2003 Volkswagen Passat W8

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT

  FAILED COIL PACK ON VEHICLE AFTER ONLY 16000 MILES. DEALER SERVICE ADVISER STATED THAT VW IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM IN ALL 2001 THRU 2003 VW PASSATS WITH 1.8 LITER TURBO ENGINES. SERVICE ADVISER STATED THAT VW IS HAVING SO MANY FAILURES ON THIS PRODUCT THAT THE PART HAD TO BE ORDERED THROUGH VIN DIRECT FROM GERMANY. THEY WILL NOT REPLACE ALL FOUR COILS, ONLY THE FAILED ITEMS. VEHICLE FAILED ON HIGHWAY AND BECAME A SAFETY HAZARD TO OTHER MOTORISTS UNTIL I COULD NEGOTIATE TO SAFE AREA TO INVESTIGATE FAILURE. TS

• 12/30/2005· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  ENGINE STOPPED WHILE IN MOTION WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING POWER STEERING TO FAIL. DIAGNOSED AS FUEL PUMP FAILURE. ALSO, IN 2004 OIL PUMP FAILED DUE TO SLUDGE. REPAIR NOT COVERED DUE TO INABILITY TO PRODUCE SERVICE RECORDS. *NM

• 12/29/2011· SEATSFire

  HEATER STOPPED WORKING AND BLEW COLD AIR. BROUGHT CAR INTO VW DEALER BE SERVICED. HEATING SYSTEM WAS FLUSHED WITH CLEANER. A COUPLE OF DAYS AFTER "REPAIR," CAR WAS DRIVEN WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT HEATER ON AND A 1 1/4" HOLE BURNT THROUGH SEAT EXPOSING BURNT HEATING ELEMENT AND BURNT FOAM. HEATER STOPPED WORKING A COUPLE OF WEEKS AFTER ABOVE "REPAIR." RETURNED TO DEALER TO REDO REPAIR AND REQUESTED THE SEAT HEATER AND SEAT UPHOLSTERY LEATHER REPLACED. TOLD THAT IT WOULD COST $1000.00 AND THAT IT WOULD BE THE OWNER'S RESPONSIBILITY. CLEARLY THE SEAT HEATERS ON THIS CAR MODEL ARE DEFECTIVE GIVEN ALL THE COMPLAINTS AND PRIOR RECALLS. VW REPLACED THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER WITH A RECALL...WHICH LEADS TO THE OBVIOUS QUESTION: "WHY WEREN'T THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT RECALLED AS WELL?" WAS THIS A CALCULATION ON THE PART OF VW CORPORATE....THAT THE COST OF REPLACING THE DRIVER SEATS THROUGH A RECALL WAS LESS THAT THE LIABILITY DUE TO BURNS/ACCIDENTS/LOSS OF LIFE...BUT THE COST OF REPLACING THE PASSENGER SEATS THROUGH A RECALL WAS CALCULATED TO BE MORE THAN THE LIABILITY THERE? THIS DOES NOT SMELL GOOD. CLASS ACTION SUIT SEEMS APPROPRIATE. *KB

• 12/29/2010· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I PURCHASED A 2003 PASSAT 6 MONTHS AGO. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE FROM IT. IT IS JUST ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER. I HAVE HAD TO TAKE IT IN TO BE FIXED ABOUT SIX TIMES. I CAN'T EVEN REMEMBER EVERYTHING I HAVE HAD TO HAVE FIXED. I DO REMEMBER THE LAST THING THOUGH. IT WAS THE TAIL LIGHTS, THE TAIL LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OUT EVEN WHEN I HAD NO LIGHTS ON AND EVEN WHEN THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF. MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP AGAIN RIGHT NOW. IT HAS BEEN THERE SINCE MONDAY DECEMBER 27TH. IT IS A FOUR CYLINDER AND HAS BEEN RUNNING ON THREE. I FOUND OUT FOR THE FIRST TIME MONDAY THAT MY CAR HAS 5 RECALLS ON IT. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF NONE OF THEM. AFTER LEAVING IT FOR ALL THE RECALLS TO BE FIXED, I HAD TO RENT A CAR FOR 30.00 TO GET HOME. NOW I HAVE NO WAY TO PICK UP MY CAR BECAUSE I HAD TO RETURN THE RENTAL CAR THE NEXT DAY BECAUSE I COULD NOT AFFORD TO PAY 30.00 PER DAY. I HAVE NOBODY TO TAKE ME TO PICK UP MY CAR, I GUESS I WILL HAVE TO TAKE A TAXI AND THAT WILL PROBABLY COST ME ABOUT 50.00. I AM VERY UPSET WITH VW I PAID MY HARD EARNED MONEY FOR A RELIABLE CAR AND NOW I AM STUCK WITH NOTHING BUT A LEMON, SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. I HAVE NO WAY TO GO ANYWHERE, WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO? *TR

