2003 Volkswagen Passat complaints

ANALOG GAS GAUGE AND DIGITAL FEEDS FROM GAS TANK INACCURATE MOST OF TIME - SOMETIMES HALF A TANK OFF. TOOK MULTIPLE TIMES AND 5 WEEKS FOR DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR (GAVE UP ONCE - THEN TOOK TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP). GAUGE ALSO SEEMS TO HAVE STICKING POINTS. SOMETIMES MOVES WHILE BEING WATCHED. *TR

I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY APARTMENTS WHEN MY CAR LOST ALL HORSE POWER AND PRETTY MUCH SPUTTERED THEN DIED; I WAS LEFT EXPOSED TO TRAFFIC ON A BUSY ROAD. THEN, I WAS TOWED TO THE VW DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT MY IGNITION COILS FAILED AND THAT IN TURN RUINED MY OXYGEN SENSOR AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER. ALL THESE HAD TO BE REPLACED BY VW AT MY COST. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME WHEN I WAS BEING TOWED THERE HE ALREADY KNEW WHAT IT WAS BECAUSE THEY GO OUT ALL THE TIME. DOING FURTHER RESEARCH IT SEEMS MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

2003 VOLKWAGEN PASSAT WAGON W8 (4MOTION/ALL-WHEEL DRIVE) FUEL TANK LEAK AT/OR NEAR ROLLOVER VALVE AT FUEL TANK. FUEL TANK HAS NO APPARENT DAMAGE OR ABRASIONS AND FUEL TANK HEAT SHIELD IS ORIGINAL UNDAMAGED CONDITION, VEHICLE HAS NO DAMAGE OR CRASH HISTORY. VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH W-8 4.0 L W/ AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND HAS 62,215 MILES. AFTER REFILL OF FUEL ,STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE AND/OR VAPOR. INSPECTION FOUND FUEL TANK LEAKING FROM ROLLOVER VALVE AND FROM FUEL PUMP COVER IN TOP OF TANK. IMMEDIATE ACTION WAS TAKEN AND VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED TO DEALER FOR REMEDY. *TR

TL*THE 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. *LJ UPDATED 10/20/08. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR A RECALL REPAIR. THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED THAT THE CV BOOT ON THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER WHEELS WERE CRACKED. THE TECHNICIAN STRONGLY ADVISED THAT THE FAILURES BE REPAIRED TO AVOID FURTHER DAMAGES WITHIN THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST WAS $700. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 32,000.

GOT INTO MY 2003 VW PASSAT AND SMELLED FUEL. GOT OUT CHECKED FOR LEAKS AND NONE WERE VISIBLE. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP FOR FURTHER CHECKING. WHEN REPAIR SHOP STARTED VEHICLE, FUEL SPRAYED ON CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND SURROUNDING COMPONENTS. A LEAK IN THE FUEL LINE WAS DETERMINED. THE AREA OF THE FUEL LINE ADJACENT TO THE FIRE WALL HAD RUBBED A HOLE. FUEL LINE ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, ONCE WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT MADE A SUDDEN STOP AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. ON THE SECOND OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. ON BOTH OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY RESTARTED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WOULD HAVE TO REPEAT ITSELF IN ORDER FOR THEM TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. SHE WAS ADVISED NOT TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,000.

THE HEATER CORE TUBING IN THE CAR DISINTEGRATED AT ABOUT 18,000 MILES. THIS RESULTED IN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARING, COOLANT LEAKING INTO OTHER PARTS OF THE ENGINE DEPARTMENT,AND THE FUMES FROM THE COOLANT IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. AT THIS TIME THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY, SO I TOOK IT TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED THE PURGE VALVE (ABOUT AN HOURS WORK) AND RETURNED THE CAR TO ME. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TWO MORE TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM BEFORE THE WARRANTY RAN OUT AND THE DEALERSHIP PERFORMED THE SAME SERVICE. THE COOLANT LEAK BECAME SIGNIFICANTLY WORSE (I BEGAN ADDING COOLANT EVERY 3-4 DAYS) AT AROUND 82,000 MILES AND THE FUMES FROM THE COOLANT IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT BECAME VERY STRONG. I TOOK THE CAR TO ANOTHER REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE TUBING FROM THE HEATER CORE HAD COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED AND THE HEATER CORE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALTOGETHER. I HAVE SEASONAL ASTHMA ASSOCIATED WITH ALLERGIES AND INHALING THE FUMES FROM THE COOLANT HAS MADE THE CONDITION WORSE. I AM CURRENTLY HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $1200. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR LATER, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V017000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP); HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,980.

