Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Volkswagen Jetta owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I got my 2003 vw Jetta in February of '03. Now not even a year and a half later I have huge problems with my car. My brake lights will randomly stay on even when the car is turned off. My windows do not always work properly. Finally the worst was that I was parked in my drive way, it is steep but the same place I have parked dozens of times, when the emergency brake let go in the middle of the night and my car rolled down the drive way eventually crashing into trees. I read on other complaints that there was one other person who had experienced the failure of the emergency brake and many others who had similar electrical problems. Well I called Volkswagen about my brake lights and they said that indeed there was a recall on my car as a result of a failing brake light switch. Turns out they had failed to inform me. I wonder what other recalls they have failed to inform people about.
I have owned a Volkswagen Jetta (turbo - 2003) and have had one horrible problem after another. Without fail, I have taken my vehicle in for random mechanical repairs every few months since purchasing the vehicle. I found out the car was manufactured in Mexico and that vw was aware of how bad their car's manufactured in Mexico were. If that is the case, how can so many car owners with so many mechanical issues continue to sell in this country? I would like to report vw for lackluster performance and for continuing manufacture in an area well known for its below average standards and for continuing to bleed the consumer when it is fully aware of the issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the brake light was inoperable intermittently without warning. The dealer dick hannah dealerships 10808 ne coxley dr, vancouver, wa 98662 [phone] was contacted about the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not subjected to a recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred multiple times intermittently. The contact mentioned NHTSA campaign number: 07V063000 (exterior lighting) as a possible solution to the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen Jetta. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the contact noticed that the vehicle was hesitating. While attempting to pull over and applying pressure to the brakes, the vehicle would not stop. The vehicle hit a boulder and flipped over. The contact sustained several bruises. A passenger sustained a fractured wrist and ankle, seat belt rash, and bruising. The vehicle was destroyed. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified. The current and failure mileages were approximately 110,000. A police report was filed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the brake pedal sank to the floorboard when depressed. As a result, the contact crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The contact mentioned that the failure caused four other vehicles to crash. A police report was filed. There were no injuries reported. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot where it was scheduled to be inspected. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The approximate failure mileage was 36,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen Jetta. He applied pressure to the brake pedal at 30 MPH , but the vehicle would not decelerate. As a consequence he rear-ended another vehicle. A police report was filed. He sustained minor injuries. The vehicle was towed to an auto body collision center; and completely destroyed. The failure and current mileages were 78,000. Updated 12/10/09.
The consumer parked the vehicle on a 2 point grade, set the parking brake, and proceeded into his house. Approximately thirty minutes later, a friend informed consumer that the vehicle had rolled down the street and collided with a tree.
My situation is very similar to odi id number : 10136903. I have a 2003 Jetta. I was driving about 65 MPH, my ABS warning light turned on, air bag warning light turned on, and my radio turned off. After stopping my car, it wouldn't start again. I had it towed to mechanic, who determined that my fuse panel (above the battery) had melted and he was very surprised that my car hadn't caught on fire. He replaced the fuse panel. A few days later, my car failed to start again. A jump start started it. Next day, my car failed to start again. A jump start started it. I drove it straight to mechanic. My alternator, which was fine last week, is now fried (after two drives), most likely because the fuse panel burnt it out. The alternator in my 2003 Jetta is a 90 amp alternator. Vw stopped making these because they aren't powerful enough for the cars. …
June 24th, while I was driving my four month old 2003 Jetta tdi on the the highway at a 70mph, the cruise control failed to engage. After the car had stopped and began moving again the cruise functioned properly. Two days later on June 26, 2003, while in lunch hour traffic-with a co-worker in the car the brakes automatically engaged by themselves at 40 MPH. We stopped on a dime and were almost rear ended. This occured over 10 times before we got back to the office (we were less than two miles away). Dealership is replacing brake booster and master cylinder and I have requested full warrenty on new brake system from Volkswagen of America. This is a potentially serious flaw that could have eaisly caused bodily injury. I have yet to learn if there is a track record of the brakes failing on the 2003 designs but wanted to begin a documentation record.
My wife's 2003 vw Jetta tdi brakes will aggressively lock-up when lightly depressed for slowing down or coming to a slow stop. The problem is intermittent and will occur without warning. When the brakes lock up they can only be released after placing your foot under the pedal and forcing the pedal backwards. In the event another diver follows too close, the failure will result in a rear end collision potentially causing serious injuries to both parties. After experiencing the defect the car was immediately taken to the vw dealer for service and we received a "no fault found report". Now the problem has become severe and is a major safety concern for my wife and I. Earlier this year, the alternator pulley bearings seized and the pulley was ejected from the alternator causing damage to other engine components in the serpentine system.
Brake complaints in other Jetta years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta, 5% of the model year's 458 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Volkswagen Jetta brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Volkswagen Jetta brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 17,000 miles, and 61% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.