Model year record

2003 Volkswagen Golf recalls & problems

The 2003 Volkswagen Golf has 6 safety recalls and 26 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (11 complaints).

Recalls6safety recalls

Complaints26filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 7reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths4 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Air bagsJun 13, 2018

Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

Recall 18V4060002,564 vehicles

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2003 Volkswagen Passat sedan, Jetta, Jetta wagon, Golf, EuroVan, EuroVan Camper Van and EuroVan Chassis vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began May 2, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69X3.

Engine and engine coolingMar 7, 2014

Engine

Recall 14E00700050 vehicles

Problem: The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.
Risk: A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.

Exterior lightingMay 11, 2009

Headlights

Recall 09E02500042,540 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009

Exterior lighting

Recall 09E01200016,270 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Service brakes, hydraulicMar 29, 2007

Foundation components › Master cylinder

Recall 07E02300013,128 vehicles

Problem: CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.
Risk: LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.

Exterior lightingFeb 20, 2007

Brake lights › Switch

Recall 07V0630001,002,000 vehicles

Problem: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
Risk: THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2007, AND WILL BE CONDUCTED IN SEVERAL STAGGERED MAILINGS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21, 2007. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2003 Volkswagen Golf 4-DR. w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Golf Diesel

38mpg combined

City / highway	35 / 44 mpg
Fuel	Diesel

1.9 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel

Golf Diesel

33mpg combined

City / highway	29 / 40 mpg
Fuel	Diesel

1.9 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Golf

24mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 29 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

Golf

23mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Air bagsSide/window	11	0	3	51,300 mi
SeatsFront assembly › Seat heater/cooler	4	4	1	43,000 mi
Electrical systemIgnition › Anti-theft › Control module; Wiring	4	2	0	103,000 mi
SuspensionRear › Axle › Spindle	3	0	0	—
Power trainClutch assembly › Pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)	2	1	0	—
Exterior lightingBrake lights › Switch; Headlights	2	0	0	—
Unknown or other	2	1	0	—
Fuel system, otherFuel injection system	1	0	0	—
Engine and engine coolingCooling system	1	0	0	—
Wheels	1	0	0	—
Seat belts	1	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Unknown or otherFire
The car just started on fire while I was driving and nearly killed me and my boyfriend lucky someone was honking and flagging down and when we tried stopping the car wouldn't brake and we had to jump out when it was still rolling. We were bout to get on the high way lucky someone stopped us be we did so.
Oct 25, 2022
Air bags
THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE HAS FAILED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WITHOUT IT, THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT THE AIRBAGS WILL FUNCTION PROPERLY, IF AT ALL, IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. VOLKSWAGEN REFUSES TO EVEN HELP WITH THE OVER $1,000.00 REPAIR COST. (THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, SO THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR DIAGNOSTICS.)
Feb 2, 2017 · 123,000 miles
Air bags1 injury
MY SON WAS PARKING HIS CAR AT A STATE PARK AND DRIVING LESS THAN 2 MILES A HOUR WHEN THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. SEVERAL PEOPLE HEARD THE LOUD SOUND AND RAN OVER TO SEE IF ANYONE WAS HURT. HIS GIRLFRIEND'S ARM BECAME RED, WITH A RASH AND SWOLLEN. THE SEAT AND HEADLINER ARE NOW DAMAGED, AND IT WOULD COST MORE TO REPLACE THE AIRBAGS, SEAT AND HEADLINER THAN THE CAR IS WORTH. THE INSURANCE CO WILL NOT COVER THE COST BECAUSE THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. NOW, HE WILL NEED TO PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE HAVE BEEN AT LEAST 107 REPORTED COMPLAINTS REGARDING AIRBAGS FOR 2001-2003 VW GOLF AND JETTA. IF MY SON HAD BEEN DRIVING ON A MAIN ROAD OR HIGHWAY, THIS INCIDENT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.…
May 10, 2015 · 130,000 miles
Electrical systemFire
I HAD THE HATCH OPEN ON MY GOLF AND STARTED TO SMELL AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. I SEEN SMOKE COMING FROM THE CARGO LIGHT AND WHEN I OPENED THE TAILLIGHT ACCESS PANEL THERE WAS A SMALL FIRE THAT I IMMEDIATLEY PUT OUT. THANKFULLY I CAUGHT IT IN TIME AND DIDN'T CLOSE THE HATCH AND WALK AWAY. IT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. I HAVE PICTURES I CAN SEND UPON REQUEST.
May 22, 2015 · 230,000 miles
Air bags
DITTO ON THE "NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10252376". MY 2003 BASE MODEL GOLF'S AIRBAGS WERE TURNED OFF (AIRBAG LIGHT ON), AND THE ISSUE WAS ONE OF THE 3 SENSORS IN THE DRIVER'S SEATBELT LATCH STOPPED WORKING. IT'S BEEN MANY YEARS AGO (I BOUGHT IT NEW), AND I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT YEAR THAT WAS, BUT I DID CONTACT VW ON THIS, AND BELIEVE I ALSO SENT AN E-MAIL TO BOTH NHTSA & IIHS ON THIS. THIS IS AN INEXCUSABLE DESIGN (GM IS HAVING A SIMILAR ISSUE WITH ITS IGNITION SWITCH & AIRBAGS BEING TURNED OFF). THE SEATBELT LATCH WAS REPLACED, AND HAS BEEN WORKING FINE FOR YEARS NOW. IT CURRENTLY HAS 167,000+ MILES ON IT. IT DOES HAVE SOME POSITIVES. THE FRONT BRAKES HAVE NEVER BEEN REPLACED, AND DIDN'T HAVE TO…
Jan 1, 2007
Air bags
DRIVING LATE AT NIGHT, HIT POTHOLE THAT BADLY DENTED RIGHT FRONT RIM, CAUSED PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY, FILLING CAR WITH SMOKE AND CUTTING OFF IGNITION. CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA TO ADVISE THEM OF INCIDENT. WILL CONTACT INSURANCE, LOCAL VW DEALER AND COLLISION SHOP FOR ANALYSIS THIS WEEK. *TR
Feb 7, 2014 · 259,795 miles
Electrical systemFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER, WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND HEADLIGHTS BECAME INOPERABLE, AS WELL AS THE TURN SIGNALS. THE CONTACT PERFORMED REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE HIMSELF AND REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT DETECTED THE IGNITION CONNECTOR HOUSING HAD OVERHEATED WHICH CAUSED THE PLASTIC TO MELT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000. UPDATED 09/27/11*LJ UPDATED 2/23/12 *CN
Aug 20, 2011 · 88,000 miles
Air bags
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 22,400.
Jul 17, 2009 · 22,400 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