SUN ROOF DRAIN DISCONECTS AND WATER FILLS PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CAUSING COMPUTER MALFUNCTION , AIR BAGS TO MALFUNCTION AND FIRE HAZZARD. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME 1ST TIME IN 2006

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 55 ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I SAW SMOKE COMING OUT OF MY VENTS I STOP AND OPEN THE HOOD AND NOTICE MY CAR HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE LEFT BOTTOM SIDE. *TR

I HAVE HAD THE 2003 PASSAT GLX FOR LESS THAN 2 WEEKS, I HAVE ONLY PUT 307 MILES ON IT. TODAY WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE, THE CAR QUIT PULLING. IT WAS NOT GETTING ANY GAS. THEN IT DIED COMPLETELY AND WOULD NOT START. IT TURNS OVER BUT WON'T START. WAS ON THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE FOR NEARLY AN HOUR WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK. WAS TOLD THAT IT IS THE FUEL PUMP. *TR

THE CAR SEAT HEATER (DRIVER'S SIDE) BURNED THROUGH THE FABRIC, LEAVING 1 INCH HOLE IN THE SEAT. THERE WAS NO INJURY. THIS HAPPENED WITH NORMAL USE OF THE HEATER. *TR

1. DRIVING CAR TRANSMISSION SHIFTED ERRATICALLY WHEN PULLING OUT OF HOUSE. ALSO HIT ANOTHER CAR AS TRANSMISSION SHIFTED WITHOUT DOING ANYTHING. 2. ALWAYS WHEN RAINS. 3. SUNROOF DRAIN/AIR PLENUM AREA DEALER SAID WAS BLOCKED AND WATER WENT DOWN B PILLAR. SHORTED OUT TRANSMISSION COMPUTER IN PASSENGER FOOT WELL. WATER PASSED OVER JUNCTION CONNECTIONS IN B PILLAR ALSO SHORTED OUT AIRBAG SENSOR AND OTHER ELECTRICAL. VW NOW ISSUES SERVICE ACTION 66C8/P9 TO COVER THIS WHICH WAS NOT LISTED AS MAINTENANCE. DEALER SAID HE WAS NOT DOING THIS. VERY POOR DESIGN. IF DRAINS FOR SUN ROOF AND PLENUM CLOG THEN WATER GOES INSIDE AND SHORTS CRITICAL ELECTRONICS. TRANSMISSION COMPUTER IN PASSENGER FOOTWHEEL WHICH FILLED WITH WATER COSTS $2000 AND COULD OF BEEN MY LIFE. IN GENERAL THIS CAR HAS HAD MANY RECALLS AND IS UNSAFE. I HAVE HAD IT FOR 5 YEARS AND ONLY 38K MILES AND EVERY RECALL HAS SURFACE AS PROBLEM IN THIS CAR FROM SEAT HEATERS STAYING ON, BRAKE LIGHTS SHORTING, HEAD LEAKING, FRONT SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY VIBRATING LOOSE ALMOST CAUSING ACCIDENT. *TR

2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WITH AN OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM. CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE IS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY DUE TO THIS OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM. *KB THE VEHICLE HAD A SLIGHT ENGINE KNOCK, BEFORE THE OIL WAS CHANGED. THE DEALER STATED THE LOW OIL PRESSURE WAS PROBABLY CAUSED BY THE PICK UP TUBE IN THE OIL PAN BLOCKED BY OIL SLUDGE. *JB

THIS CAR WAS NEVER INSPECTED FOR RECALLS, OR SAFETY ISSUES. THE MOMENT THE CAR WAS HANDED TO US THE BATTERY DIED. THE DEALERSHIP QUICKLY CHANGE THE BATTERY. THE CAR WAS HESITATING ON ACCELERATION EVER SINCE. IT WAS ON JULY 27 2008 THAT FINALLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK THE CAR TO A GARAGE AND IT HAS COAST US 270 DOLLARS TO FIX IT SO FAR. WE HAVE NOT HAD THIS CAR FOR MORE THAN A MONTH. THERE ARE TWO RECALLS ON THIS CAR THAT WERE NEVER LOOK AT OR FIXED BY PRECISION TOYOTA OF TUCSON . ONE OF THESE RECALLS CAN CAUSE FIRE. *TR