• 12/29/2009· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  VW ISSUED A VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELD ON MY 2003 PASSAT WAGON. (OPEN CAMPAIGN: 26E5/R5). I TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL DEALER TO ADDRESS THE RECALL BUT WAS TOLD MY CAR COULD NOT BE SERVICED WITHOUT POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO THE FLEXIBLE JOINTS BEHIND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. BOTH JOINTS WERE SAID TO HAVE SMALL FRACTURES IN THE METAL AND BRAIDED STEEL. I WAS TOLD THAT THE HEAT SHIELD REPLACEMENT REQUIRED THE EXHAUST LINE TO BE DROPPED VIA THE FLEXIBLE JOINTS AND THAT THEY COULD BE BROKEN IN THE PROCESS. IF DAMAGE TO THE JOINTS OCCURRED, THE CHARGE FOR THE PARTS (EXCLUDING LABOR) WOULD BE $1500 AND THAT THE FULL BILL FOR PARTS/LABOR WOULD BE MY RESPONSIBILITY. BECAUSE OF THE EXCESSIVE COST, I WAS NOT ABLE TO HAVE THE HEAT SHIELDS REPLACED. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD FOR CONTINUED USE OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ADDRESSING THE RECALL. I WOULD LIKE VOLKSWAGEN TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FULL COST OF REPLACING THE HEAT SHIELD UP TO AND INCLUDING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FLEXIBLE JOINTS, SHOULD THAT BE NECESSARY. *TR

• 12/29/2008· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED IN HIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STUTTERED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, STALLED, AND THEN COMPLETELY LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED FOR A FEW SECONDS, BUT THEN LOST POWER AGAIN WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V375000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP). TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER AGREED WITH THE DEALERS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,455 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 76,440.

• 12/29/2004· SEATSFire

  HEATED VELOUR SEATS CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED SMALL HOLE IN SEAT. *NM

• 12/29/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  ENGINE SLUDGE IN 2003 VW PASSAT. ENGINE IS SHOT. VW CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENT TOLD ME HE PERSONALLY GETS 3 TO 5 CALLS A DAY ON THIS ISSUE. VW WON'T PAY UNLESS YOU PRODUCE EVERY SERVICE RECEIPT. VW DEALERS VIA VW DIRECTIVE NOW ONLY USE SYNTHETIC OIL FOR OIL CHANGES ON THE 1.8 LITER PASSAT ENGINE. ITS A PASSAT NOT A FERRARI. THIS IS CLEARLY AN INDICATION OF A DESIGN FLAW. *NM

• 12/28/2022· SUSPENSION,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  Vehicle has major fuel pump issue, currently at 132,000 and noticing loss of power, car shaking, and occasional stall. A code reader is unable able to detect the issue which is a major concern. I have contacted the volkswagen Manufacturer and I consistently keep getting ignored after bringing up the recall that was put out for the fuel pump. While driving on the highway my rear and front suspension failed and dropped suddenly while moving slowly during traffic. I whave only been able to repair the front shocks and struts so far, but the rear are needed as well. I would like to state that all the parts are original manufacturer parts.

