Major Problems with 2003 Volkswagen GTI Derived from Complaints & Recalls


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Worst 3 complaints of 2003 Volkswagen GTI

2003 Volkswagen GTI GLASS, SIDE/REAR Victims: 1 Mileage: 7950 miles

2003 Volkswagen GTI SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE Victims: 1

2003 Volkswagen GTI ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP Victims: 1

Browse 2003 Volkswagen GTI complaints by category

Problems with CLUTCH ASSEMBLY, FRONTAL and SIDE/WINDOW are the most frequent issues recorded by the NHTSA from Volkswagen GTI owners.

Problem Category Number of Problems
CLUTCH ASSEMBLY > POWER TRAIN
my clutch failed at 14 000 miles. my ignition fails regularily the ignition coil has been recalled and now i...
9
~ 27072 miles
FRONTAL > AIR BAGS
consumer rear ended another vehicle and the air bags did not deploy. *jb...
7
~ 25052 miles
SIDE/WINDOW > AIR BAGS
hit a curb at a low rate of speed ( less than 5mph) and driver side side impact air bag
6
~ 48787 miles
AIR BAGS
i was driving at 15 mph and hit a pothole. all of a sudden my passenger side airbags deployed along...
4
~ 42700 miles
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
(1) car engine overheated with air conditioning unit on with 35k miles (4 year old car). (2) dealer repair service...
3
~ 60384 miles
IGNITION > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
vehicle hesitates/stalls due to ignition coil failue. dealer notified. ph. *ak ...
3
~ 29333 miles
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
check engine light came on intermittently. consumer took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that the fuel injection...
2
~ 27609 miles
SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE > FRONTAL > AIR BAGS
when the 2003 volkswagen gti vr6 was in a front end collision with a suv and as a result was...
2
~ 15925 miles
COOLING SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
coolant leakage from hose on right hand side of engine compartment. this has happen a least 3 times also my...
2
~ 27360 miles
EQUIPMENT
this is the second time my clutch assembly failed. first time at 4500 miles in december 2003. vw dealership replaced...
2
~ 10448 miles
MANUAL TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN
the clutch slowly started to slip when trying to move forward eventually the engine would rev at very high rpms...
2
~ 28000 miles
PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE) > CLUTCH ASSEMBLY > POWER TRAIN
during cold weather (below 20 degrees f) the clutch gradually gets closer & closer to the floor & will not...
2
~ 30850 miles
SEAT BELTS
2003 vw gti airbag light came on without an accident collision bump or crash and stayed on all the time...
1
~ 67800 miles
POWER TRAIN
hard downshifts from 4th gear to 2nd gear to 1st gear cause vehicle to slow abruptly and without warning. when...
1
~ 85000 miles
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
complainant owns a 2003 volkswagen gti 1.8t. driving home three days ago check engine light comes on and car starts...
1
~ 57600 miles
ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
driving on highway oil pressure light came on and beeped. pulled over within five minutes at next exit had car...
1
~ 72000 miles
VISIBILITY
2003 volkswagen gti. during a rain storm my wipers stopped working and were stuck mid way. the next day i...
1
~ 43000 miles
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
noticed a smell as i was driving. glance out window & noticed my back light was on fire. pulled over...
1
~ 45000 miles
FAN > COOLING SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
(1) car engine overheated with air conditioning unit on with 35k miles (4 year old car). (2) dealer repair service...
1
~ 35900 miles
BUCKLE ASSEMBLY > FRONT > SEAT BELTS
routine usage from adjacent seat mechanism caused wire to fail inside driver's side seat belt harness causing air bag light...
1
~ 66000 miles
BELL HOUSING > CLUTCH ASSEMBLY > POWER TRAIN
i had a total loss of clutch hydraulic pressure on 6 speed manual transmission. the pedal was stuck to the...
1
~ 61000 miles
SWITCH > BRAKE LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING
brake light switch faulty. *nm...
1
~ 70000 miles
BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS > GASOLINE > ENGINE
i have taken my '03 gti vr6 to the dealer 3 times for the same complaint. when it is raining...
1
~ 30000 miles
INTERIOR/UNDER DASH > WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
i have taken my '03 gti vr6 to the dealer 3 times for the same complaint. when it is raining...
1
~ 30000 miles
STRUCTURE
my 2003 vw gti leaks and has now developed serious mold that we haven't been able to get rid of...
1
~ 5000 miles
RECLINER > FRONT ASSEMBLY > SEATS
consumer was driving at 5 mph and struck a pot hole and side door air bags deployed. also side window
1
~ 7950 miles
GLASS, SIDE/REAR > VISIBILITY
consumer was driving at 5 mph and struck a pot hole and side door air bags deployed. also side window
1
~ 7950 miles
FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
check engine light came on intermittently. consumer took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that the fuel injection...
1
~ 15000 miles
STARTER ASSEMBLY > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
as i was getting into my car at night (2003 vw gti) i noticed it was very cold. i then...
1
~ 31850 miles
ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT
as i was getting into my car at night (2003 vw gti) i noticed it was very cold. i then...
1
~ 31850 miles
ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
the consumer was traveling 40 mph but when he attempted to apply the brakes the pedal went to the floor....
1
DRUM > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
rear brakes lock up while driving. dealer could find no fault codes or problem. but the problem is there they
1
~ 24000 miles
DOOR > BODY > STRUCTURE
i had a 2002 volkswagen jetta before this with the same problem. the doors make rattle after a couple thousand...
1
~ 3000 miles
ACCELERATOR PEDAL > VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
while driving vehicle intermittently stalled/lost power upon entering the freeway and when pressing on the accelerator pedal vehicle did not
1
EXHAUST SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
my clutch failed at 14 000 miles. my ignition fails regularily the ignition coil has been recalled and now i...
1
~ 14000 miles
MODULE > IGNITION > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
my clutch failed at 14 000 miles. my ignition fails regularily the ignition coil has been recalled and now i...
1
~ 14000 miles
SWITCH > IGNITION > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
my clutch failed at 14 000 miles. my ignition fails regularily the ignition coil has been recalled and now i...
1
~ 14000 miles
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
on my 2003 gti the canister purge valve resonates and makes a knocking noise when idelling. two dealers agree there
1
BODY > STRUCTURE
my vw gti 2003 20th anniversary modle has a poping noise coming from the doors every time i hit a...
1
~ 800 miles