I HAVE OWNED 3 VWS AND HAVE ALWAYS MADE SURE TO STAY UP TO DATE ON SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. RECENT KNOCKING NOISE IN ENGINE LEAD US TO TAKE THE CAR IN FOR A REPAIR AT WHICH TIME WE WERE INFORMED THAT WE HAD A MAJOR SLUDGE PROBLEM AND IT WOULD COST ME $6900 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. *TR

WATER LEAKED IN TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE VW PASSAT. THE TRANSMISSION ELECTRONIC CONTROLS ARE LOCATED UNDER THE FLOOR MAT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE AUTO. THE WATER SHORTED OUT THE ELECTRONICS FOR THE TRANSMISSION DISABLING THE VEHICLE. A VW DEALER REPAIRED THE PASSAT BY REPLACING THE ELECTRONICS AT A COST OF $2250.00 TO US. THEY ALSO MODIFIED THE AIR INTAKE TO PREVENT FUTURE DAMAGE. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME WE HAD THE AUTO IN FOR CABIN WATER. THE SERVICE REP. TOLD ME THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CABIN AIR INTAKE AND THIS WAS REPLACED UNDER A RECALL ON THE 2000, 2001 AND 2002 YEARS OF THE PASSAT. HE TRIED VW FOR WARRANTY BUT THEY DECLINED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE AND DRIVE SLUGGISH. SHE CONTINUED TO DRIVE TO HER DESTINATION AND THEN EXITED THE VEHICLE. APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES LATER, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE HEAVILY UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED WITHIN MINUTES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A NEARBY VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO ITS PASSENGER SIDE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY) WAS REFERENCED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 64,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACTIVATE THE TURN SIGNALS, BUT THEY DID NOT WORK. THE HAZARD LIGHTS ALSO STOPPED WORKING WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE BEFOREHAND AND THE FAILURES WERE INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURES CONTINUE TO OCCUR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

CAR STALLED SEVERAL TIMES AND EVENTUALLY WOULD NOT START. HAD IT TOWED TO NEAREST AUTO REPAIR SHOP, COST $45. AFTER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING THEY STATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP, COSTING ANOTHER $110 FOR THIS INFORMATION. A FEW DAYS LATER CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT START. TOWED ONCE AGAIN TO VW DEALERSHIP, COST $155. THEY DISCOVERED IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP AND REPLACED IT FREE OF CHARGE AND ALSO CHECK ALL OTHER RECALLS. WE RECEIVED THE RECALL LETTER THE DAY AFTER THE NO START. I AM ASKING TO BE REIMBURSED FOR BOTH TOWS AND THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AS ALL COST INCURRED WERE DUE TO THIS RECALL. *TR

MY OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS DRIVING ON A MOUNTAIN, AND THERE WAS NO WHERE TO PULL OVER, SO I HAD TO KEEP DRIVING. THE ENGINE LOCKED UP AND THE CAR LOST POWER. I WAS ABLE TO STEER IT OFF ONTO A SHOULDER. I HAVE ALSO BEEN BURNED MY THE HEATED SEAT WHEN THE WIRING OVERHEATS, AND IT HAS BOTH SHOCKED AND BURNED MY SKIN. *TR

IN 4/08 AND 5/08 HAD MALFUNCTION LIGHT INDICATOR COME ON, THEN HAD SEPARATE REPAIRS AT BAYSIDE VOLKSWAGEN. SAME LIGHT CAME ON 7/6/08. ITS SEEMS EVERY MONTH OR SO, ITS AN ISSUE WITH THE CAR AND HAVING DIFFERENT REPAIRS. *TR

2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WITH RECALL FOR FAULTY SEAL AND HEAT SHIELD. CONSUMER HAD THE PROBLEM REPAIRED AND THEN RECEIVED THE RECALLS. HE WOULD LIKE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THESE REPAIRS. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DISCOVERED OIL LEAKING FROM THE VALVE COVER AND CLEANED IT. THE SUNROOF TUBES AND DRAIN PLUG WERE REPLACED. *JB

MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT IS HOLDING 6INCHES OR MORE OF WATER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IN THE FLOOR BOARD AND HAS SHORTED OUT THE COMPUTER UNDERNEATH, IN SERVICING THE CAR THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED HE FOUND 3 OTHER VOLKSWAGEN PASSATS OF THE SAME YEAR TO HAVE THE SAME DEFECT. I HAVE ALSO BEEN ADVISED THAT A SERIOUS CRASH COULD HAVE RESULTED BECAUSE THE COMPUTER UNDERNEATH REGULATES THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

ON APPROX. JUNE 20, 2008 I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM VW THAT THERE WAS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH HEAT SHIELDS AND FUEL SYSTEM OF MY 2003 PASSAT ( RECALL NOTICE- 26E5/R5 AND 66C8/P9. I MADE AN IMMEDIATE APPOINTMENT WITH MY DEALERSHIP (DONALDSON"S VW IN SAYVILLE, NY AND GOT AN APPOINTMENT FOR JUNE 27. BECAUSE I WAS VERY CONCERNED WITH THE RECALL AND THE FACT THAT THE NOTICE ADVISED OF A POSSIBILITY OF FIRE EXISTED, I TOOK MY VEHICLE RIGHT DOWN THERE. I WAS THEN ADVISED BY THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE THAT THEY COULD NOT PERFORM THE NECESSARY REPAIRS BECAUSE THEY WERE BACK ORDERED ON THE PARTS. I WAS ALSO ALARMED WHEN I WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD NO IDEA WHEN THEY COULD DO THE REPAIR OR WHEN THE PARTS WOULD COME IN. I AM WRITING THIS IN THE EVENT THAT MY VW PASSAT SHOULD MALFUNCTION BECAUSE OF A DEFECT THAT COULD BE EXPEDITIOUSLY REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. *TR

2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WITH COOLANT SYSTEM AND HEATED SEAT RECALL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE COOLANT SYSTEM WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THE HEATED SEATS WERE REPAIRED BUT NOW DON'T WORK AT ALL. SHE ALSO STATES THAT THE GAS HAS BEEN BURNING OUT VERY FAST. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS SMELLING FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED SMOKE AND FELT A TINGLING FEELING ON HER BACK. SHE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED SMALL HOLES AND SMOKE COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT SENT THE RECEIPT FOR HER DAMAGED FUR COAT AND BLUE JEANS TO THE MANUFACTURER, BUT SHE HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY REIMBURSEMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,949.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE THE CONSUMERS HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED GASOLINE. HE APPROACHED A STOP SIGN AND HEARD A POP SOUND. THE CONTACT LOOKED OUT HER WINDOW AND NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE WHEEL WELL ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SHE AND HER HUSBAND EXITED THE VEHICLE AND CALLED THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED AND BEGAN RESEARCHING AVAILABLE RECALLS. THE CONTACT FOUND A RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE, BUT THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 71,000. UPDATED 07/15/08 *BF UPDATED

DRIVING ON I-87 UPSTATE NY AROUND ALBANY IN THE FAST LANE ABOUT 80 MILES AN HOUR THE CAR COMPLETELY LOST POWER. WE PULLED OVER QUICKLY TO THE GRASSY AREA BETWEEN THE HIGHWAYS. WE HEARD A SOUND BUT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN FROM THE ROAD WHEN WE PULLED OFF OR A BACKFIRE? THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. WE CALLED 911 AND A SHERIFF ARRIVED SOON AND TOLD US HOW DIFFICULT IT WOULD BE TO GET BACK ON THE HIGHWAY WITH TRAFFIC GOING 90-95 MILES AN HOUR. WE HAD TO GET INTO THE FAST LANE. WE DROVE A LITTLE ON THE GRASSY AREA TO SEE IF THE CAR WOULD WORK. WITH GREAT DIFFICULT AND TREMENDOUS FEAR WE MANAGED TO GET ONTO THE HIGHWAY. WE WERE THEN ABLE TO DRIVE TO NYC WITHOUT PROBLEMS IN THE SLOWER LANES. NO LIGHTS OR SOUNDS CAME ON TO WARN US OF THE LOSS OF POWER. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 6 WEEKS AGO AS WE WERE APPROACHING THE WILLIAMSBURG BRIDGE IN MANHATTAN BUT GOING AT A MUCH SLOWER SPEED. WE PULLED OVER AND HAD TO RESTART THE CAR. WE HAVE HAD THE RECALLS FROM VW BUT NOT A RECENT ONE THAT MAY HAVE COME OUT IN MAY. IT SEEMS LIKE IT COULD BE A FUEL TANK ISSUE. I WILL BE TAKING IT BACK TO VW IN BROOKLYN IN TWO WEEKS TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT. THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT SINCE I DID COME IN AND GET ALL THE RECALLS THAT IT COULD NOT BE THAT. I AM AFRAID OF THIS CAR AND ONLY HAVE ABOUT 27,000 MILES AFTER 5 YEARS. IT IS A 2003 PASSAT TURBO WAGON. IT WAS A HOT DAY ON JUNE 8TH AND WHEN WE TURNED ON THE CAR THE TEMP OUT SIDE LIGHT SAID 101 DEGREES. *TR