ENGINE STALLINGClosed
BY LETTER RECEIVED ON JUNE 24, 2005, MR. RONALD M. STRICKLAND OF RALEIGH, NC, SUBMITTED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE IGNITION COIL PLUGS ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, GOLF AND PASSAT SEDANS.THE PETITIONER ALLEGES THAT HE HAD EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE STALLING EVENTS AS A RESULT OF ONE OR MORE IGNITION COIL PLUGS MALFUNCTIONING ON HIS 2002 VW JETTA SEDAN.AS A RESULT OF THE ENGINE STALLING, THE PETITIONER EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND INCREASED BRAKING EFFORTS WHEN HE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE.AFTER A FEW MINUTES PARKED ON THE SHOULDER HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE OPERATED AT REDUCED POWER.VW ISSUED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN (CSC) ON JANUARY 31, 2003 TO INSTRUCT THEIR DEALERSHIPS TO INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR ANY MALFUNCTIONING IGNITION COIL PACKS…
DP05004 · opened Aug 11, 2005 · closed Dec 8, 2005
INADVERTENT SIDE-AIRBAG DEPLOYMENTClosed
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH SIDE-THORAX AND SIDE-HEAD CURTAIN AIRBAGS TO PROTECT THE FRONT AND REAR OUTBOARD OCCUPANTS IN A SIDE-IMPACT CRASH.THIS INVESTIGATION IDENTIFIED A TOTAL OF 499 REPORTS (482 OWNERS REPORTS AND 17 WARRANTY CLAIMS).THE CRASH SENSING SYSTEM?S ALGORITHM MAY RECOGNIZE CERTAIN NON-CRASH IMPACTS (WHEEL, TIRE AND UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACTS) AS DEPLOYABLE EVENTS.THE 97 ALLEGED INJURIES WERE MINOR IN NATURE AND CONSIST OF ABRASIONS, BRUISES, EAR RINGING AND HEADACHES.THERE WAS NO ALLEGED LOSS OF CONTROL CRASH AS A RESULT OF SIDE-AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.ODI ALSO OBTAINED COUNTS OF ALLEGED INADVERTENT SIDE-AIRBAG DEPLOYMENTS FROM PEER MANUFACTURERS.THE DATA SHOWS THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE NOT UNIQUE IN BEING SUBJECT TO SUCH ALLEGATIONS.THE COMPLAINT RATE FOR NON-SUBJECT INDIVIDUAL MODEL VEHICLES VARIES WIDELY.THE RATE FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS COMPARABLE TO THREE…
PE04081 · opened Dec 16, 2004 · closed Apr 1, 2005