Owner-reported complaints naming the fuel system system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Fuel system reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
17
Latest Feb 7, 2022
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
4%
of 456 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2
What this page shows
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 17 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming fuel system
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Feb 7, 2022
My jetta stalls without warning when the gas gauge is at a quarter of a tank or less. No engine check light or any other any other device comes on to warn me it is going to stall. My speed does not matter. It happens at freeway speeds or around town. It does not occur if the gas gauge shows more than 1/4 of a tank of fuel. I do not know if it is an electrical problem, a fuel propulsion problem or an engine problem. From reading volkswagon forums, this is a very common problem with volkswagons of different years, including the new Tiguans. I'm sure there have been many fatalities as a result of this defect. I am surprised volkswagon has not been forced to repair this dangerous, life threatening problem before now! Maybe, a class action law suit involving products liability, merchantability, and fitness for a particular use would benefit not only owners, but the general public at large. I believe it is your duty to protect the general public from manufactures who place dangerous, defective products in the stream of commerce. Your action is required, and demanded. The first time ocurred right after I purchased the car in 2019. It has stalled many times since then, before I realized I needed to keep the fuel tank at least 1/2 full at all times. Keeping it 1/2 full at all times greatly deminishes the range of travel before I have to refill. It is inconvenient and expensive since fuel has to be purchased at places other the most economical place I usually purchase my gasoline. Thank you
NHTSA ID
11450712
Incident
Jul 28, 2019
Fuel system
Filed Dec 17, 2018
THE CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED OR WHILE IDLING WHEN THE FUEL GAUGE IS AROUND OR UNDER 1/4 OF A TANK. I HAVE READ UP ON THIS AND PEOPLE ARE DUMPING A LOT OF MONEY ONTO TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE ISSUE IS AND THERE IS NO ANSWER. STALLING ON A HIGHWAY WITHOUT A MEDIAN OR PULL-OFF IS NOT ONLY INCONVENIENT BUT DANGEROUS.
NHTSA ID
11161955
Incident
Dec 15, 2018
Mileage
166,000 mi
ElectricalFuel systemExterior lighting
Filed Aug 10, 2017
MY CAR GOT HACKED MY CHARLIE MILLER AND CHRIS VALASEK WAS SEEN OVER AT MY NEIGHBORS HOUSE ON 4/29/2017 AND MY EX BOSS CHRIS STUTZ JR IS IN CHARGE OF ALL THE BREAK IN OF MY HOUSE AND CARS EDWARDSVILLE POLICE WILL NOT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THE POLICE ARE FRIEND OF THEM I HOPE I DON'T GET KILLED OVER THESE HACKS BUT IF THAT'S WHAT IT WILL TAKE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT
NHTSA ID
11014091
Incident
Aug 3, 2017
Mileage
220,185 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Jul 25, 2016
TRANSMISSION STRAINED TO SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. WATER PUMP WENT OUT CAUSE CAR TO RUN HOT.. WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED BUT BLOWER HEAD GASKET.... AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF
NHTSA ID
10888440
Incident
Feb 17, 2016
Mileage
110,678 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jun 15, 2015
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOOSE POWER AND THEN JUST SHUT OFF. LOOKING AT THE FUEL GAUGE I HAD A QUARTER OF A TANK LEFT IN FUEL. PULLING TO THE SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART MY VEHICLE. AFTER 5-10 MINUTES OF TRYING TO RESTART MY VEHICLE, IT STARTED. I THEN DROVE TO THE NEAREST GAS STATION AND FILLED UP MY TANK. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AGAIN AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THE FUEL GAUGE READ A QUARTER OF A TANK LEFT AND HAD TO PULL OVER AGAIN TO ATTEMPT TO RESTART MY CAR. THIS NOW HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE VEHICLES FUEL LEVEL GETS TO A QUARTER OF A TANK. I'M LEFT HAVING TO FILL UP MY TANK AT THAT POINT, QUARTER OF A TANK, TO AVOID BREAKING DOWN ON THE FREEWAY OR ANYTIME WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA ID
10725356
Incident
May 16, 2015
Mileage
159,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Aug 7, 2014
CAR STALLS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN AT QUARTER TANK OR LESS. PARTS REPLACED, STILL OCCURS. THERE IS NO KNOWN FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM, IT ALWAYS COMES BACK, AND IS MOST LIKELY A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT WITH THE FUEL PUMP SYSTEM THAT IS BEING IGNORED BY VW OF AMERICA. THIS IS HAPPENING TO HUNDREDS AND MOST LIKELY THOUSANDS OF VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, GOLF, BEETLE AND GTI OWNERS. WE HAVE BEEN CONNECTING THE DOTS THROUGH ONLINE VW FORUMS AND ARE FRUSTRATED! THERE HAVE BEEN ACCIDENTS REPORTED DUE TO SUDDEN POWER LOSS AND THEREFORE DECELERATION DUE TO THIS ISSUE. JUST THIS MORNING MY JETTA STALLED IN FRONT OF A SEMI TRUCK DOING 65MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM, IT'S HAPPENING TO A LOT OF OWNERS OF VW'S MANUFACTURED BETWEEN 1999 AND 2005, AND IT NEEDS YOUR ATTENTION BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED. THANK YOU. *TR