I DROVE ABOUT TEN MILES UP THE CANYON PARKED THE CAR. THEN GOT A CALL ABOUT 15 MIN LATER TELLING ME MY CAR WAS ON FIRE AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD PUT IT OUT. I AM STILL WAITING TO FIND OUT WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THE CAR FROM THE DEALER AND INSURANCE. IT LOOKED LIKE THE FIRE STARTED IN THE DASH. *TR

RADIO NOT FUNCTIONING, AIR CONDITIONING UNIT WORKS INTERMITTENTLY, AIRBAG MALFUNCTION RECOGNIZED, OPERATION UNIT IN STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTIONS, NO COMMUNICATIONS WITH BRAKE CONTROL UNIT, BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CAUSES DRIVERS SIDE BRAKE LIGHT TO MALFUNCTION. HORN NOT FUNCTIONING NEARLY CAUSED 2 ACCIDENTS WITHIN A MONTH. I DROVE OVER AN ISLAND TO AVOID ONE COLLISION FROM THE OTHER NON-ATTENTIVE DRIVER AND ENDED UP SCRAPING THE TRANSMISSION PAN. COST OF REPLACEMENT: $550. AFTER THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIRS AND DIAGNOSTICS, VW DEALERSHIPS STILL UNABLE TO FIX ANY OF THE ABOVE! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE RADIO WAS MALFUNCTIONING. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE STEREO FAILED DUE TO UNKNOWN CAUSES, AND THE ENTIRE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT HAS NOT HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BECAUSE IT EXCEEDED ITS WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

I OWN A 2003 PASSAT 4-MOTION. I PURCHASED IT FROM THE DEALER IN JULY OF 2005 WHEN IT HAD 42,000 MILES ON IT. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY I NOTICED TWO THINGS ABOUT THE CAR: FIRST, IT SOMETIMES HESITATES WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE AND THEN WHEN IT DOES FINALLY TAKE OFF, IT "LEAPS" FORWARD. SECOND, WHEN SHIFTING DOWN SOMETIMES, IT DOES NOT DO SO NORMALLY BUT WILL ACTUALLY JERK THE CAR BADLY AND MAKE A "CLUNKY" SOUND, LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS FAILING. THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN YOU DON'T COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND THEN TRY AND ACCELERATE AGAIN, LIKE STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. I HAVE HAD THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS JUST A "CHARACTERISTIC" OF THE CAR AND THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. OVERALL I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE CAR. *TR

WHEN FILLING UP THE CAR WITH GASOLINE THERE IS A SEVERE FUEL ODOR. TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND THEY SAID THE "FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE" WAS LEAKING. THIS ALSO HAPPENED TWO YEARS AGO AND THEY REPLACED THE FUEL TANK UNDER WARRANTY. THE DEALER REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM UNLESS I PAID FOR IT. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THEY ARE ISSUING A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM BUT WHEN I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN THEY SAID MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED. VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE CAR OVERALL AND WOULD NOT RECOMMEND ONE TO ANYONE. *TR

2003 VOLKSWAGEN GLS PASSAT WITH SEVERAL PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THEY HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL PUMP, CAM SHAFT SENSOR AND MORE. *KB THE VEHICLE STALLED ON 2 OCCASIONS DUE TO A FAULTY FUEL PUMP. THE CONSUMER SOON DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FUEL PUMP, HOWEVER THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FRONT CV BOOT AND TIMING BELT WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD A TRANSMISSION LEAK. THE DRIVERS HEATED SEAT MALFUNCTIONED. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD AND BEGAN TO VIBRATE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND NOTICED A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE BRAKES. WHEN HE TOUCHED THE WHEELS, THEY WERE EXTREMELY HOT. THE VEHICLE HAD STABILITY CONTROL, TRACTION CONTROL, AND ABS. ALL FOUR BRAKES WERE APPLIED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ALONG WITH ANOTHER LIGHT (HE DID NOT REMEMBER WHICH LIGHT). AFTER HE ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO COOL DOWN AND ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINE, ALL OF THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HE CONTINUED TO DRIVE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A VOLKSWAGEN DEALER IN INDIANA AND WAS INSTRUCTED ON WHERE TO FIND THE FUSE TO DEACTIVATE THE ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, AND STABILITY CONTROL. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THEY HAD SEEN AUDIS EXPERIENCE THE SAME FAILURE WITH THE SAME ENGINE AND FEATURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 62,000.

