2003 Volkswagen Passat complaints

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AS HAVING A BAD FUEL PUMP AND REPLACED THE PART. THE REPAIR SHOP ADVISED THE CONTACT THERE WAS A RECENT RECALL ON FUEL PUMP. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. *AK UPDATED 2/22/2007- *NM

OWNER WAS DRIVING VOLKSWAGEN WHEN IT STARTED TO HESITATE AND THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE BURNED MOST SEVERELY IN CENTER REAR AND RIGHT SIDE OF THE COMPARTMENT.

CAR QUITS SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING; WON'T RE-START. WAS TOWED TO DEALER; REPLACED FUEL PUMP. *JB

RELATIVE TO NHTSA RECALL 06V017000, MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN 1.8T PASSAT, WHICH I PURCHASED AS A CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE WITH 25K MILES, EXPERIENCED WHAT LATER WAS DETERMINED TO BE A FUEL-PUMP FAILURE AT APPROXIMATELY 29K MILES. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED IN OCTOBER 2004, WHILE I WAS TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON A RURAL INTERSTATE FOLLOWING A WEEKEND TRIP TO A NEIGHBORING STATE. I HAD BEEN USING THE CRUISE CONTROL TO TRAVEL AT THE 65 MPH SPEED LIMIT, AND HAD ACCELERATED TO PASS A SEMI-TRACTOR-TRAILER. HAVING PASSED THE TRUCK, THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT KICK BACK IN AS USUAL WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR BUT, RATHER, THE CAR LOST POWER SUDDENLY AND COMPLETELY. I WAS ABLE TO NAVIGATE TO THE SIDE SHOULDER WITHOUT PROPERTY DAMAGE OR INJURY, WHERE I ARRANGED FOR TOWING TO THE NEAREST TOWN WITH A VW DEALER (THE TOW-TRUCK DRIVER SENT TO RETRIEVE ME NEARLY WAS SIDE-SWIPED/KILLED BY A PASSING SEMI WHILE LOADING MY VEHICLE ONTO HIS FLATBED, HOWEVER). IT BEING A SUNDAY, MY TRIP WAS DISRUPTED AND I WAS FORCED TO STAY OVERNIGHT IN THE DEALER LOCALE UNTIL THE PROBLEM COULD BE ADDRESSED THE FOLLOWING DAY. BECAUSE A NEW FUEL PUMP WAS NOT IN STOCK AND COULD NOT BE DELIVERED FOR ANOTHER 2 DAYS, I RETURNED HOME IN A RENTAL CAR AND ARRANGED TO HAVE MY CAR TRANSPORTED TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP ONCE THE REPAIR WAS COMPLETED, WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE SOME 9 DAYS LATER. EXPENSES OF THE DISRUPTION WERE REIMBURSED COMPLETELY BY VW OF AMERICA. I BECAME AWARE OF THE SUBSEQUENT RECALL ONLY RECENTLY VIA AN INT

2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT V6 (HEATED SEATS)- HEATING ELEMENT BURNED HOLE IN LEATHER SEATS WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE! HAD TO PULL OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD AS THE SEAT BECAME VERY HOT AND STARTED TO SCORCH MY PANTS. DESPITE A NUMBER OF RECALLS (AND COMPLAINTS FILED BY OTHERS- MANY LISTED ON THE NHTSA SITE) FOR BOTH PASSATS AND JETTAS, VOLKSWAGEN OF NORTH AMERICA REFUSES TO PICK UP THE COST OF THE $1100. REPAIR (OR ANY OF THE COST FOR THAT MATTER) BECAUSE THEY INSIST MY VIN IS OUTSIDE OF THE RANGE OF VEHICLES AFFECTED AND MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THERE IS CLEARLY A SAFETY PROBLEM HERE AND VW KNOWS IT. THEY SAY A DIFFERENT HEATING ELEMENT WAS USED IN MY CAR SO IT ISN'T PART OF THE RECALL. WHO CARES WHICH ELEMENT WAS USED? IT STILL RESULTED IN THE SAME PROBLEM- A BURNED SEAT. *JB

OWNER WAS DRIVING THE VOLKSWAGEN AND SMELLED A WEIRD ODOR, SO HE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE OPENED THE HOOD AND LOOKED TOWARD THE BACK OF THE ENGINE AND OBSERVED SMOKE AND SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. HE STATED HE OBSERVED FIRE FROM THE BOTTOM PART OF A WIRE HARNESS. A SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION REVEALED THE SPARK PLUGS SHOWED A SLIGHTLY RICH FUEL/AIR MIXTURE IN THE CYLINDERS, RESULTING IN POSSIBLE OVERHEATED EXHAUST COMPONENTS. CAUSE OF FIRE UNDETERMINED. *NM

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER SHORTED OUT AND BURNED A HOLE IN SEAT COVER. SEAT WAS DRY AND TEMPETURE SET AT LOW. *NM

MY 2003 VW PASSAT 4-DOOR SEDAN HAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES WHERE THE BRAKE LIGHTS CONTINUE TO REMAIN ON WHILE DRIVING AND EVEN AFTER THE ENGINE IS SHUT OFF. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN TODAY AND I NOTICED THIS TIME THAT THE EMERGENCY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING EARLIER IN THE DAY - THIS IS ALSO ANOTHER ISSUE THAT ALSO COMES ON/OFF FOR NO REASON. I'VE REPORTED THE WARNING LIGHT A COUPLE OF TIMES AS WELL TO THE VW SERVICE AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHY THAT HAPPENS EITHER. THE WARNING LIGHT WILL AT LEAST SHUT OFF WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF, UNLIKE MY BRAKE LIGHTS. SINCE TODAY IS SATURDAY, LEAVING MY BRAKE LIGHTS ON UNTIL THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT REOPENS ON A MONDAY IS PROBABLY GOING TO RUN MY BATTERY DEAD. WITH THAT CONCERN IN MIND, I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE VW ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE HOTLINE, 800-822-8987, TO SEE IF THEY HAD ANY REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS I CAN LOOK INTO AND THE OPERATOR SAID SHE WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY DOCUMENTATION. SHE ADVISED THAT VW ROADSIDE CAN COME TOW MY VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP (THAT WON'T REOPEN UNTIL MONDAY) OR THEY CAN COME TO JUMP-START MY CAR (WHICH CAN TAKE UP TO 45-60 MIN. AFTER DISPATCH). THIS SEEMS A TERRIBLY LONG TIME TO WAIT & A HUGE INCONVENIENCE ESP. SINCE IT ALSO TOOK 30 MIN. JUST TO REACH THE LIVE OPERATOR IN THE FIRST PLACE. I LOVE DRIVING MY PASSAT; I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW DIRECT FROM THE DEALERSHIP IN 2003. CAR SAFETY IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME WHICH IS WHY I'M ADAMANT ABOUT FOLLOWING SERVICE GUIDELINES AND BRING MY CAR IN FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE & OIL

OWNER WAS DRIVING WHEN SOMEONE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD POINTED AND INDICATED THERE WAS SOMETHING COMING OUT OF HER VEHICLE THAT LOOKED LIKE FOG. SMOKE WAS THEN NOTICED AND HER HUSBAND GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, LOOKED UNDERNEATH, AND SAW FIRE. HE BEGAN THROWING SNOW ON THE VEHICLE. FD EXTINGUISHED FIRE. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION REVEALED THE EXHAUST SYSTEM OVERHEATED AND IGNITED THE FIRE DUE TO AN ENGINE MANAGEMENT PROBLEM - SPARK PLUGS SHOWED OVERLY RICH FUEL/AIR MIXTURE.

