The vehicle dossier US · 2003
2003 Volkswagen
BEETLEProblems & recalls
314 distinct owner reports in the NHTSA snapshot. Transmission & drivetrain appears in 134 of them. Explore what was reported—and which official actions are on file.
01 / Owner-reported evidence
What owners reported.
Categories attached to 314 distinct reports. A report can mention more than one component, so category totals can overlap.
See original component labels
These are reports made to NHTSA, not verified diagnoses. More reports can reflect more vehicles, more time on the road, or greater reporting activity.
The reporting timeline
When reports arrived.
Reports by year filed, not by the year a problem occurred. Showing the latest 15 years with reports.
67,100 miles is the median among 263 reports with usable mileage. The middle half spans 45,000–86,361 miles.
This describes the submitted reports. It does not predict when a vehicle will fail.
02 / Official safety campaigns
5 recall campaigns on file.
A campaign can cover only certain production dates or configurations. The count does not tell you whether an individual car has an open recall.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINECampaign 14E007000
Reported concern
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.
Manufacturer’s stated response
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.
Read campaign 14E007000 at NHTSAEXTERIOR LIGHTINGCampaign 09E012000
Reported concern
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.
Manufacturer’s stated response
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.
Read campaign 09E012000 at NHTSAAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVECampaign 08V178000
Reported concern
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 76,900 MY 2004-2005 NEW BEETLE AND MY 2003-2005 NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ADVANCED (DUAL-STAGE) AIR BAG SYSTEM. THIS SYSTEM MAY HAVE AIR BAG FRONTAL CRASH SENSORS THAT CONTAIN A SOLDER JOINT ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD THAT MAY CRACK UNDER CERTAIN HIGH TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS. IF THIS OCCURS, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE AND THE FALLBACK ALGORITHM WILL ENSURE THAT THE FRONT AIR BAGS ALWAYS DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL CRASH IN WHICH THE VEHICLE'S DECELERATION IS HIGH ENOUGH TO ACTIVATE THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS.
Manufacturer’s stated response
DEALERS WILL INSPECT EACH VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THAT THE SPECIFIC DEFECT CRASH SENSOR IS PRESENT ON ONE OR BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. ALL OF THE DEFECT CRASH SENSORS WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JULY 31, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Manufacturer campaign: R6
Read campaign 08V178000 at NHTSASERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDERCampaign 07E023000
Reported concern
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.
Manufacturer’s stated response
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.
Read campaign 07E023000 at NHTSAEXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCHCampaign 07V063000
Reported concern
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
Manufacturer’s stated response
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.
Manufacturer campaign: N4
Read campaign 07V063000 at NHTSA03 / The manufacturer’s record
Instructions. Updates. Responses.
188 distinct communications list this model-year. Showing the latest 12. A matching model-year does not establish that every engine, trim or reported symptom is covered.
V691901201047916Airbag / Pyrotechnic Safety Belt Deployment Inquiries, update to contact information due to retirement.NHTSA ID 10249138
Airbag / Pyrotechnic Safety Belt Deployment Inquiries, update to contact information due to retirement.
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10249138 at NHTSAV171901201285565Update to Volkswagen engine oil standardsNHTSA ID 10241177
Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10241177 at NHTSAV171901201285562Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.NHTSA ID 10237427
Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10237427 at NHTSAV171901201285560Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.NHTSA ID 10235138
Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10235138 at NHTSAV941901201152119Update model year applicability to include 2023.NHTSA ID 10228180
Update model year applicability to include 2023.
Components: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10228180 at NHTSAV271901201189422Battery testing and charging using special tools VAS6161 & GRX3000VAS Charger. Updated to include additional model year applicability.NHTSA ID 10228178
Battery testing and charging using special tools VAS6161 & GRX3000VAS Charger. Updated to include additional model year applicability.
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10228178 at NHTSAA002155201173212This bulletin contains general instructions for software updates.NHTSA ID 10204722
This bulletin contains general instructions for software updates.
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10204722 at NHTSAV171901201285534Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)NHTSA ID 10193577
Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10193577 at NHTSAV871806201994714Tool number added to table. Removal of Behr Flush Kit. VAS 6337/1ANHTSA ID 10175799
Tool number added to table. Removal of Behr Flush Kit. VAS 6337/1A
Components: EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10175799 at NHTSAV941901201152115Updated to include additional models and model year applicability.NHTSA ID 10174476
Updated to include additional models and model year applicability.
Components: EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10174476 at NHTSASM 102-2019The part number listed in the document is to be returned if it meets the criteria provided.NHTSA ID 10167177
The part number listed in the document is to be returned if it meets the criteria provided.
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10167177 at NHTSAQRUG08212019Quick Reference Update Guide.NHTSA ID 10164181
Quick Reference Update Guide.
Components: EQUIPMENT. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10164181 at NHTSARecords below contain the NHTSA bulk summary unless a document-reviewed explainer is linked. A service bulletin is not a safety recall or a promise of a free repair. Records may be revised or superseded; verify the current document with the manufacturer.
04 / Agency investigations
Official inquiries.
An investigation is an inquiry into a potential concern. Its presence does not establish a defect, and a closed case does not certify a car’s condition.
FRONT AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR FAILUREPE08012
CERTAIN SUBJECT VEHICLES, MODEL YEAR (MY) 2003 CONVERTIBLE AND MY 2004 SEDAN AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH AN ADVANCED DUAL-STAGE AIR BAG SYSTEM.THE AIR BAG CRASH SENSORS (#1F0 909 606) CONTAIN A SOLDER JOINT ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD THAT MAY CRACK UNDER CERTAIN HIGH TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS.IF THIS OCCURS, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE AND THE CONTROL MODULE WILL ENABLE A FALLBACK ALGORITHM THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THE FRONT AIR BAG ALWAYS DEPLOYS IN A FRONTAL CRASH IN WHICH THE VEHICLE'S DECELERATION IS HIGH ENOUGH TO ACTIVATE THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS.HOWEVER, IN LOW-SEVERITY FRONTAL IMPACTS, THE FRONT AIR BAGS MAY DEPLOY MORE FORCEFULLY THAN DESIGNED, INCREASING THE POSSIBILITY OF INJURY TO OUT-OF-POSITION FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS.VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSPECT FOR THE DEFECTIVE CRASH SENSOR AND REPLACE WITH AN UPDATED DESIGN.IN ADDITION, 16,177 EARLY-MY 2005 NEW BEETLE SEDAN AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES (BUILT THROUGH OCT 31, 2004) ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS CLOSED (SEE RECALL 08V-178)
Recorded closure: Apr 24, 2008
Campaign reference in the source: 08V178000
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