2003 Volkswagen Passat complaints

MY WIFE AND I HAVE A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WITH 30,100 MILES. VOLKSWAGEN HAS 4 YR/50000 MILES MILE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY, AND AN 8 YEAR/UNLIMITED MILE OIL SLUDGE WARRANTY. WE BROKE DOWN ON THE INTERSTATE, AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER REQUIRED OIL CHANGES IN INTERVALS OF 5000 MILES. MY WIFE AND I HAVE HAD THE OIL CHANGED EVERY 4000 MILES INSTEAD. THE SERVICE WRITER FROM DON JACOBS CALLED AND STATED THAT OUR VOLKSWAGEN NEEDED A NEW MOTOR. HE WENT ON TO STATE THAT WE NEEDED TO PROVIDE ALL OF OUR OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS FROM THE TIME OF THE PURCHASE. WE WERE SHOCKED, THIS WAS A 2 YEAR OLD CAR. A LONG STORY SHORT WE WERE ABLE TO PRODUCE 5 RECEIPTS. ONCE IT WAS CHANGED IN FLORIDA WHILE ON VACATION (NO RECEIPT),AND ONCE WE RECEIVED A FREE OIL CHANGE AT WAL-MART DUE TO AN EXCESSIVE WAIT (NO RECEIPT). THAT WOULD MAKE A TOTAL OF 7 RECEIPTS (ALL OF THEM).DON JACOBS WOULD NOT BEGIN THE WORK ON OUR CAR UNTIL WE COULD PROVIDE ALL OF THESE RECEIPTS INCLUDING THE 2 THAT ARE NON EXISTENT.THE CAR IS STILL UNDER BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY PERIOD,SO AGAIN WE WERE SHOCKED.NEXT THE DEALER INFORMED US THAT THEY AND VW OF AMERICA HAVE DECIDED THAT OUR WARRANTY WOULD BE NULLIFIED DUE TO NEGLECT OF MAINTENANCE.THE FUNNY PART IS THAT THIS DIAGNOSIS WAS MADE WITHOUT EVER LOOKING UNDER THE HOOD OF OUR VW.IT IS STILL IN THE SAME SPOT THE TOW TRUCK LEFT IT IN.BEFORE YOU DECIDE TO BELIEVE OR DISCREDIT OUR SIDE OF THIS STORY,OR MAYBE THINK THIS IS AN ISOLATED EVENT PLEASE VISIT THE FOL

PASSAT 2003 GLX WITH 40437 MILES. WAS DRIVING ON LOCAL ROADS THE CAR STARTED SHUDDERING FOR 1-2 SECONDS. THE ENGINE THEN INSTANTLY SHUTDOWN. I COULD NOT RESTART THE CAR. HAD IT TOWED TO NEAREST DEALERSHIP. THE NEXT DAY IT WAS REPORTED AS FUEL PUMP FAILURE, AND REPAIRED IT UNDER WARRANTY.*AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING UP HILL AT 25MPH THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PREVIOUSLY THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED BRAKING PROBLEMS WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS. THERE WAS VIBRATION AND GRABBING IN FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WHEN BRAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY THE SERVICE DEALER FOUR TIMES. THE FRONT ROTORS, THE REAR ROTORS AND BOTH CONTROL ARMS WERE REPLACED. THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED BY THE REPLACEMENT OF THESE PARTS FOR TWENTY THOUSAND MILES AND HAS NOW RETURNED.

