2003 Volkswagen Beetle
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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These records cover every 2003 Volkswagen Beetle. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
5 recalls name the 2003 Volkswagen Beetle. Newest first.
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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy
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.
Sabersport IS recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. these headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain…
Risk and remedy
Risk
Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. the safety recall began on may 11, 2009. owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.
Volkswagen IS recalling 76,900 my 2004-2005 new beetle and my 2003-2005 new beetle convertibles equipped with an advanced (dual-stage) air bag system. this system may have air bag frontal crash sensors that contain a solder joint on the circuit board that may crack under certain high temperature conditions. if this occurs, the air bag indicator light…
Risk and remedy
Risk
In low-severity frontal impacts, the front air bags may deploy more forcefully than designed, increasing the possibility of injury to out-of-position front seat occupants.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect each vehicle to determine that the specific defect crash sensor IS present on one or both sides of the vehicle. all of the defect crash sensors will be replaced free of charge. the recall IS expected to begin on or before july 31, 2008. owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Loss of brake fluid can result in poor braking performance, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
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.
On certain passenger, wagon, and convertible vehicles equipped with or without cruise control, a brake light switch may malfunction if it was installed incorrectly.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Owner complaints
314 complaints7 involved a crash7 involved a fire6 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Exterior lighting
This car was extremely modified by a company caledl Hestermann Motorwwerks. The specific problem is the installation of LED Tail/Brake lights. The lights are not compatable with the cars electrical system and as a result they have a problem that is called Hyper Flashing. That means the turn signal…
This car was extremely modified by a company caledl Hestermann Motorwwerks. The specific problem is the installation of LED Tail/Brake lights. The lights are not compatable with the cars electrical system and as a result they have a problem that is called Hyper Flashing. That means the turn signal, when engaged, flashes erratically and wehn the brake pedal is applied the light flalso ashes erratically causing the following vehicle to be confused and resulting in an unsafe condition. I feel that the installer needs to be notified of the wrong doing as many cars have been modified by this business. HESTERMANN MOTORWERKS Jessie Lee Ct, Green Cove Springs, Fl 32043
- Air bags
The airbag sensors were issued a recall. The dealer confirmed this. The car dealership is refusing to replace the airbag sensors until other issues with the car are fixed. I paid to have them do a diagnostic on the car to address the other problems. They are refusing to give me the codes to check what other problems exists with the car.
- Power train
Vehicle does not shift properly, vehicle does not shift to drive correctly and either shifts down or stays in neutral
- Air bags
Airbag light IS on..was diagnosed as a faulty airbag module ...VW dealer says part has been discontinued and I can not get my car inspected.
- Electronic stability control (esc) · Exterior lighting · Vehicle speed control
The car IS having issues as exactly the recalls has stated (i haven't known by now about the recalls) 1. Selector shift and shifter cables were broken 2. Break switch did not function, leading to malfunction of epc (electronic processing control) that later caused cruise control, taillight and ac compressor not working 3. Windshield wiper pump was not working 4. Headlight beam was low
- Electrical system · Seat belts · Seats
Passengers side headlight shorting out for 7TH bulb replacement and new electrical problems. Strange, all within 6 months. My 21 yr old nursing student of ecu university has had the exact same issue while on her 4 hour trip home 7 times now. The wiring continues to fry itself in the main fuse box…
Passengers side headlight shorting out for 7TH bulb replacement and new electrical problems. Strange, all within 6 months. My 21 yr old nursing student of ecu university has had the exact same issue while on her 4 hour trip home 7 times now. The wiring continues to fry itself in the main fuse box , now affecting theabs braking system. I paid $9K in cash and have electrical receipts, seat belt, convertible top, blower door, front end replacement, radiator, water pump, trunk latch, hydro licks on convertible, timing belt, 4 batteries, air bags! I could continue with a longer list. I added up to $17,000.00 I have in this piece of crap that continues to break monthly . I would be ecstatic to provide all receipts. Isn't problems of this great nature unreasonable for a car with 70,000 miles also considered a lemon? All incidents have left my daughter stranded on interstate 85 where she has feared her life fight off the homeless psychotic people. It has left me unable to buy her a new car with no savings due to fixing something new each month. And 27 degrees outside with no ability to start it. The seat levers back and forth have had to be bolted in one position to prevent seat belt electrical too short electrical cord so the faulty airbags may by chance deploy if she ever got into an accident. latest IS. She needs another water pump and timing belt from just being done 2 years ago!! Something major defects with this car. I fear for her life! Last trip home a car did not see her pulled over on interstate and side swiped her bumper. Water pump again.see photo of it leaking more when we had it towed home in garage. Also rear bumper of inciden
- Power train
. Gets stuck randomly in 1ST gear ... Some of the time it shifts but if I leave it running in park for a few minutes (especially then) or when it warms up nicely and I then have to slow down into 1ST like at a light after I exit the highway and then try to drive again it won't shift out of first .…
. Gets stuck randomly in 1ST gear ... Some of the time it shifts but if I leave it running in park for a few minutes (especially then) or when it warms up nicely and I then have to slow down into 1ST like at a light after I exit the highway and then try to drive again it won't shift out of first . And. I know when it's about to start this because it starts shifting so hard the car lurches (sometimes so roughly that if I hadn't made sure to be extra far away from any vehicles in front of me then my car would have leaped right into theirs - even if I am braking) very scary:( and I feel unsafe especially when it lurches badly and also when the car stops gaining speed because it got stuck in 1ST and the cars behind me almost run right over me ) from what I've read while researching this, this issue IS a well known defect. V w made a minuscule effort to address it ... An extended warranty which IS useless because it doesn't cover fixing the damage to the transmission that this defect causes, leaving us owners to have buy a new transmission basically because of this known defect. VW should fix it since they clearly know about this as a defect. It effects new beetles years 2003 to 2007! And in my research it IS clear that many many '03-'07 new beetle owners have very similar problems and most feel like I do...that these cars are scary and unsafe to drive.vw IS aware of this but doesn't care so I implore you to please take a deep and serious look into this problem and help make VW take responsibility and fix this dangerous and unpredictable defect. thank you very much and look forward to hearing from you. respectfully, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(B)(6).