VEHICLE STARTED FEELING SLUGGISH, REPAIR FACILITY CHANGED SPARK PLUGS, AN IGNITION COIL, AND A HALL SENSOR. FACILITY ADMITTED THEY COULD NOT REPAIR VEHICLE SO IT WAS DRIVEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. WHILE BEING DRIVEN TO THE DEALER, THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING. CONTINUED DRIVING, ARRIVED AT DEALER, AND THERE WAS A FIRE UNDER HOOD. EXHAUST SYSTEM OVERHEATED, BURNING MATERIALS ON THE RIGHT FRONT FLOORBOARD. *NM

OWNER DROVE VEHICLE TO WORK AND NOTICED IT STARTED SMOKING. DROVE BACK HOME AND WENT INSIDE TO CALL AND HAVE VEHICLE TOWED. HE DID NOT GO BACK OUT TO THE VEHICLE UNTIL LATER IN THE EVENING, WHEN HE FOUND THE WINDOWS GRAY FROM SMOKE AND THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS PARTIALLY MELTED BECAUSE IT CAUGHT FIRE. CATALYTIC CONVERTER LIGHT CAME ON SEVERAL DAYS PRIOR TO THE FIRE. FIRE DAMAGE LIMITED TO FLOOR BELOW CENTER FRONT OF DASH, ABOVE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND EXHAUST SYSTEM.

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

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

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

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

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

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

I WAS DRIVING MY PASSAT WITH 1.8 T ENGINE AND THE ENGINE FAILED. VOLKSWAGEN "ADVOCATES" WERE COMPLETELY UNHELPFUL THIS OCCURRED IN SUMMER OF 2005. VOLKSWAGEN AWARE OF PROBLEM AND LEFT CONSUMER TO PAY FOR 9000 DOLLAR REPAIR. IN THE LAST YEAR MY CAR HAS BEEN IN AT LEAST EIGHT TIMES FOR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. COMPANY AWARE OF PROBLEM AND UNWILLING TO HELP. *NM

I AM INVESTIGATING AND GATHERING INCIDENT INFORMATION ABOUT THE FLOODING PROBLEMS THAT VOLKSWAGENS, ESPECIALLY THE PASSAT, EXHIBIT FROM MODEL YEARS 1998 TO THE PRESENT. THERE IS A CHANCE OF A CLASS ACTION SUIT FOR WHICH THIS INFORMATION IS BEING GATHERED. IF INTERESTED, PLEASE RESPOND TO [email protected] FOR MORE INFORMATION. *NM

MY DRIVER SEAT STARTED ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING. I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE HAD A CAN OF SODA ON HAND TO POUR ON IT BECAUSE THE FLAMES WERE COMING FROM DEEP INSIDE THE INTERIOR OF THE FOAM PADDING INSIDE THE SEAT. I WAS NOT INJURED, BUT BASED ON THE SIZE OF THE FLAMES, COULD HAVE EASILY LOST MY ENTIRE CAR IF I HAD NOT BEEN ON A SLOW ROAD (ABLE TO STOP QUICKLY) AND DOUSE IT WITH SOMETHING WET. I NOTICED THAT THE SEAT WARMER WAS ON SO IMMEDIATELY SHUT IT OFF. SEVERAL DAYS LATER I TURNED THE WARMER BACK ON TO SEE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN - WITHIN 60 SECONDS SMOKE AND SPARKS WERE VISIBLE FROM THE HOLE CAUSED BY THE ORIGINAL FIRE. THERE WERE REAL FLAMES AND MY CAR WAS FULL OF SMOKE. HAD I NOT BEEN ABLE TO PUT THEM OUT QUICKLY AND HAD MY CHILDREN STRAPPED INTO THEIR CAR SEATS AT THE TIME THIS COMPLAINT WOULD PROBABLY BE A DEATH NOTICE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, NONE OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHO WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL # 04V096000, WHICH PERTAINS TO THE BRAKE LIGHTS SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE MODEL OF THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 12/18/2006 - THE NEW BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS INSTALLED ON 11/28/2006. *NM

1) OUR 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.8T IS LEAKING WATER INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAB. 2) THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE PASSAT AS WELL AS OTHER VOLKSWAGENS AND HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS. 3) REPAIR WILL REQUIRE MODIFICATION OF DRAIN SYSTEMS AROUND THE VEHICLE TO PREVENT INTRUSION OF WATER INTO SENSITIVE SPACES. *NM

