2003 Volkswagen Golf Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 15%of 26 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 43,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the seats of the 2003 Volkswagen Golf, 15% of the 26 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 43,000 miles. 4 a fire, according to the filers.
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.
“1) I turned on my heated seats for the first time since last spring. 2) once the seat was on for less than 30 seconds I felt a sharp pain in my buttocks and felt the seat. The seat was very hot and I turned off the heated seat. The heated seat got so hot it melted a piece in the seat. The car smelled like there was a fire in it, like wires burning. I pulled over to make sure the car wasn't on fire. 3) the heated seat had been recalled by vw and was fixed in 2005. This was the fixed part that burnt. I took the car to the dealership where the car was purchased and the recall was fixed before. …”
NHTSA complaint #10250340, filed 2008-12, 43,000 miles“While driving at 5 MPH consumer smelled smoke. Driver's seat overheated. Consumer parked the vehicle and exited before the seat burst into flames. The fire was extinguished, and no injuries were sustained. Consumer almost had an accident while trying to steer the vehicle to safety.”
NHTSA complaint #10067472, filed 2004-09, 20,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10031384Jun 1, 2009Volkswagen service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. Revised expiration dates for seat heater customer satisfaction campaigns. Affected vehicles may have a…
- 10025927Jun 1, 2009Volkswagen: certain vehicles equipped with comfort seats; install new passenger side seat heater switch. This include jetta wagon. *pe updated 3/23/09. Revision to customer…
- 10025926Jun 1, 2009Customer satisfaction campaign circular: certain vehicles equipped with comfort seats: install driver's side seat heater repair kit. *pe updated 3/23/09. Revision to customer…
- 10022576Jun 1, 2007Customer satisfaction campaign circular. Install driver's side heater repair kit. Seat heater may malfunction when the ignition switch is on. This could cause the heater mat to…
- 10018809Jun 1, 2007Customer satisfaction campaign circular - seat heater element can malfunction when the ignition switch is on and the seat heater switch is on. The seat heater mat may temporarily…
- 10020719Apr 21, 2006Heated seat bottom cover replacement.
Seats: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 2% |
| 2017 | 3 | 3% |
| 2015 | 1 | 1% |
| 2012 | 1 | 2% |
| 2010 | 3 | 4% |
| 2006 | 1 | 8% |
| 2003 | 4 | 15% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
| 2001 | 2 | 2% |
| 2000 | 2 | 2% |
| 1998 | 1 | 6% |
| 1995 | 1 | 2% |
| 1994 | 1 | 2% |
| 1992 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2003 Volkswagen Golf
11 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsExterior lighting
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