2003 Volkswagen Passat complaints

DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ONE AFTERNOON, I NOTICED MY ENGINE SEEMED TO BE SHAKING SLIGHTLY. I PULLED OVER AND EVEN IN PARK, I COULD FEEL THE MOMENTUM OF SOMETHING IN THE ENGINE CAUSING MY CAR TO SHAKE. BY THE TIME I GOT HOME, MY ENGINE LIGHT HAD TURNED ON. I BROUGHT IT TO A VW DEALER AND UPON INSPECTION THEY FOUND THAT MY IGNITION COILS NEEDED REPLACING. UPON SEARCHING ONLINE, I FOUND SEVERAL PRESS RELEASES ABOUT ISSUES WITH THE VW IGNITION COILS, AND PENDING DEFECT INVESTIGATIONS RELATING TO THE COILS AND FIRES RESULTING. I AM THANKFUL THAT I DID NOT FIND MYSELF IN THIS SITUATION BUT I AM SURE THAT IF I HAD NOT BEEN PAYING ATTENTION THIS PROBLEM COULD HAVE HAD A FAR WORSE OUTCOME. I AM NOW DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY IN THIS VEHICLE. *TR

MY 2003 VW PASSAT HAS SHOWN CASES OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS FOLLOWING A RECENT RAIN STORM. THE REAR PASSENGER FOOTWELL COLLECTED WATER AND THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT NORMALLY. THE CAR WOULD NOT UPSHIFT AND SLAMMED INTO GEAR FROM PARK. I'M NOW UNABLE TO GET THE CAR OUT OF NEUTRAL AND CAN'T REMOVE THE KEY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED EXCESSIVELY AND SMOKE BEGAN EMANATING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. SHE PULLED OVER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EMISSION COILER, AND OXYGEN SENSORS FAILED. ALL OF THE REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CONTACT FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 52,000.

ENGINE OIL PRESSURE FAILURE. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 PASSAT V6 IN WHICH THERE IS A LEAK THROUGH THE POLLEN FILTER BECAUSE OF FAULTY DESIGN. EVERY TIME IT RAINS OR SNOWS IN THE NORTHEAST WATER GETS THROUGH THE FAULTY SEAL AND IS ACCUMULATING IN THE PASSENGER REAR AND FRONT SEAT. THE WATER ACCUMULATION HAS CAUSED THE TCM TO WORK IMPROPERLY AND MAY MALFUNCTION. WITH OUT THE USE OF A TCM THAT WORKS PROPERLY THE CAR MAY SHUTDOWN OR MALFUNCTION AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THIS A PROBLEM VW KNOWS ABOUT AND HAS IN FACT ISSUED A RECALL ON THE 2002 MODEL. THIS IS AN ISSUE ON ALL B5 PASSAT MODELS. PLEASE HELP ISSUE A RECALL TO CORRECT THIS MATTER. THANKS STEVE *TR

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

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

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 GET THE ALIGNMENT RIGHT SO I KEEP GOING THROUGH TIRES AND THE TIRES I DO HAVE SOUND UNEVEN WHEN I ROTATE THEM, MAKING ME THINK THERE'S A PROBLEM. HOVE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS THREE TIMES IN 1 AND 1/2 YEARS. THERE'S A DEFECT INVESTIGATION INTO FIRES IN THE ENGINE AND A RECALL ON OIL SLUDGE. THIS CAR IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN AND IT'S VERY POORLY ENGINEERED. ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER. VW HAS ON A BUNCH OF RECALLS ALREADY ON THIS MODEL, TO MANY FOR ME TO FEEL SAFE WITH. I'M ABANDONING THE CAR TODAY, TRADING IT IN FOR SOMETHING ELSE. WILL NEVER BUY A VW AGAIN. NO CAR SHOULD HAVE THIS MANY ISSUES. AND THE ISSUES CONTINUE TO ROLL IN. NOW THE AIRBAG LIGHT JUST CAME ON...ANOTHER THING TO HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT!!! *TR