• 12/28/2005· AIR BAGS

  DRIVING A 2003 VW PASSAT GLX WAGON ON A ROAD UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND THE PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. LUCKILY, THIS SHOCKING INCIDENT DIDN'T CAUSE US TO GET IN AN ACCIDENT, BUT IT DID FILL THE CAR WITH SMOKE AND WE HAD TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY AND GET OUR 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER OUT OF HER CAR SEAT. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A VW DEALERSHIP (KING VOLKSWAGEN, GAITHERSBURG, MD) AND THEY CHARGED ME $100 TO LOOK AT IT AND THEN TOLD ME THAT THE CAR SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE UNDERCARRIAGE. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE CAR PROBABLY HIT A CURB AT 35 MPH AND CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP. I WAS A PASSENGER IN THE CAR AT THE TIME AND I KNOW THAT THE CAR WAS NOT SLOWED DOWN AT ALL, AND WE DIDN'T EVEN NOTICE HITTING ANYTHING. BECAUSE THIS ROAD WAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION WE MAY HAVE BRUSHED A MAN HOLE COVER THAT WAS STICKING UP INTO THE ROAD, BUT NOT HARD ENOUGH TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN OR TO CAUSE ANY SERIOUS DAMAGE. I LOOKED AT THE IMPACT POINT IN THE UNDERCARRIAGE AND IT IS JUST A SMALL DENT TO A METAL CUP. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND HE WAS SHOCKED THAT THIS SMALL DENT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE AIRBAGS TO BLOW. THE CAR DOES NOT REQUIRE ANY REPAIRS EXCEPT FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE AIRBAGS. I COMPLAINED TO VW CORPORATE AND THEY HAD ME BRING THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER TO TAKE PICTURES AND READINGS FROM THE AIRBAG SENSOR. THEY SENT THAT INFORMATION TO VW CORPORATE AND CORPORATE CALLED ME BACK AND SAID THAT THIS WAS CONSIDERED TO BE AN ACCIDENT THAT WAS MY FAULT. *NM

• 12/28/2004· SEATS

  DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT BURNED THROUGH SEAT CUSHIONING, THROUGH LEATHER COVERING, THROUGH PANTS POCKET, AND THROUGH WALLET CONTAINED IN THE POCKET. HOLE IN THE SEAT 2-3 INCHES DEEP AND 1 1/2 - 2 INCHES IN DIAMETER. HOLE IN PANTS WAS 1/2 INCH IN DIAMETER, LEAVING BURN MARK. THE SEAT HEATING MECHANISM HAD BEEN TURNED ON HIGH. SMOLDERED, BUT NO OPEN FIRE. *JB

• 12/27/2005· VISIBILITY

  2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. SUNROOF IMPLODED WHILE DRIVING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. NO FOREIGN OBJECT WAS FOUND IN CABIN OF VEHICLE. SUSPECT DEFECT. *NM

• 12/27/2002· STEERING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,SEATS,EQUIPMENT

  I RECENTLY LEASED A VW PASSATT STATION WAGON AND THINGS HAVE GONE WRONG WITH IT EVEN BEFORE THE CAR HAD 300 MILES ON IT. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 5000 MILES ON IT AND IT HAS SPENT SOME 10 DAYS AT THE REPAIR SHOP. DEFECTS HAVE INCLUDED A TRANSMISSION THAT WOULD DISENGAGE, HEATED SEATS THAT WOULD NOT TURN OFF, A/C AND SIDE MIRRORS THAT WOULD NOT WORK, A MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE CAR HAD TO BE ALIGNED, THE FRONT SPOILER FELL OFF, A SPEAKER HAD TO BE REPLACED, PART OF THE TRIM ON THE BACK WAS FALLING OFF, THE MEMORY SETTINGS ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT WERE NOT WORKING, AND THE SUN ROOF WAS RATTLING. THE SALES DEPARTMENT HAS RESPONDED TO ALL MY CALLS BY SAYING THAT I NEED TO TALK TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OR TO VW CORPORATE DIRECTLY. I HAVE DONE BOTH, WHEN I CALLED VW CORPORATE THEY RESPONDED THAT AS LONG AS THE CAR WAS DRIVEABLE THEY WOULD COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY AND WOULD NOT REPLACE THE CAR. THEY OFFERED ME A LUBE JOB AS A SETTLEMENT!

