2003 Volkswagen Golf Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 1about this part
- Share
- 4%of 26 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 69,152miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 1 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2003 Volkswagen Golf, 4% of the 26 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 69,152 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Recently I had the same problem regarding the brake lights saying on after I turned off my 2003 Volkswagen GOLF and they continued to stay on. I first experienced the right front headlight going out, then the left front light went out and I had to drive home with the high beams on. We replaced the headlights but the right front still would not work. I then had the problem of the brake lights. I had to disconnect the battery for fear of draining the battery or having an electrical fire. I had the car repaired. I continue to have electrical problems. …”
NHTSA complaint #10172673, filed 2006-11, 69,152 milesRelated recalls
- 07V063000Feb 20, 2007On certain passenger, wagon, and convertible vehicles equipped with or without cruise control, a brake light switch may malfunction if it was installed…Covers: Volkswagen Golf 1999–2006, GTI 1999–2006, Beetle 2001–2007 +3 more
Related service bulletins
- 10158533Feb 18, 2019Condensation and or water droplets visible on inside of exterior light lenses. TB updated to include model year 2019 applicability.
- 10121257Mar 27, 2015Technical Bulletin: Condensation and or water droplets becomming visible on inside of exterior light lenses issue is discussed in this document
- 10243015Nov 17, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10253215Jun 4, 2014Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
- 10239592Jun 4, 2014Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
- 10120169Jun 4, 2014Technical Bulletin (Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation): This document informs of the Condensation and or water droplets visible on inside of exterior light lenses. The…
- 10243011May 19, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10242349May 19, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10253214Mar 8, 2014Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
- 10239591Mar 6, 2014Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 9% |
| 2021 | 1 | 14% |
| 2020 | 1 | 17% |
| 2018 | 2 | 7% |
| 2017 | 1 | 1% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 1 | 1% |
| 2013 | 1 | 2% |
| 2012 | 3 | 6% |
| 2011 | 3 | 3% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2005 | 2 | 11% |
| 2004 | 1 | 4% |
| 2003 | 1 | 4% |
| 2002 | 11 | 15% |
| 2001 | 15 | 13% |
| 2000 | 3 | 3% |
| 1999 | 5 | 8% |
| 1998 | 2 | 11% |
| 1995 | 3 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2003 Volkswagen Golf
11 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Volkswagen Golf
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology