FaultScore

2003 Volkswagen Jetta fuel system problems

17 of the 552 complaints about the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta are about the fuel system — 3% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 89,000 miles.

C

17

Complaints

1

Crashes

1

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Fuel/Propulsion System 6 35.3%
Fuel System, Gasoline 3 17.6%
Fuel System, Diesel 3 17.6%
Tank Assembly 1 5.9%
Fuel Pump 1 5.9%
Storage 1 5.9%
Fuel Gauge System 1 5.9%
Tank Assembly 1 5.9%

Fuel & Propulsion across every Volkswagen Jetta year

1995 12 0.9%
1998 10 0.7%
1999 14 1.0%
2000 22 1.6%
2001 28 2.1%
2002 22 1.6%
2003 17 1.3%
2004 39 2.9%
2005 22 1.6%
2006 24 1.8%
2008 10 0.7%
2009 329 24.6%
2010 321 24.0%
2011 174 13.0%
2012 81 6.1%
2013 44 3.3%
2014 42 3.1%
2015 20 1.5%
2016 35 2.6%
2017 41 3.1%
2019 29 2.2%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Banning, CA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

My jetta stalls without warning when the gas gauge is at a quarter of a tank or less. No engine check light or any other any other device comes on to warn me it is going to stall. My speed does not matter. It happens at freeway speeds or around town. It does not occur if the gas gauge shows more than 1/4 of a tank of fuel. I do not know if it is an electrical problem, a fuel propulsion problem or an engine problem. From reading volkswagon forums, this is a very common problem with volkswagons of different years, including the new Tiguans. I'm sure there have been many fatalities as a result of this defect. I am surprised volkswagon has not been forced to repair this dangerous, life threatening problem before now! Maybe, a class action law suit involving products liability, merchantability, and fitness for a particular use would benefit not only owners, but the general public at large. I believe it is your duty to protect the general public from manufactures who place dangerous, defective products in the stream of commerce. Your action is required, and demanded. The first time ocurred right after I purchased the car in 2019. It has stalled many times since then, before I realized I needed to keep the fuel tank at least 1/2 full at all times. Keeping it 1/2 full at all times greatly deminishes the range of travel before I have to refill. It is inconvenient and expensive since fuel has to be purchased at places other the most economical place I usually purchase my gasoline. Thank you

NHTSA complaint #11450712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 166,000 miles Waynesboro, PA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED OR WHILE IDLING WHEN THE FUEL GAUGE IS AROUND OR UNDER 1/4 OF A TANK. I HAVE READ UP ON THIS AND PEOPLE ARE DUMPING A LOT OF MONEY ONTO TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE ISSUE IS AND THERE IS NO ANSWER. STALLING ON A HIGHWAY WITHOUT A MEDIAN OR PULL-OFF IS NOT ONLY INCONVENIENT BUT DANGEROUS.

NHTSA complaint #11161955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 220,185 miles Edwardsville, IL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

MY CAR GOT HACKED MY CHARLIE MILLER AND CHRIS VALASEK WAS SEEN OVER AT MY NEIGHBORS HOUSE ON 4/29/2017 AND MY EX BOSS CHRIS STUTZ JR IS IN CHARGE OF ALL THE BREAK IN OF MY HOUSE AND CARS EDWARDSVILLE POLICE WILL NOT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THE POLICE ARE FRIEND OF THEM I HOPE I DON'T GET KILLED OVER THESE HACKS BUT IF THAT'S WHAT IT WILL TAKE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT

NHTSA complaint #11014091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,678 miles Millen, GA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TRANSMISSION STRAINED TO SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. WATER PUMP WENT OUT CAUSE CAR TO RUN HOT.. WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED BUT BLOWER HEAD GASKET.... AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF

NHTSA complaint #10888440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 159,000 miles Riverside, CA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOOSE POWER AND THEN JUST SHUT OFF. LOOKING AT THE FUEL GAUGE I HAD A QUARTER OF A TANK LEFT IN FUEL. PULLING TO THE SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART MY VEHICLE. AFTER 5-10 MINUTES OF TRYING TO RESTART MY VEHICLE, IT STARTED. I THEN DROVE TO THE NEAREST GAS STATION AND FILLED UP MY TANK. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AGAIN AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THE FUEL GAUGE READ A QUARTER OF A TANK LEFT AND HAD TO PULL OVER AGAIN TO ATTEMPT TO RESTART MY CAR. THIS NOW HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE VEHICLES FUEL LEVEL GETS TO A QUARTER OF A TANK. I'M LEFT HAVING TO FILL UP MY TANK AT THAT POINT, QUARTER OF A TANK, TO AVOID BREAKING DOWN ON THE FREEWAY OR ANYTIME WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #10725356 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles LOS Osos, CA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

CAR STALLS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN AT QUARTER TANK OR LESS. PARTS REPLACED, STILL OCCURS. THERE IS NO KNOWN FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM, IT ALWAYS COMES BACK, AND IS MOST LIKELY A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT WITH THE FUEL PUMP SYSTEM THAT IS BEING IGNORED BY VW OF AMERICA. THIS IS HAPPENING TO HUNDREDS AND MOST LIKELY THOUSANDS OF VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, GOLF, BEETLE AND GTI OWNERS. WE HAVE BEEN CONNECTING THE DOTS THROUGH ONLINE VW FORUMS AND ARE FRUSTRATED! THERE HAVE BEEN ACCIDENTS REPORTED DUE TO SUDDEN POWER LOSS AND THEREFORE DECELERATION DUE TO THIS ISSUE. JUST THIS MORNING MY JETTA STALLED IN FRONT OF A SEMI TRUCK DOING 65MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM, IT'S HAPPENING TO A LOT OF OWNERS OF VW'S MANUFACTURED BETWEEN 1999 AND 2005, AND IT NEEDS YOUR ATTENTION BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED. THANK YOU.