AT APPROXIMATELY 9:35 PM, NOVEMBER 29, 2007, I ENTERED MY 2003 VW PASSAT AND STARTED THE ENGINE. THE AIR TEMPERATURE SHOWED 39 DEGREESF SO I SWITCHED ON THE CONTROL FOR THE HEATED SEAT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE TO HIGH. APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES AFTER STARTING THE CAR IT SMELLED LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING. I AM A NON-SMOKER. IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THE SMELL WAS FROM INSIDE THE CAR AND I BEGAN TO EVALUATE POSSIBLE SOURCES FOR A FIRE SINCE THE SMELL SEEMED TOO CLOSE TO BE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I BEGAN TO FEEL AROUND THE SEAT SINCE I KNEW THE SEAT WARMER WAS ON AND SUDDENLY REALIZED THAT AN AREA UNDER MY LEFT THIGH WAS HOT. FURTHER INVESTIGATION, WITH MY HAND, REVEALED THAT MY COAT FELT BURNED OR MELTED AND THE SEAT WAS EXTREMELY HOT TO THE TOUCH. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER. THE AREA SEEMED TO COOL OFF SLIGHTLY SO I CONTINUED HOME - ABOUT A 10 MINUTE DRIVE. AFTER ARRIVING HOME I CHECKED THE SEAT AND MY COAT. THE SEAT WAS STILL WARM TO THE TOUCH 25 MINUTES AFTER THE SWITCH HAD BEEN TURNED OFF. THERE IS A HOLE IN THE LEATHER SEAT APPROXIMATELY 0.5 INCHES IN DIAMETER, WITH FLECKS OF BLACK SOOT AROUND THE EDGES, ABOUT 4.75 INCHES FROM THE BACK OF THE SEAT AND 2.5 INCHES IN FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT. MY COAT HAS AN AREA APPROXIMATELY 0.5 INCHES IN DIAMETER THAT IS EITHER MELTED OR THE SEAT IS MELTED ONTO MY COAT. THE INCIDENT WILL BE REPORTED TO THE LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN DEALER ON 30 NOVEMBER 2007. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. AS OF NOVEMBER 26, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: FUEL PUMP (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V375000). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 81,716.

A THIRD IGNITION COIL FAILURE IN 18 MONTHS, THE LAST ONE ALLOWING RAW GASOLINE INTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, WHERE IT CAUGHT FIRE, DESTROYING THE TURBO AND CAUSING A LARGE AMOUNT OF BLACK SMOKE. I LOST POWER WHILE DRIVE, WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE IN A SAFE MANNER AND EVENTUALLY SUFFERED SMOKE INHALATION. ALL COILS NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

WE WERE DRIVING UP TO THE BASE OF THE PALM SPRINGS TRAM ON A COOL DAY AT A RELATIVELY SLOW RATE OF SPEED AND PARKED AT THE VALLEY STATION. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS APPARENTLY OPERATING NORMALLY DURING THE ENTIRE DRIVE. A FEW MINUTES AFTER PARKING, WE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR, AND UPON OPENING THE HOOD DISCOVERED THE FIRE. SINCE TRAM SECURITY WAS THERE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED RELATIVELY QUICKLY. THE INSULATION WAS BURNED AND THE CAR WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN ANY FURTHER. IT WAS TOWED TO INDIO, CA. *TR

MY 2003 VW PASSAT WAGON FLOODED DURING A RAINSTORM BECAUSE THE POLLEN FILTER SEAL FAILED. FURTHERMORE, BECAUSE THE COMFORT CONTROL MODULE COMPUTER IS MOUNTED ON THE FLOOR, THAT WAS DAMAGED AND THE BILL IS SIGNIFICANT. *TR MY DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT REP (BOSTON VW) TOLD ME THAT HE RECOMMENDS CLEANING LEAVES OFF THE CAR 2 TO 3 TIMES PER DAY IN ORDER TO PREVENT THIS PROBLEM. THAT SEEMS LIKE AN UNREASONABLE MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENT TO PREVENT AN ISSUE THAT I'VE NEVER SEEN PREVIOUSLY WITH OTHER CARS.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LEAKED FLUID WHILE IT WAS PARKED. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL SEAL TWICE. ANOTHER REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THE BREATHER TUBE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THEY DID NOT MAKE THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,000.

