Brake light switch failed and my car is stuck in park because it's impossible to shift when the brake light switch is faulty. This part has been recalled (n4), but I am forced to pay for a tow truck to get me to a dealer 20 miles away because the car is inoperable right now. Warranty is over but if it's a recall and the part in question is causing me to be stuck, why should I be the one paying for the tow?
2003 Volkswagen Jetta: stuck in gear or won't shift
6 of the 456 complaints about the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta describe stuck in gear or won't shift.
- owner complaints
- 6
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- recalls
- 0
Is there a fix? 8 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below
Stuck in gear or won't shift by model year
What owners say
2003 jetta gears will not shift out of park. This is caused by a plastic submitter that controls the gear shift and brakes. *ts the consumer was told there was an open recall for the 2002 model but not 2003. *jb the would like to have his paid bills paid that were accidentally placed in an envelope. Updated 07/11/06.
Jetta brake light switch (on our invoice it is part no. 1jo-945-511-e") according to the service dept at commonwealth vw, this switch has been recalled as defective in other vw's, but not the jetta. When it fails, the brake lights go out and the car will not shift. I bought this car new for my daughter, m. B., the registered owner, and I do not like the idea that she is driving a defective vehicle to and from our home in villa park, ca. To school in riverside, ca. (about 60 miles round trip) daily, and at night! This part should be recalled from all vehicles.
My 2003 vw jetta constantly gets stuck in park longest time has been 45 minutes my car has been into service 3 times and is still rough coming out of park also my cruise control has never worked I only have 6000 miles.
Intermittently, the vehicle would not shift out of park into any gear. The dealer replaced the shift lock solenoid. Please provide further details. *jb
My vehicle often will not shift into reverse. I have a manual transmission, and it will shift into the other gears, but often upon starting the vehicle, it will not go into reverse.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Tech Tips (Torque Converter/Flywheel/Flexplate installation): Incorrect torque converter or...
- Incorrect torque converter or flywheel/flexplate installation can result in transmission damage
- P0102, P1128, P1296
- VW Elsa Newsletter
- Tech Tips (Vehicles with 09G or 09A Transmission -- Replacing Transmission):
- 09A Transmission -- Replacing Transmission
- Update programming, MIL on, dtc's P0420 and/or P0300-P0306 stored in ECM fault memory
- Reverse gear, difficult to engage or disengage
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta won't shift
Is stuck in gear or won't shift a common problem on the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta?
6 of 456 owner complaints about the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta (1%) mention stuck in gear or won't shift. The model year with the most reports is 2010.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta?
There are 0 recalls and 8 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
Fire or smoke 53Loss of power 20Overheating 20Stalling 17Check engine light 14Engine failure 11ABS 10Airbag light 10Won't start 10No deployment 9Adaptive cruise 8Door locks 8Hesitation 8Brake failure 6Headlights 6Jerking 5Power windows 5
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2003 Volkswagen Jetta?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history