Model year record

2003 Volkswagen GTI

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 72 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 07V063000

Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch

Component: Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC
Vehicles affected: 1,002,000
Reported to NHTSA: 2007-02-20
Owners notified: 2007-04-27

Defect description

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

Safety risk

THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Power train: clutch assembly	9	22,500 mi
Air bags: frontal	7	45,000 mi
Air bags: side/window	6	50,600 mi
Air bags	4	67,800 mi
Electrical system	3	67,800 mi
Electrical system: ignition	3	10,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module	2	31,850 mi
Engine and engine cooling	2	15,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system	2	18,720 mi
Equipment	2	20,895 mi
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)	2	700 mi
Power train: manual transmission	2	26,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module	1	14,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch	1	14,000 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly	1	31,850 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash	1	30,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan	1	35,900 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	1	72,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys	1	30,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system	1	14,000 mi
Exterior lighting	1	45,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch	1	70,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	1	57,600 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system	1	15,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	1	—
Power train	1	85,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly: bell housing	1	61,000 mi
Seat belts	1	67,800 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly	1	66,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: recliner	1	7,950 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum	1	24,000 mi
Structure	1	5,000 mi
Structure: body	1	800 mi
Structure: body: door	1	3,000 mi
Unknown or other	1	—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal	1	—
Visibility	1	43,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear	1	7,950 mi

The 2002 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2004 model has 6 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.