- Power train · Service brakes
TL* the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen beetle. While the vehicle was at a stop light, the brake pedal was applied; however, the vehicle failed to stop and rolled back. In addition, while driving at unknown speeds, the accelerator pedal was applied; however, the vehicle failed to respond and the…
TL* the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen beetle. While the vehicle was at a stop light, the brake pedal was applied; however, the vehicle failed to stop and rolled back. In addition, while driving at unknown speeds, the accelerator pedal was applied; however, the vehicle failed to respond and the safe mode engaged. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 133,437.
- Exterior lighting
TL* the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen beetle. While driving 30 mph, the hazard lights, headlights, and turn signals failed to function properly. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer and the manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage and vin were unknown.
- Power train
On 11/3/2018 at around 11:00pm, I was driving my 2003 volkswagen beetle on the highway (90E towards cleveland) going 65mph. Suddenly, my automatic transmission popped out of gear and hard downshifted. this caused a drastic reduction in speed, and I was almost hit by a semi-truck which was behind…
On 11/3/2018 at around 11:00pm, I was driving my 2003 volkswagen beetle on the highway (90E towards cleveland) going 65mph. Suddenly, my automatic transmission popped out of gear and hard downshifted. this caused a drastic reduction in speed, and I was almost hit by a semi-truck which was behind me . luckily, the driver of the semi was alert and swerved out of the way just in time. This isn't the first time that this auto trans has acted up either. however, this IS the first time where I really could have been seriously hurt or killed as a result of it. This transmission IS faulty, the symptoms point to a malfunctioning valve body unit, and there needs to be an investigation or a recall. How many people have gotten into accidents,hurt, or even killed because of this bad automatic transmission (jerking/popping out of gear at random) not shifting properly? enough IS enough!
- Visibility/wiper
Rear windows falling. Regulator broken while moving. City.
- Electrical system · Seat belts · Seats
Electrical main fuse box under hood burnt and melted into battery. See pics of burnt fuse box, and indention of melted battery. Car cut off while in motion on highway, causing my 19 year old college daughter to almost wreck in route to school last week at 8PM est. her major IS nursing. I want to…
Electrical main fuse box under hood burnt and melted into battery. See pics of burnt fuse box, and indention of melted battery. Car cut off while in motion on highway, causing my 19 year old college daughter to almost wreck in route to school last week at 8PM est. her major IS nursing. I want to make sure she's alive to see her graduate. outside air temp was 65 degrees. this IS extremely dangerous, not to mention the cost that will be associated with paying for volkswagons poor design electrical misengineering flaw, a new alternator, all electrical wiring, a new battery, and possibly new convertible top motor. Her VW is/was in mint condition with fewer than 80K miles. VW estimates costs to fix over $5K to 6K. Kbb value IS much less. My daughters life IS priceless. Also, the wiring harness for the seatbelts underneath the seat are too short!! If you slide the seats back, it breaks electrical connections which triggers seatbelts light to come on, which disengages airbags to work in the event of an accident. The 2 front seats also must slide forward in order for back seat passengers to enter vehicle. IS this how VW saves money, by shortening electrical wire to connect seatbelts? Perhaps it's on purpose to avoid millions of electrical lawsuits?
- Air bags
The airbag light IS on.