BOUGHT A 2003 VW PASSAT 1.8T IN MAY 2005. SINCE THEN, I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR 4 TIMES NOW. THE CAR WILL ALL OF THE SUDDEN START RUNNING VERY ROUGH AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE FIRST TIME, THEY REPLACED A "DEFECTIVE" SPARK PLUG. WITHIN A FEW DAYS OF GETTING IT BACK, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THEY DECIDED TO REPLACE ALL THE SPARK PLUGS THAT TIME. IT HAPPENED A THIRD TIME AND THEY DID NOT TELL ME WHAT THEY HAD DONE TO THE CAR, BUT KEPT THE CAR FOR A WEEK. IT IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP AGAIN (NOW FOR A WEEK AGAIN) BECAUSE IT BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH, DEVELOPED A SLOW OIL LEAK, AND DOES NOT ALWAYS START ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT. I HAVE NOT YET HEARD FROM THE DEALERSHIP WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEMS. I ASKED THEM TO CHECK EVERYTHING ON THE CAR. I HAVE ALSO LODGED A COMPLAINT WITH VW OF AMERICA. *JB

ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING WHILE DRIVING. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. AFTER COASTING DOWN A HILL APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION, I EASED INTO THE ACCELERATOR TO CROSS INTERSECTION, ONLY TO EXPERIENCE A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. VW DEALER DIAGNOSED ENGINE LOSS DUE TO FAILURE OF FUEL PUMP. DEALER REPLACED FUEL PUMP AND SAVED OLD PUMP AT MY REQUEST. OLD PUMP IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. I CONSIDER ENGINE LOSS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE MOST CARS THESE DAYS HAVE STEERING AND BRAKES THAT ARE POWERED BY THE ENGINE. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE CAR AND BRING IT TO A SAFE STOP. *NM

LEAK INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WITH HEAVY RAIN RESOLUTION PENDING PASSENGER AIR BAG CAN BE AFFECTED. *JB

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 ENGINE+.THE CAR HAS 83K MILES AND NOT RECOMMEND TO BE CHANGED UNTIL 105K. THERE ARE MANY INSTANCES REPORTED ON THE WEB OF THE HAPPENING. MY CAR WAS IN FOR A SERVICE CHECK AT 78K AND OTHER PROBLEM ITEMS WERE BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION; HOWEVER, A TIMING BELT PROBLEM WAS NOT. VOLKSWAGEN IS BLAMING THE DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THE SERVICE DEPARMENT IS BLAMING VOLKSWAGEN. SO FAR NO RESOLUTION. THERE ARE MANY INSTANCES OF VW AND AUDI HAVING TIMING BELT ISSUES ON THE INTERENET. *JB

2003 VW PASSAT SUDDENLY BEGAN MAKING ENGINE NOISE AND OIL PRESSURE WARNING CAME ON. VW DETERMINED PROBLEM WAS SLUDGE, AND THEY CLEANED THE ENGINE LEAVING A BILL OF $1900 PLUS THAT THEY ARE REFUSING TO COVER WITH MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY UNLESS I CAN PRODUCE OIL CHG RECEIPTS. I HAVE DONE 2 OF THEM MYSELF AND ONLY HAVE BANK STATEMENTS WITH CREDIT CARD CHARGES. THE OTHERS, I HAVE RECEIPTS FOR. THEY ARE STILL REFUSING TO COVER. THIS IS A MAJOR WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AND THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS TO CHANGE FROM REGULAR OIL TO SYNTHETIC OIL CAME IN 2004, A YEAR AFTER I WAS FOLLOWING THEIR PREVIOUS INSTRUCTIONS, ETC. FOR A KNOWN ISSUE, THEY SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO HOLD CONSUMERS HOSTAGE ON A SITUATION LIKE THIS. I DO MY OWN OIL CHGS TO SAVE MONEY. MY 10K OIL CHG AT VW WAS $110. I CAN DO IT FOR LESS THEN HALF OF THAT AMOUNT. *NM

THE HEATED SEATS IN MY 2003 VW PASSAT HAD A MALFUNCTION AND BURNED THROUGH THE CUSHIONING AND PANTS THAT I WAS WEARING. LOOKS LIKE A LARGE CIGARETTE HOLE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF MY FRONT DRIVER SEAT. *NM

