The 2003 Volkswagen Eurovan has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 2,564 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
AIR BAGS18V4060002018-06-132,564 affected
Defect
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.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2
2fires
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
2
SEAT BELTS
2
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2
1fires
ENGINE
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
1
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
1
Total complaints21
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Hit a pot hole on hi-way at approx. 70 mph causing right rear wheel hub assembly damage. The wheel bearing overheated and started fire along side of road. The rear hub assy. And wheel where never recovered. Clare fire dept. At 207 w. Fifth st., clare, michigan 48617 incident report #19-000168 was…”
“Hit a pot hole on hi-way at approx. 70 mph causing right rear wheel hub assembly damage. The wheel bearing overheated and started fire along side of road. The rear hub assy. And wheel where never recovered. Clare fire dept. At 207 w. Fifth st., clare, michigan 48617 incident report #19-000168 was…”
“The heating elements in the seat which heat the seat when turned on (seat heaters) caught fire and burned through the seat, almost burning my backside. Car was stationary. Warming up the engine for about 8 minutes in the morning before driving to work.”
“The heating elements in the seat which heat the seat when turned on (seat heaters) caught fire and burned through the seat, almost burning my backside. Car was stationary. Warming up the engine for about 8 minutes in the morning before driving to work.”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen eurovan. While the vehicle was parked or idling, there was a strong odor. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a leak in the manifold, which caused exhaust fumes to enter…”
“Driving about 30 mph, straight and level down main street in woodland park , co and experienced a loud pop, noise and vibration. Engine lurched to a stop. Hard to control vehicle. We stopped immediately. We thought we had hit something. Turned out the cooling system fan blades disintegrated.…”
“The cover of the components underneath the steering wheel fell off while driving on a highway. It landed right on top of the brake pedal and gas pedal. At first I didn't realize what happened, I just became aware that something was blocking my foot from reaching the brake pedal. Fortunately this…”
“While driving on city street, the passenger seat heater caught the seat on fire burning seat cover, and passenger's coat, fleece vest and scalding back of passenger. There was not a crash, but this event could have been more severe if it had been the driver or if more significant injury to…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA08002 Opened 2008-01-04 · closed 2008-03-14
ENGINE COOLING FAN BLADE FRACTURE
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE BUILT ON A VOLKSWAGEN EUROVAN CHASSIS AND ARE CLASS C MOTOR HOMES. ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2007, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION AS RQ 07-002 AFTER RECEIVING FOUR CONSUMER REPORTS OF FAN BLADE FAILURE ON MODEL YEAR 2002 WINNEBAGO RIALTA AND VISTA VEHICLES.AS A…
InvestigationRQ07002 Opened 2007-09-05 · closed 2008-01-04
ENGINE COOLING FAN BLADE FRACTURE
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON FOUR REPORTSALLEGING FAILURE OF AN ENGINE COOLING FAN IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THREE OF THE COMPLAINANTS ALLEGED THE FAN DISINTEGRATED AND TWO OF THE THREE ALLEGED THE RADIATOR WAS DAMAGED AS A RESULT.THE FOURTH COMPLAINANT ALLEGED THAT HIS…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2003 Volkswagen Eurovan as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.