Torque wrench

  • EPAuto 1/2-inch Drive Click Torque Wrench, 10~150 ft./lb., 13.6 ~ 203.5 N/m

    EPAuto 1/2-inch Drive Click Torque Wrenc...

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  • LEXIVON 1/2-Inch Drive Click Torque Wrench 10~150 Ft-Lb/13.6~203.5 Nm (LX-183)

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    • LONGEVITY -...
  • LEXIVON 1/2-Inch Drive Click Torque Wrench 25-250 Ft-Lb/33.9-338.9 Nm (LX-184)

    LEXIVON 1/2-Inch Drive Click Torque Wren...

    • PRECISION - Ships pre-calibrated to +/- 4% accuracy and ready to use. Include calibration certificate with traceable serial number.
    • DURABLE - Reinforced ratchet gear head constructed from hardened, heat treated Chrome Vanadium alloy steel.
    • LONG-LASTING...
  • LEXIVON 3/8-Inch Drive Click Torque Wrench 10~80 Ft-Lb/13.6~108.5 Nm (LX-182)

    LEXIVON 3/8-Inch Drive Click Torque Wren...

    • PRECISION - Ships pre-calibrated to +/- 4% accuracy and ready to use. Include calibration certificate with traceable serial number.
    • DURABLE - Reinforced ratchet gear head constructed from hardened, heat treated Chrome Vanadium alloy steel.
    • LONG-LASTING...
  • LEXIVON Inch Pound Torque Wrench 1/4-Inch Drive | 20~200 in-lb/2.26~22.6 Nm (LX-181)

    LEXIVON Inch Pound Torque Wrench 1/4-Inc...

    • PRECISION - Ships pre-calibrated to +/- 4% accuracy and ready to use. Include calibration certificate with traceable serial number.
    • DURABLE - Reinforced ratchet gear head constructed from hardened, heat treated Chrome Vanadium alloy steel.
    • LONG-LASTING...
  • TEKTON 3/8 Inch Drive Micrometer Torque Wrench (10-80 ft.-lb.) 24330

    TEKTON 3/8 Inch Drive Micrometer Torque ...

    • Includes 1-pc. 3/8 in. drive torque wrench; Storage case; Product manual with torque conversion chart
    • Wrench emits a click that can be heard and felt when the preset value is reached
    • Permanently marked, high-contrast dual-range...

Mechanic tool set

  • Crescent 180 Pc. Professional Tool Set in Tool Storage Case - CTK180

    Crescent 180 Pc. Professional Tool Set i...

    • The Crescent Professional Tool Set has a newly designed 72T quick release ratchet
    • Carefully selected assortment of hand tools for most industrial, mechanical, and consumer applications
    • Get incredible access from combination wrenches with narrow heads,...
  • Craftsman Mechanic Tool Set, 215 Piece, Hand Box Set in Metal, 3 Drawers, Red (CMMT45303)

    Craftsman Mechanic Tool Set, 215 Piece, ...