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

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

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

FUEL PUMP FAILED AT 44385 MILES. *JB

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

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

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

EARLY FUEL PUMP FAILURE. 22,000 MILES (VOLKSWAGEN). THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED BLOCKING THE ROADWAY. THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED DUE TO FAILURE OF THE FUEL PUMP. THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL. THE DEALER COMMENTED THAT IT HAS BEEN COMMON FOR 2003 PASSAT TO HAVE FUEL PUMP FAILURE. *AK UPDATED 12/01/05. *JB

WHILE DRIVING WITH HEATED SEATS ON, NOTICED BURNING IN MY LEFT THIGH. SMELLED SMOKE, BURNED MY INDEX FINGER IN SMOLDERING HOLE IN SEAT. TURNED OFF HEATER AND NOTED JUST LIGHT SMOKE. VW SAYS IT WAS A RECALL ITEM, BUT I NEVER RECEIVED NOTICE (ORIGINAL OWNER). THEY WILL REPLACE IT. *JB

ON THE MORNING OF NOV. 18, 2005, I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT THOUGH MY NEIGHBORHOOD. IT WAS A COLD MORNING, SO I HAD THE DRIVER-SIDE SEAT WARMER ACTIVATED AT LEVEL 4 (HIGHEST SETTING IS 5). AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES, I NOTICED THE SMELL OF SOMETHING BURNING. AT FIRST I DISCOUNTED IT AS MERELY THE SMELL OF THE CAR'S HEATER OR SOMETHING EXTERNAL. BUT I SOON FELT EXCESSIVE HEAT ON MY BUTTOCKS AND STOPPED THE CAR, LEAVING IT RUNNING. WHEN I GOT OUT AND LOOKED AT THE SEAT, THERE WAS A SMOLDERING HOLE ABOUT ONE-QUARTER OF AN INCH IN DIAMETER ON THE BACK-LEFT SURFACE OF THE LEATHER SEAT. THE SEAT WARMER UNIT HAD BURNED A HOLE THOUGH THE SEAT SURFACE AND, WERE IT NOT FOR MY WOOL PANTS, COULD HAVE BURNED MY SKIN. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF MY LOCAL DEALER, GOSSETT VOLKSWAGEN. THE SERVICE ASSISTANT TOLD ME THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT UNCOMMON AND THAT IT THE HEATING ELEMENT AND SEAT WOULD BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE. HOWEVER, BECAUSE SOME OF THE NECESSARY PARTS HAD TO BE ORDERED, I WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AT A LATER DATE. THE SERVICE ASSISTANT INSTRUCTED ME NOT TO USE THE SEAT WARMER FEATURE IN THE INTERIM. WHILE I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE OBVIOUS EQUIPMENT FAILURE, I AM MORE CONCERNED THAT SUCH AN EVENT COULD IGNITE THE SEAT COVER, THE DRIVER'S CLOTHING OR OTHER COMBUSTIBLE ITEMS, POSSIBLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AND/OR BODILY HARM. *NM

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER 2003 PASSAT BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE DIED. *TS THE DEALER DID A PRESSURE TEST AND DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED. *NM

FUEL PUMP FAILED WHILE TRAVELING ON MERRITT PARKWAY IN WILTON, CT. THE PUMP FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. WHILE TRAVELING ON THE PARKWAY, THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND DIED, AND I MANAGED TO HAVE ENOUGH FORWARD MOMENTUM TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE. NO WARNINGS AT ALL. THE FUEL TANK WAS ABOUT 1/4 FULL. THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. I DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED THE PART BY THE NEXT DAY. I DISASSEMBLED THE OLD PUMP AND DISCOVERED THAT THE BRUSHES IN THE MOTOR HAD WORN EXCESSIVELY- THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 58200 MILES. I AN KEEPING THE OLD PART IN MY CUSTODY. THE NEW FUEL PUMP PART NO. IS 8E0906087D. RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ON INTERNET DISCUSSION FORUMS ON VW ENTHUSIAST WEB SITES REVEALS THAT THE FAILURES APPEAR ON A HIGHER-THAN-NORMAL RATE ON '03 MODEL YEAR VW PASSATS. DISCUSSIONS HERE: HTTP://WWW.PASSATWORLD.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=188629 HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/ZEROTHREAD?ID=1982739&POSTID=22264430#22264430 AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, HAVING THE FUEL PUMP FAIL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS CAN HAVE CATASTROPHIC RESULTS. *JB

