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2003 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen GL 1.8T

The 2003 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen GL 1.8T is a 180-hp 1.8-liter turbocharged inline-4 with a 5-speed manual and front-wheel drive. It starts at $20,125 MSRP and is rated at 24 mpg combined.

It makes 180 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 173 lb-ft of torque at 1950 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway (24 mpg combined).

The Jetta SportWagen measures 173.6 inches long on a 99.0-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,130 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeWagon
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$20,125 ($35,547 *)
Engine
Engine Type1.8L Turbo I4 DOHC 20V
Displacement1.8 L
Horsepower180 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Torque173 lb-ft @ 1950 rpm
ValvetrainDOHC, 4 valves/cylinder
Injection TypeTurbocharged, fuel injection
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFWD
Transmission
Transmission5-Speed Manual
Fuel Economy
City21 MPG
Highway28 MPG
Combined24 MPG
Recommended FuelPremium unleaded
Tank Capacity14.5 gal
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front15.0 in
Wheels Rear15.0 in
Tires Front195/65R15
Tires Rear195/65R15
Dimensions & Weight
Length173.6 in
Width68.3 in
Height58.5 in
Wheelbase99 in
Ground Clearance5.2 in
Curb Weight3,130 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front38.6 in
Headroom Rear38.1 in
Legroom Front41.5 in
Legroom Rear33.5 in
Shoulder Room Front53.7 in
Shoulder Room Rear52.5 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover Not rated
Tested variant: 2003 Volkswagen Jetta 4-DR. Wagon w/SAB
Other tested variants (1)
  • 2003 Volkswagen Jetta 4-DR. w/SAB: overall not rated

Recalls

4 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2003 Volkswagen JETTA. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Jun 13, 2018 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign 18V406000

Mar 7, 2014 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign 14E007000

Mar 29, 2007 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign 07E023000

Feb 20, 2007 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign 07V063000

463 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2003 Volkswagen JETTA

Owner Complaints

463 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Volkswagen JETTA (25 mention a crash, 71 a fire, 76 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Seats102
Electrical System98
Air Bags78
Power Train55
Engine And Engine Cooling48
Exterior Lighting28
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Sep 17, 2026 · Exterior Lighting, Air Bags
“Airbag delopy”
Oct 1, 2023 · Seats Fire
“Heated seat set on fire! Burned me pretty bad”
Apr 23, 2023 · Power Train
“Since New we noticed transmission malfunctioning, transmission would jerk on the upshifts and downshifting also, then it would take longer than normal to go into gears Im the original owner, I parked…”
Feb 7, 2022 · Electrical System, Engine, Fuel/Propulsion System
“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…”
Nov 27, 2020 · Electrical System
“RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW IS BLOCKED INSIDE DOOR”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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