2003 Volkswagen Jetta: doors won't lock, open or latch

Filed Dec 16, 2019 · 193,958 miles · GA

I closed my trunk one day and now it will not open with fob or inside door latch or the key.

Filed Jun 18, 2014 · Electrical, Locks · 145,000 miles · NY

The rear door locks do not work with the key fob or the electrical switch ion the driver's door. This is a serious issue when you have children in the rear seat.

Filed Dec 23, 2013 · Electrical, Lights · 52,000 miles · IL

The safety light on the interior of the front passenger door that lights up when the door is opened failed on my 2003 volkswagen jetta. The dealer stated that the problem was a failure in the front passenger door latch mechanism. The door latch mechanism was replaced, and was not covered under warranty.

Filed Sep 28, 2013 · Engine, Fuel system · 90,000 miles · VA

I started experiencing a hot spot in the driver's heated seat in the fall of 2012. I have to put a cushion between my right leg and the seat or it will nearly burn. I have also been having an issue with either the o2 sensor or catalytic converter whenever it rains and it's cool weather. The car will lose power, sputter and lurch until it has been running for a while then it acts normally. Finally, for the past two months the rear door locks will not open with the keyless entry or by hitting the lock/unlock button on the door. I just reached the 100k mark and keep up regular maintenance on my car so I'm a little upset that things like this are happening so early.

Filed Feb 23, 2010 · Electrical, Engine · 85,000 miles · CA

2003 vw jetta: digital display would shut off when key was removed from ignition. Unable to lock vehicle doors with remote. Vehicle had to be restarted for digital panel to appear (re-set) and for door to lock with remote. Engine would also shut off while at a stop light and while driving on freeway. Possibility to cause a crash. All digital panels still illuminated, key would be locked in ingnition, un-able to turn or be removed until car placed back in park and hand brake pulled up. Issues occured bi-weekly, weekly, and now daily. Vehicle brought to dealership. Was told that ignition switch failed and needed to be replaced. Would have been covered under warranty (warrant just expired last month). After trying to diagnose problem prior to bringing to dealership, I've found on several forums that this is not a new issue/repair for vw customers with the same make and model. Many customers have had similar complaints/experiences, all of which were taken in for repair after warranty expired. Vehicle is only 7 years old and is at approximately 85,000 miles. This vehicle has also had service for the following recalls: catalytic converter, failed ignition coils, failed rear window/door locks. This car is a lemon!

Filed Feb 12, 2009 · Locks · 40,000 miles · CO

I have a 2003 vw jetta. On numerous occasions, when I start the car and get out to scrape the snow & ice off of the windows, the door locks engage and lock me out of the running car. Since I have just left my car to remove snow, of course my purse and cell phone are in the car, so I have to leave the locked car running while I knock on neighbors doors to call someone to bring me a spare key to my house, so I can get the spare key to my car. I have not had the locks repaired, but when I took my car to gebhardt vw in boulder for other repairs, I was told the problem is so common that the mechanics roll the windows down whenever a car comes in for service, to make sure they won't get locked out. The mechanic actually had a broken lock sitting on his desk, and showed me how the lock was supposed to work, but what it does instead.

Filed Feb 10, 2008 · Locks · 45,000 miles · CA

Intermittent malfunction of rear door locks. Can't open. Reporter to dealer while under warranty. Dealer could not remedy. After warranty expired, dealer recommender service. Dealer checked and verified that the problem had been reported previously when serviced(from their records).neftin volkswagen, thousand oaks ca.

Filed Dec 15, 2005 · Seats · 36,150 miles · WI · fire

I own a 2003 vw jetta 1.8t with front heated seats. Drivers side seat caught fire due to a short in the seats heater 2 days ago on 12/13/2005 after the heater was on for less than 2 minutes. Burning a small hole trough the seat to the bottom area of my left side (buttock) I have come to find since this happened, my the federal safety agency has been investigating 2002, 2003 vw jettas for seat fires with this exact problem for over a year now. Why, as the original register owner of this model was I not informed of this investigation and the possibility of a fire inside my car, while me, my wife and my 5 year girl are in it! The problem with the above is that it was not a possibility, it just was a matter of time and in my case, the time was december 13th at approximately 7pm at night. This car has been a problem since the first 3,000 miles, with water pumps and door latches, firmware updates, violent shaking of the vehicle in cold weather starts, electrical problems ranging from entirely immobilizing and stranding me to the car partially being immobilized the vw jetta to automatic transmission shifter issues which include the cars shifter being able to be moved when the key is not even in the ignition to a position in the shifter selector because a cable was never connected to prevent that, that should also be a the federal safety agency safety issue too on this car. But first I want you for the love of god contact the owners of these cars before real tragedy happens if that all ready has not happened. I have just talked volkswagen customer care advocate at vw america, they have not warned their customers of this, who will. Again since this has happened I see many people on the internet have experienced the same thing. Please notify the owners first, then contact me second. Please!