• 12/26/2007· POWER TRAIN

  CAR MAKES JUMP WHEN SLOWING DOWN LOOKS LIKE TROUBLE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. AFTER FOUR TIMES I TOOK THE CAR FOR CHECK UP IN NORTHEAST WV OUTLET IN PHILADELPHIA,PA PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY, IGNITION COILS RESET COMPUTER AND SO AND SO BUT LOOKS LIKE THEY CAN'T SOLVE THAT PROBLEM. MY WIFE DRIVES THIS CAR ,AND THIS SCARES HER, SHE GETS NERVOUS AND CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

• 12/26/2006· SEATSFire

  WAS USING THE HEATED DRIVERS SEAT AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN COLD WEATHER. THE SEAT BEGAN TO OVERHEAT, CAUGHT ON FIRE, BURNED A HOLE IN MY PANTS, AND BURNED THROUGH THE PADDING AND SEAT FABRIC IN MY 2003 VW PASSAT. I QUICKLY TURNED OFF THE SEAT AND PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, AND PUT OUT THE SMOLDERING SEAT. THE SEAT, PADDING, HEATING ELEMENTS, AND MY PANTS ARE COMPLETELY RUINED. *JB

• 12/22/2005· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  FUEL PUMP FAILED AT 44385 MILES. *JB

• 12/22/2004· SEATS

  THE HEATER IN THE DRIVER SEAT OVER HEATED AND BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT AND THE CONSUMER'S PANTS WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP POSITION. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NM *SC *JB

• 12/22/2004· STEERING,EQUIPMENT

  NEW '03 PASSAT PURCHASED IN DEC. '02. FEB. '03 I NOTICED DIFFICULTY WITH STEERING WHEN THE WHEEL WAS TURNED TO THE EXTREME LEFT OR RIGHT. AFTER SEVERAL TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP IN WHICH POWER STEERING FLUID WAS FOUND TO BE LOW AND REFILLED, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE POWER STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN MAR '03, THE POWER STEERING RACK WAS REPLACED BY VOLKSWAGEN UNDER WARRANTY. NOV. '04, I AGAIN NOTICED DIFFICULTY WITH THE STEERING IN EXTREME LEFT OR RIGHT WHEEL POSITIONS. DEC. '04, VW DETERMINES THAT THE POWER STEERING RACK AGAIN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THEY CLAIM THAT THERE IS NO LARGER PROBLEM WITH THE CAR LEADING TO REPEATED FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING RACK. LIKEWISE, THEY INSIST THAT THERE IS NO INTRINSIC PROBLEM WITH VW POWER STEERING RACKS. HOWEVER, I FIND IT DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE THAT TWO POWER STEERING RACKS FROM VW PLACED IN THE SAME CAR IN A TWO YEAR PERIOD JUST HAPPENED TO BE FAULTY. *JB

• 12/21/2023· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  The contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, coolant leaked onto the front passenger’s side floorboard. The contact stated that the coolant leak was underneath the glove compartment area. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was advised to have the vehicle taken to the Volkswagen dealer. The contact visited the dealer and discussed the reoccurring failure and was informed that the heater coil was designed incorrectly, and the failure was due to the design of the heater coil. The contact was informed that the heater coil needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

• 12/21/2016· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL LEAK FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK WAS OLD AND A NEW TANK WAS NEEDED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED PUDDLES OF FUEL WERE PRESENT APPROXIMATELY EIGHT TIMES SINCE SEPTEMBER. THE LEAK WORSENED TWO WEEKS AGO. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.

• 12/21/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  I PURCHASED A USED 2003 VW PASSAT 1.8T WAGON IN 2006. IT WORKED PERFECTLY UNTIL THE WARRANTY RAN OUT AT 75,000 MILES AND A NUMBER OF ISSUES OCCURRED THAT I FOUND OUT ARE KNOW ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE AND ISSUE. FIRST THE ENGINE COILS STARTED FAILING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I ENDED UP REPLACING FOUR OF THEM AND THEN VW ISSUED A RECALL BUT ONLY COVERED A FRACTION OF WHAT IT COST TO REPLACE. THEN THE STOP TURN ENGINE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT STARTED COMING ON AND I FOUND OUT THAT THE 1.8T ENGINE HAS A KNOWN DESIGN FLAW THAT LEAVES THIS ENGINE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CREATING OIL SLUDGE EVEN WITH ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. VW ISSUED A WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR THIS ENGINE AND ISSUE BECAUSE THEY KNOW IT IS A DESIGN FLAW BUT WILL NOT FIX THE ISSUE UNLESS YOU SHOW THEM A COMPLETE RECORD OF ALL OIL CHANGES. I MAINTAINED THIS CAR ROUTINELY BUT DO NOT HAVE ALL RECORDS MILLIONS OF OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE ARE NOW STUCK WITH A DILEMMA OF SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY TO FIX SOMETHING THAT VW KNEW ABOUT AND SHOULD HAVE FIXED. VW NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND MADE TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE FOR VEHICLE OWNERS REGARDLESS OF A COMPLETE MAINTENANCE RECORD, BECAUSE IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE EVEN WITH COMPLETE MAINTENANCE. *TR

