Problems · by component

2003 Volkswagen Jetta electrical system problems

98 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta cite electrical system, 21% of all 463 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
98
21% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
15
Reported by owners
Injuries
7
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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,…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 7, 2022Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11450712
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 10, 2017Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11014091
“THE FUSE BOX ON TOP OF THE BATTERY MELTED DUE TO OVERHEATING FROM THE ALTERNATOR CABLE. NO EXCESSIVE ELECTRICAL LOAD HAS BEEN PLACED ON THE BATTERY. JUST NORMAL USE OF THE CAR CAUSES THIS TO MELT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 22, 2017Electrical systemODI 11010108
“WHEN I WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT WITH THE HEATED SEAT OPTION TURNED TO A 5 (HIGH), WHILE THE CAR WAS WARMING UP, I NOTICED SOME SMOKE COMING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SEAT. THE HEATED SEAT STARTED TO BURN THROUGH THE CLOTH COVER DIRECTLY WHERE MY METAL JACKET ZIPPER WAS MAKING CONTACT WITH THE CLOTH SEAT SURFACE. I IMMEDIATELY POURED WATER ON THE SEAT TO ENSURE A FIRE DIDN'T START. I HAVE NOT ATTEMPTED TO USE THE SEAT HEATERS SINCE THIS INCIDENT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 3, 2017Electrical system, SeatsFire reportedODI 11002776
“DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER IGNITED BURNING THROUGH SEAT TRIM AND BURNING DRIVER WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE. THIS OCCURRED IN A SEAT THAT THE DEALER INDICATED THEY HAD REPLACED UNDER THE INITIAL RECALL (HOWEVER DATE ON SEAT IS 11/25/2002 BEFORE CAR WAS DELIVERED IN 4/2003 - SO DEALER NEVER ACTUALLY REPLACED IT . SEAT RETAINED AND PHOTOS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 5, 2017Electrical systemODI 10993189
“IAM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND HAVE ALWAYS KEPT MY JETTA IN THE GARAGE. I MOVED 3 AND A HALF YEARS AGO AND MY CAR IS NO LONGER GARAGED. MY HEADLINE IS STARTING TO DETACH FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CAR AND THE LEATHER THROUGHOUT MY CAR IS CRACKING. I NOTICED THERE WAS A CLASSSS ACTION LAWSUIT REGARDING THE SUNROOF DRAIN GETTING CLOGGED CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE CAR. WHO CAN I CONTACT TO SEE IF I QUALIFY FOR THIS ACTION. AT THE TIME OF THE RECALL I DID TAKE MY JETTA TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE, IS THIS BECAUSE MY CAR WAS GARAGED AND NOW ITS OUTSIDE EXPOSED TO THE ELEMETS, WHICH HAS CAUSED THIS DAMAGE? THANK YOU,”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 28, 2016Electrical systemODI 10938362

Showing 6 of 98 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.