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2003 Volkswagen Passat Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 628 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Volkswagen Passat, most often about the fuel system (27% of complaints, typically around 67,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Passat model year since 2000 and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2003 Volkswagen Passat problems
Fuel system
169 complaints · 27%Half of these problems showed up before 67,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, storage, fuel injection system.
: the contact stated while driving on a normal road condition at 45 MPH the vehicle decelerated until it completely stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealership where the fuel pump was replaced. There was a recall for the fuel pump but the VIN was not included. The consumer replaced the fuel pump at his expense.…
: the contact stated while driving 40 MPH the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was maneuvered off the road and later towed to the dealer who determined the fuel pump needed to be replaced. There is a NHTSA recall, # 06v017000, regarding the fuel pump. The VIN was not included in the recall.
Engine
153 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 78,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
As I drove home from work, the vehicle's temperature gauge suddenly shot into the red and warnings flashed on the dash to stop the car immediately. I pulled over at the first highway exit and parked at a Volkswagen repair shop. The mechanics diagnosed the problem as a broken water pump impellar, essentially a small…
My Volkswagen Passat stopped dead in the middle of a major highway and had to be pushed off to the side of the road. I almost got hit by oncoming traffic trying to get the car off the highway. Three rivers Volkswagen dealership is saying the timing belt went well before the scheduled replacement,thus destroying the…
Seats
97 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 46,500 miles. Parts named most often: front assembly.
: the contact stated the front driver seat's heater element burned through the seat and caught the contacts clothes on fire. The contact sustained burns to the legs. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer. Updated 12/01/06.
Driver seat fire. Remember firestone, luckily I was not on the highway because it may have caused me to crash into another car and kill someone else or someone in my family as the electric shock from the seat was unbearable - let alone my left pant leg burn through to my skin. It blows me away that vw has not recalled…
Electrical
90 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 62,500 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring, instrument cluster/panel, horn.
This car was purchased new in feb 2003. Two ignition coils replaced. I await the bill for the remaining 2 coils that will likely go bad. The dealership advised me that this had been recalled on the 2001-2002 models. I am perplexed by this information being I see no recalls on ignition coils, but I do see a host of…
Dashboard service light began flashing, car bucked and ran on reduced power only. Towed the unit to patrick motors vw in auburn ma. Dx was ignition coils and plugs needed. Cost me $365.00 to repair. I argued that the payment was on them based on the feb. 2003 vw service campaign which dictated that my model was…
Brakes
41 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 44,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, disc, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, power assist.
At 44,400 miles and just 4,000 miles after fuel pump replaced the new fuel pump failed on my 2003 Passat wagon. Both incidents occurred while driving the car on high traffic suburban washington dc streets. There was no warning and car came to an abrupt stop without time for me to signal the cars behind me. This is in…
I brought my 2003 Passat glx sedan into dealership because car was jerky when the brakes were applied. Car has 41,214 miles on it, 90% highway. Dealer informed me that the rear brake rotors were warped and had to be replaced along with pads. Dealer informed that Passat rotors could not be turned in lieu of…
Lights
39 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 50,500 miles. Parts named most often: brake lights, headlights, tail lights, back up lights.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen Passat. While examining the vehicle, the contact noticed that the headlight lens were covered with a foggy material. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the headlights needed to be serviced. The current and failure mileages were 50,332. Updated 10/16/08. Updated…
- the contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen Passat with a current mileage of 52,000 miles. The brake lights were not functioning, after checking the fuse the contact found no failure. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, livingston Volkswagen, and the brake light switch was replaced. The contact had to pay for the…
Transmission
35 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 54,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline.
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…
Car had sludge in 2007 dealer cleaned engine and said it was fixed. In feb 2009 the sludge came back again and the dealer fixed the sludge again. On october 2009 the car oil light came on again this time they said it was not sludge but the cam shaft adjusters which they said was not covered under warranty. My research…
Body and structure
29 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 41,500 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
I recently had my 40k mile service done and was preparing to go on vacation. The car made it there without incident however the second day into out vacation the asr light came on and then the prnd432 all stayed lit. It had been beautiful weather for several days however there was easily two inches of water on the…
I have a 2003 vw Passat. I've had two leaks into the front right floorboard in the past six months from either a sunroof drain line or a air conditioner. The leaks have produced so much water that it has gone to right back floorboard. The plastic on the interior is worn off. The ashtray fell apart. They can't seem to…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Volkswagen Passat recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: delivery
Risk: A heat shield that may contact the exhaust system can result in a vehicle fire. In addition, a fuel leak from a fuel line or fuel tank ventilation valve, in the presence of an ignition source, can lead to a vehicle fire.
Fix: Dealers will install additional underbody heat shields on vehicles with automatic transmissions to cover the possibly damaged areas and flash all 1.8t engines with a precautionary software update. Dealers will also inspect and adjust the fuel line routing on 1.8t vehicles and the fuel tank ventilation valve on 4motion/all wheel drive vehicles, and replace components if necessary free of charge. The recall began on june 13, 2008. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen is recalling 412,000 my 1999-2005 passat (5th generation) vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions and produced after june 14, 1999. These vehicles may have an underbody heat shield that can become damaged. In addition, affected vehicles with automatic or manual transmissions may have a fuel line (1.8t engines only) or fuel tank ventilation valve (4motion/all wheel drive only) that can leak due to fracture.
Fuel system: fuel pump
Risk: If fuel flow to the engine is interrupted, the vehicle could stall without warning and thus present a potential risk of crash.