• 12/21/2005· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  INSTANT FUEL PUMP FAILURE. LATE SATURDAY NIGHT WITH 9 WEEK OLD CHILD IN THE CAR. CAR SIMPLY STOPS RUNNING ON THE HIGHWAY. DOES NOT RESTART. DID MANAGE TO GET BABY INTO WARM VEHICLE AND HOME. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED. *JB

• 12/20/2006· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.8L FUEL PUMP DIED WITHOUT WARNING DURING RUSH HOUR IN A VERY BUSY PART OF TOWN. IT CAUSED A HUGE TRAFFIC JAM, AND I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY HOUSE BY AAA. I HAD MY MECHANIC CHECK IT OUT AND HER VERIFIED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD DIED. THE CAR HAS ONLY 55K MILES ON IT, WHICH IS VERY PREMATURE FOR A FUEL PUMP FAILURE. THIS IS A RECALL ITEM ON 2003 PASSATS BUILT UP UNTIL 3/03. MY CAR WAS BUILT ON 4/03 AND VOLKSWAGEN REFUSES TO COVER THE REPAIR, NOR FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE MY CAR IS OVER THE WARRANTY MILEAGE. *JB

• 12/19/2015· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  MY DAUGHTER DROVE THIS VEHICLE INTO MY GARAGE AND REPORTED TO ME THAT SHE SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GAS. I LOOKED AND NOTICED GAS DRIPPING ONTO THE FLOOR. I GOT DOWN AND INSPECTED THE AREA WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM AND NOTED THAT IT WAS FLOWING FROM THE TOP (OUT OF SIGHT) OF THE TANK. BACKED THE CAR OUT ONTO THE DRIVE AND PLACED A TOWEL UNDER THE AREA. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT. BETTEN IMPORTS (VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP) OF GRAND RAPIDS MI, INSPECTED IT AND I WAS INFORMED IT HAD A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC TANK THE LENGTH OF A DIME. THE DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDED THE TANK BE REPLACED AT A ESTIMATED COST OF $2,700. DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE COST I DID NOT ELECT TO HAVE THIS DONE AT THIS TIME. ONLY SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WHEN TANK IS FILLED TO MAX CAPACITY.

• 12/19/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE STOP ENGINE NOW- LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. SHE PULLED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD FOR INSPECTION. SHE CHECKED THE DIP STICK FOR AN OIL READING. THE READING INDICATED THE VEHICLE CONTAINED NO OIL IN THE ENGINE. SHE ADDED OIL TO THE ENGINE BEFORE DRIVING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AS HAVING SLUDGE BUILD UP IN THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM. NO HOWEVER, REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE . *AK

• 12/17/2004· TIRES

  I HAVE OWNED MY PASSAT FOR 17 MONTHS, I HAVE REPLACED TIRES TWICE, AND HAVE HAD A TOTAL OF THREE FLAT TIRES, TWO OF WHICH WERE THE R REAR. I READ OTHER COMPLAINTS IN REGARDS TO THE R REAR TIRE. NOTIFIED MY DEALER, THEY WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING, STATED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO CONTACT THE TIRE COMPANY. WELL, TWO DIFFERENT BRAND TIRES, AND STILL THE SAME PROBLEMS. *JB

