2003 Volkswagen Jetta Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 28about this part
- Share
- 6%of 456 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 64,090miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 28 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta, 6% of the 456 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 64,090 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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”
NHTSA complaint #11014091, filed 2017-08, 220,185 miles“Driving hello all state route after dark at 55 mi./h the headlights went out completely and then came back on in a short matter of seconds. Had the road not been straight at that section I could have very easily collided with trees or guardrails. The 1st time this happened was 2012-08-01. I had the local Volkswagen expert garage replaced the headlights stock. The next time that occurred was july 2018. This is a severe safety hazard I have not sought any repairs yet.”
NHTSA complaint #11123561, filed 2018-08, 150,000 miles“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? …”
NHTSA complaint #10197150, filed 2007-07, 5,000 miles“I own a 2003 vw Jetta tdi. On 10/17/2006 I was driving down the interstate at 72 MPH when my glow plug light began flashing. I had recently replaced the glow plugs so I contacted the dealership. They stated that it was most likely the brake light switch. I was not told that this problem causes the brake lights not to work. I later found out that other vw Jetta model years have the same defect and a recall has been issued for 99-02 models. …”
NHTSA complaint #10171479, filed 2006-10, 142,433 miles“Driving on the highway at night I noticed that my cruise control was inoperative. I researched the problem when I got home on a vw related website and found out that this was most likely due to a brake light switch located under the driver near the brake pedal. When the brake light switch is not working it causes the cruise control to also stop working. What I also found out is that since this switch was broken all my brake lights were not functioning. …”
NHTSA complaint #10170893, filed 2006-10, 63,000 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 Jetta 2001–2005, Golf 1999–2006, GTI 1999–2006 +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
- 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
- 10124287Mar 6, 2014Technical Bulletin (Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation): Exterior light assemblies (headlights, taillights, fog lights, turn signals) are vented and may collect moisture on…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 17% |
| 2025 | 1 | 3% |
| 2022 | 1 | 2% |
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 26 | 5% |
| 2017 | 5 | 3% |
| 2016 | 3 | 2% |
| 2015 | 5 | 3% |
| 2014 | 24 | 6% |
| 2013 | 17 | 3% |
| 2012 | 13 | 3% |
| 2011 | 41 | 7% |
| 2010 | 19 | 2% |
| 2009 | 24 | 3% |
| 2008 | 5 | 3% |
| 2007 | 8 | 4% |
| 2006 | 32 | 6% |
| 2005 | 14 | 6% |
| 2004 | 9 | 4% |
| 2003 | 28 | 6% |
| 2002 | 50 | 7% |
| 2001 | 80 | 12% |
| 2000 | 34 | 8% |
| 1999 | 17 | 5% |
| 1998 | 7 | 4% |
| 1995 | 7 | 3% |
| 1993 | 1 | 6% |
| 1988 | 1 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
100 complaintsElectrical system
97 complaintsAir bags
77 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
54 complaintsEngine cooling
45 complaintsBrakes
22 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
21 complaintsFuel system
17 complaintsEngine
16 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsEquipment
9 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
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