FRONT END NOISE WAS DIAGNOSED BY VW SERVICE AS MISSING AND LOOSE RACK AND PINION STEERING BOLTS, RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITH 20,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER AND NORMAL USE. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD, I COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED OR KILLED. I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT THIS IS NOT COVERED. SUCH A FLAW IN STEERING INTEGRITY SHOULD GENERATE A RECALL - BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. *TR

1.8L TURBO ENGINE WITH 51,000 MILES, STILL UNDER POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. OIL PRESS/STOP ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED MOMENTARILY. FIRST TIME WAS THE SUMMER 07. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ADVISED CHANGING THE OIL, WHICH I HAD DONE 2K MILES AND 2 MONTHS PREVIOUS, BUT DID AGAIN. THAT WORKED, NO OTHER ADVISE BY DEALER. NO OCCURRENCE AGAIN UNTIL NOV 07. DEALERSHIP INSPECTION REVEALED SLUDGE AND COKING. VW OF AMERICA WILL NOT PAY FOR ANY TYPE OF REPAIR WITHOUT RECEIPTS PROVING MAINTENANCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE OWNERS MANUAL. I DID ALL MY OWN OIL CHANGES ON SCHEDULE BUT DID NOT KEEP RECEIPTS FOR OIL/FILTER. THE $130+ DIAGNOSTIC CHARGE WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY EITHER. ADDITIONALLY, DEALER SAID THE WARRANTY WAS VOID BECAUSE I HAD AN OTHER THAN VW OIL FILTER ON. REPAIR ESTIMATE IS $3,000 TO REBUILD ENGINE. *TR

MY CAR EXPERIENCED A FUEL PUMP FAILURE AS DESCRIBED IN A RECALL NOTICE FOUND ON THE NHTSA WEB SITE. THE VIN NUMBER OF MY VEHICLE WAS IN THE RANGE OF RECALLED VEHICLES. WHEN I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER (VW) THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY CAR WAS NOT AFFECTED BY THE RECALL. WELL, THE CAR SURE WAS AFFECTED BY THE DEFECT! *TR

AFTER RAINSTORM, OUR 2003 PASSAT WAGON BEGAN DEVELOPING A MUSTY ODOR WITH NO APPARENT WATER INSIDE THE VEHICLE. FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS, THE ALARM ALSO WOULD GO OFF FOR NO REASON. EVENTUALLY, THE ODOR SUBSIDED AND WE THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT UNTIL THE NEXT MAJOR RAINSTORM A FEW MONTHS LATER. AFTER THIS EVENT, WATER APPARENTLY LEAKED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR THROUGH A SUNROOF DRAIN AND CAUSED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THE CAR TO GO HAYWIRE. MY WIFE HAD TO DRIVE THE CAR 20 MINUTES WITH OUR 4-MONTH OLD BABY WHILE THE ALARM SYSTEM WENT OFF, LIGHTS FLASHING ON AND OFF, AND ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM GENERALLY GOING HAYWIRE. THE LOCKS CEASED TO WORK, THE WINDOWS COULD NOT BE PUT UP, AND THE TRUNK COULDN'T BE OPENED. THE DEALER TOLD US THAT THE LEAK WAS CAUSED BY CLOGGING IN THE SUNROOF DRAIN, WHICH THEY SAID IS VERY COMMON. WHILE MY WIFE WAS AT THE DEALER, 3 OTHER PEOPLE CAME IN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. AS A RESULT OF THE WATER, THE COMFORT AND CONTROL MODULE IS BEING REPLACED. IT IS UNCLEAR YET WHETHER WE WILL ALSO NEED TO REPLACE THE CARPETING FOR ODOR ISSUES. THE TOTAL COST SO FAR IS ABOUT $1,000. *TR

