2003 Volkswagen Jetta Latches, locks and linkages Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 2%of 456 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 64,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the latches, locks and linkages of the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta, 2% of the 456 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 64,000 miles.
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.
“I have a 2003 vw Jetta. On numerous occasions, when I start the car and get out to scrape the snow & ice off of the windows, the door locks engage and lock me out of the running car. Since I have just left my car to remove snow, of course my purse and cell phone are in the car, so I have to leave the locked car running while I knock on neighbors doors to call someone to bring me a spare key to my house, so I can get the spare key to my car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10258503, filed 2009-02, 40,000 miles“I started experiencing a hot spot in the driver's heated seat in the fall of 2012. I have to put a cushion between my right leg and the seat or it will nearly burn. I have also been having an issue with either the o2 sensor or catalytic converter whenever it rains and it's cool weather. The car will lose power, sputter and lurch until it has been running for a while then it acts normally. Finally, for the past two months the rear door locks will not open with the keyless entry or by hitting the lock/unlock button on the door. …”
NHTSA complaint #10546042, filed 2013-09, 90,000 miles“I own a 2003 Volkswagen gl 1.8 t, when I press the lock button, the car doors do not all lock, or will work sometimes, I also am not able to get into the trunk. Upon further research I discovered that this is more then a common problem with this vehicle, in order to get the trunk open I have to crawl through space and pull the emergency lever inside the trunk, in order to lock the car I have to manually push down the locks when the key doesn't work and 40 % of the time I or a passenger gets locked in the car, until it decides to give.”
NHTSA complaint #10508337, filed 2013-04, 64,000 miles“Intermittent malfunction of rear door locks. Can't open. Reporter to dealer while under warranty. Dealer could not remedy. After warranty expired, dealer recommender service. Dealer checked and verified that the problem had been reported previously when serviced(from their records).neftin Volkswagen, thousand oaks ca.”
NHTSA complaint #10217602, filed 2008-02, 45,000 miles“The rear door locks do not work with the key fob or the electrical switch ion the driver's door. This is a serious issue when you have children in the rear seat.”
NHTSA complaint #10599208, filed 2014-06, 145,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10125748Jul 12, 2013Tech Tips (Rear Lid Does Not Open After Handle Replacement): If the rear lid handle is replaced with part number 1J0 827 566L, the microswitch from the original handle must be…
Latches, locks and linkages: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 1 | 0% |
| 2014 | 1 | 0% |
| 2013 | 3 | 1% |
| 2012 | 2 | 0% |
| 2011 | 7 | 1% |
| 2010 | 14 | 2% |
| 2009 | 9 | 1% |
| 2008 | 10 | 5% |
| 2007 | 8 | 4% |
| 2006 | 14 | 2% |
| 2005 | 7 | 3% |
| 2004 | 4 | 2% |
| 2003 | 7 | 2% |
| 2002 | 6 | 1% |
| 2001 | 18 | 3% |
| 2000 | 8 | 2% |
| 1999 | 2 | 1% |
| 1998 | 1 | 1% |
| 1997 | 4 | 7% |
| 1996 | 3 | 10% |
| 1995 | 37 | 17% |
| 1994 | 9 | 8% |
| 1993 | 5 | 29% |
| 1991 | 1 | 3% |
| 1988 | 2 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
100 complaintsElectrical system
97 complaintsAir bags
77 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
54 complaintsEngine cooling
45 complaintsExterior lighting
28 complaintsBrakes
22 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
21 complaintsFuel system
17 complaintsEngine
16 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsEquipment
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