- Unknown or other
Onboardcomputersystem readiness status during car inspection emission results readiness fail monitor evap-not ready monitor secondary air not ready
- Electrical system
Alternator gets extremely hot, untouchable. appears to be direct short with heavy load. melts fuse box on top of battery. fire hazard. online search for other events reveal that IS common occurrence even resulting in class action suit but still VW will not admit fault. all volkswagon beetles…
Alternator gets extremely hot, untouchable. appears to be direct short with heavy load. melts fuse box on top of battery. fire hazard. online search for other events reveal that IS common occurrence even resulting in class action suit but still VW will not admit fault. all volkswagon beetles should be removed from the roads, it IS a ticking time bomb. I was sitting in my car in my shop checking out systems and saw and smelled smoke coming from front of engine. vehicle not safe to be on road with engine running. Please require grounding all these vehicles until VW does a permanent fix, even on the ones that have been repaired up until now.
- Structure › Body
Inner door handles to close the doors, both left and right, have broken off, snaping. As I did research to find replacement; I contacted over 20 different junk yards in my area and I am being told the same; "all panels have the handle broken". the only way I can repair it IS by buying the whole…
Inner door handles to close the doors, both left and right, have broken off, snaping. As I did research to find replacement; I contacted over 20 different junk yards in my area and I am being told the same; "all panels have the handle broken". the only way I can repair it IS by buying the whole panel from the dealer at an outrage price or buying it from a used seller which IS still at least $600.00 for the pair panels. I need these handles to close the doors securely .
- Air bags · Exterior lighting
Takata recall air bag light switch has been recalled on several 03 beetles but nothing that included the 03 convertable version of this light being activated the car has never been in an accident that I know of and IS a cause for concern where none of my airbags will deploy if I ever get into an…
Takata recall air bag light switch has been recalled on several 03 beetles but nothing that included the 03 convertable version of this light being activated the car has never been in an accident that I know of and IS a cause for concern where none of my airbags will deploy if I ever get into an accident. God forbid. This has been checked by the vin but does not necessarily mean the part IS not defective. Also opposite lights in the rear seem to have some sort of electronic issue new fuses new bulbs and relay seems not to fix this issue. Could possible be part of the same 03 beetle break switch recall??
- Unknown or other
Having major transmission issues after trying to fix and replace everything like fluid and filters. Has a hard time changing gears. Engine will rev while changing gears sometimes. Hiccups and jolts a lot especially when going from 2ND to 3 then to 4TH. And when going down in gears
- Power train
The car runs fine while it IS cold but when it warms up then it begins to "jerk", shift up and down "hard". we were told it was a tiptronic switch was bad so we replaced it and now we are told that the valve body transmission IS bad. the car has less then 100K miles on it. this IS a safety concern as we have almost been rear-ended when the car began jerking.
- Air bags · Electrical system · Seats
Regarding/related to claim 0484819107 69 complaints: 2003 volkswagen jetta seats: front assembly: seat ... I own a 2003 VW jetta 1.8T with front heated seats. Drivers side seat caught fire due to a short in the seats heater 2 days ago on 12/13/2005 after the heater was on for less than 2…
Regarding/related to claim 0484819107 69 complaints: 2003 volkswagen jetta seats: front assembly: seat ... I own a 2003 VW jetta 1.8T with front heated seats. Drivers side seat caught fire due to a short in the seats heater 2 days ago on 12/13/2005 after the heater was on for less than 2 minutes. Burning a small hole trough the seat to the bottom area of my left side (buttock) I have come to find since this happened, my nhtsa has ... https://www.carcomplaints.com/volkswagen/.../seats-front_assembly-seat_ heater_cooler.shtml 29 complaints: 2003 volkswagen beetle electrical system problems the problem IS that the entire fuse box assembly frequently melts into a glob of plastic, and represents a significant fire hazard. I have owned two new beetles ( 2003 & 2004), and have experienced this problem four time between the two. My own investigation into the cause(s) has shown me that if the vehicle battery IS ... https://whttps://www.carcomplaints.com/search/?cx=partner-pub-6745124734283845%3a6pv4ih4brad&cof=forid%3a10&ie=iso-8859-1&q=vw+fire&sa=search&siteurl=https%3a%2f%2fwww.carcomplaints.com%2fvolkswagen%2fbeetle%2f2002%2fseat_belts_air_bags%2fww.carcomplaints.com/volkswagen/.../electrical_system.shtml wasn't in the vehicle personal assistant/project consultant helping hard working people like you for more than 25 years! [Xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(B)(6).? *pm
- Unknown or other
The rear window of the convertible top has come unglued. after checking online sources, I have found this has happened on other cars. it can cause the entire rear window blow out if all of the adhesive gives way.
