2003 Volkswagen Jetta Air Bags Problems
Owners have filed 77 complaints with NHTSA about air bags problems on the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta, 17% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 38,711 miles. The words owners use most often: “air bag” (30% of reports).
- 77air bags complaints
- 38,711median miles at failure
- 14mention a crash
- 23mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 30%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Air bag: mentioned in 23 of 77 complaints (30%)
- Side curtain: mentioned in 21 of 77 complaints (27%)
- Airbags deployed: mentioned in 17 of 77 complaints (22%)
- Insurance company: mentioned in 8 of 77 complaints (10%)
At what mileage do air bags problems happen?
Based on 54 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 77 complaints, 14 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 23 an injury.
Volkswagen Jetta air bags complaints by model year
| Model year | Air Bags complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Jetta | 2 | 4% | — |
| 2023 Jetta | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2022 Jetta | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2021 Jetta | 5 | 7% | 60 |
| 2020 Jetta | 2 | 4% | — |
| 2019 Jetta | 16 | 3% | 6,250 |
| 2018 Jetta | 6 | 19% | 24,600 |
| 2017 Jetta | 21 | 13% | 27,500 |
| 2016 Jetta | 7 | 4% | 18,500 |
| 2015 Jetta | 17 | 9% | 41,500 |
| 2014 Jetta | 37 | 10% | 55,268 |
| 2013 Jetta | 31 | 6% | 45,000 |
| 2012 Jetta | 34 | 7% | 63,000 |
| 2011 Jetta | 37 | 6% | 77,000 |
| 2010 Jetta | 31 | 4% | 63,975 |
| 2009 Jetta | 35 | 4% | 75,000 |
| 2008 Jetta | 20 | 11% | 94,000 |
| 2007 Jetta | 35 | 17% | 60,000 |
| 2006 Jetta | 65 | 11% | 85,000 |
| 2005 Jetta | 26 | 10% | 78,600 |
| 2004 Jetta | 21 | 9% | 43,180 |
| 2003 Jetta | 77 | 17% | 38,711 |
| 2002 Jetta | 108 | 15% | 50,000 |
| 2001 Jetta | 97 | 15% | 68,150 |
| 2000 Jetta | 41 | 9% | 65,000 |
| 1999 Jetta | 30 | 9% | 66,000 |
| 1998 Jetta | 9 | 5% | 120,000 |
| 1997 Jetta | 5 | 9% | 92,000 |
| 1995 Jetta | 22 | 10% | 68,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Airbag delopy
Driver side air bag deployment, no apparent reason. Driver side curtain air bags deployed at 35 mph no apparent reason. Injured driver with burns and ringing in ear. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 vw jetta. The contact stated that while driving over a pothole, the vehicle emitted smoke and stalled. The air bags also inadvertently deployed and there was smoke inside and outside of the vehicle. The failure could not be determined. The manufacturer was made aware of…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2003 Volkswagen Jettas have air bags problems?
No. NHTSA has 77 owner complaints about air bags for the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta (17% of the 456 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta air bags?
Yes: 1 safety recall list air bags. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do air bags problems start?
The median reported mileage is 38,711 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about air bags problems on the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta?
The most frequent phrase is “air bag”, in 23 of 77 complaints, followed by “side curtain” (21).
Other 2003 Volkswagen Jetta problems
- Seats problems (100)
- Electrical System problems (97)
- Power Train problems (54)
See all 2003 Volkswagen Jetta problems or air bags problems across all Jetta years.