2003 VW PASSAT WITH FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COST OF THE RENTAL VEHICLE, WHILE HIS VEHICLE WAS HAVING THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED. *KB IN THE BEGINNING, VOLKSWAGEN TOLD THE CONSUMER HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND THE FUEL PUMP WAS NOT DEFECTIVE. AFTER THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND THE CONSUMER PAID FOR THE REPAIRS, VOLKSWAGEN EXTENDED THE RECALL WHICH INCLUDED THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. *JB

I HAVE A VW PASSAT 1.8 LITER TURBO ENGINE THAT HAS SLUDGE IN IT CAUSING MY OIL PRESSURE TO BE LOW WHICH THREW MY TIMING OFF. LUCKILY STOPPED DRIVING THE CAR BEFORE IT LOCK UP. *TR

ON THE MORNING OF JANUARY 26, 2006 I DROVE MY 2003 VW PASSAT AT SHORT DISTANCE (APPROX) 3 MILES. AS I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION AND PULLED INTO A PARKING PLACE THE CAR DIED ON ME. THERE DID NOT APPEAR TO BE ANYTHING THAT PRECIPITATED THE FAILURE. I DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED BUT I SOON BEGAN TO SMELL SMOKE. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR, OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW THAT THERE WAS A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR, FACING THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THE FIRE WAS LOCATED TOWARD THE UPPER LEFT-HAND CORNER OF THE COMPARTMENT NEAR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE FIRE WAS FAIRLY FAR ALONG BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED. ULTIMATELY, THE CAR WAS TOTALED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE LOCAL POLICE, A CLAIM WAS FILED WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER SERVICE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR DAMAGE TO ANY OTHER PROPERTY. THE CAR WAS LESS THAN THREE YEARS OLD WITH ABOUT 27,500 MILES. THE INSURANCE INVESTIGATION CLEARED ME OF PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY BUT DID NOT DETERMINE A CAUSE FOR THE FIRE. I EVENTUALLY SETTLED WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND TURNED THE CAR OVER TO THEM. I HAVE HEARD NOTHING FURTHER UNTIL A FRIEND GAVE ME AN AP ARTICLE FROM 10/4/07 THAT REPORTED NHTSA INVESTIGATIONS OF ENGINE FIRES IN PASSATS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH SMOKE CAME THROUGH THE VENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS ALSO SMOKE PRESENT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 115,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAS RECEIVED TOO MANY RECALL NOTICES ON HER VEHICLE. SHE HAS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF THREE NOTICES WITHIN THE LAST MONTH. THE RECALL NUMBERS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000. UPDATED10/26/07.*JB

ENGINE IGNITION COILS FAIL, CAUSING A HESITATION IN ENGINE, WHICH IS DANGEROUS AND MAY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT IN TRAFFIC. THE COILS DO NOT FAIL ALL AT ONCE, AND VW WILL ONLY REPLACE IF THEY FAIL. ONE OF THE COILS FAILED AND THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO COIL DROPPING ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. VW REFUSES TO REPLACE ANY FURTHER IGNITION COILS. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE DID NOT RECEIVE RECALL NOTICE M-7 FOR OVER A YEAR AND A HALF. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE PARKED IN THE GARAGE, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG GASEOUS ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. SHE EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND ADJUSTED THE FUEL CAP. THE SMELL STILL LINGERED. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE VEHICLE FROM THE GARAGE AND PARKED IT ON THE STREET. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK VALVE FAILED AND THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,703 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,670. *UPDATED 12/27/07 *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PAID IN FULL BY THE MANUFACTURER ON OCTOBER 8, 2007. UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE STALLING CONTINUED AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND WAS NOT DISTRIBUTING THE FUEL. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED IN 2005 UNDER WARRANTY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 101,300. UPDATED 01-15-08. *KB UPDATED*JB

2003 VW PASSAT WITH A SUDDEN DOWNSHIFT IN THE TRANSMISSION. CUSTOMER STATES THE PROBLEM OCCURRED THROUGH A LEAK IN THE SUNROOF. DEALER ALSO STATED HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS, BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *KB THE DEALER STATED THAT A CLOGGED SUNROOF DRAIN HAD CAUSED WATER TO OVERFLOW DOWN THE PASSENGER FRONT WINDSHIELD. A PILLAR CAUSING CORROSION IN THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE HARNESS WHICH WAS LOCATED AT THE PASSENGER SIDE FOOTWELL. THE DEALER STATED THE LEAK WAS CONSIDERED AN OUTSIDE INFLUENCE AND THAT'S WHY IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER APPROVED THE REPAIRS, HOWEVER AS HE WAS PULLING OUT OF THE DEALERS LOT, THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED. THE CONSUMER CALLED THE CONSUMER AND INFORMED HIM, THIS TIME THE PROBLEM WAS A FAULTY TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE AND THAT THE REPAIR WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEM MAY HAVE BEEN WITH THE TCM THE ENTIRE TIME.*JB

AFTER FILLING UP MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 4-MOTION, V6 WITH FUEL, I NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR. AFTER INSPECTING UNDER THE CAR, I FOUND A FUEL LEAK ON THE GAS TANK. I TOOK IT TO OUR LOCAL REPAIR SHOP THAT SPECIALIZES IN VOLKSWAGENS SINCE I AM 140 MILES FROM THE NEAREST DEALER TO BE CHECKED OUT. THEY DISCOVERED THAT ONE OF THE 90 DEGREE CONNECTORS FOR THE VAPOR LINE ON TOP OF THE TANK HAD CRACKED. THE WHOLE TANK HAS TO BE REPLACED AS YOU CAN'T JUST REPLACE THE CONNECTOR. THE TANK IS PLASTIC AND THE CONNECTOR HAS A STEEL SLEEVE IN IT TO MAKE IT MORE RIGID. ON INSPECTION OF THE OLD TANK, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THREE (3) SLEEVES ON THE 3 VENT CONNECTORS HAD WORKED THERE WAY OUT OF THE CONNECTORS SO THEY JUST SIT THERE AND FLEX UNTIL THEY FAIL. THIS TYPE OF BAD DESIGN CVOULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN EXPLOSION AND SERIOUS INJURY TO MYSELF OR MY FAMILY. ON CONTACTING VW CONSUMER LINE THEY WERE CONCERNED BUT NOT ENOUGH TO ADMIT A PROBLEM OR HELP PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT AS MY MILEAGE WAS TOO HIGH. MILEAGE SHOULD NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THOSE VENT CONNECTORS FAILING. I KNOW THIS IS NOT A UNIQUE OCCURRENCE SINCE ANOTHER VW PASSAT CAME IN TWO DAYS LATER TO THE SAME REPAIR SHOP WITH EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

WHILE BACKING UP OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE CAR LURCHED INTO REVERSE AND THEN WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF 1ST GEAR CAUSING DRASTICALLY SLOW SPEEDS WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. ANY SPEED ABOVE 15 MPH WOULD REDLINE THE TAC AND THE ENGINE. THE VW DEALERSHIP DETERMINED IT WAS A BAD COMPUTER CONTROL MODULE THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

NORMAL OPERATION OF AUTOMOBILE, DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER PLACED ON SETTING LEVEL 2. FIRE BEGAN WITHIN THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT AND BURNT A QUARTER SIZE HOLE THROUGH THE FABRIC OF THE SEAT. *TR

2003 VOLKSWAGON PASSET CAUGHT FIRE WENT FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THE INSTRUMENT-PANEL AREA AND ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CARS NEAR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND ALONG THE PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE. *JB