2003 VW PASSAT W8 OVERHEATED AFTER BEING SERVICED FOR TEMP SENSOR. ENGINE SEEMED TO BLOW HEAD GASKET. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED BACK TO DEALER WHERE SERVICE WAS PERFORMED. VEHICLE STILL THERE AND DAMAGE MAYBE WORSE. *NM

2003 VW PASSAT DRIVER LEATHER SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE OPERATING CAR. IT BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT & SCORCHED/DAMAGED MY COAT. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ONLY DRIVING A FEW BLOCKS & HAD PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT. I CONTACTED VW CONSUMER RELATIONS & WAS SHOCKED AT THE RESPONSE. IT SEEMED ROUTINE TO THE MANAGER. THEY "MAY GIVE ME THE REPLACEMENT VALUE OF MY COAT IF IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED". I WAS TOLD THAT A CAR WOULD BE GIVEN TO ME TO DRIVE AT NO CHARGE WHILE MINE IS BEING REPAIRED. I EXPLAINED THAT I DO NOT FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE MY CAR WITH AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION UNDER ME AND I WAS TOLD THAT A TOW WOULD BE PROVIDED AT NO CHARGE. I WILL HOLD VW RESPONSIBLE THE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT SEATS & WARMER ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, THE COSTS OF A RENTAL OR LOANER CAR WHILE MINE IS IN REPAIR, THE COST TO REPLACE ANY DAMAGED CLOTHING, & ANY OTHER COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE INCIDENT YET TO BE DETERMINED. IT IS VERY UPSETTING TO ME TO THINK THAT I WAS SITTING ON A FIRE WHILE OPERATING MY CAR. WHAT IF MY COAT CAUGHT ON FIRE??? I DRIVE A VERY BUSY INTERSTATE TO & FROM WORK. IT WAS FORTUNATE THAT I WAS ON MY LUNCH BREAK DRIVING A VERY SHORT DISTANCE & NOT DRIVING HOME. *JB

DRIVER'S SIDE CAR SEAT STARTED SMOLDERING THEN FLAMES APPEARED. TURNED OFF CAR SEAT HEATER AND EXTINGUISHED WITH WATER. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER 15 MINUTES WITH THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER ON, THE SEAT BEGAN TO SMOKE AND THEN SMOLDERED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME AND WAS TURNED OFF. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN SEEN BY A MECHANIC.

I HAD JUST BEGAN LEAVING A SUPERMARKET PARKING LOT WHEN I FELT A BURNING SENSATION ON MY LEFT UPPER THIGH. I REACHED DOWN TO DETERMINE WHY AND THEN SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. LOOKING DOWN, I SAW A BURN HOLE IN THE DRIVER SEAT, LEFT SIDE, TOWARD THE BACK OF THE SEAT. IT LOOKED LIKE A CIGARETTE BURN. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE SEAT HEATER OFF, WHICH WAS ON 3, PULLED OVER AND EXTINGUISHED THE SMOLDERING WITH MY HAND. THE DEALERS INITIAL RESPONSE WAS THAT MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BUT THEY WOULD SEE IF IT COULD STILL BE COVERED AT NO CHARGE. I'M WAITING ON A RESPONSE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A RELATIVELY COMMON FAILURE BASED ON THE COMPLAINTS THAT HAVE BEEN FILED AND IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, WHITE STEAM ERUPTED FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING VENTS WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT INSPECTED UNDER THE HOOD, AND DETERMINED THE COOLANT WAS LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION, WHO DETERMINED THE HEATER CORE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

FUEL PUMP FALIIURE ON 2003 VW PASSAT CAR STALLED ON I-95 IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY TRAFFIC FAMILY WAS STRANDED ON I-95 AT 1:00AM

DT*: 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. *JB

2003 VW PASSAT HEATED SEAT BURNT THROUGH THE LEATHER. I HAD BURNT SENSATIONS WHILE DRIVING AND SMELLED BURNING..VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS. GOOD THING I WAS QUICK THINKING AND TURNED OFF THE HEATED SEAT IMMEDIATELY. *NM