CONTINENTAL TIRES (ALL FOUR) ARE SEPARATING ALONG THE TREAD AND THEY CLAIM THE TIRES ARE NOT DEFECTIVE. *TR

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, NOTICED SMELL OF GASOLINE. AFTER FILLING CAR UP, GASOLINE BEGAN LEAKING FROM RIGHT REAR OF CAR FROM THE GAS TANK. LEFT CAR AT DEALER FOR SERVICE, WHEN CAR WAS LEFT, GASOLINE WAS STILL LEAKING. *TR

MY AIR CONDITION HAS BEEN ON THE FRITZ SO TO SPEAK FOR THE LAST YEAR, I THOUGHT IT WAS MY IMAGINATION. THIS PASSED WEEK WHEN I TURNED IT ON FULL BLAST ALL THAT WAS COMING OUT IS WARM AIR. I TOOK THE CAR INTO VW DEALERSHIP THEY REPAIRED TWO LEAKS THEY SAID, WHEN TRYING IT OUT A FEW DAYS LATER THE AIR WAS BLASTING WARM AIR ONCE AGAIN. I TOOK IT BACK AND NOW THEY ARE TELLING ME THE EVAPORATOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED COSTING ME $1,700.00. HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN TO A CAR THAT IS NOT EVEN 5 YEARS OLD YET. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED. *TR

EVERY 5,000-7,000 MILES AN IGNITION COIL FAILS ON MY CAR. THIS RESULTS IN MY CAR INSTANTLY STARTING TO SHUTTER AND I HAVE TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY. LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED, DRIVING ONLY A MILE RESULTED IN A SEVERE VEHICLE FIRE PUTTING MYSELF AND OTHER IN DANGER. *TR THIS TIME, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER BEFORE SERIOUS INCIDENT OCCURRED. *TR

I OWN A VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT, 2003, 1.8 LITER TURBO. FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A HESITATION ON TAKE OFF. SOMETIMES WHEN BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE THE CAR HESITATES REALLY BAD. THE IS MY WIFE'F CAR AND I AM AFRAID THE SOMEDAY IT MAY STALL OUT AT A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION, CAUSING A CRASH. I HAVE CONTACTED A VOLKSWAGEN DEARLER AND HE ADVISED THAT MY VIN NUMBER DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE VIN NUMBERS OF THE RECALL, VOLKSWAGON ALREADY HAS IN PLACE. I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT THAT WE HAVE ALREADY HAD OUT OIL PRESSURE PUMP REPLACED AND I WAS WONDERING IF THERE HAS BEEN OTHER COPLAINTS OF THE OIL PRESSURE PUMP FAILING. *TR

I FINISHED PUTTING IN A SMALL AMOUNT OF GAS AND WHILE TAKING OFF HAD AN ENGINE PROBLEM. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED TO BLINK, MY CAR STARTED TO CHUG AND I HAD A SEVERE LOSS OF POWER. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY LOCAL VW SERVICE CENTER, AND UPON INVESTIGATION THEY SMELLED A BURNING UNDER MY HOOD AND FOUND THE IGNITION COIL MELTED OR SOMETHING OF THE SORTS. THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION COIL AND THE CAR WORKS FINE, FOR NOW UNTIL THE COIL MELTS AGAIN. *TR