THE FUEL TANK RUPTURED CAUSING FUEL TO SPLIT FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK AND ONTO THE GROUND. *JB

ON AUGUST 25, 2007, I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLX WITH WIFE AND DAUGHTER ON THE MIDDLE LANE ON HWY 101. THE CAR WAS STALLED SUDDENLY AND NO SIGN OF ANYTHING WRONG. I FELT NO POWER ON THE PEDAL. I TURNED ON THE EMERGENCY LIGHT AND SLOWLY PULLED IT OVER TO THE RIGHT LANE. THE HWY TRAFFIC WAS PASSING WITH LIFE THREATENING NOISE. I STOPPED THE CAR AT THE RIGHT LANE AND BLOCK THE TRAFFIC. FINALLY A POLICE CAR PASSED BY AND CALLED FOR HELP. SEVERAL POLICE CARS CAME AND BLOCKED THE WHOLE TRAFFIC ON HWY101 AND ONE OF THEM PUSHED MY OFF THE NEXT EXIT. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A VOLKSWAGEN SHOP AND FOUND THE FUEL PUMP WAS GONE. I CALLED THE VOLKSWAGEN USA AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL FOR FUEL PUMP BUT MY VIN WAS NOT IN THE RANGE. THIS WAS A LIFE THREADING EVENT I WOULD REMEMBER IT WAS BY VOLKSWAGEN. I WAS A ROYAL CUSTOMER FOR VOLKSWAGEN AND AFTER THIS EVENT I COULD NOT BELIEVE I WOULD BE ONE. *TR

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 FAN-LIKE DEVICE THAT KEEPS COOLANT MOVING THROUGH THE ENGINE. THE MECHANICS EXPLAINED THAT THIS MODEL VW USED A PLASTIC IMPELLAR INSTEAD OF THE METAL ONES COMMONLY USED IN MOST CARS. APPARENTLY, VW HAS RECOGNIZED THAT THIS PLASTIC PART IS FAILURE PRONE, AND NOW MAKES ALUMINUM REPLACEMENT IMPELLARS. BUT THE MECHANICS SAID I WASN'T ENTITLED TO ANY RECALL OR WARRANTY. THE REPAIR COST ME $879, PLUS THE COSTS OF RENTING A REPLACEMENT CAR. UPDATED 12-12-07. *KB UPDATED *JB

VEHICLE WOULD NOT START ON AUG. 26. STARTER CRANKED BUT ENGINE FAILED TO TURN OVER AND START. DEALER DIAGNOSED AS FUEL PUMP FAILURE. VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 88,000 MILES. WE WERE INFORMED MANUFACTURER VW HAS RECALLED FUEL PUMPS FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL YEAR (2003) BUT NOT THIS PARTICULAR VIN. WE ALSO UNDERSTAND VW ORIGINALLY LIMITED RECALL TO AN EVEN SMALLER BATCH OF VINS. WE BELIEVE THE FUEL PUMP DEFECT IS MORE EXTENSIVE THAN VW IS WILLING TO ACKNOWLEDGE. THE REPAIR IS CURRENTLY NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND WILL COST OUR FAMILY APPROXIMATELY $655 TO REPAIR, PLUS TOWING AND CAR RENTAL COSTS. WE ARE LUCKY THE FAILURE OCCURRED DURING A COLD START AND NOT ON THE ROAD, WHERE WE COULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN A DESERT, A STORM, OR THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. AFTER DEALER CLAIMED TO HAVE FIXED PROBLEM ON AUG. 29,2007, WE TOOK THE VEHICLE HOME AND IT AGAIN FAILED TO START, OR EVEN CRANK. DEALER HAS TOWED IT BACK AND IS REVIEWING. *TR UPDATED 01-15-08. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE SECOND FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAILED BATTERY. UPDATED *JB