THE HEATED DRIVERS LEATHER SEAT ELEMENT BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER AND BURNED A HOLE IN MY PANTS. I FELT THE BURN AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR, AND TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER. I WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY WAITING FOR THE WINDOWS TO DEFROST. THE CAR IS A 2003 VW PASSAT 1.8T. I CALLED A VW DEALER, AND THEY SAID TO BRING IT IN FOR INSPECTION. *NM

WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING OUR 2003 AWD PASSAT WAGON WITH MYSELF AND TWO CHILDREN IN THE CAR, THE DRIVER SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. AT THE TIME IT CAUGHT FIRE, THE HEATED SEAT WAS ON SETTING 3 FOR NO MORE THAN 5 MINUTES. LUCKILY, MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD, EXIT THE VEHICLE, AND TURN OFF THE HEATED SEAT BEFORE HE WAS BURNED AND/OR A LARGE FIRE ERUPTED. *NM

MY PASSAT HAD TWO PREVIOUS INSTANCES OF WATER LEAKAGE IN THE FLOOR OF THE BACK SEAT, WHERE THE COMPUTER IS HOUSED. THIS RESULTED IN A SHORT-CIRCUIT IN THE CARS COMPUTER IN THE FALL OF 2005, CAUSING THE CAR TO SLOW IN TRAFFIC AND ULTIMATELY STOP WHEN I REACHED DEALERSHIP. MAROONE VOLKSWAGEN OF DELRAY BEACH ADDRESSED THESE TWO INSTANCES UNDER WARRANTY BY FOCUSING ON THE POLLEN FILTER AND POLLEN FILTER CAGING. ON THE THIRD OCCASION, I AGAIN TOOK IT TO MAROONE VOLKSWAGEN ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2006 SINCE THIS SEEMED TO BE ANOTHER RECURRENCE OF THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALER WOULD NOT FIX UNDER WARRANTY. SERVICE ADVISOR SAID COWL HAD A HAIRLINE FRACTURE, WHICH WAS ALLOWING WATER UNDER MY HOOD AND INTO THE CAR. HOWEVER, COWL WAS INTACT ON PREVIOUS VISITS FOR SAME PROBLEM. CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA WHO ACCEPTED DEALERS DIAGNOSIS. THIS IS ESPECIALLY TROUBLING GIVEN THERE IS A WEALTH OF INFORMATION ONLINE POSTED BY PASSAT OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME LEAKAGE PROBLEM THAT I DESCRIBE ABOVE, AND IT IS NOT DUE TO COWL. PLEASE REFER TO AUTOBAHN.COM. *JB

I TURNED ON THE DRIVER'S HEATED SEATS WHEN I FELT THEM HOTTER THAN USUAL, SECONDS LATER I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND THEN I SAW SMOKE COMING UP FROM THE LEFT SIDE BY MY SEAT. I JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR AND FOUND FLAMES VISIBLE COMING FROM INSIDE THE SEAT. I PUT THE FIRE OUT. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO FIX IT. *NM

ON OCTOBER 2ND, I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 85 IN DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA WHEN I HEARD A FAINT POP AND THEN FELT MY CAR TRANSFER WEIGHT FROM THE LEFT TO THE RIGHT. AS I LOOKED IN MY REVIEW I SAW A TIRE WITHOUT A RIM ROLLING BEHIND ME. I MERGED TO THE LEFT SHOULDER AND STOPPED UNDER AN UNDERPASS. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I DISCOVERED MY LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD BELT HAD BLOWN AWAY FROM BOTH THE INNER AND OUTER SIDE WALLS. THE TREAD BELT WAS STILL COMPLETELY INTACT, MAKING IT LOOK AS IF IT WERE A DONUT. THE INNER AND OUTER SIDE WALLS HAD REMAINED INTACT TO THE RIM. SOME MINOR DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL WELL OF THE VEHICLE HAD OCCURRED. SEEING AS THESE TIRES WERE PURCHASED IN DECEMBER OF 2005, AND HAD LESS THAN 40,000 AND THEY'RE RATED FOR 80,000 MILES, I BELIEVE THESE TIRES ARE DEFECTIVE AND DANGEROUS. THE TIRE BRAND IS GOODYEAR TRIPLE TREAD ASSURANCE. CURRENTLY THE CAR'S REAR TIRE HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH A FULL SIZE SPARE TIRE AND WILL BE BROUGHT BACK TO THE TIRE DEALER TOMORROW TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE. *JB