    • MINIMAL ARCH SWING: 72-tooth 1/4 in. and 3/8 in. Drive Ratchets produce a 5-degree arc swing. Ideal balance between access and durability.
    • VERSATILE: Comprehensive set of 1/4 in., 3/8 in. Drive Sockets and Drive Tool...
  • Craftsman Mechanic Tool Set, 230 Piece with 3 Drawers, Sockets, Extension Bars, Wrenches, Hex Keys, and More (CMMT45305)

    Craftsman Mechanic Tool Set, 230 Piece w...

    • TACKLE A VARIETY OF PROJECTS: Complete automotive jobs and general mechanic fixes with this heavy-duty, 230-piece all-in-one mechanic tool set
    • OPEN AND CLOSE THE DRAWERS WITH ONE HAND as you work with a spring-loaded locking...
  • DEWALT Mechanics Tool Set, 1/4' & 3/8' & 1/2' Drive, SAE/Metric, 205-piece (DWMT81534)

    DEWALT Mechanics Tool Set, 1/4" & 3/8" &...

    • 72 tooth count ratchet providing a 5 degree arc swing for maneuverability in restricted areas
    • Anti-slip driver handle provides maximum comfort
    • Housed in a durable carrying case with metal latches
    • Full-polish chrome for corrosion resistance
  • DEWALT Mechanics Tools Kit and Socket Set, 142-Piece, 1/4 & 3/8' Drive, MM/SAE (DWMT73802)

    DEWALT Mechanics Tools Kit and Socket Se...

    • Socket sets include 72 tooth count ratchets which allow for a 5 degree arc swing for maneuverability in restricted areas
    • Ratchets include a low profile directional lever to help reduce catch points and for easy...
  • Amazon Basics Mechanic's Tool Set with Chrome Finish and Case - Set of 201 Pieces

    Amazon Basics Mechanic's Tool Set with C...

    • Mechanic tool kit and socket set for tackling multiple sizes and types of fasteners, especially nuts and bolts
    • Includes a 201-piece set that combines most popular sockets, wrenches, hex keys, and screwdriver bits
    • Both metric...

Tool box

  • TUFFIOM 8-Drawer Rolling Tool Chest w/Lock & Key, Tool Storage Cabinet w/Wheels, Detachable Top, Drawers, Side Hooks & Drawer Liners, Tool Organizer Box for Garage, Warehouse & Repair Shop, Red

    TUFFIOM 8-Drawer Rolling Tool Chest w/Lo...

    • LARGE STORAGE CAPACITY: The rolling tool chest is designed with 8 drawers and 1 bottom cabinet for storing tools, small equipment or other objects. And the bottom cabinet features side hooks for hanging tools like...
  • beyond by BLACK+DECKER BLACK+DECKER BDST60500APB Stackable Storage System - 3 Piece Set (Small Toolbox, Deep Toolbox, and Rolling Tote)

    beyond by BLACK+DECKER BLACK+DECKER BDST...

    • Sturdy + Stackable: Durable Auto-Lock Latches Make Connecting These Stackable Units Quick And Easy
    • Quick Access: The Quick-Release On The Locking Latch Allows You To Easily Separate Each Module When Stacked For Quick Access To...
  • BIG RED ANTBD133-XB Torin 20' Portable 3 Drawer Steel Tool Box with Metal Latch Closure, Red

    BIG RED ANTBD133-XB Torin 20" Portable 3...

    • Heavy duty tool box is made of thick steel, with powder coat red paint finish, beautiful and easy to clean
    • Measures 20.5" L x 8.5" W x 12" H, and is equipped with 3 drawers...
  • DEKOPRO 228 Piece Socket Wrench Auto Repair Tool Combination Package Mixed Tool Set Hand Tool Kit with Plastic Toolbox Storage Case

    DEKOPRO 228 Piece Socket Wrench Auto Rep...

    • HIGH QUALITY&STANDARDS:Forged from high-quality steel and finished in high-polish chrome,strength, durability, anti-corrosion protection.All the tools meet or exceed ANSI critical standards
    • COMPLETE VARIETIES:Contains tools needed for most small repairs and basic DIY projects around the...
  • Torin 17-Inch Plastic Tool Box,3-Tiers Multi-Function Storage Portable Toolbox Organizer, Black/Orange ATRJH-3430T

    Torin 17-Inch Plastic Tool Box,3-Tiers M...

    • Tough metal latches are solid and easy to open and close, with long use life
    • Foldable three-tier tray provides you with more storage space and you can separate metric and imperial tools to take them...
  • CARTMAN 148 Piece Automotive and Household Tool Set - Perfect for Car Enthusiasts and DIY Home Repairs

    CARTMAN 148 Piece Automotive and Househo...

    • Comprehensive Tool Set: The Cartman 148-Piece Tool Kit includes all the crucial tools needed for everyday home repairs and maintenance, from cutting to tightening, measuring to hammering.
    • Durable and Corrosion-Resistant: All tools in the kit...


2003 Volkswagen GTI specs
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