2003 VOLKSWAGEN GTI

72 complaints filed with NHTSA.

72
Complaints
11
Crashes
1
Fires
8
Injuries
3
Deaths

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY9
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL7
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW6
AIR BAGS4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM2
EQUIPMENT2
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE2
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2
STRUCTURE:BODY1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM1

Recalls (1)

07V06300020/02/2007

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.

Recent Complaints

20150817CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLID OVER ICE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE DRIVER SUSTAINED WHIPLASH. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE DAMAGES WERE REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND APPROACHING A RAMP, THE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED

20080508FireEXTERIOR LIGHTING

NOTICED A SMELL AS I WAS DRIVING. GLANCE OUT WINDOW & NOTICED MY BACK LIGHT WAS ON FIRE. PULLED OVER , AND TRIED TO EXTINGUISH IT WITH A SHIRT. ALMOST HAD IT OUT, BUT COULDN'T QUITE EXTINGUISH IT. WITHIN 10 MINUTES THE CAR WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. I HAD TO STAND THERE AND WATCH MY CAR BURN. IT TOOK TWO FIRE TRUCKS TO EXTINGUISH IT AND I ENDED UP WITH BURNT HANDS( FROM MELTING RUBBER STICKING TO MY SKIN) , TRYING TO SMOTHER IT. HOW COULD SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPEN FROM A BACK LIGHT? I

Mileage: 45,000

20061212AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

WAS DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT DOWN INTERSTATE 5 IN WASHINGTON, ADHERING TO THE SPEED LIMIT. WHEN MY PASSENGER CURTAIN AIRBAG AND SIDE SEAT AIR BAG DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT IS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. MY FRIEND SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS BRUISED UP RATHER NEATLY. *NM

Mileage: 50,600

20050209CrashFatalVISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 5 MPH AND STRUCK A POT HOLE AND SIDE DOOR AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. ALSO, SIDE WINDOW MALFUNCTIONED, AND SEAT RECLINER BROKE. *AK

Mileage: 7,950

20050209CrashFatalSEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 5 MPH AND STRUCK A POT HOLE AND SIDE DOOR AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. ALSO, SIDE WINDOW MALFUNCTIONED, AND SEAT RECLINER BROKE. *AK

Mileage: 7,950

20050209CrashFatalAIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 5 MPH AND STRUCK A POT HOLE AND SIDE DOOR AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. ALSO, SIDE WINDOW MALFUNCTIONED, AND SEAT RECLINER BROKE. *AK

Mileage: 7,950

20041210CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE

WHEN THE 2003 VOLKSWAGEN GTI VR6 WAS IN A FRONT END COLLISION WITH A SUV AND AS A RESULT WAS TOTALED THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT GO OFF. IT SEEMS THERE MAY BE MORE FAULTY AIG BAGS OUT THERE IN THE 2003 YEAR MODEL GTI'S. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. PEOPLE, YOU'RE SAFETY IS AT RISK.*AK

20041210CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHEN THE 2003 VOLKSWAGEN GTI VR6 WAS IN A FRONT END COLLISION WITH A SUV AND AS A RESULT WAS TOTALED THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT GO OFF. IT SEEMS THERE MAY BE MORE FAULTY AIG BAGS OUT THERE IN THE 2003 YEAR MODEL GTI'S. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. PEOPLE, YOU'RE SAFETY IS AT RISK.*AK

20041209CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 40 MPH, BUT WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT THE PASSENGER SIDE DID DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES. THE CONSUMER REFUSED TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED T BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

20041209CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 40 MPH, BUT WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT THE PASSENGER SIDE DID DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES. THE CONSUMER REFUSED TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED T BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

20041209CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE WAS A FRONT END COLLISION, IN WHICH MY CAR WAS IN A FRONT IMPACT ACCIDENT WITH A SUV. MY CAR IS A LITTLE 2 DOOR VW GTI VR6 2003. THE SUV WAS A HONDA PILOT. THE FAILURE WAS THAT MY CAR WAS CONSIDERED TOTALED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND BY THE BODY SHOP MY CAR WAS TOWED TO AND THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT GO OFF. THE ENGINE BLOCK WAS CRACKED AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WENT OFF, BUT I WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN THE VEHICLE. I HAD MY SEAT BELT ON AND MY AIR BAG DID NOT GO OFF

Mileage: 17,367

20041018CrashAIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

HIT A CURB AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED ( LESS THAN 5MPH) AND DRIVER SIDE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYED. ONLY EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO CAR WAS FLAT TIRE.*AK

Mileage: 18,000

20030313CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CONSUMER REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB