2003 Volkswagen Jetta: engine overheating

Filed Jun 4, 2018 · Engine · 184,072 miles · KS

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen jetta. While driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle overheated and the check engine indicator illuminated. The contact added water to the vehicle. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 184,072.

Filed Jul 22, 2017 · Electrical · 151,000 miles · OR

The fuse box on top of the battery melted due to overheating from the alternator cable. No excessive electrical load has been placed on the battery. Just normal use of the car causes this to melt.

Filed Jun 3, 2015 · Electrical · 96,000 miles · NY · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen jetta. While driving 50 MPH, the contact noticed smoke under the hood that entered the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stopped the vehicle and opened the battery fuse box where he found that there were overheated wires and overwhelming smoke. The contact stated that the failure was recurring and the smoke was emitting from the battery fuse box. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Sep 2, 2014 · Engine · 45,423 miles · CA

My water pump failed suddenly while driving, the engine overheat sign lit up. I was in the middle of nowhere. After a painfully long drawn out tow, taxi, rental car, and return to pick up the car 1 week later (drive 200 miles there and then back to do so), the garage which repaired my car indicated that there was a bad "design flaw" to the water pump where it had a plastic part that would commonly fail during the life of the car. They told me that this was a "well-know" problem in the jetta, many people had experienced & written online about it. They recommended that I install an "after-market" pump with all metal parts so that it would not occur again, which I did. My co-worker who owned a jetta a few years older than mine (2001?) for 10 years and later traded it in, informed me that she had the exact same problem and in fact had to replace the water pump 3 times during the period she owned the car. I would like to make a complaint about the water pump design in the volkswagen jetta. If it had been recalled & fixed prior to my breakdown, I would not have had to endure the whole ordeal I went through.

Filed Jul 31, 2014 · Electrical · 112,432 miles · VA

Battery fuse box melted. Engine overheated and cut off.

Filed Dec 26, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 89,235 miles · IL

One of the two large cooling fans in the front of the engine failed. The part must be replaced to prevent engine overheating. The part number is 6x0-959-445-f.

Filed Dec 23, 2013 · Engine, Fuel system · 37,750 miles · IL

My 2003 volkswagen jetta's coolant pump failed while in traffic. This caused a reduction in power and engine overheating. Replacement was covered under warranty.

Filed Nov 10, 2010 · Seats · MO · 1 injury

Driver side seat heater overheating, burnt multiple holes in seat as well as burnt leg. Setting was placed on 2 of 5 when seat was burnt.

Filed Oct 7, 2010 · Seats · 185,000 miles · NC

Overheated driver seat, which burned hole through driver's seat and left a 2" burn mark on sweater that was in contact with that area of the seat. This is a 2003 vw jetta tdi (turbo diesel).

Filed Aug 15, 2010 · Electrical · 47,315 miles · FL

(prior incident) 05/27/08 at 32k miles alternator harness burned and melted fuse panel (while car operating at low speed returning home from local trip). Fuse failed to prevent overheating of terminal connector on alternator harness at fuse panel. Current incident: 08/06/10 at 47k miles the alternator harness that had been replaced at 32k miles burned and melted fuse panel again, and alternator was also damaged requiring replacement (car failed to start at home after being parked overnight). Fuse again failed to prevent overheating of terminal connector on alternator harness at fuse panel.

Filed Mar 10, 2009 · Engine · 32,584 miles · VA

2003 jetta gls; twice when running the AC the car suddenly overheats, fuse blows. The engine temp gauge goes far into the red zone. I turned on the heater to draw heat away from engine, air was so hot it literally melted the plastic water bottle in the cup holder. (didn't help my comfort that the outside temp was near 100 degrees and I'm driving along with sunroof open, windows open, and heater turned on high!) I was concerned that my leg was burned as well because the air blowing from vent was so hot. I had to idle the car every few thousand feet to allow car to cool enough to limp to service station. First time (july 06, car w/I warranty @ 32k miles), vw told me that the fuse was blown; they were unable to replicate and indicated that if it happened again they would need to figure out why. Second time (nov. 2007, car out of warranty @ 51k)), non-vw mechanic able to replicate and said that fuse blew because "cooling fans are drawing too many amps (up to 100 amps) when starting. When running they are still drawing 37 amps and should be less than 20 amps." although this has happened only twice, and I have yet to repair (too expensive at $800+ and I'm unemployed), I live in great fear as warm weather approaches that I will be "burned" by this issue again. It's only a matter of time.

Filed Sep 15, 2008 · Engine · 63,126 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen jetta. The contact stated that over the years her vehicle sporadically overheats. She took the vehicle to the dealer on numerous occasions and had the oxygen sensors replaced twice, the thermostat, the battery, the water pump, and the auxiliary water pump. Recently, while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle overheated and was towed to the dealer. The dealer stated that the radiator fan, secondary air pump, and the power steering pump needed to be replaced at the cost of over $2,000. The technician added that if the repair was unsuccessful in remedying the failures, they may have to replace the catalytic converter. The manufacturer would not assist. The failure mileage was 63,126 and current mileage was 76,000.