Fix: Dealers will install new fuel pumps free of charge. The recall began on september 28, 20007. Owners may contact vw at 1-800-222-8987 or audi at 1-800-822-2834. This recall is a supplement to a previous campaign (please see 06v017).
Full defect summary
On certain vehicles equipped with 1.8l turbo, 2.8l v6, or 3.0l engines, a change in the electrical motor components in the fuel pump can lead to an inoperative fuel pump and, ultimately, stoppage of fuel supply to the engine causing it to stall.
Lights: switch
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger, wagon, and convertible vehicles equipped with or without cruise control, a brake light switch may malfunction if it was installed incorrectly.
Fuel system: fuel pump
Risk: If fuel flow to the engine is interrupted, the vehicle could stall without warning and thus present a potential risk of crash.
Fix: Dealers will install new fuel pumps free of charge. The recall began on april 10, 2006. Owners may contact vw at 1-800-222-8987 or audi at 1-800-822-2834.
Full defect summary
On certain vehicles produced from september 2002 - march 2003, equipped with 1.8l turbo, 2.8l v6, or 3.0l engines, a change in the electrical motor components in the fuel pump can lead to an inoperative fuel pump and, ultimately, stoppage of fuel supply to the engine causing it to stall.
Fuel system: filler pipe and cap
Risk: Fuel leakage can occur increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will fit passat vehicles with a new wheel house liner that will better protect the car's filler neck. Jetta vehicles will be fitted with a different metal shield designed to enhance abrasion protection in the event of tire disintegration. Owner notification began june 13, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
Full defect summary
On some passenger vehicles, the fuel tank filler neck can suffer abrasion damage if the rear tire goes flat and the vehicle is driven until the tire disintegrates.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Engine compartment fire
Summary
In july 2010, the agency opened pe10-027 to investigate allegations of coil on plug (cop) ignition coil fires in my2002-2003 vw passat vehicles.the investigation was upgraded in january 2011 to include all my2001-2007 4-cylinder vw passat, gasoline, turbo-charged vehicles.based on the analysis of vw's response, and including odi's consumer complaints, odi has since identified 135 unique engine fire reports attributable to the cop coils.after further review of the details as contained in each report, odi determined that 43 of the 135 fire reports were actual fire/flame incidents, 83 fire reports were thermal events (smoke, spark, heat or wire melt), and another 9 fire reports were undetermine
Engine compartment fire
Summary
Odi has received 11 complaints alleging that a fire started in the engine compartment of the vehicle that may be related to ignition coil failure, and 9 complaints of ignition coil failure that did not result in a fire.reports state that the vehicle hesitated or lost power, and the check engine or dashboard lights illuminated.the vehicles were repaired by replacing the faulty ignition coil(s). Some of the complaints indicated that the ignition coils were replaced more than once.the scope of pe10-027 focused on model years (my)2002-2003 passat vehicles.volkswagen provided data regarding their analysis of the vehicle fires and faulty ignition coils for these vehicles as well as other my passat
Fuel tank leak
Summary
Volkswagen (vw) is recalling certain vw passat 4motion and audi a6 quattro and allroad quattro all-wheel drive passenger cars.vw vehicles subject to recall were manufactured from november 22, 2000 through may 31, 2005 and audi vehicles subject to recall were manufactured from june 2, 2001 to june 1, 2005.the NHTSA recall number for the vw vehicles is 08v-156 (vw also is correcting defects related to heat shield and fuel line hazards for these vehicles and for 1999-2000 passats in this recall action.)the NHTSA recall number for the audi vehicles is 08v-157.since 2006, odi has received 17 complaints of fuel leaking from the subject vehicles' fuel tanks.the 400 complaints shown above may includ
Passenger engine compartment fires
Summary
The manufacturer notified NHTSA on 04-apr-08 that a safety recall action would be initiated to remedy the issue.in june 2008, the manufacturer issued a technical service bulletin (code 26e5/r5) regarding the specific procedures to be employed in this campaign.vehicle owner notification letters were sent beginning approximately june 13, 2008.the campaign was assigned NHTSA no. 08v-156.this recall affects all my 1999-2005, 5th generation gasoline-powered passat sedans and station wagons.approximately 412,000 vehicles are affected.corrective action will consist of installing additional exhaust system heat shielding to mitigate the potential thermal effects of engine ignition problems.based on t
Passenger/engine compartment fires
Summary
Many of the fire reports allege that the vehicle fire was attributed to ignition coil failure.vw provided additional data regarding its analysis of vehicle fires and a detailed description of the three different engines and ignition systems for the subject vehicles.odifinds the need to further investigate this issue.to facilitate acquisition and analysis of additional information, this investigationhas been upgraded to an engineering analysis (ea07-014).
Engine stalling
Summary
By letter received on june 24, 2005, mr. Ronald m. Strickland of raleigh, nc, submitted a petition requesting that the agency investigate the performance of the ignition coil plugs on model year (my) 2000-2003 volkswagen jetta, golf and passat sedans.the petitioner alleges that he had experienced multiple stalling events as a result of one or more ignition coil plugs malfunctioning on his 2002 vw jetta sedan.as a result of the engine stalling, the petitioner experienced a loss of power steering and increased braking efforts when he pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road to control the vehicle.after a few minutes parked on the shoulder he was able to restart the vehicle although the
Questions about the 2003 Volkswagen Passat
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Volkswagen Passat?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: fuel system (169 complaints, typically around 67,000 miles); engine (153 complaints, typically around 78,000 miles); seats (97 complaints, typically around 46,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Volkswagen Passat have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 13, 2018 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Volkswagen Passat?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Passat model year since 2000, with 628 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.