MY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WENT OUT AND I DIDN'T KNOW I DIDN'T HAVE BRAKES UNTIL SOMEONE AT A LIGHT TOLD ME. WHO KNOWS HOW LONG I'VE DROVE AROUND LIKE THAT. AND IT SEEMS VERY ODD THAT SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM TOO. I OWN TWO VW'S (2003 PASSAT & 2004 GOLF), BOTH HAVE HAD THIS SWITCH FAILURE. THE 2004 WAS REPLACED/FIXED UNDER WARRANTY; THE 2003 WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY & COSTS WERE EXORBITANT. THE SERVICE DEPT AND SERVICE MANAGERS BOTH ADMITTED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND OFTENTIMES THEIR MECHANICS WILL BREAK THE NEW SWITCH WHILE INSTALLING IT. I BROKE TWO SWITCHES MYSELF ATTEMPTING A SIMPLE INSTALL. WHAT WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE WAS THAT THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED & YES I HAVE BOTH THE ORIGINAL BROKEN PART, PLUS ANOTHER NEWER REVISION OF THE SWITCH THAT I PERSONALLY BROKE, PLUS THE NOW WORKING SWITCH INSTALLED IN BOTH VW'S. *NM

MY 2003 PASSAT HAS APPROX. 34,000 MILES. THE BRAKE ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE -- ONCE AT SOMEWHAT OVER 12K MILES AGO, AND THE OTHER VERY RECENTLY. THE MOST RECENT TIME, WE WERE TOLD NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR ANY FURTHER (BY THE DEALER) BECAUSE IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FIRST TIME, VW PAID FOR THE REPAIR, THIS TIME THEY WOULD NOT. I BELIEVE THERE IS A SAFETY PROBLEM, ONE WHICH I AM AFRAID WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. PLEASE NOTE...I DO NOT HAVE THE EXACT DATE IN THE FIELD BELOW. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A CLANGING NOISE WHILE PULLING INTO A GARAGE. WHEN THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED, THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, AND DID NOT ENGAGE COMPLETELY. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF A PROBLEM PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP WAS CONSULTED, AND DETERMINED THE REAR BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED, THE TIRES WERE ROTATED, AND THE OIL WAS CHANGED. DURING THE SUBSEQUENT TEST DRIVE, THE VEHICLE STALLED COMPLETELY WHILE TRAVELING 25 MPH. A SERVICE DEALER WAS CONSULTED BY THE PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, AND DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL # 06V017000 WHICH PERTAINED TO THE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE HESITATED INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED . THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER DETERMINED THIS WAS HOW THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED, RECALL # 06V017000; FUEL PUMP (VW #M7) WAS RECEIVED IN THE 2ND WEEK OF MARCH 2006. WHEN THE SERVICE DEALER WAS CONTACTED FOR AN APPOINTMENT, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE FUEL PUMP WAS BACK ORDERED AND THE CONTACT WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN THE PART WAS AVAILABLE. IN MAY 2006 THE PART WAS STILL ON BACK ORDER. WHEN THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED BACK TO DEALER.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD A RECALL (06V017000) FOR THE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE WAITING LIST TO GET THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED WITH THE DEALER FOR FIVE MONTHS. THE SERVICE DEALER EXPRESSED THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXPRESSED THE FUEL WAS UNABLE TO BE OBTAINED.

