2003 Volkswagen GTI Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 4%of 53 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 57,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2003 Volkswagen GTI, 4% of the 53 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 57,500 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 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.
“Noticed a smell as I was driving. Glance out window & noticed my back light was on fire. Pulled over , and tried to extinguish it with a shirt. Almost had it out, but couldn't quite extinguish it. Within 10 minutes the car was totally engulfed in flames. I had to stand there and watch my car burn. It took two fire trucks to extinguish it and I ended up with burnt hands( from melting rubber sticking to my skin) , trying to smother it. How could something like this happen from a back light? I have had the car less than 1 year. It was in perfect condition, with only about 45,000 miles on it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10227003, filed 2008-05, 45,000 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 GTI 1999–2006, Golf 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.
- 10253215Jun 4, 2014Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
- 10239592Jun 4, 2014Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
- 10243011May 19, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10242349May 19, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10253214Mar 8, 2014Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
- 10239591Mar 6, 2014Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
- 10253213Feb 14, 2011Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
- 10239590Feb 14, 2011Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2012 | 1 | 3% |
| 2011 | 2 | 4% |
| 2010 | 1 | 2% |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% |
| 2008 | 7 | 10% |
| 2007 | 7 | 9% |
| 2006 | 2 | 5% |
| 2004 | 1 | 14% |
| 2003 | 2 | 4% |
| 2002 | 4 | 3% |
| 2001 | 6 | 8% |
| 2000 | 1 | 2% |
| 1995 | 1 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2003 Volkswagen GTI
18 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Volkswagen GTI
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