• 12/16/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  VW PASSAT 2003, PURCHASED01/09/03, 4 MOTION SEDAN, FOR $32,766.50. ON 10/7/2004, I WENT THROUGH A 2" OR LESS, RAIN PUDDLE. BECAUSE OF THE AIR INTAKE ON THE PASSAT LOCATION BEING VERY LOW, THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED DUE TO THE WATER INTAKE IN THE AIR INTAKE PORTION OF THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED AND COST $11,077.53. THE CAR MILEAGE WAS 29,143. VW REFUSED TO PAY, SAYING IT WAS NOT THEIR FAULT. MY INSURANCE COMPANY REFUSED TO PAY BECAUSE THEY SAID IT WAS A DEFAULT IN THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, I HAD TO PAY THE $11,077.53 TO KEEP A VEHICLE THAT I HAD PURCHASED NEW IN 2003. IT WAS 1/3 THE COST OF THE NEW VEHICLE WITH ONLY 29,143 MILEAGE. THE AMOUNT OF RAIN CAN BE DETERMINED ON THE DAY IT HAPPENED, IN MIDDLEBURY, IN. I DID CONTACT CARTALK, AFTER NO RESULT FROM VW, AND THEY STATED THAT THEY HAD BEEN CONTACTED BY OTHER PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. IT OBVIOUSLY WAS NOT ENOUGH TO POST A RECALL, BUT IT IS STILL SOMETHING I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED, EVEN THOUGH IT HAPPENED IN 2004. I DO STILL OWN THE CAR, BECAUSE OF MY INVESTMENT, WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN OVER $44,000, BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER VEHICLE COMPARED TO THIS ONE. *TR

• 12/15/2004· SEATSFire

  SEAT HEATER BURNED THROUGH THE FABRIC, BURNING THE DRIVER ON THE LEG. CONSUMER HAD TO PULL OVER TO POUR WATER ON IT SINCE SMOKE AND SPARKS WERE ON IT. CONSUMER WILL CONTACT DEALER FOR REPAIRS.*AK

• 12/14/2016· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INCLUDED IN A RECALL THAT CALLED FOR THE IGNITION COIL TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION COIL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. DUE TO THE FACT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER THE RECALL, THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ABLE TO ASSIST. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,604.

• 12/14/2012· SEATS

  WHEN I TURN MY HEATED SEAT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE PAST LEVEL 1, THERE IS ONE SPOT ON THE SEAT THAT GETS PAINFULLY HOT. I USUALLY TURN THE HEAT OFF AT THAT POINT. TODAY I WAS SO COLD THAT I DIDN'T WANT TO TURN THE SEAT OFF, SO I PUT MY HAND BETWEEN THE SEAT AND MY LEG. WHEN I TOOK MY HAND OUT, IT SMELLED LIKE SMOKE. I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN, AND THEY DON'T HAVE ANY RECALL ON THESE SEATS. I THOUGHT THEY MIGHT MAKE A CONCESSION SINCE IT IS A POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE, BUT THEY WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING FOR ME. *TR

• 12/14/2009· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  HEATER CORE HAS FAILED (PLUGGED UP) AT JUST OVER 90,000 MILES. OVER $1200 TO REPLACE; MAY BURST HOT FLUID THROUGH VENTS INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT IF NOT REPLACED SOON. CURRENTLY THE SMELL IN THE CAR WHEN RUNNING IS VERY STRONG OF RADIATOR FLUID. *TR

• 12/14/2004· SEATSFire

  SEAT HEATER WAS ON HIGH WHEN I FELT MY BOTTOM HEATING UP AND WHEN I LIFTED MY BOTTOM OFF OF THE SEAT THE CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE. I DROVE STRAIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP (LUCKILY UNDER WARRANTY) AND SURE ENOUCH THERE WAS A BURN IN MY LEATHER SEATS. THEY ARE ORDERING ME A NEW SEAT HEATER!! DIDN'T SEEM TO MIND THE FACT THAT I WAS BURNED.*AK

• 12/13/2009· SEATS

  THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER IN MY 2003 VW PASSAT IS A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. I NOTICED WHAT LOOKED LIKE A CIGARETTE BURN ON THE LEFT SEAT BOLSTER (I DO NOT SMOKE). THE FOLLOWING DAY, I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING IN THE CABIN. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR, THERE WAS A SECOND BURN HOLE ABOUT A HALF INCH FROM THE FIRST HOLE. I HAVE STOPPED USING THE HEATER, BUT IT IS A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. *TR

• 12/12/2006· AIR BAGS

  AIRBAG FAULT - BAD MODULE - AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN ACCIDENT - 2003 VW PASSAT. *JB

• 12/11/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGCrash

  HEATER CORE PLUGS THUS RESULTING IN INOPERABLE HEATING OF THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. ALSO CAUSING A LEAK THUS SPEWING STEAM AND FLUID INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. WITH THE WINDSCREEN RECEIVING THE STEAM AND IMPAIRING THE VISION OF THE DRIVER WHICH MAY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. *TR

• 12/11/2009· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SIDE ROAD. A TECHNICIAN FROM THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF AN OIL/SLUDGE PROBLEM. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE HER WITH ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,167. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 84,000.