- Engine
TL* the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen beetle. While driving 35 and depressing the accelerator pedal, a loud noise was heard and the vehicle started jerking. The battery, check engine, and epc warning indicators illuminated. The contact was able to pull the vehicle over to the side of the roadway…
TL* the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen beetle. While driving 35 and depressing the accelerator pedal, a loud noise was heard and the vehicle started jerking. The battery, check engine, and epc warning indicators illuminated. The contact was able to pull the vehicle over to the side of the roadway and, upon opening the hood, noticed that part of the engine had separated from the motor mount as the bolts were cracked and stripped. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The contact stated that he was repairing the vehicle himself. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.
- Air bags
Takata...air bag system air bag sensor issue...air bag sensor was repaired in 2008 under recall, but has failed again...
- Unknown or other
My car has a very,very stong crayon-chemical smell..that permeates the entire interior of the car. No one, I repeat, no one will ride with me in my car unless I drive with the windows down. I complained about to the VW dealership (leith vw/capitol blvd. Raleigh,nc)- and was told by a technician…
My car has a very,very stong crayon-chemical smell..that permeates the entire interior of the car. No one, I repeat, no one will ride with me in my car unless I drive with the windows down. I complained about to the VW dealership (leith vw/capitol blvd. Raleigh,nc)- and was told by a technician that they have had this complaint before and the problem seemed to be the the glue used to hold down the padding/carpet . I have very bad sense of smell and do not notice as bad as everyone else..but have lately developed a chronic hacking cough that has lingered for several months now (w/o proper diagnosis..). I would love to be included in a class action lawsuit against VW of america to include all of the other VW owners who share this very,very strong crayon-chemical smell..and have been getting no help from the VW corporation. I have been driving this car for over 4 years now..putting @ 110,000 miles on it in that time period..and I always drive with the windows up (either heat or a/c on).
- Electrical system
Window needs new regulator. it IS stuck halfway down. it IS the drivers side rear window.
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Front air bag crash sensor failure
Certain subject vehicles, model year (my) 2003 convertible and my 2004 sedan and convertible vehicles are equipped with an advanced dual-stage air bag system.the air bag crash sensors (#1F0 909 606) contain a solder joint on the circuit board that may crack under certain high temperature conditions.if this occurs, the…
Certain subject vehicles, model year (my) 2003 convertible and my 2004 sedan and convertible vehicles are equipped with an advanced dual-stage air bag system.the air bag crash sensors (#1F0 909 606) contain a solder joint on the circuit board that may crack under certain high temperature conditions.if this occurs, the air bag indicator light will illuminate and the control module will enable a fallback algorithm that will ensure that the front air bag always deploys in a frontal crash in which the vehicle's deceleration IS high enough to activate the frontal air bags.however, in low-severity frontal impacts, the front air bags may deploy more forcefully than designed, increasing the possibility of injury to out-of-position front seat occupants.volkswagen will inspect for the defective crash sensor and replace with an updated design.in addition, 16,177 early-my 2005 new beetle sedan and convertible vehicles (built through oct 31, 2004) are also included in the recall campaign.this preliminary evaluation IS closed (see recall 08v-178)
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10253215Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
- 10253214Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
- 10253213Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
- 10253204Customer States Windshield Wipers Streak or Smear
- 10252204Air Conditioning Does not Operate
- 10249138Airbag / Pyrotechnic Safety Belt Deployment Inquiries, update to contact information due to retirement.
- 10243066VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10243059VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10243053VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10243046VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10243034VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10243011VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10243002VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10242996VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10242404VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10242399VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10242397VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10242391VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10242384VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10242375VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10242372VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10242349VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10242340VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10241699Perfect Delivery Inspection (PDI) - Technician and Detailer Inspections
- 10241698Perfect Delivery Inspection (PDI) - Technician and Detailer Inspections
- 10241340Engine Oils Which Meet Volkswagen Oil Quality Standard VW 502 00/505 00/505 01 and VW 504 00/507 00
- 10241339Oil Consumption Measurement
- 10241335Oil Consumption Measurement
- 10241333Oil Consumption Measurement
- 10241311Gasoline Quality
- 10241310Software Version Management
- 10241266Squeaks, Rattles, Noise, Repair Materials
- 10241265Fuel Additive to Help Prevent Sporadic Misfire Faults
- 10241177Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards
- 10240900Perfect Delivery Inspection (PDI) - Technician and Detailer Inspections
- 10240605P0102, P1128, P1296 - WA front oxygen sensor faults
- 10239831Battery, Testing and Charging Using Midtronics VAS6161, MCR340V, InCharge 940, or GRX3000 Charger
- 10239789To detect which line(s) is inoperative, utilize a volt meter to check for 0 V, which will be present after the open in the grid line. The check must be performed with the engine running and heated rear window switched on. Switch OFF the ignition and visually locate the damage. Proceed with checking any other lines as necessary. Once the damaged line is identified, repair utilizing the Repair kit by Permatex ITEM 09117.
- 10239592Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
- 10239591Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
Every Volkswagen Beetle model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.