CONSUMER COMPLAINT AGAINST DEALER AND MANUFACTURER REFUSE TO REPAIR THE 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT UNDER RECALL. *KB THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THEY COULDN'T PERFORM THE RECALL BECAUSE THERE WERE NO MORE FUEL PUMPS AVAILABLE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A RECALL NOTICE RECEIVED IN MARCH 2006. THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE RECALL NOTICES WAS RECEIVED; HOWEVER THE CONTACT INQUIRED SIX TIMES AS TO WHEN THE PART WOULD BE IN AND THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT OFFER AN ESTIMATE. THE NHTSA RECALL WAS # 06V017000 REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: FUEL PUMP. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD, RESTARTED, AND WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE IGNITION COIL WAS REPLACED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE MALFUNCTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THEN THE ENGINE POWER FAILED, REQUIRING THE VEHICLE TO COAST TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE MALFUNCTION WAS IDENTIFIED AS 2 FAULTY IGNITION COILS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. UPDATED 11/21/2006 - THE IGNITION COILS HAVE FAILED THREE TIMES IN FOUR YEARS. *NM

I BOUGHT MY 2003 VW PASSAT WAGON BRAND NEW. IN A SPAN OF 3 YEARS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY REAR ROTORS AND BRAKES 4 TIMES AND HAVE YET TO REPLACE THE FRONT ROTORS AND BRAKES AND THE CAR IS AT 77,510. I HAD THE LEFT REAR ROTOR REPLACED JAN. 21, 2004, THE RIGHT ROTOR APRIL 1, 2004, BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT ROTOR NOV. 23, 2004, AND THEN BOTH AGAIN JULY 11, 2005. I WAS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS FROM THE BEGINNING AND STRESSED THE RECURRING ISSUE WITH VW CORPORATE SINCE MY WARRANTY WAS RUNNING OUT AND THE PROBLEM WAS STILL PERSISTING. WHEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN AT MY REGULAR CHECK UP IN JUNE OF 2005, AFTER ONLY 7 MONTHS AND 11,427 MILES FROM THE LAST TIME I CHANGED THE BRAKES AND ROTORS, I RAISED SOME RED FLAGS AND SUGGESTED THAT I LEMON LAW THE CAR, VW RESEARCHED AND FOUND THAT "THERE WAS EXCESSIVE HEAT ON MY REAR BRAKES AND THAT MY BOOSTER ROD WAS BENT AND NOT RELEASING REAR BRAKE PRESSURE COMPLETELY". ON JULY 11, 2005 VW REPLACED THE BRAKE BOOSTER, MASTER CYLINDER, ROTORS, AND BRAKES. WHICH BRINGS US TO THE PRESENT, I TOOK MY CAR TO GET MY REGULAR SERVICE AND FIND OUT THAT I HAVE TO CHANGE MY FRONT AND REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS. THE FRONT I CAN UNDERSTAND GIVEN THAT IT IS NOW AT 77,510, BUT THE REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS AGAIN AFTER 18,500 MILES? I HAVE ALWAYS FELT THERE IS SOMETHING VERY WRONG WITH THIS CAR AND AFTER RESEARCH ON THE WEB AND FINDING OTHERS ARE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS, I KNOW THERE IS SOMETHING VERY WRONG WITH THIS CAR AND WHEN IT COMES TO THE BRAKE SYSTEM THERE IS DEFINITELY CA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V017000, REGARDING THE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. 08/29/06 VEHICLE WAS IN LEFT LANE OF 4 LANE INTERSTATE WHEN FAILURE OCCURRED. DRIVER HAD TO MOVE ACROSS ALL THE LANES TO SAFETY. *TT

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 ADDITION TO HAVING TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT AND REAR ROTORS AT ABOUT 20,00 MILES AS WELL AS CONTROL ARMS. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN INORDINATE AMOUNT OF SERVICE IN ONLY 3 YEARS AND 44,000 MILES! *JB

ABS CONTROL MODULE ON MY 2003 VW PASSAT FAILED. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON FAILURE THAT DISABLES THE ABS. *JB