Representative model. Photo: Harvey Bold, Wikimedia Commons, CC0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2003 Volkswagen Golf recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2003 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 6
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 84
Latest campaign: Jun 13, 2018

Recall summary by component6

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Exterior lighting	3	May 11, 2009	09E025000 09E012000 07V063000
Air bags	1	Jun 13, 2018	18V406000
Engine and engine cooling	1	Mar 7, 2014	14E007000
Service brakes, hydraulic	1	Mar 29, 2007	07E023000

Safety recalls6

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Jun 13, 2018Latest campaign


Jun 13, 201818V406000	Air bags: frontal driver side 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… DetailsHide details for campaign 18V406000 What's wrong 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 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. Campaign NHTSA 18V406000 · Jun 13, 2018
Mar 7, 201414E007000	Engine and engine cooling: engine A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 14E007000 What's wrong The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail. Risk A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Remedy Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911. Campaign NHTSA 14E007000 · Mar 7, 2014
May 11, 200909E025000	Exterior lighting: headlights DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. DetailsHide details for campaign 09E025000 What's wrong DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS. Risk DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Remedy DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798. Campaign NHTSA 09E025000 · May 11, 2009
Apr 7, 200909E012000	Exterior lighting DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. DetailsHide details for campaign 09E012000 What's wrong SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS. Risk DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Remedy SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589. Campaign NHTSA 09E012000 · Apr 7, 2009
Mar 29, 200707E023000	Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components master cylinder LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. DetailsHide details for campaign 07E023000 What's wrong CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID. Risk LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Remedy CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780. Campaign NHTSA 07E023000 · Mar 29, 2007
Feb 20, 200707V063000	Exterior lighting: brake lights switch THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. DetailsHide details for campaign 07V063000 What's wrong 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 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. Campaign NHTSA 07V063000 · Feb 20, 2007

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Volkswagen recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2003 Volkswagen Golf? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component84

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

84Complaints filed

7Involving a crash

8Involving a fire

10Injuries reported · 1 death

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Air bags	29	35	7	0	8
Power train	15	18	0	1	0
Electrical system	14	17	0	2	0
Engine and engine cooling	12	14	0	0	0
Seats	6	7	1	4	1
Equipment	4	5	0	0	0
Unknown or other	3	4	0	1	0
Seat belts	3	4	0	0	0
Suspension	3	4	0	0	0
Fuel system	3	4	0	0	0
Exterior lighting	3	4	0	1	1
Structure	3	4	0	0	0
Gasoline	2	2	0	0	0
Visibility	2	2	1	0	0
Service brakes	2	2	1	0	1

6 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number, merged from NHTSA model names Golf, Golf/GTI.

Latest reports

Fuel/propulsion system
“When my car gets down to 1/4 tank it cuts out and dies I’ve replaced the fuel pump and fuel filter. I believe this is a serious possibly deadly issue.”
Filed 12/17/2023 · ODI 11560569
Unknown or other
“The car just started on fire while I was driving and nearly killed me and my boyfriend lucky someone was honking and flagging down and when we tried stopping the car wouldn't brake and we had to jump out when it was…”
Filed 10/26/2022 · ODI 11491001
Electronic stability control (ESC)
“I have a 2003 volkswagen gti and it has a electrical issue my lights flicker by themselves and my hazards come on by themselves as well and I want to put in a new radio but with my electrical issues going I can't do…”
Filed 11/01/2020 · ODI 11372496

Other Volkswagen Golf model years

All years: 2024 · 2023 · 2022 · 2021 · 2020 · 2019 · 2018 · 2017 · 2016 · 2015 · 2014 · 2013 · 2012 · 2011 · 2010 · 2006 · 2005 · 2004 · 2003 · 2002 · 2001 · 2000

Other Volkswagen models

All Volkswagen models and years →

2003 Volkswagen Golf recall questions

How many recalls does the 2003 Volkswagen Golf have?

NHTSA lists 6 safety recall campaigns for the 2003 Volkswagen Golf. The most recent, 18V406000 (reported June 13, 2018), concerns air bags. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2003 Volkswagen Golf recalls for?

The largest group is exterior lighting, with 3 campaigns. Others: air bags (1), engine and engine cooling (1), service brakes, hydraulic (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2003 Volkswagen Golf?

Air bags is the most-reported component, named in 29 complaints out of 84 filed with NHTSA (35%). Across all complaints, owners reported 7 crashs and 8 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2003 Volkswagen Golf?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Volkswagen recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Volkswagen dealer.

Check a specific Volkswagen by VIN

Free · No signup · US-market vehicles, 1981+

Need the factory options too? See the Volkswagen build sheet & window sticker guide.

Recall summary by component6

Safety recalls6

Air bags: frontal driver side

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Exterior lighting: headlights

Exterior lighting

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components master cylinder

Exterior lighting: brake lights switch