2003 Volkswagen Jetta brakes problems

Filed Feb 10, 2020 · Brakes · 170,000 miles · OR

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen jetta. The contact stated that the brake light was inoperable intermittently without warning. The dealer dick hannah dealerships 10808 ne coxley dr, vancouver, wa 98662 (360) 605-1726 was contacted about the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not subjected to a recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred multiple times intermittently. The contact mentioned the federal safety agency campaign number: 07v063000 (exterior lighting) as a possible solution to the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

Filed May 27, 2014 · Brakes · 36,000 miles · HI · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen jetta. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the brake pedal sank to the floorboard when depressed. As a result, the contact crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The contact mentioned that the failure caused four other vehicles to crash. A police report was filed. There were no injuries reported. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot where it was scheduled to be inspected. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The approximate failure mileage was 36,000.

Filed Jan 12, 2011 · Brakes · 110,000 miles · CA · crash · 2 injuries

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen jetta. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the contact noticed that the vehicle was hesitating. While attempting to pull over and applying pressure to the brakes, the vehicle would not stop. The vehicle hit a boulder and flipped over. The contact sustained several bruises. A passenger sustained a fractured wrist and ankle, seat belt rash, and bruising. The vehicle was destroyed. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified. The current and failure mileages were approximately 110,000. A police report was filed.

Filed Oct 26, 2009 · Brakes · 78,000 miles · UT · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen jetta. He applied pressure to the brake pedal at 30 MPH , but the vehicle would not decelerate. As a consequence he rear-ended another vehicle. A police report was filed. He sustained minor injuries. The vehicle was towed to an auto body collision center; and completely destroyed. The failure and current mileages were 78,000. Updated 12/10/09.

Filed Jul 22, 2007 · Brakes, Electrical · 5,000 miles · VA · crash

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? I would like to report vw for lackluster performance and for continuing manufacture in an area well known for its below average standards and for continuing to bleed the consumer when it is fully aware of the issue.

Filed Jul 11, 2007 · Brakes · MO

Starting car in the morning or at end of work day and brake warning lights came on. Car cannot be moved - brakes have hissing or whisking sound when pressed. Car cannot be driven, unless turning ignition to first on position putting car in neutral then starting the car. *ak 2. Brakes do not work properly - car is unsafe to drive 3. Dealer claims that there is some sort of brake switch that has a "universal recall" that is causing the problem. I did research before buying my '03 jetta and found that several complaints about brake failure and brake problems have been on-going. When I questioned the dealer they knew nothing of the sort and said "if there had been problems in the past they have been fixed." apparently these problems have not - I continue to experience them as have other jetta owners with whom I have spoken.

Filed Aug 6, 2006 · Brakes · 60,000 miles · NC

My wife's 2003 vw jetta tdi brakes will aggressively lock-up when lightly depressed for slowing down or coming to a slow stop. The problem is intermittent and will occur without warning. When the brakes lock up they can only be released after placing your foot under the pedal and forcing the pedal backwards. In the event another diver follows too close, the failure will result in a rear end collision potentially causing serious injuries to both parties. After experiencing the defect the car was immediately taken to the vw dealer for service and we received a "no fault found report". Now the problem has become severe and is a major safety concern for my wife and I. Earlier this year, the alternator pulley bearings seized and the pulley was ejected from the alternator causing damage to other engine components in the serpentine system.

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 Jun 23, 2005 · Brakes · 56,773 miles · PA

To whom it may concern: my name is [xxx]. I own a 2003 volkswagen jetta tdi that I purchased new on 3/10/03 from autohaus of lancaster in lancaster, pa. It now has 56,700 miles on it. (mostly highway) while driving on 6/21/05, I went to apply the brakes and the brakes got mushy and then grabbed and the pedal went to the floor in a sudden stop. As it was stopping you heard a sound like the vehicle now had air brakes. I depressed the pedal again the brakes let up. I was nearly rear ended by a truck the first time it happened. I pulled off the road and called the garage. It turned out to be a brake booster. Prior to this problem, while the vehicle was still under warranty at 48,000 miles, I had the vehicle in for service at the dealership where the vehicle was purchased. It was in because several times I applied the brakes in the snow and the tires locked up. This vehicle has anti-lock brakes. At this time the anti-lock brakes did not work. This happened several times. The dealership found no problems. They checked it and said all was ok. It happened again about a week after I got it out of the shop. My current mechanic (roberts automotive) who specializes in volkswagens mentioned that he believes that two problems are very likely the same problem. The mechanic ([xxx] @ roberts automotive) also told me that he called the local dealership (autohaus of lancaster, pa) for the part, and he was told they replaced 8 of these brake boosters in the last two years. I also talked to the service manager at autohaus. Dave told me they have had several brake boosters go bad on the tdi models. The vehicle is now in the hands of autohaus. It sounds to me like there is a problem with quality and workmanship here. This is a definite safety issue. By sheer luck I was not hit by that truck. I will be sending a similar letter to volkswagen of america with my complaint. Thank you for your cooperation. Regards, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Aug 22, 2004 · Brakes · 3,419 miles · IN

Whooping noise from brakes of new vw jettta with poor compression and braking. Clunking form gear box. Failure of brake may lead to avoidable accident in the future dealer changed brake booster but this did not help. Dealer unable to fix after several attempts.