repaired · 2020 Q3
Driver side: inflator module
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…
2003 Volkswagen GolfProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 26 owner complaints about the 2003 Volkswagen Golf, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 2 safety recalls, and for recall 18V-406 the manufacturer reports only 8% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 26, 2022. Updated daily. Photo: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2003 Volkswagen Golf has problems
26 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
11Air bags2 crash/fire/injury
4Electrical system2 crash/fire/injury
4Seats4 crash/fire/injury
3Suspension
2Power train1 crash/fire/injury
1Seat belts
1Exterior lighting
1Engine and engine cooling
1Wheels
11 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 11 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 2 |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Suspension | 3 | 0 |
| Power train | 2 | 1 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 |
| 1 other systems | 1 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
2003 Volkswagen Golf recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Brake lights: switch
Risk. THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Volkswagen.
Best & worst years
2003 vs. every other Golf year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Golf median. How we score
'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2003 Volkswagen Golf safety ratings
2003 Volkswagen Golf 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: Optional
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2003 Volkswagen Golf, and the recalls they led to.
- ENGINE STALLINGNo recall
- INADVERTENT SIDE-AIRBAG DEPLOYMENTNo recall
In owners' words
What Golf owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE HAS FAILED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WITHOUT IT, THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT THE AIRBAGS WILL FUNCTION PROPERLY, IF AT ALL, IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. VOLKSWAGEN REFUSES TO EVEN HELP WITH THE OVER $1,000.00 REPAIR COST. (THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, SO THE VEHICLE…
MY SON WAS PARKING HIS CAR AT A STATE PARK AND DRIVING LESS THAN 2 MILES A HOUR WHEN THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. SEVERAL PEOPLE HEARD THE LOUD SOUND AND RAN OVER TO SEE IF ANYONE WAS HURT. HIS GIRLFRIEND'S ARM BECAME RED, WITH A RASH AND SWOLLEN. THE SEAT AND HEADLINER ARE NOW DAMAGED, AND IT…
DITTO ON THE "NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10252376". MY 2003 BASE MODEL GOLF'S AIRBAGS WERE TURNED OFF (AIRBAG LIGHT ON), AND THE ISSUE WAS ONE OF THE 3 SENSORS IN THE DRIVER'S SEATBELT LATCH STOPPED WORKING. IT'S BEEN MANY YEARS AGO (I BOUGHT IT NEW), AND I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT YEAR THAT WAS, BUT I DID…
Own a 2003 Golf?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.