NHTSA ID
10620761
Incident
Dec 24, 2012
Mileage
90,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Dec 23, 2013
MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA'S COOLANT PUMP FAILED WHILE IN TRAFFIC. THIS CAUSED A REDUCTION IN POWER AND ENGINE OVERHEATING. REPLACEMENT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
NHTSA ID
10557091
Incident
Oct 8, 2007
Mileage
37,750 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 23, 2013
MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA EXPERIENCED A FUEL PUMP FAILURE WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. MY VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP IN FRONT OF THE ENTRANCE TO AN ALLEY. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER THE FAILURE. THE FUEL PUMP HAS TO BE REPLACED, BUT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA ID
10557088
Incident
Jun 5, 2009
Mileage
45,000 mi
EngineFuel systemInterior & seats
Filed Sep 28, 2013
I STARTED EXPERIENCING A HOT SPOT IN THE DRIVER'S HEATED SEAT IN THE FALL OF 2012. I HAVE TO PUT A CUSHION BETWEEN MY RIGHT LEG AND THE SEAT OR IT WILL NEARLY BURN. I HAVE ALSO BEEN HAVING AN ISSUE WITH EITHER THE O2 SENSOR OR CATALYTIC CONVERTER WHENEVER IT RAINS AND IT'S COOL WEATHER. THE CAR WILL LOSE POWER, SPUTTER AND LURCH UNTIL IT HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR A WHILE THEN IT ACTS NORMALLY. FINALLY, FOR THE PAST TWO MONTHS THE REAR DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT OPEN WITH THE KEYLESS ENTRY OR BY HITTING THE LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE DOOR. I JUST REACHED THE 100K MARK AND KEEP UP REGULAR MAINTENANCE ON MY CAR SO I'M A LITTLE UPSET THAT THINGS LIKE THIS ARE HAPPENING SO EARLY. *TR
NHTSA ID
10546042
Incident
Sep 1, 2012
Mileage
90,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 30, 2011
SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF LOW SULFUR DIESEL MY INJECTION PUMP HAS DEVELOPED A LEAK ! POSSIBLE FIRE DANGER. *TR
NHTSA ID
10433619
Incident
Jul 14, 2010
Mileage
89,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 16, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND IT RESTARTED THREE HOURS LATER. ONE WEEK LATER, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE NEAREST MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V375000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: FUEL PUMP) WAS REFERENCED CONCERNING THE 2003 PASSATS. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 46,000. UPDATED 5/6/08 *CN UPDATED 05/06/08 *TR
NHTSA ID
10224731
Incident
Apr 11, 2008
Mileage
46,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 27, 2006
Crash reportedFire reported2 injuries reported
OUR JETTA WAS REAR-ENDED AT A RED LIGHT AND THE GAS TANK EXPLODED, CAUSING THE CAR TO BECOME A FIREBALL. THE CAR WAS OBVIOUSLY TOTALLED, AND WE LOST ALL OF OUR BELONGINGS INSIDE THE CAR.
NHTSA ID
10177058
Incident
Dec 20, 2006
Mileage
25,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 26, 2005
2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE STOPPING.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR WHEN THE WEATHER IS AROUND 5 DEGREES, THE FUEL GELS AND THE VEHICLE COMES TO A STOP. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES. THE CONSUMER HAS OUT IN DUEL ADDITIVES BUT THAT HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. *TT *NM
NHTSA ID
10128085
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
EngineFuel system
Filed Jun 23, 2004
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS NO POWER TO THE VEHICLE. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THERE WAS A SEVERE VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. *MR THIS RESULTED IN A COMPLETE LOST OF POWER AND A REPLACEMENT OF THE INJECTOR SYSTEM. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS MUDDY DIESEL FUEL BUT COULDN'T PRODUCE THE FUEL FILTER TO BACK UP THE CLAIM. THERE WAS ANOTHER INCIDENT WHERE THERE WAS A PUFF OF SMOKE AND A LOST OF POWER DOWN TO 25 MPH ON THE ROAD. THE ENGINE HAD A #3 VALVE GO THROUGH THE PISTON AND RUN UP AND DOWN THE CRANKSHAFT. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH ANOTHER INJECTOR SYSTEM AND FUEL PUMP WAS ADDED. SEVERAL WEEKS LATER, A HIGH PRESSURE OIL LINE BROKE FROM THE WELD AND SPEWED OIL EVERYWHERE. THE AXLE ASSEMBLY AND THE TRANSMISSION SLAVE CYLINDER WERE REPLACED AS WELL. *SC *JB
NHTSA ID
10079856
Incident
Jun 1, 2004
Fuel system
Filed Apr 19, 2004
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER SMELLED GASOLINE ODOR COMING FROM THE VENTS. GASOLINE WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE RING LOCK ON THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK WAS WARPED. THIS CAUSED A FUEL LEAK. *AK
NHTSA ID
10067421
Incident
Apr 19, 2004
Fuel system
Filed Feb 29, 2004
GAS GAUGE INACCURATE DESPITE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTED CORRECTIONS (FUEL SENDING UNIT X2, INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, GAS TANK ALL REPLACED WITH NO IMPROVEMENT). *JB
NHTSA ID
10060056
Incident
Feb 28, 2003
Mileage
5,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Feb 3, 2004
VEHICLE HAD SENDING UNIT REPLACED WITH A DIFFERENT DESIGN UNIT TO ADDRESS COLD WEATHER OPERATING CONDITION. MFG,R HAS TSB ACKNOWLEDGING PROBLEM. WAS CHARGED FOR REPAIRS CAR IS 4 MOS OLD. 2003 JETTA PURCHASED IN SEPT.2003. *AK
NHTSA ID
10056440
Incident
Jan 26, 2004
Mileage
14,200 mi
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own