NHTSA complaint #10620761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,000 miles Chicago, IL

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA EXPERIENCED A FUEL PUMP FAILURE WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. MY VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP IN FRONT OF THE ENTRANCE TO AN ALLEY. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER THE FAILURE. THE FUEL PUMP HAS TO BE REPLACED, BUT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10557088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 37,750 miles Chicago, IL

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA'S COOLANT PUMP FAILED WHILE IN TRAFFIC. THIS CAUSED A REDUCTION IN POWER AND ENGINE OVERHEATING. REPLACEMENT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.

NHTSA complaint #10557091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Staunton, VA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

I STARTED EXPERIENCING A HOT SPOT IN THE DRIVER'S HEATED SEAT IN THE FALL OF 2012. I HAVE TO PUT A CUSHION BETWEEN MY RIGHT LEG AND THE SEAT OR IT WILL NEARLY BURN. I HAVE ALSO BEEN HAVING AN ISSUE WITH EITHER THE O2 SENSOR OR CATALYTIC CONVERTER WHENEVER IT RAINS AND IT'S COOL WEATHER. THE CAR WILL LOSE POWER, SPUTTER AND LURCH UNTIL IT HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR A WHILE THEN IT ACTS NORMALLY. FINALLY, FOR THE PAST TWO MONTHS THE REAR DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT OPEN WITH THE KEYLESS ENTRY OR BY HITTING THE LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE DOOR. I JUST REACHED THE 100K MARK AND KEEP UP REGULAR MAINTENANCE ON MY CAR SO I'M A LITTLE UPSET THAT THINGS LIKE THIS ARE HAPPENING SO EARLY.

NHTSA complaint #10546042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 89,000 miles Round Rock, TX

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF LOW SULFUR DIESEL MY INJECTION PUMP HAS DEVELOPED A LEAK ! POSSIBLE FIRE DANGER.

NHTSA complaint #10433619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 46,000 miles SAN Diego, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND IT RESTARTED THREE HOURS LATER. ONE WEEK LATER, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE NEAREST MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V375000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: FUEL PUMP) WAS REFERENCED CONCERNING THE 2003 PASSATS. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 46,000. UPDATED 5/6/08 *CN UPDATED 05/06/08

NHTSA complaint #10224731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 25,000 miles Pittsburgh, PA Crash Fire 2 injured

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE

OUR JETTA WAS REAR-ENDED AT A RED LIGHT AND THE GAS TANK EXPLODED, CAUSING THE CAR TO BECOME A FIREBALL. THE CAR WAS OBVIOUSLY TOTALLED, AND WE LOST ALL OF OUR BELONGINGS INSIDE THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10177058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Unknown, DC

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE STOPPING.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR WHEN THE WEATHER IS AROUND 5 DEGREES, THE FUEL GELS AND THE VEHICLE COMES TO A STOP. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES. THE CONSUMER HAS OUT IN DUEL ADDITIVES BUT THAT HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. *TT

NHTSA complaint #10128085 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Richmond, VA

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS NO POWER TO THE VEHICLE. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THERE WAS A SEVERE VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. *MR THIS RESULTED IN A COMPLETE LOST OF POWER AND A REPLACEMENT OF THE INJECTOR SYSTEM. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS MUDDY DIESEL FUEL BUT COULDN'T PRODUCE THE FUEL FILTER TO BACK UP THE CLAIM. THERE WAS ANOTHER INCIDENT WHERE THERE WAS A PUFF OF SMOKE AND A LOST OF POWER DOWN TO 25 MPH ON THE ROAD. THE ENGINE HAD A #3 VALVE GO THROUGH THE PISTON AND RUN UP AND DOWN THE CRANKSHAFT. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH ANOTHER INJECTOR SYSTEM AND FUEL PUMP WAS ADDED. SEVERAL WEEKS LATER, A HIGH PRESSURE OIL LINE BROKE FROM THE WELD AND SPEWED OIL EVERYWHERE. THE AXLE ASSEMBLY AND THE TRANSMISSION SLAVE CYLINDER WERE REPLACED AS WELL. *SC

NHTSA complaint #10079856 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Victoria, TX

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER SMELLED GASOLINE ODOR COMING FROM THE VENTS. GASOLINE WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE RING LOCK ON THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK WAS WARPED. THIS CAUSED A FUEL LEAK.

NHTSA complaint #10067421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 5,000 miles Baldwinsville, NY

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM

GAS GAUGE INACCURATE DESPITE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTED CORRECTIONS (FUEL SENDING UNIT X2, INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, GAS TANK ALL REPLACED WITH NO IMPROVEMENT).

NHTSA complaint #10060056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 14,200 miles Weld, ME

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

VEHICLE HAD SENDING UNIT REPLACED WITH A DIFFERENT DESIGN UNIT TO ADDRESS COLD WEATHER OPERATING CONDITION. MFG,R HAS TSB ACKNOWLEDGING PROBLEM. WAS CHARGED FOR REPAIRS CAR IS 4 MOS OLD. 2003 JETTA PURCHASED IN SEPT.2003.

NHTSA complaint #10056440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2003 Volkswagen Jetta problems

← Full 2003 Volkswagen Jetta report