FUEL PUMP FAILURE WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THE CAR QUITE RUNNING. 1.8 LITER TURBO IN O3 VW PASSAT. DEALER CALLS AND TELLS US OUR VIN NUMBER IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. TO CALL VW OF NORTH AMERICA AND THEY SHOULD COVER IT. I TALK TO A WOMEN TELL HER THE SAME THING AS ABOVE AND SHE ASK ME TO HOLD WHILE SHE SUBMITS THE CLAIM. SHE COMES BACK ON THE LINE AFTER 45 SECONDS OR SO AND SAYS THAT THEY WON'T COVER IT. THE VIN NUMBER IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I ASK TO SPEAK TO A SUPERVISOR. I AM TOLD THERE IS NO ONE ELSE I CAN SPEAK TO AND THIS IS THE FINALLY DECISION OF VW OF NORTH AMERICA. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST FAILURE FOR THIS CAR. TEMPERATURE SENSOR REPLACED, BRAKE MODULE REPLACED TWICE, THE HEATER CORE REPLACE, THE TRIP TRONIC SHIFT REPLACED, INSTRUMENT PANEL REPLACED, THE ENGINE FLUSHED FOR SLUDGE. CV BOOTS REPLACED. THEY'RE CRACKED AGAIN AFTER 3 MONTHS. *TR

1. NO EVENT LEAD UP TO THE FAILURE 2. FUEL LEAK; STRONG GAS FUMES WITHIN CAR. LEAK & FUMES MORE PROMINENT WITH WARMER WEATHER. 3. VW DEALERSHIP FOUND GAS LEAKING FROM (3) LOCATIONS INCLUDING NIPPLE & PLASTIC SEAMS WHERE CLIPS ARE ATTACHED. GAS TANK WAS REPLACED. *TR

OIL SLUDGE CAUSES OIL PUMP TO FAIL DAMAGING THE ENGINE. *TR

AFTER REPLACING THE FUEL PUMP (UNDER RECALL) ON MY 2003 VW PASSAT IN OCTOBER, 2007, I BEGAN TO NOTICE A PERIODIC GAS LEAK FROM AROUND THE GAS TANK. IN DECEMBER, 2007, I HAD A LOCAL MECHANIC INVESTIGATE AND HE COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. MY TANK LEAKED AGAIN LAST WEEK. *TR

THE SEAT HEATER IN MY 2003 PASSAT GLS BURNT MY LEG ON THE LOWEST SETTING. IT ALSO MELTING A HOLE IN THE CLOTH INTERIOR AND DISCOLORED OTHER SPOTS. AT THIS POINT IT HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED SO THE SEAT IS AVAILABLE TO LOOK AT. *TR

I PURCHASED A 2003 PASSAT AND HAVE BEEN IN FOR TWO COILS, ENGINE LIGHT, BACK HATCH LOCK BROKEN, FUEL PUMP BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE THUS FAR WAS WHEN I TOLD THEM MY OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON TWO DAYS PRIOR AND THEY TOLD ME IT WILL COST 4000.00 TO FIX IT BECAUSE THE ENGINE IS FULL OF SLUDGE. I WOULD PRODUCE RECEIPTS FOR SERVICES THAT I ACTUALLY DO REGULARLY EVERY 3-4 THOS. MILES OR THREE MONTHS. HOWEVER THEY INFORMED ME FROM VW OF AMERICA THAT 99% OF THE PEOPLE HAVE TO PAY FOR IT BECAUSE THEIR RECEIPTS DON'T MEET THE REQUIREMENT OF THE MILEAGE OF THE SERVICES. THEY STATE THAT IT MUST BE DONE PRIOR TO 5 THOS. MILES BUT THE BOOK STATES EVERY 7 THOS. MILES FOR SERVICES TO BE DONE. WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR THEY DIDN'T TELL ME THAT I SHOULD USE THE EXPENSIVE FILTERS/AND SYNTHETIC OILS WHEN SERVICING THE CAR. IS EVERYONE '!@#$% OUT OF LUCK ON THEM COVERING THIS. AND ONCE DONE WHAT PREVENTS IT FROM DOING IT AGAIN? I AM GETTING RID OF THIS ASAP AND NEVER BUYING ANOTHER VW EVER! I WILL SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT BUYING A VW TO EVERYONE I KNOW. *TR

DEFECT WITH THE DRIVER SIDE HEATING COIL IN THE SEAT - TODAY DURING A 5 MINUTE DRIVE I BEGAN TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING ON THE INTERIOR OF MY CAR AND FELT A BURNING SENSATION ON MY LEG. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE CAR AND TURNED IT OFF TO INVESTIGATE. UPON EXISTING THE VEHICLE I SAW BURNING EMBERS ON THE SEAT AND A 1/4" HOLE. I WAS FORCED TO SMOTHER OUT THE FIRE. I HAVE SINCE TURNED OFF THE HEATERS AND REFUSE TO USE THEM UNTIL THE PROBLEM IS RECTIFIED. *TR