• 12/11/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, AN OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE OIL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND FAILED DUE TO MAINTENANCE NEGLIGENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

• 12/10/2003· SEATS

  ON A SAT. MORNING (NOV 22ND 10 AM) MY FIANCEE AND I GOT IN HER 2003 VW PASSATT. IT WAS A COLD DAY AND I WAS DRIVING. BOTH OF US TURNED THE SEAT HEATERS WITHIN HER LEATHER SEATS ON LEVEL 5 (HIGH). VERY SHORTLY AFTER, I FELT A BURNING SENSATION IN MY LEFT REAR END AREA. WE THEN SMELLED SMOKE. WE STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND I JUMPED OUT QUICKLY AS I COULD FEEL MY LEFT REAR END BURNING ONLY TO SEE THAT THE SEAT HEATER HAD BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT AND THROUGH MY PANTS AND BURNED MY REAR END! OUCH! NO JOKE! I HAVE TAKEN PICTURES OF THE SEAT, MY NYLON PANTS, AND MY REAR END! WE IMMEDIATELY CALLED THEILLAN VW OF BAY CITY MICHIGAN WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED AND SPOKE TO A SALESMAN. THE CAR WAS REPAIRED YESTERDAY. I WAS THEN GIVEN A COPY OF AUTOBEAT DAILY FROM WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 10TH, 2003 AND ON PAGE 10 THERE IS AN ARTICLE WHICH READS "NHTSA PROBES SMOLDERING VW SEAT WARMERS" I THEN THOUGHT I WOULD SUBMIT THIS COMPLAINT FORMALLY TO INFORM NHTSA THAT THE ARTICLE READS THAT JUST 2002-2003 JETTAS WERE BEING PROBED. THIS HAPPENED ON A PASSATT AS WELL. THE VIN BELOW IS INCORRECT AS I DON'T HAVE THE VIN WITH ME AT THIS TIME. *LA

• 12/09/2014· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  AS I WAS PARKING MY CAR IN THE SCHOOL PARKING LOT, A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE STARTED TO COME THROUGH THE VENTS. I OPEN THE HOOD AN A LINE BEHIND THE ENGINE BAY WAS SQUIRTING OUT GASOLINE DIRECTLY ONTO THE HOT SURFACE OF THE ENGINE. I CHECK ONLINE AND I SEE THAT THERE WAS APREVIOUS RECALL THE R5 RECALL BUT MANY OWNERS WERE BEING TOLD BY VOLKSWAGEN THAT IT'S NO LONGER COVERED OR THAT THERE VIN WASN'T COVERED EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS THE SAME YEAR ON THE RECALL. I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN ASWELL AND THEY MENTIONED TO ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL BUT NO LONGER ACTIVE OR HAD BEEN SERVICED ALREADY. IT LEAKS WHEN IT'S ON OR NOT. *TR

• 12/09/2008· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED. HE CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER TO INQUIRE ABOUT RELEVANT RECALLS AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NONE. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE CONTACT FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V375000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP), BUT WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 46,100 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 46,000.

• 12/07/2011· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGFire

  OWNER DROVE THE 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT (2.8 V6 ENGINE) HOME AND PARKED IT. HE CAME BACK OUT TO THE DRIVEWAY APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS LATER AND FOUND THE VEHICLE SMOKING. SMALL FIRE AT RIGHT FRONT FLOOR PAN/MINOR MELTING OF DASH PLASTICS CAUSED BY HEAT FROM RIGHT SIDE EXHAUST PIPE/CATALYTIC CONVERTER. HEAT SHIELD MELTED, RUBBER BODY PLUG IGNITED AND CONSUMED, CARPET JUST ABOVE BODY PLUG WAS CHARRED. CAR JUST HAD RIGHT SIDE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND PIPE REPLACED. *TR

• 12/07/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THE VW 1.8T ENGINE HAS KNOW SLUDGE ISSUES THAT LEAD TO ENGINE FAILURE. WHEN THE ENGINE FAILS THE DRIVER LOOSES ALL POWER FUNCTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VEHICLE. THIS INCLUDES STEERING AND BRAKES. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO ME AND I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE IN THE LEFT HAND LANE AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND PARK. HAD THIS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS ON AN INTERSTATE IT COULD HAVE BEEN A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT OUTCOME. *TR