I RECENTLY WAS NOTIFIED OF VOLKSWAGEN'S CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN M2 CONCERNING SEAT HEATERS FOR 2002-2003 VW PASSATS. I HAVE HAD LESS THAN AN ADEQUATE RESPONSE FROM BOTH THE DEALER AND THE VW CUSTOMER CARE CENTER. YOU CAN DOWNLOAD A COPY OF THE ORIGINAL LETTER FROM VW FROM MY FTP SERVER USING THE FOLLOWING LINK: <FTP://PUBLIC:[email protected]/VW%20M2/VW%20M2%20LETTER.PDF> YOU CAN DOWNLOAD A COPY OF MY RESPONSE TO VW USING THE FOLLOWING LINK: <FTP://PUBLIC:[email protected]/VW%20M2/CAMPAIGN%20M2%20RESPONSE%20--%2020051110.PDF> IF YOU CANNOT ACCESS EITHER FILE, PLEASE CONTACT ME SO THAT I CAN DETERMINE AN ALTERNATE METHOD TO SEND THE INFORMATION TO NHTSA -- THIS FORM LIMITED SIZE TO 2,000 CHARACTERS. *JB

CAR STOPPED RUNNING WHILE TRAVELING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY DOING 65 MPH. CAR JUST STARTED SLOWING DOWN, LUCKILY I WAS IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE AND ABLE TO PULL OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER. DANGEROUS PROBLEM. TOWED TO VW DEALERSHIP AND FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. CAR HAD 53000 MILES ON IT. *JB

I DRIVE A 2003 VW PASSAT AND WHILE DRIVING A TWO LANE ROAD THE SEAT HEATER INSIDE THE LEATHER SEATS IGNITED BURNING THROUGH THE SEAT, BURNING A HOLE IN MY PANTS AND BURNING MY BEHIND CAUSING ME TO SWERVE OFF THE ROAD AND EXIT THE VEHICLE TO AVOID OTHER INJURY AS THE SEAT BURNED. THIS HAS BEEN APPARENTLY REPORTED HUNDREDS OF TIMES YET VW REFUSES A RECALL. VW AGREED TO REPLACE THE SEAT AND PANTS BUT REFUSED ANY OTHER COMPENSATION FOR INJURIES SUSTAINED. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SEAT BURNED THE CONTACT'S LEG WHILE USING THE SEAT HEATER. ALSO, SHE PULLED THE MUSCLES IN HER BACK AND HIP WHEN SHE JUMPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALERSHIP BEING REPAIRED. SHE IS CONCERNED THAT THE SAME TYPE OF SEAT IS BEING USED TO REPLACE THE CURRENT SEAT. *AK

WHILE DRIVING, I TURNED ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT WARMER TO POSITION 5, WITHIN 1 MINUTE, I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, SMOKE WAS RISING FROM MY SEAT, I FELT A HOT BURNING SENSATION UNDER MY LEFT UPPER THIGH AND REALIZED THE SEAT WARMER WAS ON FIRE. I STOPPED THE CAR, TURNED OFF THE SEAT WARMER. THE SEAT WARMER BURNED THROUGH MY LEATHER SEAT AND LEFT DAMAGE ABOUT THE SIZE OF A QUARTER. CONTACTED LOCAL VW DEALER (MARTENS VOLKSWAGEN, BETHESDA, MD) WAS ASKED TO BRING CAR IN IMMEDIATELY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CHECKED, SEAT WARMER DISCONNECTED, DRIVER'S SEAT WILL BE REPLACED. *JB

