2003 Volkswagen Jetta: airbag warning light

Filed Jul 25, 2016 · Engine, Fuel system · 110,678 miles · GA

Transmission strained to shift out of first gear. Water pump went out cause car to run hot.. Water pump was replaced but blower head gasket.... Airbag light comes on and off

Filed Jun 17, 2014 · Electrical · 116,898 miles · PA

The day before the car quit, it would not start after being parked in the mall parking lot. A battery pack got it started, and it was driven home, with the thought that it needed a new battery. The following day, it was being driven to the local sears, for a replacement battery, when the ABS and airbag lights came on. 30 seconds later lots of warning lights came on, and the car sputtered and stopped dead in the lane of travel. It would not turn over, and power accessories would not work. I was stopped on a very busy 2 lane back road, with no shoulders or side streets, uphill, on a blind hill. After 1 1/2 hours of white-knuckle directing traffic, and calls to: my auto club, and the local police; a local police officer, and a local tow truck showed up and gave me a lift to my repair shop. The mechanic's diagnosis of the problem was a partially melted fuse pack, that sits on top of the battery, and an overly resistive cable between the fuse pack and the alternator. The solution was: the cable end linked to the fuse pack was re-terminated, and the melted fuse pack was replaced. Between the tow and the repair, it set me back about $300.00. I also found a blog that listed many other vw owners with the same problem: http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?4986219-fuse-box-above-battery-melting . I also discovered a class action law suit that was filed in 2012, that was based on this problem: http://gotaclassaction.com/volkswagen-named-in-class-action-over-fuse-boxalternator-cable-assembly/ . I hope that the current repair holds for the near future. Clearly, a fuse should blow before the overall fuse pack melts.

Filed Jul 10, 2008 · Electrical · 62,000 miles · VA

Driving home from work. Has made two stops. On the way to my home my ABS and airbag lights came on, radio froze, then car shut off. Was advised fuse panel on the top of the battery had melted. Mechanic found no reason for this to happen. No other issues.

Filed Mar 23, 2007 · Airbags · 60,000 miles · OH · 1 injury

Tl* - the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen jetta. While driving at 35 MPH the driver's side air bag deployed without warning. There were no air bag warning indicators prior to deployment. However, the light illuminated after it deployed. There were minor injuries to the driver's ears. There were no passengers in the vehicle at the time of the failure. The current and failure mileage were 60,000.

Filed Aug 1, 2006 · Brakes, Electrical · 65,000 miles · NC

My situation is very similar to odi id number : 10136903. I have a 2003 jetta. I was driving about 65 MPH, my ABS warning light turned on, air bag warning light turned on, and my radio turned off. After stopping my car, it wouldn't start again. I had it towed to mechanic, who determined that my fuse panel (above the battery) had melted and he was very surprised that my car hadn't caught on fire. He replaced the fuse panel. A few days later, my car failed to start again. A jump start started it. Next day, my car failed to start again. A jump start started it. I drove it straight to mechanic. My alternator, which was fine last week, is now fried (after two drives), most likely because the fuse panel burnt it out. The alternator in my 2003 jetta is a 90 amp alternator. Vw stopped making these because they aren't powerful enough for the cars. I repeat, 90 amp alternators are no longer made for my car because it requires 120 amp alternator. Hmm.

Filed Jul 20, 2006 · Electrical, Engine · 108,841 miles · NH

I have a 2003 volkswagen jetta tdi gls. I should note that this vehicle has been faithfully serviced by the dealer following the maintenance schedule listed in the user manual. The vehicle currently has 109,000 miles. While driving the vehicle a few days before the incident date listed on this complaint, the A/C ceased to function properly. There was no cool air coming out of the vents. Also, when the vehicle was shutdown, the radiator fans would continue to run upwards of 15 minutes. Neither event has occurred before. I brought my vehicle in to a vw dealership on the incident date to have its normal 110,000 mile service and to have the issues (noted above) diagnosed. I received a call from the dealership later in the day on the incident date stating that a failure in the coolant level sensor caused coolant fluid to be wicked into the vehicle's wiring harness leading to contamination / corrosion of the engine and body harness. The quote to repair was approximately $6,000. This problem is a latent defect in the design. The service department told me that the vehicle was un-drivable until the repairs are made. The service advisor also confirmed that because the problem was with the harness itself, any electrical component could be affected such as the airbags, ABS, SRS, etc. Also, from my own research I found some people who experienced this problem have also had smoke or fires inside the vehicle. Vw issued a technical service bulletin (id# c 97-01-01) for a similar issue on 1999.5 - 2001 model year jettas, but never for the 2003 and never a recall campaign on the defective design. Vw has refused to assist in the cost of repair to the vehicle as well.

Filed May 12, 2006 · Airbags · 37,922 miles · CA

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 60 MPH the passenger side and curtain airbags both deployed. After the deployment, the steering column locked and the vehicle was maneuvered to the emergency lane. The airbag light was not illuminated prior to deployment. The driver was the only occupant in the vehicle and was wearing a seat belt. The vehicle was towed to the dealership for inspection. It was determined the airbag sensor had activated as if in a crash however no crash occurred. The manufacturer was alerted.

Filed Feb 16, 2006 · Airbags · 53,502 miles · VA

Dt*: the contact stated the air bag light on the dash illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealership for inspection. The dealer reset the air bag light and no further repairs were required. Updated 3/20/2006 -

Filed Oct 25, 2005 · Electrical · 52,000 miles · OH

Dt: the consumer was driving on the highway when the ABS light and the air bag light came on. She pulled off the road and the vehicle stalled . The vehicle would not start back. The mechanic informed the consumer the alternator cable burned the fuse box and cover. The consumer was concerned that if they same part will be put back on the same thing will happen again. *ak

Filed Aug 31, 2005 · Airbags · TX

Dt: the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen jetta. The driver's side air bag deployed for no reason. The speed at this time was about 60 MPH. The contact was unaware of any debris that may have been on the road. The contact did not lose control of the vehicle. The air bag warning light was not on prior to the incident. There were no injuries. The dealership was contacted and the contact was to take the vehicle to the dealership tomorrow, and the vehicle was covered under a warranty. This occurred on august 31, 2005.