I HAVE AN '03 VW PASSAT . ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO I NOTICED IT HAD STARTED HESITATING WHEN TRYING TO BACK UPHILL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY PUT TRANSMISSION FLUID IN IT. IT WAS OK FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND IT STARTED AGAIN. I TOOK IT BACK. THEY SCANNED IT AND SAID THERE WERE NO LEAKS BUT THEY PUT IN MORE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THAT LASTED 1 1/2 WEEKS. THEY ARE NOW ORDERING A WHOLE NEW TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THE SLIPPING DID IT WHEN THE SERVICE PEOPLE DROVE IT. THEY HAD NOT TEST DRIVEN IT THE PREVIOUS TIMES UNTIL AFTER THEY PUT IN FLUID. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE NOISE AND THEN STALLED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN THE DEALER NOTICED A FAILED EXTERIOR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NUMBER 07V063000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH). THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE HIS VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 72,000. UPDATED 02-01-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THIS IS THE 3RD RECALL THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN DUE TO THE VIN NUMBER. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL PUMP PROBLEM THE COMPANY FIXED BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT DISPUTE IT. UPDATED 02/01/08 *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD WHILE IT WAS PARKED. THE FIRE DESTROYED THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS PRESENT PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THERE IS A FIRE REPORT AVAILABLE; HOWEVER, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS UNABLE DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE CONTACT HAS PHOTOS AND A VIDEO TAPE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD AN INVESTIGATOR INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FIRE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 57,000.

BATTERY GOING DEAD WITHOUT TIME OR REASON; DOORS WOULD LOCK AUTOMATICALLY WITH NO ONE AROUND; TRUNK WOULD UNLOCK AND WOULD NOT SHUT WITHOUT KEY INTERVENTION; LIGHT ON DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK WOULD FLASH INCESSANTLY WITH NO ONE NEAR. CAR WENT OVER FOUR YEARS WITH NO INCIDENT AND SUDDENLY STARTED ACTING "STRANGE." NO CHANGES OR WORK DONE ON ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SINCE NEW WHEN THE BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE. DEALER HAS BEEN VERY COOPERATIVE BUT UNSUCCESSFUL IN FINDING SOURCE, KEEPING CAR AS LONG AS THREE WEEKS (WITH A "LOANER") AND NOT CHARGING EXCEPT FOR A SMALL FIRST TIME INSPECTION. SIX RETURNS TO DEALERSHIP WITH SOME RELIEF; ONLY THE BATTERY GOES DEAD WITH IRREGULARITY. WE HAVE A 2000 PASSAT THAT SITS NEARBY AND HAS NEVER EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM. NUMBER OF FAILURES IS ONE, BUT ALL RELATED . . SIX TRIPS TO DEALERSHIP AND RELIEF ON ALL BUT THE BATTERY GOING DEAD. WE ARE 80 AND FEAR THAT WE WILL BE CAUGHT OUT AND HAVE SERIOUS PROBLEMS. ALL DATES ARE APPROX. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTIONED AND THEY WILL NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 74,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAS. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED THEN THE ENGINE FAILED. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT IT WAS DRIVABLE. APPROXIMATELY AN HOUR LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE COULD BE A FAULTY ENGINE SENSOR. THE NEXT DAY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ON AND THE ENGINE EVENTUALLY FAILED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

2003 PASSAT FAULTY FUEL PUMP. CAR EXPERIENCED TOTAL LOSS OF POWER THAT COULD POTENTIALLY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. DESPITE VW ISSUING A RECALL TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM ON CERTAIN 2003 PASSATS, THEY REFUSED TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR (REPLACEMENT OF FUEL PUMP - PARTS AND LABOR). *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. ON MARCH 05, 2005 AT 32,000 MILES, THE ENGINE FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER FOUND A FAULTY ENGINE SPEED SENSOR AND FUEL PUMP. THE PARTS WERE REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. IN FEBRUARY OF 2007, WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED AGAIN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY DISCOVERED A FAULTY FUEL PUMP. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED AT 90,000 MILES, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. CURRENTLY, THE ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT RECALL NUMBER 06V017000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP) DOES NOT APPLY TO THE VIN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE AS NOTED IN RECALL NUMBER 07V063000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE CONTACT PAID TO HAVE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH REPLACED AND FEELS THAT HIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000. UPDATED 02/08/08. *LJ