• 12/07/2005· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  WITHOUT WARNING, MY 2003 PASSAT STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION AND WOULD NOT START AGAIN. THANKFULLY THE POLICE WERE QUICK TO ARRIVE AND HELPED DIRECT TRAFFIC SO THAT I COULD BE PUSHED OFF THE ROAD. THE CAR WAS TOWED AND THE VW DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A PREMATURELY FAILED FUEL PUMP. THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP FREE OF CHARGE, BUT THEY ARE DENYING THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM OR DEFECT ACROSS THE BOARD. I HAVE READ MANY REPORTS OF OTHER VW PASSAT OWNERS HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THIS COULD BE A DANGEROUS FAILURE DEPENDING ON WHEN THE PUMP STOPS WORKING (THERE ARE NO WARNING SIGNS), AND I THINK VW SHOULD ADDRESS THIS. *JB

• 12/07/2004· SEATS

  HEATED SEATS OVERHEATED AND BURNED A HOLE (ABOUT 1/4" DIAMETER) THROUGH THE DRIVER'S SEAT. VEHICLE HAD 23K MILES, SO THE MALFUNCTION WAS COVERED IN FULL BY THE WARRANTEE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HEATING COILS AND SEAT COVER. OLD PART IS NOT AVAILABLE.

• 12/06/2012· ENGINEFire

  WHILE DRIVING THE ON THE CAPITOL BELTWAY (495 INNER LOOP) I STARTED TO SMELL A BURNING SMELL. MOMENTS LATER WITHIN ABOUT 30 SECONDS THE ENGINE BURST INTO FLAMES. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE SAFELY AND EXITED THE CAR. NEEDLESS TO SAY THE VEHICLE IS TOTALED. I WOULD DESCRIBE THE INCIDENT AS A SPONTANEOUS ENGINE FIRE. THERE WAS NO WARNING. THANK YOU. *TR

• 12/06/2007· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY,AIR BAGS,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,TIRES,EQUIPMENT

  I'VE SPENT OVER $8000 TOWARDS VW DEALERSHIP ATTEMPTS AT FIXING THE HORN, RADIO, HOMELINK, CLIMATE CONTROL (A/C AND HEAT) REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW, HEATED SEATS, DASHBOARD PANEL LIGHTS, AND DEFROSTER FLAP. VW REPLACED ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT MODULE, BUT ONLY FIXED THE HORN. VW STATED THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE EVEN AFTER I PAID FOR THEM TO FIX THE ABOVE PROBLEMS AND THEY ARE STILL UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS. I REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FROM VOLKSWAGEN FOR THE REPAIR ATTEMPTS AND RELATED EXPENSES. CURRENT VEHICLE MILEAGE: 127,000. *TR

• 12/05/2006· STRUCTURE

  WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE TO WORK, FRONT UNDERBODY COVER BECAME DETACHED. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED AND I WAS WITHIN 5 MILES OF A REPAIR SHOP. *NM

• 12/04/2006· SEATS

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, A BURNING SMELL WAS NOTICED AND THE DRIVER SEAT WAS HOT. THE CONTACT NOTICED TWO HOLES WERE BURNED IN THE SEAT. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.

• 12/01/2017· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY SHIFTED IN REVERSE AND THE BRAKES STOPPED WORKING. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS STUCK IN PARK. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE, TIRE PRESSURE, AND EPC INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HERITAGE VOLKSWAGEN OF SOUTH ATLANTA AT (678) 263-3711 (4305 JONESBORO RD, UNION CITY, GA 30291) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO CALL NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000.

• 11/30/2020· SEATSFire

  MY SON WAS DRIVING (IN MOTION) ON HWY 17 IN MILLER COUNTY MO WITH SEAT HEATER ON SATURDAY NOV. 28, 2020. SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. I HAD NOTICED WHEN I HAD SEAT HEATER ON PREVIOUSLY IT BECAME SO HOT AS TO BURN LEGS. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. IT COULD HAVE BURNED MY CAR COMPLETELY. VERY DANGEROUS.