Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen gti. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle slid over ice and crashed into a tree. The contact indicated that none of the air bags deployed. A police report was filed and the driver sustained whiplash. Medical attention was not required. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the damages were repaired, but the failure was not diagnosed. The contact also stated that while driving and approaching a ramp, the curtain air bags deployed for the front passenger seat and the headliner. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN and failure mileage were not available.
2003 Volkswagen GTI airbags problems
18 complaints (34% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 50,600. 8 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 18
- of this car's complaints
- 34%
- typical mileage
- 50,600
- crashes
- 8
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Frontal7
- Side/window6
- Frontal: sensor/control module2
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Volkswagen GTI airbags problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Volkswagen GTI airbags
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Inadvertent side-airbag deployment
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 peer models, each with compact chassis/wheelbases.odi has not identified any component failure or manufacturing trend that may relate to a component or manufacturing issue.a safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time.further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist.the agency will take further action if warranted by the circumstances.
PE04081
What 2003 Volkswagen GTI owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The airbag light keeps coming on. Vw votex web page (for vw enthuiasts) lists that it is a known problem with a seat belt sensor that triggers and airbag warning light. I have had it reset three times at 60.00 a session...for a known problem. I have been driving some time with the light on. I have some concern that the airbag would not deploy in an accident. I have written vw about it and was given a lame excuse and then ignored.
2003 vw gti airbag light came on without an accident, collision, bump or crash and stayed on all the time, this condition makes the airbag system inoperative at the time of a real collision, I belong to a vw club ( vwvoertwx.com) and this seems to be very popular issue among vw gti two door, technically this has to be a manufacturing defect that vw should be obligated to correct.
Driving to school and was about to pull into the school when I was cut off, swerved out of the way and went on to the curb at an angle to where it only hit the front right tire. I quickly came down and my side curtain airbags deployed. I was going about 30 but slowed down to about 10 MPH right before impact. I have hit potholes harder and nothing happens. Seems like a clear malfunction my friend was hit by the airbag, but suffered no serious injuries. The only exterior damage was that I got a leak in my right front tire and had to get it replaced.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen gti. The contact stated that there is a high resistance in the driver's side seat belt buckle that causes the air bag light to continuously illuminate. The dealer stated that it is a warranty item and they would not cover the repair costs. The failure mileage was 45,000.
Driver side air bags deployed while I was driving 70mph down I 75 n in ohio. I did not hit, clip or graze another vehicle. Clear malfunction, have pictures to prove it. Luckily it was 5:30am monday august 4th, 2008 and there were few cars on the road.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen gti. The air bag warning indicator light illuminated. The dealer stated that the passenger air bag was defective because the resistance in the igniter was too high. The dealer stated that the air bag needed to be replaced. No repairs were made. The current and failure mileages were 68,000. Updated 01/11/08. *lj updated
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen gti. While driving 20 MPH, the vehicle struck a pothole and the air bags deployed. The dealer stated that the failure emulated a crash and are not responsible for the repair. The contact has pictures. The VIN and engine size were unavailable. The current mileage is 60,000 and failure mileage was 45,000. Updated 06/08/07.
Was driving the speed limit down interstate 5 in washington, adhering to the speed limit. When my passenger curtain airbag and side seat air bag deployed for no apparent reason. It is a 2003 volkswagen gti. My friend sitting in the passenger seat was bruised up rather neatly.
I was making a left turn across a major highway. Pulled into the lane of traffic when an oncoming car moved into my lane. I was traveling around 20 MPH, and consequently slowed to approximately 10 MPH. In avoiding the car I turned left and the drivers side of the car hit a curb. The car drove up onto the curb and then quickly off of it. It was not a direct impact, the curb was hit at an angle. The curtain and side airbags both fired on the driver side. There was no significant deceleration, and I have hit pothole harder than this impact and the airbags did not deploy. The car is currently begin evaluated by my local dealer.
Questions about the 2003 Volkswagen GTI airbags
Does the 2003 Volkswagen GTI have airbags problems?
Owners have filed 18 complaints about the airbags of the 2003 Volkswagen GTI, 34% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2003 Volkswagen GTI airbags problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 50,600 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Volkswagen GTI airbags?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Volkswagen GTI have bad airbags?
The Volkswagen GTI model years with the most airbags complaints are 2002 (23 complaints), 2001 (19 complaints) and 2003 (18 complaints).
Other 2003 Volkswagen GTI problems
Transmission 12Electrical 9Engine 8Body 3Fuel system 3Brakes 2Lights 2Seat belts 2Visibility 2Acceleration 1Driver assistance 1Seats 1
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