AFTER TURNING ON DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER TO 5, WITHIN 2 MINUTES NOTICED BURNING SMELL, FELT HOT BURNING SENSATION ON LEFT BUTTOCK AND SMELLED AND SAW SMOKE. ONE CENTIMETER BURN HOLE IN SEAT. TERRIBLE BURNING SMELL IN CAR. TURNED OFF SEAT HEATERS IMMEDIATELY, SEAT SMOKED FOR 10 MORE MINUTES. *NM

PROBLEM WITH 2003 PASSAT GLX FUEL PUMPS. THERE ARE AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF FUEL PUMPS THAT FAIL ON THE PASSAT MODEL. VW HAS HAD A RECALL FOR THE FUEL PUMP, BUT ONLY ON THE GOLF, NEW BETTLE AND JETTA, NOT THE PASSATS. VW HAS AN ADMITTED PROBLEM, BUT IS NOT WILLING TO COVER ALL MODELS AFFECTED. *NM

DT: 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS SLIPPING OUT OF PARK AND IT WOULD A NOT GO INTO PARK. THE SHIFTER BROKE OFF WHILE THE CONTACT WAS TRYING TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK. THIS STARTED ON OCTOBER 4, 2005. THE DEALERSHIP WAS WILLING TO FIX IT, BUT, A VOLKSWAGEN REPRESENTATIVE AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT THEN CALLED VOLKSWAGEN, AND THEY WERE GOING GOING TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE MATTER. *AK

DT: 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHTS THAT CAME ON BEFORE THIS OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER, AND IT STARTED UP IMMEDIATELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY HAD IT FOR 77 DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONTACT TWICE. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED A COIL PACK, SPARK PLUGS, AND FOUR BRAKE LIGHT BULBS. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONTACT THE VEHICLE WAS READY, HE PICKED IT UP AND DROVE 3 MILES AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. HE IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY CONTACTED TECHNICAL SUPPORT, WHO TOLD THE DEALERSHIP TO CHECK FOR THE ELECTRICAL GROUNDS. THE DEALERSHIP THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE ON A TEST DRIVE AND IT STALLED AGAIN. THE FACTORY SERVICE ENGINEERS SAID TO PUT EVERY ELECTRICAL WIRE ON THE CAR THROUGH AN OHM TEST. ALL OF THE WIRES CHECKED OUT, AND NO OUT OF TOLERANCE RATINGS WERE FOUND. THEY TOLD THE DEALERSHIP TO CHECK THE IGNITION KEY ADAPTATION, AND THE SECURITY SYSTEM FOR PROPER FUNCTION. NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND. THEY FOUND NOTHING DEFINITIVE AT THAT POINT. THE TECHNICIAN TOLD THE DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WIRE HARNESS THAT WAS REPLACED AUGUST 8, 2005. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN PICKED UP ON AUGUST 10, 2005. THE CONTACT WENT ON VACATION, AND 175 MILES LATER THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN ON THE INTERSTATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP; THEY FOUND 20 FAULT CODES IN THE ENGINE COMPUTER. THEY REPLACED THE VACUUM PUMP ON AUGUST 25, 2005. THEY ROAD TES

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT ON THE 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, AND DEALER WANTED THE RECEIPTS FROM THE OIL CHANGES. THE DEALER SAID THAT THERE WAS SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. THE DEALER SAID THAT WAS THE CONSUMERS PROBLEM, AND IT WAS THE CONSUMER THAT COULD NOT PRODUCE THE RECEIPTS, THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY FOR IT. THE OWNER DID NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE WARRANTY WOULD BE VOID IF THEY DID NOT HAVE THE RECEIPTS SHOWING THAT THE OIL WAS CHANGED EVERY 5,000 MILES. *AK *NM

BOUGHT NEW A VW PASSAT, GLX,V6 IN MAY 2003. IT HAS 18500 MILES ON IT. I HAVE HAD THREE SETS OF REAR ROTORS REPLACED BECAUSE THEY HAVE WARPED. THE LAST SET WERE REPLACED IN MARCH 2005, AND I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM TODAY, AND HAVE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALER TO HAVE THEM REPLACED AGAIN. THE ROTORS WARP BADLEY, THE CAR, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS SHUDDERS WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND DOES NOT STOP ADEQUATELY. *NM

VIBRATION FROM STEERING WHEEL WHEN BRAKING AND UNEVEN STOPPING. DEALER FOUND WARPED FRONT ROTORS. I FOUND THIS PROBLEM RATHER UNUSUAL AS WE DRIVE THE CAR TO AND FROM THE STATION DAILY AND WE ONLY HAVE 29,000 MILES. DEALER HAD TO REPLACE PADS AND BOTH FRONT BRAKE ROTORS. VW REFUSED TO COVER UNDER WARRANTY. I FEEL THE CAR IS NOT SAFE DUE TO THESE CONSTANT BRAKE PROBLEMS. I HAVE HAD OTHER BRAKE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR, THE DEALER HAS REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE PADS AND THEN REAR PADS AND ROTORS UNDER WARRANTY. *JB

I WAS INVOLVED IN A AUTOMOBILE CRASH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN MY CAR AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. I WAS TRAVELING THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT AND THE OTHER DRIVER RECEIVED A CITATION AND WAS AT FAULT. I WAS DRIVING A 2003 VW PASSAT. THE CAR HAD EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE MOSTLY TO THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE CAR WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL INSURANCE LOSS BY THE OTHER DRIVES INSURANCE COMPANY. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED BUT THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT. SINCE THE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS EXTENSIVE BOTH AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. I RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES BECAUSE OF THE CRASH, BUT IF I HAD BEEN TRAVELING AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED MY INJURIES MAY HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. *NM

I HAVE 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLX V6. WITH 35310 MILES ON THE DASH & DRIVING ON A LOCAL ROAD IN NJ GOING 4O MILES A HOUR MY CAR JUST LOSS POWER & CUT OFF. I WAS ABLE TO TURN MY WHEEL HARD & PULLED OFF ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SAFELY. MY FUEL PUMP FAILED & WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. HOWEVER, IF I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY, I AM NOT SURE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED. THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT & WOULD HATE THIS HAPPEN TO OTHERS. *NM

A/C DOESN'T ALWAYS COME ONE WENT THE ENGINE IS STARTED. IT BLOWS BUT NOT COOL AIR. I CAN PULL BACK OFF THE HIGHWAY, SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTART AND IT WORKS FINE. I HAVE HAD IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP REPEATEDLY. THE HAVE SEEN THE PROBLEM BUT CAN'T SEEM TO RESOLVE IT.*JB

HAVE OWNED CAR ABOUT 10 MONTHS. BOUGHT WITH WARRANTY INTACT FROM A DEALER. WAS DRIVING, GOING ALONG AT 50 MPH WHEN CAR BEGAN DRAMATICALLY SLOWING DOWN. I HAD NO CONTROL OVER ENGINE SPEED, AND WAS FORCED TO SHIFT DOWN TO AVOID STALLING. CAR EVENTUALLY DIED AND WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART IT, IT WOULD ATTEMPT TO TURN OVER BUT WOULD THEN QUIT SUDDENLY AGAIN AFTER JUST A FEW SECONDS. I ENDED UP BEING TOWED, AND DIDN'T HAVE CAR FOR WEEK PLUS. TURNED OUT TO BE AN FUEL PUMP. UNDER WARRANTY, THIS WAS FREE, BUT HAD WE BEEN JUST A FEW THOUSAND MILES MORE WE WOULD HAVE HAD TO PAY 500 DOLLARS FOR THIS REPAIR. I BELIEVE IT IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE FOR A FUEL PUMP TO GO AT 48,000 MILES, AND I CAN SEE THAT ON THIS WEB SITE ALONE THIS IS CLEARLY AN ISSUE! THIS SAME THING HAPPENED IMMEDIATELY AFTER WE BOUGHT THE CAR TOO BUT THAT TIME IT RESTARTED AFTER A FEW MINUTES. I FEEL VERY, VERY FORTUNATE THAT I WAS NOT IN TRAFFIC AT EITHER TIME!*JB

