.8L 4-cyl 180 hp · 2.8L 6-cyl 200 hp · 1.9L 4-cyl 90 hp

2003 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles on record

2003 Volkswagen Jetta 2003 Volkswagen Jetta GLWVWRK61J13W411159 2003 Volkswagen Jetta 2003 Volkswagen Jetta GLX VR63VWTH69M73M057261 2003 Volkswagen Jetta 2003 Volkswagen Jetta GLS3VWSK69MX3M034523 2003 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8T3VWSE69M33M027355 2003 Volkswagen Jetta 2003 Volkswagen Jetta GL3VWRK69M93M196982 2003 Volkswagen Jetta GLI VR63VWVH69M13M018352 2003 Volkswagen Jetta GL3VWRK69M43M127102 2003 Volkswagen Jetta 2003 Volkswagen Jetta GL3VWRK69M33M139614 2003 Volkswagen Jetta 2003 Volkswagen Jetta GLSWVWSK61J13W303724 2003 Volkswagen Jetta 2003 Volkswagen Jetta Wolfsburg Edition3VWPE69M73M187812 2003 Volkswagen Jetta 2003 Volkswagen Jetta GLS3VWSK69M73M127452 2003 Volkswagen Jetta 2003 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8T3VWSE69M23M159197 2003 Volkswagen Jetta 2003 Volkswagen Jetta GL3VWRK69M13M180226 2003 Volkswagen Jetta GLS3VWSK69M23M077107 2003 Volkswagen Jetta 2003 Volkswagen Jetta GL3VWRK69M33M038783 2003 Volkswagen Jetta 2003 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8T3VWSE69M13M058636 2003 Volkswagen Jetta 2003 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8TWVWSE61J73W125051 2003 Volkswagen Jetta GLS3VWSK69M83M143403 2003 Volkswagen Jetta 2003 Volkswagen Jetta GL3VWRK69M93M088703 2003 Volkswagen Jetta GL3VWRK69M13M036448 2003 Volkswagen Jetta 2003 Volkswagen Jetta GL3VWRK69MX3M077998 2003 Volkswagen Jetta 2003 Volkswagen Jetta GLS3VWSK69M93M025876 2003 Volkswagen Jetta 2003 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8T3VWSE69M83M005951 2003 Volkswagen Jetta GLS3VWSK69M43M108292

Other Volkswagen Jetta model years

2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996

2003 Volkswagen Jetta — frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta?

Based on 462 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, seats, fuel/propulsion system.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta at about 26 mpg combined (23 city / 31 highway).

How much is a 2003 Volkswagen Jetta worth?

Comparable 2003 Volkswagen Jetta listings run roughly $800–$2,950, typically around $1,834 (from 131 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.