WHILE DRIVING 2003 VW PASSAT THE ENGINE STALLED OUT (NO FUEL) CAUSING NEAR ACCIDENT BY PASSING VEHICLES. DRIFTED TO SIDE OF ROAD. AFTER 100 MILE TOW TO VINCENT VOLKSWAGEN DEALER IN ROCHESTER, THEY FOUND NO PROBLEM. CAR DID RUN TWO DAYS. THE SAME STALL-OUT OCCURRED THREE DAYS LATER. ANOTHER TOW TO A DEALER (SCHMITTS GARAGE) TO ATTEMPT TO REPAIR. NOT SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS BUT STRONGLY SUSPECT FUEL PUMP OR CONTROL SYSTEM FOR FUEL OR FUEL LINE SYSTEM. THERE HAVE BEEN PREVIOUS RECALLS ON SOME 2003 PASSAT FUEL SYSTEM ITEMS INCLUDING FUEL PUMPS (POTENTIAL TO CAUSE CRASH WHEN FAIL) . WAS TOLD MY PASSAT WAS NOT PART OF THE OTHER 2003 PASSAT FUEL PUMP/SYSTEM RECALL. HOWEVER, ARE MORE FUEL PUMP UNITS BAD THAT VW DOESN'T REALIZE WHICH COULD CAUSE MAJOR ACCIDENTS, HEAD ON COLLISIONS DURING PASSING. FILED THIS WITH VW CUSTOMER CARE. TWO WEEKS PRIOR BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT WORK AND WAS NEARLY REAR ENDED. VW DEALER REPLACED DEFECTIVE BRAKE SWITCH WHICH INITIALLY WASN'T ON THE RECALL LIST BUT WAS RECENTLY ADDED. TWO NEAR MAJOR ACCIDENTS IN TWO WEEKS DUE TO EQUIPMENT FAILURES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD CONSTANTLY SHINE ON AND OFF AT RANDOM. THE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE WHILE DRIVING AND WOULD DIM WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED RECALL NUMBER 07V063000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH). HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE AS NOTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 67,085. UPDATED 02/01/08. *LJ UPDATED 02/01/08 *TR

MY 2003 PASSAT WITH 46,000 MILES AND REGULAR 5,000 MILES SERVICE VISITS RECENTLY HAD TWO MAJOR PROBLEMS. THE ALTERNATOR WENT BAD AND WAS PRODUCING NEARLY TWICE THE VOLTAGE. THERE WERE NO SERVICE BULLETINS OR RECALLS ON THIS ITEM AND WAS FIXED AT A SIGNIFICANT COST TO ME. NEXT WAS THE FUEL TANK. I FIRST EXPERIENCED AN ODOR WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE A LEAK IN THE GAS TANK. I AM WORKING WITH AN EXCELLENT VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE BUSINESS WHICH IS NOT A DEALERSHIP. VW AMERICA WILL ONLY TAKE THE WORD OF A LICENSED DEALER. THE DEFECTIVE TANK IS CURRENTLY BEING REPLACED AT A VERY SIGNIFICANT COST TO ME. THERE ARE NO SERVICE BULLETINS OR RECALLS ON MY VIN. I UNDERSTAND THAT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP HAS HAD TO REPLACE A FEW OF THESE. THIS IS A VERY NICE CAR DEVELOPING A BAD REPUTATION. I HAVE SAFETY CONCERNS WITH THIS CAR AND WONDER WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH OR ATTEMPTING TO STOP, THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER AND SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THE SPEED SENSOR WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS ALSO MALFUNCTION AND THE ELECTRICAL SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY HAS BEEN CHARGED FOR EACH REPLACEMENT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,006 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.