2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT SW DEVELOPED PROBLEMS REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***.*MR THE CONSUMER STATED 8,493 MILES LATER THE BRAKES BEGAN TO SQUEAK. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THE REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE DAMAGED AGAIN. THE HEAD LIGHT BULB WAS REPLACED.*JB

2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT CONSUMER REQUEST FOR EARLY TERMINATION OF THE LEASE.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE CONSUMER MADE THE REQUEST DUE TO THE NUMEROUS MECHANICAL PROBLEMS SUCH AS A DEFECTIVE PURGE VALVE, RIGHT FRONT HEAD LIGHT, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND STARTED T O SMOKE DUE TO A FAULTY WATER PUMP. THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD NOT SHUT OFF AND THE RIGHT HEAD LIGHT WENT OUT FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AT TIMES. *JB

ON A COOL NIGHT ABOUT A WEEK AGO, I TURNED ON THE HEATING ELEMENT IN MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLS 1.8T (DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT). AFTER ABOUT 30 SECONDS I FELT A SHARP BURNING SENSATION IN MY LEFT THIGH, AND SMELLED A BURNING SMELL. I STOPPED THE CAR, SHUT OFF THE SEAT HEATER, AND WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR I NOTICED A SMALL BURNED HOLE IN THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT BASE. THE HEATING ELEMENT BURNED THROUGH, DAMAGING THE SEAT (AND BURNING MY THIGH). THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY VW BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT! I AM MAKING ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED (INCLUDING A FULL SEAT REPLACEMENT TO FIX THE DAMAGED !). *JB

HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS LEMON. * 500 MILES CRUISE CONTROL FAILS, HAS TO BE REPLACED. * 16,000 MILES IGNITION COIL FAILS, REPLACED COIL AND MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR. * 28,000 MILES FAN IN DASH DIAGNOSED AS FAULTY AND NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. PARTS ORDERED, NEVER INSTALLED. * 40,000 MILES OIL PUMP AND OIL HOSES ARE REPLACED DUE TO OIL PRESSURE FAILURES. CAR BROKE DOWN ON ROAD. * 44,159 MILES OIL PRESSURE SWITCH REPLACED DUE TO OIL PRESSURE FAILURES. * 46,000 MILES FUEL PUMP FAILURE, REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. CAR BROKE DOWN ON ROAD. VOLKSWAGEN HAS A PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AND "OIL SLUDGE". VW REFUSES TO FIX MY CAR UNDER WARRANTY. LAST WORD WAS "WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE ANY WARRANY CLAIM, REGARDLESS OF DOCUMENTATION OF OIL CHANGES." I'VE TALKED TO SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS AND IT'S A #1 PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS COMMING IN FOR RUINED ENGINES AND OIL SLUDGE. VW IS REFUSING TO PAY FOR FIXING THE PROBLEMS IN MOST CASES. I'VE GOT ALL DOCUMENTATION, ORIGINAL PAPERWORK WHEN PURCHASED, ETC. *JB

CAR STOPPED RUNNING WHILE TRAVELING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY DOING 70 MPH. TOWED TO VW DEALERSHIP AND FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. CAR HAD 59000 MILES ON IT. *JB

WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING HIS 2003 VW PASSAT THE ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING STALLED. HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT, BUT 3 MILES DOWN THE ROAD IT DIED AGAIN. HE WAS TRAVELING DURING RUSH HOUR ON A BUSY FREEWAY. WE SUSPECT IT IS A FAULTY FUEL PUMP. WE HAVE READ OF SEVERAL OTHERS HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND I BELIEVE THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AS MORE CARS OF THIS YEAR GAIN MORE MILEAGE. THE CAR HAS ABOUT 58,000 MILES ON IT. *JB

DRIVERS SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHIN 30 SECONDS OF STARTING VEHICLE, LEFT CIGARETTE SIZE BURN HOLE IN SEAT, DRIVERS PANTS, AND LEFT BURN MARK ON DRIVERS BUTTOCKS. *NM

THE REAR WINDOW GLASS FELL INSIDE THE DOOR WHILE TRAVELING AT 80 MPH, CAUSING MY FAMILY TO GET EXTREMELY ALARMED. I TRIED TO PUT IT BACK UP VIA THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH ON THE DOOR BUT IT WAS INCORPORATIVE. WHEN I TOOK IT TO VOLKSWAGEN, THEY SAID A PIN HOLDING THE WINDOW UP BROKE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AS I HAD AN INFANT NEXT TO THE WINDOW AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. BECAUSE OF THE INFANT'S LOCATION, MY WIFE'S PURSE STRAP HIT HIM IN THE FACE CAUSING MIRROR INJURY. *NM

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT ENGINE TURNED OFF. THE FUEL PUMP HAD STOPPED FUNCTIONING, SO THE ENGINE WAS NO LONGER RECEIVING FUEL. MY CAR IS ONLY 2 YEARS AND 3 MONTHS OLD WITH 60,000 MILES. I HAVE TALKED TO NUMEROUS OTHER 2003 PASSAT OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR FUEL PUMP FAILURE. THIS IS A $700 SERVICE JOB. FROM TALKING TO OTHER 2003 PASSAT OWNERS, THIS SEEMS LIKE IT IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM THAT VW SHOULD OFFER TO FIX. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE THE CAR JUST STOPS WORKING WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING, THERE IS NO WARNING IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN OR NOTHING YOU CAN DO TO PREVENT IT. *JB

NO WARNING BEFORE FUEL PUMP FAILURE AT 37,000 MILES. MY WIFE WAS STRANDED AND HAD TO GET A TOW. THE PART WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AND THE TOWING COST IS SUPPOSED TO BE REIMBURSED BY VW. I HAVE NO COMPLAINT AGAINST THE DEALER BUT A FUEL PUMP FAILURE AT 37,000 MILES IS UNACCEPTABLE. *JB

DT: CONSUMER OWNED VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2003. THE DRIVER'S SEAT WOULD AUTOMATICALLY GO FORWARD WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO REACH SEAT CONTROLS, BUT LATER SHE FOUND THAT THEY WOULD NOT WORK ANYWAY. THE SEAT MOTORS WERE REPLACED TWICE. THE LAST TIME WAS LESS THAN SIX MONTHS AGO. ON JULY 29, 2005 CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE SEAT PUSHED CONSUMER INTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE. THEN VEHICLE STRUCK SOMETHING ON THE SIDE OF VEHICLE AND CAME TO A STOP. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MANUALLY MOVE SEAT BACKWARDS. CONSUMER STATED THAT MANUFACTURER KNEW ABOUT PROBLEM. CONSUMER SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES, AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO WALK WITH CANE BECAUSE OF NECK INJURY. SUFFERED PAIN IN HEAD AND SHOULDERS.*AK

BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE FAILED TWICE. *NM

I PURCHASE A NEW 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT FROM BURLINGTON VOLKSWAGEN 2 YEARS AGO AND HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AT LEAST 7 TIMES SINCE THEN FOR A MYRIAD OF PROBLEMS, FROM AIRBAG LIGHTS COMING ON TO CHECK ENGINGE LIGHT TO THE LATEST OF THE CAR SHUTTING OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD.