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Check by VIN to confirm the
exact model and see every recall for it.
Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
US recalls (2)
Air bags: frontal, driver side
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2003 Volkswagen Passat sedan, Jetta, Jetta wagon, Golf, EuroVan, EuroVan Camper Van and EuroVan Chassis vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Risk and remedy
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began May 2, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69X3.
Exterior lighting: brake lights, switch
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
Risk and remedy
Risk: THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2007, AND WILL BE CONDUCTED IN SEVERAL STAGGERED MAILINGS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21, 2007. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
Canadian recalls (3)
Show 3 Canadian recalls
Airbag
2018-06-13 · campaign 2018-316 · 368 vehicles
On certain vehicles, the driver frontal airbag could explode if the vehicle is involved in a collision that warrants an airbag deployment. If this occurs, sharp metal fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants, which would increase the risk of injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the driver frontal airbag inflator.
Lights and instruments
2006-05-24 · campaign 2006-122
On certain Golf, GTI, Jetta, Jetta wagon, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, Passat and Passat wagon, the brake lamp switch may malfunction. If this happens, the brake lamps could become inoperative; or could come on and stay on, even though the vehicle is parked. Correction: Dealers will replace the brake lamp switch with a newly revised version. This action includes vehicles previously affected by Transport Canada recall 03-184 and 04-075. The switch installed during this prior repair may not function properly. Note: parts available December 2006.
Seats and restraints
2005-01-19 · campaign 2005-012
Certain vehicles equipped with the comfort seats option may have a seat heater element that can malfunction when the ignition switch is in the "ON" position and the seat heater switch is also "ON". If this happened, the seated occupant may experience excessive heat in this location. The heating mat could damage, or melt a small hole in the seat. If this were to occur, an electrical/melting smell or small amount of smoke would be noticeable. In some cases, the small hole in the seat could damage the seated occupant's clothing. In rare instances, this could lead to a minor or superficial skin injury. Correction: Dealers will modify the driver's seat heater by installing an electrical repair kit and will install a new passenger side seat heater switch.
Owner complaints (26)
Owners filed 26 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Volkswagen Golf/GTI (7 fires, 4 injuries reported). Among 39 model years of this model, it ranks #18 for the most complaints (median 18).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Air bags | 11 | |
| Seats | 4 | |
| Electrical system | 4 | |
| Suspension | 3 | |
| Power train | 2 | |
| Unknown or other | 2 | |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | |
| Fuel system, other | 1 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Volkswagen Golf/GTI.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2003 Volkswagon Golf/GTI 2-DR. w/SAB | – | – | – | – |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2003 Volkswagen Golf/GTI version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| GTI 1.8 L Manual 5-spd | 21 | 28 | 24 | $3,400 |
| GTI 1.8 L Manual 6-spd | 20 | 28 | 23 | $3,550 |
| GTI 1.8 L Automatic (S5) | 19 | 27 | 22 | $3,750 |
| GTI 2.8 L Manual 6-spd | 19 | 27 | 22 | $3,750 |
| Golf 1.9 L Automatic 4-spd | 29 | 40 | 33 | $2,900 |
| Golf 1.9 L Manual 5-spd | 35 | 44 | 38 | $2,500 |
| Golf 2.0 L Automatic 4-spd | 20 | 27 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Golf 2.0 L Manual 5-spd | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,800 |
Need this data in your app?
Recalls, complaints, crash ratings and fuel economy as a JSON API. Decode up to 50 VINs per call and get a daily feed of new recalls.
Explore the API →Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport
Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada).
Recalls updated 2026-10-30.