Home › Vehicles › Volkswagen › Jetta › 1999-2005 VW Jetta Wheel Bearing Part Numbers
The short version
- The 2003 VW Jetta wheel bearing numbers, front 510003 and rear 512012, cover most of the 1999-2005 Mk4 run.
- 1999 splits by bearing size: a 72mm front bearing takes 510004, a 74mm front bearing takes 510003.
- 2005 splits by body: Mk4 carryover cars keep front 510003, early Mk5-bodied cars move to hub 513253.
- The rear hub, 512012, holds steady across the entire 1999-2005 span with no documented change.
1999 through 2005 covers the Mk4 Jetta, one clean body run with messy edges. The 2003 VW Jetta wheel bearing numbers, front 510003 and rear 512012, sit in the middle of that run. The first and last model years need a closer look.
The core numbers
The 2003 VW Jetta wheel bearing setup carries into every year from 2000 through 2004: front 510003, rear 512012. That pair is the reference point for the rest of the generation.
The two exceptions sit at the ends of the run. 1999 splits by bearing diameter, and part of the 2005 model year already sits on the incoming Mk5 hub, 513253.
VW Jetta wheel bearing part numbers
| Years | Detail | Number |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Front, second design, early Mk5 body, bolt-on hub | 513253 check price |
| 2005 | Front, first design, Mk4 body, press-in | 510003 check price |
| 2000-2004 | Front, press-in ball | 510003 check price |
| 1999 | Front, second design, 74mm bearing | 510003 check price |
| 1999 | Front, first design, 72mm bearing | 510004 check price |
| 1999-2005 | Rear hub | 512012 check price |
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Lookups run through the cross reference page.
This page covers the 1999-2005 VW Jetta: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005. Other years live on the main VW Jetta wheel bearing page.
Both ends of this generation carry a hidden split. On 1999 cars, measure the front bearing itself: a 72mm bearing takes 510004, and a 74mm bearing takes 510003, since the two designs are not interchangeable by year alone.
On 2005 cars, the split runs by body instead of by bearing size. Mk4 carryover cars stay on press-in 510003, while cars already built on the early Mk5 body move to bolt-on hub 513253. Match the old part rather than assuming from the model year alone.
Year by year
1999 is a bearing-size year. Measure the old front bearing: a 72mm bearing takes 510004, a 74mm bearing takes 510003. The rear hub is 512012 regardless of which front design is on the car.
2000 through 2004 keep the 2003 VW Jetta wheel bearing numbers unchanged, front 510003 and rear 512012. These five years need no further checking beyond confirming the part is a Jetta application.
2005 is a body-split year. Mk4 carryover cars keep front 510003, and cars already built on the early Mk5 body move to hub 513253. The rear stays on 512012 either way.
Mk4 to Mk5, and where this generation ends
This page covers the Mk4-platform Jetta, the chassis that ran from 1999 into 2005. Part of 2005 production had already shifted onto the Mk5 body, which is why that one model year splits the front number.
The Mk5 generation is covered on its own 2006-2010 Jetta wheel bearing page, where the front hub number picks up from 513253.
Diagnosing a Jetta wheel bearing
- Listen for the sound. A failing wheel bearing usually produces a growl or hum that rises and falls with road speed. See wheel bearing noise on turns.
- Rule out the tires first. Uneven tread wear can mimic a bearing growl. Check tire noise versus wheel bearing noise.
- Jack up the corner and check for play. Grip the wheel at 12 and 6 o’clock and rock it. Any looseness at the hub points to the bearing.
- Confirm which design is on the car. Outside the 2003 VW Jetta wheel bearing years of 2000 to 2004, both 1999 and 2005 carry a hidden split.
- Check for ABS or warning light symptoms. A failing hub with an integrated sensor can trigger a dash light. See bad bearing and ABS light.
Common questions
What wheel bearing does a 2003 VW Jetta use?
A 2003 VW Jetta wheel bearing order needs just two numbers: front 510003 and rear 512012. Both apply across the whole 2000-2004 stretch, so a 2003 car needs no extra checking beyond that.
What wheel bearing does a 1999 VW Jetta use?
It depends on the bearing already on the car. A 72mm front bearing takes 510004, and a 74mm front bearing takes 510003. Use rear hub 512012 either way.
Does the 2005 Jetta use the same wheel bearing as 2004?
Not always. Mk4 carryover 2005 cars still use front 510003 like 2004, but 2005 cars already built on the early Mk5 body move to hub 513253. Match the old part to know which one is on the car.
Why does the rear hub number never change on this generation?
The rear hub, 512012, is documented across the full 1999-2005 span with no design split recorded in the catalogs. That makes it the one constant on an otherwise split-prone generation.
How do I know if my Jetta is on the Mk4 or early Mk5 body?
Body style is the fastest check: the Mk4 kept the older, rounder Jetta shape, while the early Mk5 look carried into the 2006-2010 generation. When in doubt, match the wheel bearing number to the part already on the car.